Access (Assistance for Care, Commuting and Essential Specialized Services) Act, 2026
Sponsored by Gretzky, Lisa, Gélinas, France, Lennox, Robin, McKenney, Catherine · First Reading Ordered for Second Reading
- Requires the Minister of Health to examine creating a grant program for travel costs to access specialist care
- Grants would help Ontarians who must travel for medical specialist services unavailable locally
- Eligibility includes being an Ontario resident referred by a primary care clinician for specialist care
- Applicants must travel at least 100 kilometres one-way to reach the nearest needed specialist or facility
- Travel costs must not already be covered by programs like WSIB, federal Non-Insured Health Benefits, or private insurance
- Applications must be made within 12 months of treatment, with original receipts provided
- Minister must table a report within six months describing steps to fully fund the program within a further six months