Many OHIP-insured patients have had their eye appointments cancelled as talks between the province and the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) are at a standstill.
The OAO warned it would withdraw OHIP services, starting September 1, if a deal could not be reached. The OAO said although it recognizes the inconvenience this move has on patients, they're left with no other options.
"The OAO will remain seated at the bargaining table on September 1 directly across from the chairs that have remained empty for the past 30 years," read an OAO tweet.
The association has been pushing for the provincial government to address chronic underfunding of eye care, stating that optometrists in Ontario are the lowest funded optometrists in Canada.
OHIP covers eye exams for those aged 19 and under, as well as those 65 and older, and those with specific health conditions.
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Christine Elliott said a fair plan was put on the table, adding that the OAO said "no" to mediation over the weekend.
In an open letter to optometrists on August 23, Elliott said an offer from the government included an immediate compensation increase that would be retroactive to April 1, a one time payment of $39 million, and a commitment to ensure monthly discussions with the OAO.
Today I wrote a letter to each of Ontario’s optometrists directly.
— Christine Elliott (@celliottability) August 23, 2021
I want to be transparent with them and that means sharing exactly what we have put on the table through mediated negotiations. pic.twitter.com/1KSgIJLL13
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Elliott said an invitation was put forward to resume mediation.
"The ministry has accepted the mediator’s conditions and communicated its continued willingness to return to mediation, and is ready, willing, and able to do just that. Despite the OAO maintaining they are at the table, it’s unclear what table they are sitting at given they have declined the mediator’s conditions. We await a change of heart from the OAO," said Elliott. "I want to be clear that our government will continue to fund these optometry services through OHIP. Any decision to withdraw services is the decision of individual optometrists."
During the current job action, local optometrists have been asked to direct all media requests to the OAO.
Blackburn News reached out to the OAO but a representative did not respond to an interview request at the time of publication.