CAP ON CO-PAYMENT INCREASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cap on Co-Payment Increase Good News for Long Term Care Residents

TORONTO (May 29, 2003) – Today’s announcement by Premier Ernie Eves of a reduction in the proposed co-payment increase is welcome news for residents living in Ontario’s long term care facilities.

“We are pleased that the government has responded to the concerns of residents and their family members,” said Donna Rubin, CEO of the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS). “This reduction will ease the financial burden for seniors living in facilities.”

The government had announced last summer that co-payments would rise by $2.00 both this year and next. Today’s news that this year’s increase will be capped at the rate of inflation means that the portion paid by residents will only go up by $1.16 effective July 1. Eves announced as well that next year’s co-payment increase will also match the rate of inflation.

Today’s announcement was also used by the government to reaffirm their commitment to increase operating funding for long-term care by $100 million annually. “Additional money is desperately needed in our sector and this new funding will certainly help,” said Rubin. “We are encouraged that the government is taking steps to address our funding issues and we look forward to continuing to work with them to make changes that will benefit residents.”

OANHSS is the provincial association representing not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors. Its member organizations operate over 25,000 long term care beds and over 5,000 seniors’ housing units across the province.

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For further information, contact:

Donna Rubin Debbie Humphreys
905-851-8821 ext 230 905-851-8821 ext 233

C	ontact OANHSS

Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes & Services for Seniors
7050 Weston Road, Suite 700, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 8G7
(P) 905-851-8821
(F) 905-851-0744

OANHSS Privacy Policy

OANHSS members include not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors in Ontario.
Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit nursing homes,
seniors' housing projects and community service agencies.