Ontario NDP to cover contraception costs if elected in June
Posted April 21, 2022 9:48 am.
Last Updated April 21, 2022 10:18 am.
The provincial New Democrats say they will fully cover prescription contraception under OHIP if they form the next government on June 2.
Currently OHIP does not cover contraception costs, only vasectomies.
Under the NDP’s plan all prescription contraception including emergency birth control like Plan B, the pill, intrauterine devices (IUD), implants, shots, patches or rings would be covered.
NDP leader Andrea Horwath says the change will remove any cost barriers that limit people’s ability to make free choices about their reproductive health.
“Contraception is health and a human right. No one should have to pay $30/month, or go without because they can’t afford it,” said Horwath. “An NDP government will fully cover prescription contraception under OHIP, so everyone can have it when they need it.”
She adds the change could be done “within weeks” of the June election.
Horwath didn’t divulge the price tag for the plan, but says the NDP will be releasing a fully costed platform along with more details about pharmacare during the election campaign.
Under the previous Liberal government, prescription contraception was covered for anyone under the age of 25 as part of OHIP+. However, the Ford government amended that to anyone who didn’t have access under a private drug benefit program.
The federal Liberals and NDP have agreed to expanded healthcare as part of an agreement to prop up the minority government on confidence votes for the next three years. However, exact details as to whether or not this type of coverage would be part of a national pharmacare plan have not been announced.
