OHP
 

Well what do you all think of this?

OHP (Ontario Health Premium) will now be deducted off your pay check if you're earning more that $20,000.

I don't like this at all. What's the point of having universal health care if you're going to start making us pay for everything. I mean we obviously pay for it in our taxes, but this goes to show you there's a big problem with spending in this province.
Also, I don't see the government ensuring that this premium goes directly to health care. It'll probably go into general revenue and used for everything else BUT health care.

Okay, this is more of a rant. Right now this doesn't affect me, but eventually it will. They will be deducting it automaticaly from your pay check.

Opinions?

Well... we pay for a lot that comes off our paychecks automatically - Canada Pension, EI Premiums.

Supposedly, we used to pay OHIP Premiums off of our paychecks. So really, we're just moving backwards.

Take it for what it is: they're raising taxes. As much as I don't like it... they had to balance the budget. The previous government had left them with a sizable deficit and that of course was only found out after the election. It was either raising taxes or cutting programs. But it still sucks.

I'm annoyed that we know have to pay to see the eye doctor if you are between the ages of 18 and 60 (?).

Just so you know....

Citizens of the US are now rolling their eyes and saying "I told you so".

Something that should always be recognized: If you give the government the power to spend on something, spending will eventually get out of control.

So, technically, for people over $20,000 you'll be double paying for your health insurance premiums -- once in taxes and once in premiums. Doesn't sound fair at all to me.

Maybe y'all should consider privatizing it?:eek:

I thought we were covered for checkups every 2 years. I had my last appointment couple of months ago and it was free. If you want to see a optometrist every year, you would pay extra (like $50). Did this policy change already?

I believe you are still covered every 2 years. If it's medically warrented (ie. Diabetes) it's every year, but that's still covered. I have to go every year because of my diabetes. And quite franly if I had to pay I wouldn't go.

Health care will never be fully privatized. Because Canadians would never stand for it. Honestly as much as I bitch, I'm glad we still have our health care the way it is. It's still hell of a lot cheaper for me, even if I have to pay an arm in a leg in taxes, because I can't get health insurance, or even if I did it'd be paying 2 arms and 2 legs for it!

ETA: Though I suspect Tommy Douglas is rolling over in his grave ;)

^ Same here. It sucks paying more, but its worth it compared to the U.S. I just can't bring myself to get covered here. It's a concept that needs getting used to. I'd rather get across the border and use my OHIP card :D

Well, if you want to see an eye doctor for "free", you can always see an othamologist (spelling??). Optomistrists are the ones that you have to pay for. They're the ones that can't prescribe medication for your eyes because they didn't go to medical school. The only issue is that othamologists have very, very, very long waiting lists.

I see an opthamologist every year (for my diabetes). I've never had a problem getting an appointment. The only problem is they don't really check to see if you need glasses. They are looking for serious problems, like cataracts, glaucoma, etc, etc.

I believe one of the reasons for this is the fact that Health Care funding has been reduced at the federal level.. well lower than the 1995 levels...

No, along with the OHP, they announced that the visiting your eye doctor will be akin to visiting a dentist - pay up. It's effective as of tomorrow.


But I agree - Canadians will never agree to private Health Care. We'd rather wait in line and pay higher taxes than to know that the poor of the country have to go without.

More like we'd rather wait in line and complain than know that the poor will have to go without....*runs and ducks*...I wonder if companies will eventually have eye plans like they have dental plans.

Ha ha ha... I never said we didn't complain!

Some places already do have eye plans... I know my dad's plan lets him go once a year (instead of once every two years that OHIP used to allow). Many also subsidize the cost of glasses.

My eye plan here in the US sounds very similar to what you get in Canada. My insurance plan will pay for a yearly eye exam IF my prescription changes. How do I know whether my prescription changes unless I go in? Also, I have to go annually because I wear contacts and they won't let you get more than a year's worth of contacts without going in again. The last time I bought glasses, they covered a whopping $45 of the cost. I paid $300. They pay for $45 of my contacts (IF my prescription changes), once a year, but my contacts are about $460 a year. We get nailed worse, still!

Dee
ETA: I pay about $17 per pay period for my health insurance plus $5 co-pays on Dr. visits and about $150 in co-pays a month for medications for myself and my daughter. It adds up pretty quickly.

:eek: :eek: $460?


I get mine for $60 every 3-months (w/o insurance). Thats about $240 Canadian. Do you get a special kind of contacts?

Our company plan is being adjusted to include yearly eye examination coverage, so that is covered.

Just checked my pay stub for my direct-deposit for tomorrow...sigh...yes, there is a deducation....

Well, in Alberta, you pay for ALL your health care premiums, not just a portion (in ON, employers pay for HC costs). I would much rather pay this amount than have AB Health Care invoicing me every 3 months! It was a total pain!

Got this in an email this morning.


Taxable Income 2004 Taxation Year 2005 and Subsequent Tax Years

Up to $20,000 No premium No premium
$20,000 - $36,000 $150 $300
$36,000 - $48,000 $225 $450
$48,000 - $72,000 $300 $600
$72,000 - $200,000 $375 $750
More than $200,000 $450 $900

The first premium level would be phased in at 6% of taxable income in
excess of $20,000, with the full premium payable at taxable income of
$25,000. The implementation is occurring July 1, 2004 and premiums for
2004 will be equal to one-half of the 2005 amount payable. For 2005, an
individual with taxable income of $22,000 would pay $60 [(6% x $2,000) x
½]. Each subsequent increase in premium level would be phased in over the
first $600 of taxable income in that range at a rate of 25%.

The premium would apply to individuals who are residents of Ontario on the
last day of the taxation year. Trusts and non-resident taxpayers would be
exempt from the premium. Individuals who become bankrupt during the year
would be required to pay the premium based on their taxable income for the
full calendar year. For individuals who die or emigrate from Canada during
the year, the premium would be determined based on taxable income reported
in the individual's final Ontario tax return.

To simplify compliance for premium remitters and minimize administrative
costs, the Province will work with the Canada Revenue Agency to collect and
administer the premium on Ontario's behalf. Since the premium is proposed
to be implemented through the Income Tax Act and administered under the
existing Tax Collection Agreement between Ontario and the federal
government, income tax withholding and instalment rules would apply.

Withholdings will commence July 1, 2004. To ensure that employers do not
incur added costs to change their payroll systems, the premium would be
included on pay statements as a component of the income tax withheld.
Individuals who make income tax instalment payments will have the option of
adding the proposed premium to the remaining instalment payments for 2004
and the first two instalments in 2005. Individuals would determine the
actual amount of the premium on their annual tax returns. A full review of
the premium by a committee of the legislature is proposed to take place by 2009.

Oops, missed this before! Yes, after 25 years of wearing contacts, apparently my eyes are starting to rebel and my eye doc insists that I can only wear this one kind. They are disposable and can be worn for one month. They are about $40 a pair, per month, for 12 months = $480. It stinks. I'm considering getting lasik surgery at $659 per eye, but they can't guarantee that I won't still need glasses AND they said that I can't wear contacts at all if I get that done. Dilemmas!

Dee