Ford Tories will cut back on free prescription plan

Ontario’s government will no longer offer free prescriptions to kids and young adults with private coverage, the province’s new health minister announced Saturday.

In a news release issued a day after the Progressive Conservative government was sworn in, Christine Elliott said the move follows through on Premier Doug Ford’s campaign promise to find cost-cutting measures that don’t slash jobs.

“Premier Ford promised the people he would find efficiencies without compromising service or jobs, and we are delivering,” she said.

Children and youth who are not covered by private benefits will continue to receive their eligible prescriptions for free, the news release said, while those covered by private plans will bill those insurers first and the government second.

The release does not specify when the new system comes into effect, and representatives for Elliott and Ford did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Elliott said she looks forward to “working with insurance groups to ensure a smooth transition to this updated system.” The announcement comes a day after Elliott was sworn in as minister of health and longterm care.

OHIP+, enacted by the previous Liberal government just last year, offered free prescription medication for Ontarians under the age of 25.

It covered the 4,400-plus drugs included in the Ontario Drug Benefit Program, which is used by seniors and those on social assistance.