MPP Michael Mantha moving bill to fix Northern Health Travel Grant

By Rosalind Russell February 13, 2024

Michael Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, was joined by Donna Stewart, the CAO of the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board yesterday at the Espanola Regional Hospital & Health Centre to focus on travelling costs for those in medical distress.

He says the two were there to call on the province to pass Bill 13, The Northern Health Travel Grant Advisory Committee Act, adding it is a program meant to assist patients living in Northern Ontario who need to travel more than 100 km for medical treatment.

Stewart adds an increase in grant rates would be extremely helpful for anyone in the north and more specifically social assistance recipients stressing a review of the grant system could result in increased access to important health care.

Bill 13 will be debated at second reading in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario next week on the 22nd.

Mantha says if his proposed legislation passes a committee composed of Northern healthcare providers and residents would hold consultations, study the program’s effectiveness, and make recommendations to the Ministry of Health for improvements.