NDP Health Critic Shelley Martel wants the McGuinty government to stop a private medical clinic in Kingston from charging thousands of dollars for access to a doctor.

“The McGuinty Liberals promised to end the creeping privatization of Medicare. But Kingston seniors who can afford it can get 24-hour care and extra wellness services from this clinic while the rest wait in line. That sounds like pay-your-way-to-the-front-of-the-line health care to me,” Martel said.

The Health For Life Medical Centre has opened on Princess Street in Kingston. For a membership fee of $2500, the clinic promises comprehensive health care to seniors over the age of 50, including access to a personal physician 24 hours a day. The clinic says it will provide paying members with OHIP services as well as non-OHIP-insured wellness services.

Dalton McGuinty promised to end the “creeping privatization” and “Americanization” of health care. But since coming to power the McGuinty Liberals have promised over 30 profit-driven hospitals, entrenched the competitive bidding system in private home care, ignored the rising costs of for-profit nursing homes, and watched as two-tier clinics sprouted across the province.

Martel said other companies, like Cleveland Clinic Canada in Toronto, are getting off scot-free as they charge up to $2,500 for executive physicals. Other companies charge $30,000-$70,000 to provide IV cancer drugs that the McGuinty Liberals won’t cover under OHIP.

“The McGuinty Liberals are sitting on their hands while profit-driven health care companies create a two-tier system in Ontario,” said Martel. “It’s time for this government to take some action to guarantee equal access for everyone.”

“Seniors in Kingston want to know that they have equal, timely access to the health care they need – even if they don’t have $2,500 a year,” she said.