OHIP needs to cover prostate cancer screening test says NDP MPP
Posted Nov 30, 2022 11:00:00 PM.
Ontario is one of only two provinces not currently covering the cost of Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests under all circumstances. Wayne Gates, New Democratic (NDP) member of provincial parliament (MPP) for Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake, is pushing the Ford government to cover the cost of the test for everyone.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests are important for the early detection of prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer among men. Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) only covers the cost of the test with a referral from a doctor who suspects cancer is present after a physical examination, or if a patient is receiving or received treatment for cancer.
“If you have a prostate, you should get tested,” said Gates on The Sam Laprade Show, Nov. 30. “We know that if you get the test done, it will save lives. And if you get detected early, you can live a long life.”
Gates tabled a private member's motion at Queen's Park last week to extend OHIP coverage of prostate cancer screening under any circumstance. Gates tabled the motion first in 2019, then again in 2020 when it received all-party support, however, the Progressive Conservative government has not acted.
A major barrier to getting the test done is often cost, according to Gates. Currently, the cost of a private PSA test is $35. Gates said the cost of the test under OHIP is around $9.70 and would cost the province $3 million annually.
“It makes absolutely no sense to me that if one of the barriers is the cost of the test, why aren't we covering the cost,” said Gates. “If we don't get the test, the cost to the healthcare system is $60 million,” said Gates, referring to the costs incurred from cancer treatments and surgeries if the cancer is not detected early.
“We know we have a crisis in our healthcare. And when you got a crisis, you got to look for things that can save money and save resources. Here's a simple way to do it.”
Gates is looking to raise awareness of the issue among men and get conservative MPPs to call and pass the bill.
Listen to the full interview with Wayne Gates in The Sam Laprade Show below.
