News

TORONTO – March 25, 2020 -- As regular routines are upended and in-person social activities and community programming are suspended to help slow the spread of COVID-19, social and community supports become even more essential. This is especially true for those who are already vulnerable. It’s why we’re sharing our Social Prescribing pilot project’s final report with you today. Here are three implications of our report on the current responses to COVID-19:

Dear Hon. Premier Ford and Deputy Premier and Hon. Minister Elliott,

The Alliance for Healthier Communities thanks Ontario’s government for waiving the three month OHIP waiting period and covering the costs of COVID-19 service for uninsured people who do not meet the criteria for coverage. This is a critical step in ensuring that anyone in need of care during the COVID-19 crisis can access it. We thank Ontario’s government for taking this monumental step and modelling leadership for all sectors in this time of crisis.

Dear Minister Elliott,

We write to you today regarding COVID-19’s impact on the ongoing opioid overdose crisis. We are organizations operating and supporting overdose prevention and supervised consumption services in Ontario. We affirm the importance of these services and remain committed to providing essential supports to communities that face surmountable barriers in accessing health care.

The Ministry of Health is consulting communities across the province about Public Health and Emergency Health Services modernization. The consultations are led by Jim Pine, provincial advisor, Alison Blair, Assistant Deputy Minister for Emergency Health Services and Executive Lead for Public Health Modernization, and David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario.