Dr. Elaine Ma - Photo Queen's University
Dr. Elaine Ma, who organized successful mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Kingston, and is facing a $600,000 charge from OHIP for vaccine-related expenses, reached out to Premier Doug Ford back in September.
The Ontario Health Insurance Plan cites the use of medical students and clinics held outside a doctor’s office as grounds for the clawback of the money.
The Kingstonist reports that in Ma’s communication to the Premier Doug Ford, she called the situation “ridiculous.”
Ford responded, promising to investigate after consulting Dr. Kieran Moore. He directed Health Minister Sylvia Jones to address the issue.
However, Ma received no further response despite following up with the Premier’s office.
Ma has since criticized the Ministry of Health for focusing on technicalities rather than the broader context of the pandemic and what her clinics were accomplishing.
Local support, including from Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Piotr Oglaza, has been strong, with concerns that a ruling against Ma could set a dangerous precedent for future public health responses.