An announcement made today (Monday) by the provincial government puts an immediate freeze on hospital parking rate increases for the next three years.
Currently, North Bay Regional Hospital maintains a $6 a day flat rate parking rate for visitors and patients. That's double the rate of just three weeks ago when the hospital discarded the $3 minimum. (See our photo gallery)
The government of Ontario also announced that hospitals that charge over $10 a day for parking will be required to offer discounted passes for 5, 10 or 30-day use at a discount of 50 percent the daily rate.
Those passes will be transferrable between patients and caregivers and good for up to one year from date of purchase.
A news release by the Ontario Hospital Association says the cuts to parking fees couldn't come at a worse time for hospitals.
"As hospitals continue to absorb hundreds of millions in operating costs without an inflationary increase, it is increasingly difficult for them to invest in other important health care priorities, such as capital improvements to their buildings, new medical and diagnostic equipment, and information and communications technology," reads the release.
But Dr. Eric Hoskins, minister of Health and Long-Term care, says parking fees should never be a barrier for patients when they go to the hospital.
"With today’s announcement, we are providing relief from the high cost of parking at some hospitals in Ontario. By making parking more affordable for patients and their loved ones who visit the hospital often, we are helping to reduce the burden of parking fees and putting patients first," said Hoskins.
An estimated 36 hospitals across Ontario currently charge $10 or more for parking.
The new pass system will be in effect October 1.
North Bay Hospital is one of 54 across the province who charge less than $10 a day for parking, with another 45 hospitals that offer free parking.
Putting Patients First By Reducing Fees for Frequent Visitors
Ontario is making hospital parking more affordable for thousands of patients, their loved ones and caregivers. As of October 1, 2016, hospitals that charge more than $10 a day for parking will be required to provide 5-, 10- and 30-day passes that are:
- Discounted by 50 per cent off their daily rate
- Transferable between patients and caregivers
- Equipped with in-and-out privileges throughout a 24-hour period
- Good for one year from the date of purchase.
Ontario consulted with patients, patient advocacy groups, hospitals and the Ontario Hospital Association to find a fair plan that reduces the financial burden of parking fees for patients and their visitors.
Between now and October 1, 2016, hospitals will work directly with their Patient and Family Advisory Councils to implement this new policy, ensuring that it is well promoted and easy to understand. Each hospital will provide details on its specific parking policy and discounts.
Approximately 900,000 patients and visitors - including 135,000 seniors - are expected to benefit from reduced parking fees each year.
Saving patients and their loved ones money on hospital parking is part of the government's plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which is providing patients with faster access to the right care, better home and community care, the information they need to stay healthy and a health care system that's sustainable for generations to come.
QUICK FACTS
The Ministry was pleased to have consulted with a number of hospitals and the Ontario Hospital Association in regards to parking fee changes in Fall 2015
The Ministry will require other hospitals that do not own their own lots to make best efforts to influence their partners, like municipalities and private operators to cap or cut parking fees for those who must visit the hospital frequently.
- In Ontario 45 Hospitals currently offer free parking and 54 charge $10 or less per day. It is estimated that 36 hospitals charge more than $10 a day.
- The government is directing hospitals not to raise their daily parking rates for the next three years starting today.
