Couverture de presse de l’Ombudsman
Province's treatment of local cancer patient was shameful (Niagara Falls Review)
Ontario's ombudsman Andre Marin couldn't have been more scathing in his report condemning the
treatment Suzanne Aucoin of St. Catharines received from the provincial Ministry of Health.
Every bit of the criticism was well deserved. Aucoin, who is battling cancer, will quite rightly be
reimbursed roughly $72,000 - $52,000 for what she paid out of pocket for drugs and another $19,000 on
legal costs.
The ombudsman called the treatment she received from government bureaucrats "cruel."
"They put her through the ringer for absolutely no good reason," he said.
She was diagnosed three years ago with terminal colon cancer and her Hamilton oncologist said her
best chance was a drug that was not yet commercially available in Ontario, but was being used in Buffalo.
She applied to OHIP for out of country medical coverage, but was turned down.
She used her own money and cash that was raised by friends and supporters.
Ironically, she was paying $10,000 a month less at the clinic she chose in suburban Buffalo for the drugs
than the government was paying for Ontario patients to receive the same treatment and drug at the
reknown Roswell Park cancer treatment centre, which is also in Buffalo.
She found the same treatment for a better price than the goverment was paying, but still was told she
wouldn't be covered.
How ridiculous is that?
Marin says she was shortchanged because ministry officials displayed a "slavish adherence to rules at the
expense of common sense."
Aucoin received an apology from deputy health minister Ron Statsford. It should have come from
Health Minister George Smitherman.
Aucoin deserves a lot of credit for the tenacity she showed in taking on the government. Her fight may
have paved the way for others to receive more fair treatment.
The government will be taking steps to give doctors better access to information about out-of-country
health-care costs and patients will be getting better reasons for out-of-country funding decisions.
We wish Aucoin all the best in her battle against cancer. With the fight with government behind her,
she can focus her attention on her health. That's the way it should have been all along.
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