Hundreds of patients from Ontario have received medical treatment in U.S. hospitals and clinics through a government-reimbursed program since 2018, according to exclusive data obtained by CBC News. The costs, totaling over $212 million, were covered by taxpayer funds under Ontario’s publicly funded health-care plan, OHIP.
Approved applications for out-of-country care included radiation treatments for children in Florida, inpatient treatment for eating disorders in Wisconsin, genomic cancer therapy in various U.S. states, and consultations for gender-affirming surgeries in California. The program caters to patients who require treatments or surgeries not available in Canada or face life-threatening delays.
While many healthcare professionals and economists consider the practice cost-effective and life-saving, some suggest that better inter-provincial collaboration could reduce the reliance on the U.S. private healthcare system. The lack of transparency in Ontario’s out-of-country care program, including details on specific treatments, costs, and destinations, prompted CBC News to file multiple freedom of information requests dating back to 2023.
Analysis of the data revealed that approximately 54% of out-of-country care requests were approved annually between 2018 and 2024. The primary reason for approval was the unavailability of the treatment in Ontario, with 95% of approved requests leading to treatments in U.S. facilities, notably in New York, California, and Michigan. The most costly procedure in 2024 was proton beam therapy, amounting to $2.4 million for 29 approved requests.
One patient’s journey highlights the challenges faced by families seeking care abroad. Luke Serfas, a 16-year-old from Alberta, had to travel to Jacksonville, Florida, for proton beam therapy due to the treatment’s unavailability in Canada. While grateful for the coverage of medical expenses, Luke’s father expressed concerns about the emotional toll of being far from home for an extended period.
Ontario’s reliance on foreign facilities for specialized treatments like proton beam therapy raises questions about investing in domestic services. Experts emphasize the need for an economy of scale, suggesting that concentrating certain procedures in specialized centers worldwide may provide higher-quality care compared to spreading resources thinly across various locations.
The demand for proton therapy in Canada is evident, with Ontario being the only G7 country without a clinical facility. Efforts are underway in Alberta to explore establishing proton beam therapy services within the province, while Ontario has allocated funds to plan for the country’s first hospital-based proton therapy facility. These initiatives aim to address the growing healthcare needs of patients and families across the country.
