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Controversial Health Care Bill Takes Effect in Ontario

Hospitals in Ontario can now move discharged patients awaiting long term care into nursing homes without their consent.

A controversial new health care bill has taken effect in Ontario. 

Starting today, hospitals across the province can move discharged patients awaiting long-term care into nursing homes not of their choosing on a temporary basis.

Patients in southern Ontario could be moved to homes up to 70 kilometres away, and those in northern Ontario could be sent up to 150 kilometres away. 

Beginning November 20th, patients who refuse to move into a long-term care home could face a daily hospital charge of $400. 

The Ford government says the bill was enacted to ease pressures on hospitals. 

Over the past few months, emergency departments across Ontario have been forced to close for hours or days at a time, due in large part to staffing shortages. 

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