Health Minister Marjorie Michel says she worries about how recent actions by U.S. public health agencies, like removing a worldwide hepatitis B vaccine proposal for American infants, coudl hurt Canadians’ health.

“It’s a big worry for me,” Michel said in an interview on CBC’s The House that airs Saturday morning. “The U.S. is our closest neighbour. And it’s a big neighbour.”

“it’s absolutely crucial to work with provinces and territories to be all on the same page, such as, on vaccination,” michel told host Catherine Cullen.

Last week, a panel of advisers at the U.S.Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) voted to remove the long-standing recommendation to universally vaccinate American infants against hepatitis B.

The vote did not change the guidance to vaccinate babies born to mothers who are positive for hepatitis B.

Published: 2025/12/13 11:15:39

Ontario Expands Private Orthopedic Surgeries to Reduce Wait Times

The Ontario government is investing $125 million over two years to increase access to orthopedic surgeries by utilizing community clinics, aiming to alleviate pressure on the public healthcare system and shorten wait times for patients. This move builds upon previous expansions of private delivery for other procedures like cataract surgeries and diagnostic imaging.

Expanding Access to Orthopedic Surgeries

On Monday, the Ontario government announced a plan to fund up to 20,000 additional orthopedic surgeries at community clinics over the next two years. This initiative is designed to address the backlog of orthopedic procedures and reduce the time patients spend waiting for care. Orthopedic surgeries include procedures related to bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles – common treatments for conditions like hip and knee replacements, and sports injuries.

why Orthopedic Surgeries?

Orthopedic surgeries often represent a significant portion of surgical waitlists. Long wait times can lead to increased pain, reduced mobility, and a diminished quality of life for patients. By expanding capacity through community clinics, the government hopes to provide more timely access to these essential procedures.

Building on Previous Expansions of Private Delivery

This latest announcement is part of a broader strategy by the Ontario government to increase the role of private clinics in delivering publicly funded healthcare services. The province has already expanded private delivery for:

• Cataract surgeries: Over 40,000 eye surgeries have been performed in the past year through this expansion. CBC News reported on this expansion in November 2023.
• MRI and CT Scans: Tens of thousands of additional operating hours for MRI and CT scans have been added, improving access to diagnostic imaging.

The government argues that these expansions have been accomplished in reducing wait times for these specific procedures and that the same approach can be applied to orthopedic surgeries.

Potential Benefits and Concerns

The primary benefit of this plan is the potential to substantially reduce wait times for orthopedic surgeries,allowing patients to receive the care thay need more quickly. Though, the increased use of private clinics also raises some concerns, including:

• Equity of Access: Ensuring that all Ontarians, nonetheless of their location or socioeconomic status, have equal access to these services.
• Quality Control: Maintaining consistent standards of care across both public and private facilities.
• Impact on public System: The potential for a two-tiered system where those who can afford it receive faster access to care.

Key Takeaways

• Ontario is investing $125 million to add up to 20,000 orthopedic surgeries at community clinics.
• This initiative aims to reduce wait times and alleviate pressure on the public healthcare system.
• The expansion builds on previous moves to increase private delivery of cataract surgeries and diagnostic imaging.
• Concerns remain regarding equity of access and quality control.

Looking Ahead

The success of this plan will depend on careful implementation and ongoing monitoring. The Ontario government will need to address the potential concerns surrounding equity and quality to ensure that all patients benefit from this expansion of orthopedic surgery access. Further evaluation will be needed to determine the long-term impact on the public healthcare system and patient outcomes.