Healthcare

Continued advocacy for rural access to primary healthcare

• Over the past few years, ROMA has undertaken research to examine the gap in primary healthcare and mental health support services in rural Ontario.
• This research was presented at the 2023 ROMA Conference. In part, it called for a different approach to health care service design, delivery and funding in rural Ontario. The full report can be found here Fill the Gaps Closer to Home.
• Rural Ontarians bear a disproportionate burden of the Ontario-wide healthcare crisis – including the impacts of funding and worker shortages, and lack of local access to social services - despite rural Ontario taxpayers contributing more than $480 million annually to health services.
• ROMA’s research found that more than 525,000 rural Ontarians are without a primary care physician. This issue is exacerbated by regular closures of rural emergency room departments. This often leaves rural residents with very few options for seeking urgent care.
• ROMA has prioritized health care advocacy work continuing into 2025, including working with the province and sector experts to find solutions for rural Ontario’s healthcare crisis.
• This includes meetings with former federal health minister Dr. Jane Philpott, who was recently
• appointed as the Chair and lead on the province’s new primary care action team. As rural leaders,
• ROMA’s Board members are dedicated to working with Dr. Philpott and the province on this critical issue.