The province will not reverse course on cutting a program that provides care for people without health insurance.

Sylvia Jones says uninsured people can still receive health care through other programs after the program ends this Friday. The province informed doctors of the change last Friday, which prompted an outcry from physicians and from NDP leader Marit Stiles.

“This is going to make it harder for refugees, for unhoused people, and for those with mental health challenges to access urgent healthcare,” said Stiles during Question Period.

“I would respectfully ask that the NDP take down a press release that is spreading fear unnecessarily in the province of Ontario, responded Health Minister Sylvia Jones. “There’s no change in the way uninsured persons will receive care in the province on Ontario, the only change is how hospitals, community health and midwifery centres will be reimbursed.”

The Ontario Medical Association has said the changes will be detrimental to those who do not have health coverage.

Jones says hospitals cannot refuse care to a patient who has a life-threatening emergency and says there are community-based programs to help those without a health card get primary care.