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Sexual abuse initiative
RHPA
the eligible applicant has private insurCouncil also directed the College to
Provisions
ance coverage and allowing eligible
seek an amendment which would inapplicants to use their funding past the
crease the maximum amount of funding
five-year time limit in the current legislathat can be awarded.
tion.
The legislation currently states that the
maximum amount of funding that may be
• Creating exceptions to the requirement to
awarded is the amount that OHIP would pay
keep confidential all information obfor 200 half-hour sessions of individual outtained through the application for funding
patient psychotherapy with a psychiatrist. As
process. The exceptions would allow the
such, the current maximum is $16,060.
disclosure of limited funding information
The proposed amendment would allow
to: the therapist/counsellor, persons ineligible applicants to apply for more funding
volved in facilitating access to the therapy/
once they have exhausted the funding they
counselling, and others for the purpose of
have been awarded. The legislation could
facilitating access to alternate sources of
provide the PRC with the discretion to grant
funding (e.g. Criminal Injuries Compensaup to the current maximum amount of fundtion Board).
ing again after reviewing a second application
for funding.
In addition, Council supports expanding
Council also directed the College to seek
the program by providing the PRC with
other legislative changes, including:
the discretion to permit patients to use
a portion of their funding to cover costs
• Explicitly stating that eligibility for funding
related to accessing therapy/counselling.
is not affected by an appeal from a criminal
This would include funding for medication,
conviction.
childcare during therapy/counselling appointments, and reasonable travel/accom• Ensuring the legislation reflects the Colmodation if the therapist/counsellor is not
lege’s current practices of not reducing the
locally situated.
overall amount of funding granted where
Issue 3, 2015 Dialogue
29