Recent figures shared by the Ontario Ministry of Health have revealed that the number of Ontarians "heading south of the border" for medical treatment is rapidly growing. As per the figures, the province's expenditure of out-of-Canada medical care has gone up by more than three time in the past 5 years.

Last year alone, reveal the figures, over 12,000 Ontarians applied to OHIP to gain pre-approval of American treatment for a range of conditions including cancer and cardiac care. 2008's number is substantially up from the 5,800 applicants recorded for 2005.

During next year, Ontario estimates that some $164 Million will be sent on cross-border care, thrice the $56.3 Million spent in 2005.

These figures have shocked the NPD and drawn much criticism. "Patients are losing access to local care as the McGuinty government shells out more money to private American providers. Rather than sending more and more Ontarians out of country for medical basics, like MRIs and CT scans, why isn't this government investing more money to improve services for a greater number of Ontarians right here at home", said  NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

In the state's defense, Health Minister Deb Matthews has been quick to say that many of the procedures for which a trip is undertaken are complex ones and not offered in Ontario. But the Government has shared that it is working well towards bring most of the procedures home.