The Ford government’s plan to do away with out-of-country health coverage could jeopardize access to necessary medical care.

That’s the view of Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor as expressed in a letter to her Ontario counterpart.

She tells Christine Elliott that will lead to higher private premiums.

According to Petitpas Taylor, even modest increases in insurance rates may pose a hardship for those who go regularly to the U.S. for work or pleasure.

Currently, the program covers out-of-country inpatient services up to $400-a-day for a higher level of care, such as intensive care, as well as up to $50-per-day for emergency outpatient and doctor services.

The province announce the decision to scrap the program after six days of public consultation, saying it’s costly and does not provide value to taxpayers.

Health Minister Elliott says Ontario spends $2.8-million annually to administer approximately $9-million in claim payments.