Core Viewpoint - The Ontario Health Coalition criticizes the Ford government's plan to privatize orthopedic surgeries, claiming it misuses public funds and exacerbates deficits in public hospitals [1][4]. Group 1: Financial Implications - Ontario's public hospitals are facing deficits and are being pressured to make cuts while the government reallocates hundreds of millions to for-profit clinics [1][6]. - The Ford government has increased funding for private clinics, with announcements of $155 million in the summer and an additional $125 million recently, diverting funds from public hospitals [7]. Group 2: Operational Concerns - There are existing operating rooms in public hospitals that remain underutilized due to lack of funding, while the government opts for privatization instead of maximizing public hospital capacity [2][3]. - The privatization process has delayed surgeries for patients as it involves a lengthy bidding process for private corporations [3]. Group 3: Quality of Care - The Ontario Health Coalition argues that the quality and safety standards in public hospitals are superior to those in private clinics, which have faced issues with quality control and patient safety [8][9]. - Public hospitals have established peer review systems and quality improvement committees, while private clinics lack similar oversight, leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates [8][9].