The extra billing controversy in Ontario was seized as a vehicle to promote abortion on demand. On March 20, 1986, former university student Julie Newport testified before members of the Legislature’s social development committee how a Peterborough abortionist demanded $300 up-front. She got the money as an interest-free loan from an abortion fund set up by Trent’s student council, but she still had to wait another five weeks.
Newport was part of a submission by Judy Rebick (spokesperson for Morgentaler) under the name of “Ontario Coalition for Abortion Clinics.” Not satisfied that abortions are paid for by OHIP, Rebick wants to force all abortion doctors to provide the service free of charge under OHIP.
