A Niagara Falls mother will now be paying more than $600 a month to feed her infant following cuts to OHIP that came into effect this month.

Six-month-old Ryker Rothwell has a severe milk protein intolerance and has been on a special prescription-only formula for the past three months.

Previously, the cost of the formula was covered under the OHIP+ pharmacare program but, as of April 1, individuals who have private health benefits are no longer eligible for the program.

"I knew it was expensive but I didn't know the exact number," Ryker's mother Kelsey Vettor said.

The formula, Pure Amino A+, costs $67 a can and Ryker goes through about 10 cans a month, which means it now costs the 27-year-old approximately $600 a month to feed her baby.

"I just panicked," she said. "I was shocked."

OHIP+ was launched in January 2018 by the previous Liberal government. It covered the cost of some 4,400 prescription medications for anyone aged 24 or younger.

Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives announced last June, following the provincial election, there would be changes to the program. The changes are expected to save $250 million a year.

Under the new plan, children and young adults continue to receive free prescriptions only if they or their parents do not have private health insurance coverage.

"I'm just mind boggled that our government is spending so much time and effort and money on trying to change the logo on the licence plates when our children are now going without prescriptions," Vettor said.

Vettor does have private insurance, but her policy does not include coverage for the pricey formula.

"I asked if I could switch plans, if I could pay extra to get it covered, but they said they don't offer any plans with coverage for this formula."

Despite the sticker shock, Vettor hopes she'll be able to get by with the support of her family. She worries other families won't be as lucky.

"When I was at my doctor's office last week, there were two women in the office completely bawling their eyes out. They didn't know how they were going to feed their baby if they don't have help. Those babies are either going to get very sick again, or they're going to starve."

Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates shared Vettor's story at Queen's Park Monday.

Gates said cuts to government prescription drug programs for children has resulted in a "patchwork of coverage," which leaves big cracks for Ontario families to fall through.

"People deserve more from their government, not less," Gates said. "When will the Ford government stand up, do what's right, and provide all Ontarians with full prescription drug coverage, so no child in this province goes without the prescriptions they need?"

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