Private health insurance with OHIP waiting period

[thelummie]

Hey everyone,
I applied for my OHIP card yesterday and received approval so it will kick in late september. A few questions that arose -

1) I currently have private health insurance but am a bit short on money at the moment and may not be able to afford the last month before I get my OHIP card. Is there any waiver or exemption to the remaining waiting period?

2) Is there any way to claim back on a tax return the private health insurance I took out while waiting for my OHIP to kick in?

Thanks everyone!