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13:24 (2 hours ago)
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PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
Vol. 20, No.17 September 14, 2015
Government Imposes Further Cuts
The
Ontario government has informed the OMA that effective October 1, 2015,
it will impose an additional estimated $235 million in cuts to
physician services payments in order to offset its deliberate
underfunding of health care in this province.
The Ministry’s plan includes:
• An additional 1.3% across the board discount for fee-for-service payments (from 3.15% to 4.45%).
• A further 1% discount on all professional billings in excess of $1 million (in addition to the discount above).
• A
series of targeted fee-for-service cuts, including fee adjustments in
the areas of diagnostic imaging, point of care laboratory testing,
echocardiography, diabetes management, intravitreal injection and pre-operative consultation for low-risk surgery.
The
government had earlier signaled its intent to impose further cuts to
physicians, and the OMA strenuously objected to the government’s plans
and approach. The OMA has now received notice from the Ministry that it
will move forward on October 1. We have posted the government’s
implementation plan in its entirety on our website (https://www.oma.org/Member/
The
OMA Economics, Research and Analytics Department is conducting an
impact analysis that we will make available to members as soon as
possible. I have spoken directly to the leaders of those Sections most
affected by the Ministry’s targeted cuts.
The
Wynne government’s determination to fund the health care needs of
Ontarians on the backs of our members marks an ongoing pattern of
contempt toward the medical profession and public deception.
The
OMA is vehemently opposed to these measures, which we consider unfair
and unlawful. I will be seeking an urgent meeting with Minister Hoskins
to address these matters directly.
The
OMA has consistently delivered the message to government that we need
innovative solutions to tackle the challenges of an aging, growing
population. Failing to do so threatens our ability to offer the
high-quality patient care Ontarians rightly expect. The government is
ignoring this message, instead telling physicians that we must provide
care under the constraints of their imposed hard-cap on physician
services funding.
The
OMA Board will meet Wednesday and Thursday this week, and we will
provide a more comprehensive update and action plan to members shortly
thereafter.
Dr. Mike Toth MD(Univ.Western Ont. 1984) GP AYLMER,ONT. (popn 7,100)
OMA President
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