OMA physician leaders encourage provincial government to put patients first and accept counter offer

TORONTO, Feb. 2, 2015 /CNW/ - More than 200 physician leaders gathered this weekend at a special meeting of the Ontario Medical Association's Council to discuss the status of negotiations with the Ontario government.  They were resolute and clear.

"Ontario's doctors are committed to putting patients first," said Dr. Ved Tandan, a cancer surgeon in Hamilton and President of the OMA.  "Council wants the provincial government to put patients first, too. That means living up to its responsibility to fully fund the health care needs of all patients – both today and into the future. We are calling on the government to come back to the table to accept our offer to freeze our fees for two years."

Council therefore resolved to support:

1. The decision of the OMA Board to reject the government's final offer for physician services.
   
2. The counter offer that includes a 0% (zero percent) fee increase for Ontario physicians, for a time period of two years providing the government continues to fund all necessary growth in the health care system.

"Ontario's doctors know it's never too late to work together for the good of Ontario patients and the health care system," added Tandan.  "Ontario's population is growing and aging – and their health care needs are becoming more complex – while at the same time patients are already struggling to get the care they need when they need it.  This government needs to accept its responsibility to fund necessary growth and the unmet needs of our current population, now."  

Council is comprised of more than 275 physician leaders representing their 11 districts and 63 sections of over 34,000 doctors and medical students across the province.

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association

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