OMA Statement Regarding the Ontario Government Throne Speech

TORONTO, Sept. 13, 2016 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors are disappointed that the Ontario Government indicated in its throne speech yesterday that it will push ahead with the former Bill 210, at a time when health care is seriously underfunded and despite concerns raised by Ontario's doctors who care for patients every day.   

While the former Bill 210 may be presented as an attempt to strengthen health-care planning at the local level, it serves primarily to solidify the ability of the government to impose decisions and settle disagreements in its own favour.  The former Bill 210 does not address the health-care concerns of Ontario's doctors or their patients; instead it gives the Minister of Health command and control over the health-care system and the ability to impose decisions about patient care without consulting, collaborating, or partnering with the health-care professionals who provide those health-care services.

For more than two years now, we have seen the government act unilaterally against doctors and we have experienced the negative impact of those short-sighted decisions on patients.

Ontario's doctors regarded the throne speech as an opportunity for government to engage constructively and collaboratively with doctors. Instead, Ontarians witnessed the government's same unilateral approach to dealing with the challenges in our health-care system.

Ontario's doctors insist that the government must listen to the valued input of those who care for patients daily, before moving this flawed piece of legislation forward.     

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association

Nadia Daniell-Colarossi, Manager Media Relations, Office: 416-340-2970 or 1-800-268-7215 ext. 2970, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]