Ontario Government's Unilateral Action on Doctors Ignores Canada Health Act

OMA continues its call for the government to return to the negotiations table with a Conciliator

TORONTO, May 24, 2012 /CNW/ - The Ontario Medical Association repeated its call to the government to return to the negotiating table with the assistance of a conciliator calling Premier McGuinty's unilateral action a dangerous precedent and contrary to the process outlined in the Canada Health Act to ensure fair negotiations with provincial medical Associations.

The Canada Health Act recognizes the value of conciliation or binding arbitration to fairly resolve disputes that arise in negotiations with provincial medical organizations. Premier McGuinty's refusal to continue negotiations with the assistance of a third party conciliator and their actions to unilaterally impose fee changes on Ontario doctors, demonstrates his disregard for the fair process recognized in the Canada Health Act.

The OMA cited several approaches by other provinces to negotiation resolution which ensures that physicians have an ability to provide input and protect fairness in discussions.

Unilateral changes were imposed by the government, after they rejected the OMA's offer to freeze fees for two years, and a further reduction of $250 million or an average of a 2.5% reduction in physician compensation for two years.

QUOTES

"Premier McGuinty has tried to position himself as the defender of medicare, when in fact his actions are a blatant disregard for the processes found within the Canada Health Act to ensure fair negotiations with providers and physicians.  Rather than continuing to put politics before patients, we need the government to come back to the table, with the assistance of a third party conciliator. Simply imposing one's views on our health system, without regard for the impact on patients is irresponsible and puts at risk our ability to recruit and retain physicians in Ontario."

"Doctors remain available to work with the province to achieve savings in health care, but we won't do it without an assurance that there will be a fair process that considers our input. Doctors right across the province are extremely concerned about what cuts are coming next, and the total disregard for due process shown by the government."

Dr. Scott Wooder
President-Elect
Ontario Medical Association

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