Ontario's doctors welcome new MPP for Whitby-Oshawa

TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors would like to welcome and congratulate Lorne Coe on his new role as Member of Provincial Parliament for Whitby-Oshawa.

"Ontario's doctors look forward to building on the important health-care dialogue that was front and center during the by-election," said Dr. Mike Toth, President of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA).  "We are hopeful that MPP Coe will be a champion for protecting access to care for those living in the riding and beyond and look forward to working with him."

Since February 2015, the Ontario government has cut funding for physician services by nearly seven per cent.  Worse yet, the Ontario government has unilaterally imposed a hard cap on the necessary funding it will provide for physician services, meaning the government will not fund the full cost of services provided by doctors when the cap is exceeded.

"Doctors in the riding have been very passionate about advocating for their patients – highlighting the fact that having access to care is one of the things that makes Whitby-Oshawa a great place to raise a family," said Dr. Toth.  "Strengthening quality, patient-focused care requires that the Ontario government stop its ongoing cuts to funding for physician services."

OMA worked as advocates during the by-election, calling on all candidates to meet and discuss ways to strengthen patient-focused care in the region and across the province.

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) represents more than 34,000 physicians and medical students across the province. Ontario's doctors work closely with patients to encourage healthy living practices and illness prevention. In addition to delivering front-line services to patients, Ontario's doctors play a significant role in helping shape health care policy, as well as implementing initiatives that strengthen and enhance Ontario's health care system.

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association

Danielle Milley, Senior Advisor Media Relations, Office: 416-599-2580 ext. 3008, or 1-800-268-7215 ext. 3008, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]