Dear Colleagues,                                                             March 17, 2005

The Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario
Does Not Endorse the OMA/MOHLTC Deal

The Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario (COFP) has decided not to endorse the recent deal between the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC).

There are many reasons for not endorsing this agreement, but the most important by far is that the needs of family practice in Ontario remain unmet.

This contract will not reverse the family physician shortage, does not encourage retention and recruitment of family physicians, has not adequately addressed the issue of relativity and thus does not make Ontario competitive enough to save family practice. Hundreds of grassroots family physicians have responded to last week's survey by the Coalition. A resounding 98 per cent believe this deal will not restore family practice or solve the family doctor shortage. Furthermore, only 20 per cent believe that this deal will allow family doctors to remain in practice.

Significantly:

• The 2.5 per cent retroactive increase is paid for by delaying FHG/CCM and all other bonuses by five months, which means that there will be little or no new money for family doctors until the vulnerable fourth year reopener of this agreement.
• In four years, our A007 code fee will not even equal the equivalent codes in other provinces that exist today.
• There is no clear reason why the redefinition of A001 and A007 will be deferred for 18 months.
• Fee for Service (FFS) doctors who provide equal services are not equally compensated over the course of four years and will continue to see their net income fall behind the pace of inflation.
• There is no pension or benefits package.
• There is no statutory binding arbitration or independent arbitrative resolution process.
• There are no cost-of-living-adjustments (COLA).
• There is no significant correction of net income relative to specialists.
• The removal of the billing cap will not have any impact on the vast majority of family physicians.
• Best prescribing guidelines will form the basis for the government to implement an HMO-type control over the practice of medicine.
• Incorporation will unlikely be of benefit to most family physicians.
• Section 29.6 allows the government to change the Schedule of Benefits (SOB) without the OMA's consent.
• There is a continuation of the combined OMA-MOHLTC Physician Services Committee (PSC) and “at least” two new subcommittees with wide-ranging powers and limited accountability.

While we acknowledge that there are some benefits in the new agreement, they do not offset the concerns of family doctors. The OMA has not provided an audit of the agreement that would allow members to calculate the financial impact on their practice.

The Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario believes that more progress can be made in the future with improved representation. If you want us to continue to provide critical analyses of future agreements and work with you to enhance and restore family practice we need your continued support. Please complete the membership form and send in your dues today so that we can continue to make your concerns known to the OMA and government.

The future of family medicine depends on you!

Sincerely,

Douglas Mark MD, President

and the Board of the Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario

P.S. If you believe the Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario best represents your views and wish it to continue to work tirelessly to restore comprehensive family practice and promote a rejuvenation of family medicine, please take a few minutes and join us or renew your membership for 2005. Many of our members ask one of their colleagues to join or renew as well. With our final membership numbers for 2004 reaching almost 4,000, our goal to represent the majority of family doctors is within reach.

Join, renew, give feedback, and make political action & legal challenge contributions online at www.cofp.com