Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS OF ONTARIO BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY REJECTS ONTARIO MEDICAL ASSOCIATION/MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE DEAL
(October 12, 2004, Toronto, Ontario) – The Board of Directors of the Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario (COFP) issued a statement today that they are unanimously rejecting the Ontario Medical Association (OMA)/Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) Deal. The Coalition Board also announced that they will be holding a conference on Saturday, November 6, 2004 so that family doctors from across the province can get the facts before casting their ballots in a province-wide referendum. The conference, entitled “The OMA Deal – What is to be Done?”, will feature a number of guest speakers and panelists, including members of the OMA Board and Section on General and Family Practice, and will be held at the Renaissance Toronto Airport Hotel.
"After a careful examination of the facts and much deliberation,
the Board of Directors of the Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario
was unanimous in its decision to reject this deal," Coalition President
Dr. Douglas Mark said. "In addition to having a number of significant
concerns about the McGuinty Government's commitment to investing in family
medicine, there are simply too many unanswered questions and trust issues
for us to recommend, in good conscience, that our members endorse the
deal."
In particular, Dr. Mark pointed out that the deal only rewards family
doctors who agree to undertake significant legal risks and administrative
burdens by joining or forming health-care collectives such as Family Health
Groups (FHGs) or Family Health Networks (FHNs). In addition, most of the
financial benefits do not take effect until the third and fourth years
of the deal. Moreover, the McGuinty Government has the right to “adjust”
any fee paid to these family doctors should the economy take a downward
turn, or if the Federal Government fails to follow through on its health-care
funding commitments, or if they simply feel they are spending too much
on health care.
"This deal is bad for doctors, bad for patients, and bad for family
medicine,” Dr. Mark said. “In light of this, we feel we have little choice
but to launch a public campaign to defeat the deal."
Although Dr. Mark refused to be specific as to the nature of the public
campaign, he revealed that the Coalition has been talking with a number
of public relations and advertising firms. Dr. Mark also acknowledged
that the Coalition plans on approaching other physician groups in the
hope of having them join the Coalition's campaign.
The Coalition of Family Physicians of Ontario, representing frontline
providers of health care, is a grassroots organization dedicated to the
provision of top quality health care to the people of Ontario. We strive
to protect the rights, freedoms and independence of family physicians
of Ontario and to continually improve the health-care system. To learn
more, please visit the Coalition's Web site at www.cofp.com.
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