OMA Fax Network President's Update

Volume 9, No. 18

July 23, 2004

OMA Negotiations Update

• The OMA Negotiations Committee presented an update to the Board of Directors on July 21-22. Talks with the Ministry are continuing on a weekly basis. A series of marathon meetings will begin in mid-August, with a view to delivering a final proposal to the Board for consideration in late August or early September.
  
  
• The Ministry has advanced a strong package of program investment and targeted funding. We are still working to address issues related to fee schedule increases and the flow of funds throughout the terms of the contract.
  
  
• It is imperative that we improve the competitive position of our fee schedule with other provinces if we are to address our recruitment and retention challenges. As well, all payment models, whether fee-for-service or alternative payment plans, must be appropriately rewarded in order to maintain service delivery volumes.
  
  
• The OMA Negotiating Team outlined various elements of the package being discussed at the table. These include:

  - Incremental fee increases to all physicians
  - Incorporation
  - Clerkship Stipends
  - Elimination of thresholds
  - Enhancement of maternity/paternity benefits
  - Continuation of NPRI
  - Enhancement of CME/Locum programs
  - Enhancement of Hospital On-Call Coverage premiums
  - Further development of Academic Health Science Centre Alternate Funding Plans
  - Introduction of a comprehensive care management fee for primary care physicians
  - Increase in after-hours premiums for primary care renewal models (i.e. FHNs, FHGs, etc.)
  - New premiums for chronic disease management for primary care physicians and specialists
  - Increase in hospital visit fees
  - Increase in home care fees
  - Increase in palliative care fees
  - On-call payments for long-term care and chronic care physicians
  - Introduction of a new monthly management fee in long-term care facilities
  - Enhancement of funding for Emergency Room Alternative Funding Arrangements
  - Surgical repackaging, including unbundling of postoperative hospital visit fees
  

• The above list is not meant to be all inclusive, but rather represents the complexity of the package being developed.
  
  
• The Board emphasized the need for a comprehensive package that will provide stability for physicians. Further, we must deliver significant upfront program and infrastructure investment to improve working conditions, and address the critical access and delivery problems that are affecting communities and specialties throughout Ontario.
  
  
• Net interprovincial physician migration data show that the province of Ontario gained just two additional physicians in 2002, down from 87 additional doctors in 2001, and 120 additional doctors in 2000. We must restore the competitive position of our fee schedule if we hope to reverse this trend.
  
  
• Our Strategic Action Committee and Communications Advisory Committee are continuing their work to support negotiations. Information sessions have been held with OMA Assemblies. Similar meetings are being planned for OMA Districts as requested.
  
  
• We are pursuing a proactive media relations plan. Most recently, an OMA release on the status of the physician shortage garnered more than 1.6 million impressions in newspapers across the province, and was featured on 65 radio and television stations combined. Many Board members have submitted letters to the editor and opinion articles which have been published locally.
  
  
• We are conducting public opinion polls on a regular basis to ensure that we are accurately informed of the public’s views and concerns on health-care issues, so that we can best represent our members and our patients.
  
  
• Recent poll results confirm that the public regards physicians as the most credible group to provide solutions to address the province’s health-care problems. As well, there is growing concern among the public regarding the future direction and funding of health care in Ontario.
  
  
• Next week, Premier McGuinty will be chairing the Council of the Federation meeting at Niagara-on-the Lake, where health care will be a top agenda item. I will be in Niagara to attend an Executive meeting of the OMA Section on General and Family Practice, and I aim to raise our issues with the media and other stakeholders on site.
  
  
• The negotiations process has been long, and I thank you for your patience. Significant developments will be reported promptly as talks enter this final phase.
  
  

Member feedback is encouraged. Please contact: [email protected]