KEY AMENDMENTS NEEDED TO IMPROVE BILL 36: ONTARIO HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION (OHA)
Ontario Hospital Association
200 Front Street West, Suite 2800
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3L1
Tel: (416) 205-1345 Fax: (416) 205-1360
Visit our Web Site: http://www.oha.com
Monday, February 6, 2006
(Toronto – February 3, 2006) – Bill 36, the Local Health System Integration Act, 2005 should be amended to ensure that individuals, health providers and communities have a real say in the development and implementation of plans affecting the provision of local health services, said OHA President and CEO Hilary Short. Bill 36, if passed, will enable the creation of Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs).
“Ontario’s hospitals support the aims and principles of Bill 36 because we believe that LHINs have the potential to improve the integration of local health services,” said Short. “However, we believe that significant amendments are needed to strengthen and improve Bill 36 in the areas of community engagement and due process, and help to ensure that the needs and concerns of communities are heard.”
The OHA’s proposed amendments to Bill 36 would:
Define the term “community”: As drafted, Bill 36 requires LHIN staff to consult with the “community” when developing its Integrated Health Services Plan (IHSP), the plan it will base its decisions respecting service integration or re-location on. However, Bill 36 does not define “community” or indicate what the nature and extent of the community engagement must be.
“We propose amending Bill 36 to provide an explicit consultation process for LHIN staff to follow that includes hospitals and other local health care providers. This will ensure that local health care providers are consulted Bill 36 when LHINs are developing their IHSPs,” said Short.
Define the term “public interest”: Bill 36 does not define the term “public interest” or require that a LHIN or the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care consider specific criteria or follow a uniform process when making integration decisions.
“By defining ‘public interest’, we can ensure that objective criteria and community needs are given the consideration they deserve before integration decisions are made,” said Short.
Provide for “due process”: As currently drafted, Bill 36 permits LHINs and the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to issue integration decisions without having first notified or consulted with the affected providers and without the prospect of a substantive appeal process.
“Given the potential impact that integration decisions and orders may have on communities, facilities and stakeholders, we believe that those most affected should have an opportunity to be apprised of, and provide input on, a proposed integration decision or order – particularly if there is no avenue for appeal,” said Short.
“We believe that these proposed amendments will make for a better bill and a stronger law. We will continue to encourage legislators and the government to adopt these proposed amendments”, said Short.
For further information:
OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1305