March 29, 2011
Toronto: Today, the Ontario Hospital Association welcomed the 2011 Ontario Budget, calling it positive news for Ontario’s hospitals and health care system.
“This budget provides a stable increase in hospital operating funding in 2011-12,” said OHA President and CEO Tom Closson. “Although some hospitals may have to make difficult decisions in order to accommodate the costs of certain collective agreements and other inflationary pressures, we believe that this level of funding will help maintain overall health system stability and protect the gains that have been made in improving patient care.”
Ontario’s hospitals are among the most efficient in Canada. In 2010, Ontario’s hospitals generated an “efficiency dividend” of $3.5 billion. This means that it would take an additional $3.5 billion to bring Ontario up to the average of what other provincial governments spend on hospitals.
The OHA applauded the government’s commitment of $600 to $800 million over three years to addressing hospitals’ working capital deficits.
“This is a wonderful step forward – one that could dramatically improve the financial health of a number of hospitals,” said Closson. “By reducing or eliminating inherited debt, the government will help position hospitals to make needed investments in medical and diagnostic equipment and improve patient care.”
The 2011 Ontario Budget also announced that significant investments in the community health care sector will be made over the next three years.
“This is good news,” said Closson. “Comprehensive health system capacity planning, combined with appropriate increases in the community health care sector and stable funding for hospitals, will help us reduce the number of alternate level of care patients currently in hospitals, ensure that patients receive the care they need, and use taxpayer’s money most effectively.”
The OHA also welcomed the government’s significant investment ($93 million per year by 2013-14) in a provincial Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.
“We believe that this investment, along with a new, more focused approach to program delivery, will make a major, positive difference in the lives of some of Ontario’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Closson.
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For more information: OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1433