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
Friday, March 27, 2009
Toronto – The Government of Ontario has chosen to protect hospital funding in the midst of the global economic crisis and that is good news for patients, said Tom Closson, President and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) today in responding to the release of the 2009 Ontario Budget.
“This is a positive budget for Ontario’s hospitals and patients,” said Closson. “By protecting hospital funding in 2009-10, the government is positioning hospitals to maintain access to high quality health services in the challenging year ahead.”
Through its 2009 Ontario Budget, the Government of Ontario confirmed that hospitals will receive the 2.1 per cent increase in the hospital base funding formula in 2009-10, originally announced one year ago. This base funding increase was originally provided to hospitals for planning purposes, but following the Fall Economic Statement and onset of the global recession, it was unclear whether or not it would be maintained.
The OHA also welcomed the government’s plan to invest approximately $2 billion over the next three years to implement e-Health initiatives, including the creation of an electronic health record by 2015.
“The creation of an electronic health care record is essential to improving the quality, safety and efficiency of patient care,” said Closson. “Today’s announcement confirms that modernizing the use of information and communication technology in health care is a clear priority for the Government of Ontario. This is an extremely positive development and it will generate tangible, positive benefits for patients in the years to come.”
The OHA also welcomed the government’s announcement that hospitals will “remain whole” when it comes to the implementation of a Harmonized Sales Tax as it recognizes that health care funding should be used to deliver front line patient care.
The OHA also supports the mandatory implementation of OntarioBuys common purchasing requirements as hospitals are long-time leaders in leveraging the benefits of bulk purchasing. The OHA and the Ontario Government will continue to work closely together to improve health system productivity and efficiency in the difficult economic times that still lie ahead.
- 30 -
For further information:
OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1433