Advocacy Update
For the Attention of
Hospital CEOs, OHA Board of Directors and CACN Members
From Hilary Short, President and CEO
I would like to take this opportunity to update members on the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA)'s stepped-up provincial advocacy campaign.
At the September 2nd Members meeting, clear direction was given to OHA staff to implement a proactive public affairs campaign regarding the serious funding shortfall faced by hospitals, coupled with the Interim Accountability Agreement requirements that hospitals balance their budgets at all costs.
As a first step in the campaign, the OHA held a press conference on September 3 that detailed the likely outcomes as a result of hospitals being forced to sign the Interim Agreements while wrestling with a collective $600 million deficit. This initial press conference, as well as numerous interviews with media outlets province-wide, has generated significant coverage, as well as positive opinion pieces in newspapers across Ontario supporting OHA's position.
I want to thank members for their cooperation and support in their communications over the last couple of months. Maintaining a united front to highlight the very real challenges we all face is crucial to the success of this campaign.
The OHA has been actively working with the Ministry on a number of fronts. We were successful in having the sign-back date of the Interim Agreements extended to October 15th. In addition, the Minister and key members of the Health Results Team have agreed to attend the OHA Board meeting on October 20th to discuss the government’s transformation agenda.
Minister Smitherman spoke to the OHA's annual Conference for Chairs and Vice-Chairs on Friday morning and signalled a more consultative approach in dealing with the concerns of hospitals across Ontario. I was quoted in the story welcoming the new "constructive" tone from the Minister and said, "we hope that can continue." A copy of the Minister's remarks will be sent to hospitals in this week’s mailing.
Over this past weekend, a Canadian Press story indicated that Minister Smitherman and Ontario's hospitals had called a "truce" and that, "the accord means the government will no longer have to worry about hospitals threatening to lengthen waiting lists if their demands for more money are not met."
The story was incorrect in suggesting that the urgent funding needs of the province's hospitals have ended. The OHA will continue to press for adequate funding, as hospitals continue to face the prospect of service rationalizations given the current funding shortfall estimated at $600 million. However, we look forward to continuing our constructive dialogue with government on hospital funding challenges.
Further, this story does not change our proactive public affairs strategy. The OHA recently sent a detailed letter to all M.P.P.'s expanding upon our public messages regarding the urgent state of hospital funding.
The OHA will continue to highlight the very real challenges Ontario's hospitals are facing, and will continue to share any success in our advocacy efforts. For further information, please contact Steve Orsini at 416-205-1339 or email sorsini@oha.com.