OMA Agreement Ratified
For the Attention of Hospital CEOs, Board Chairs, OHA Board of Directors and CACN Members
From Rosalind Smith, Vice President, Member and Professional Relations
Yesterday, and following support from 74% of physicians, the Ontario Medical Association’s governing Council ratified a new four-year agreement with the Ontario government.
The new contract includes:
- All the fee increases and program investments noted in the November 2004 tentative agreement
- An additional investment of $120 million, relative to the November tentative agreement
- An across the board increase, retroactive to April 1, 2004: General and Family Practitioners 2.5%, Specialists 2.0%
- Immediate elimination of billing thresholds,
- An expiry date of March 31, 2008 with a re-investment opportunity in April 2007
- Enhanced incorporation benefits
The potential implications for hospitals are significant and the OHA will continue to be actively engaged with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, as well as the OMA, on the implementation of the agreement. In addition, specific areas of activity in the short term include:
- Establishment of a group to guide OHA’s efforts, continuing the work begun by an ad-hoc group that met in November 2004
- Identification of hospital based representatives to serve on the tri-partite committees established through the new agreement
- Complete analysis of the agreement, and communication to members regarding the potential hospital impact
- Establishment of a policy and funding approach to funding and technical and professional fees for diagnostic services
We welcome queries or comments regarding the agreement or OHA’s plans, and these may be directed to Heather Stewart at 416-205-1321 or hstewart@oha.com, or Roz Smith at 416-205-1332 or rsmith@oha.com