The folks at Queen's Park finally got the job done. After
15 long months of often bilious negotiations between the
McGuinty government and the Ontario Medical Association
(OMA), which represents the province's roughly 24,000
doctors, physicians in Ontario finally have a new contract.
On March 30 it was announced that 74% of the 15,068 doctors
opted to ratify the new deal. "We have achieved a groundbreaking
agreement with Ontario doctors that will improve health
services for patients beginning immediately and for years
to come," cooed Health Minister George Smitherman.
This result is a significant improvement
over last November's offer, rejected by nearly 60% of
voters. Much was made of the very public row between
OMA prez Dr John Rapin and Mr Smitherman; the minister's
'like it or lump it' approach was invariably met with
steely resolve from Dr Rapin.
The tough-talking health minister
relented, however, offering a $2.4 billion four-year
olive branch. He sweetened the deal to the tune of $120
million, adding several perks including across-the-board
fee increases of 2% for specialists and 2.5% for FPs,
retroactive to April 2004.
In an effort to entice specialists
to work longer hours (and reduce waiting times), a billing
cap of $455,000 annually has been scrapped. He also
gave doctors the right to fully incorporate, which means
significant tax savings. Mr Smitherman offered FPs who
have a 1,500-patient roster and work a three-hour weekly
block in the evening or during a weekend, an annual
income increase by $25,560 come October, with other
increases to follow.
The deal is not to everyone's taste,
however. Detractors include the Specialist Coalition
of Ontario and the Coalition of Family Physicians, who,
with their combined membership of 10,700, rejected the
deal based on pay disparities and FP shortages respectively.
"Of course there remain concerns;
that's to be expected," said a newly optimistic Dr Rapin.
"My message has been we have to start somewhere."
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