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News Release
Medical Reform Group Press Release
Regarding Provincial Elections
August 29, 1990
In order to clarify the perspectives of the 3 main Ontario political
parties towards health issues, the Medical Reform Group of Ontario
submitted the enclosed questionnaire to the three parties (See appended,
with replies). The MRG is a non-partisan organisation whose first
founding principle is that health care with universal access is
a right. In this press conference we highlight the differences among
the three main parties on various issues. Though the Liberal Party
did not respond its actions serve as a guide.
THE ROLE OF USER FEES AND "ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES"
We note the recent re-emergence in the media of user fees as a proposed
means to regulate access to health care and to cut costs. Studies
have shown that user fees deter the needy and poor from seeking
appropriate health care. We also note that the recent Lowy Commission
(Pharmaceutical Enquiry) proposes implementing prescription co-payment
charges up to $250 per year. The MRG strongly urges rejection of
user fees in any guise.
The Liberal Government has taken steps towards abolition
of user fees i.e. Bill 94 which bans Extra-Billing. However, we
view with alarm the Liberals' intent to charge user fees for services
supposedly outside the health care sector i.e. chronic care facilities.
Furthermore, the Liberals have as yet made no attempt to prosecute
physicians who currently violate Bill 94.
The Progressive Conservative Party has rejected any role
for user fees in their reply to us. However, we note a contradiction
between this, and Michael Harris' media remarks on the benefits
of user fees. We are concerned that this vacillation may presage
an unacceptable future endorsement of user fees by the PCP. Moreover,
the PCP made no commitment at all on administrative charges, a form
of extra-billing.
The New Democratic Party appears to be the only party consistently
against user fees. They are also explicitly against administrative
charges. They do note that in consultation with the medical profession
they would be prepared to include some currently uninsured services
within the schedule for billing. This closes the loopholes in Bill
94.
POVERTY AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH
Noting the many documented links between poverty and ill health,
the MRG advocates significant poverty relief measures.
The Liberal Government has actually cut assistance to food
banks. It has, moreover, not made any commitment to increasing the
level of the minimum wage.
The Progressive Conservative Party would reverse the cuts
in the food bank programme. They make no commitment on minimum wages.
The New Democratic Party would also reverse the cuts to the
food banks. But in addition they would enhance the current minimum
wage.
Subject Headings: Abortion
Rights – Community
Health – Community
Health Centres – Drug
Substitution – Epidemiology
– Epidemiology/Community
Medicine – Health
Administration – Health
Care Budgets – Health
Care Cost Containment – Health
Care Costs – Health
Care Delivery – Health
Care Finance & Fund-Raising – Health
Care in Canada – Health
Care in Ontario – Health
Care in the U.K. – Health
Care in the U.S. – Health
Care Myths – Health
Care Reform – Health
Care Resources – Health
Care Services – Health
Care Workers – Health
Clinics – Health
Determinants – Health
Economics – Health
Expenditures – Health
Issues – Health
Policy – Health
Policy/Seniors – Health
Service Organizations – Health/Social
Justice Issues – Health
Statistics – Health/Strategic
Planning – History
– Hospitals
– Labour
Medicine – Medical
Associations – Medical
Costs/Foreign – Medical
Education – Medical
Ethics – Medical
Human Resources – Medical
Personnel – Medical
Research Funding – Medicare
– Medication
Use – Medication
Use/Seniors – NAFTA/Health
– Occupational
Health & Safety – Patients'
Rights – Pharmaceuticals
– Physician
Compensation – Physician
Human Resources – Pro-Choice
Issues – Public
Health – Publications/Health
– Social
Policy – Women's
Health
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