News Release

Medical Reform Group of Ontario

December 19, 1985

The Medical Reform Group of Ontario is pleased that the Ontario Government has introduced legislation today to ban extra-billing. The group, which represents 150 Ontario physicians, has been concerned that extra-billing presented a financial barrier to health services for some Ontario residents.

The MRG is concerned about the growing practice of doctors to charge fees for telephone calls, referral letters, or other services not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan and regrets there is no mention in the legislation of these potential deterents to access Dr. Michael Rachlis, a spokesman for the group noted that there was no negotiation process mentioned in the bill. He called upon the Ontario Medical Association and the Ministry of Health to develop a bargaining process which was fair to the profession and the public. He further appealed to the OMA to accept the will of the Ontario people to ban extra-billing so that, together with other health workers and the public they may address the other important issues which face the health care system.

For further information contact:
Dr. Michael Rachlis
Dr. Philip Berger

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

Sources
     sources@sources.ca
Toronto, Ontario, , Canada         Tel:
Copyright © Sources, All rights reserved.