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Colleagues,
More on the Phase II COVID Funding Agreement
The OMA has received many, many communications about the Phase II Agreement for Funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are some themes that are common, and I would like to address those as best as I can.
But first, I want to assure all of you that I am taking your concerns seriously and I will not minimize them at all. I also want you to know that I truly believe that we need to ensure that every physician who contributes during the COVID-19 pandemic should receive funding. This has not yet happened with the first two Phases. I want to make it happen. To do that, I’ll need your help. But first some background information.
Other Provinces
Last Monday, I met with all the Provincial and Territorial Medical Association (PTMA) Presidents. At the time, only Newfoundland had a deal, and every other province was negotiating (or trying to). On Wednesday, Nova Scotia cut a deal for their docs, and Friday, Saskatchewan cut a deal. These are GOOD things because they help support our case for funding all physicians.
What you should also know is that Quebec had two deals with their specialists, but Premier Legault tore them up. As of the time I write this, the specialists have no agreement. Manitoba thought they were close, but the government backed off.
Alberta has a health minister that abused his power by getting confidential contact information about a physician. Alberta’s health minister also went to a physician’s house to berate him in front of his family. Alberta is a disaster.
So we have a mixed bag across the country. The status of other provinces for funding during the COVID pandemic can be found here. The OMA’s duty is to try to get something like the three provinces with a positive result. However, the reality is that we will be compared to the other “big” provinces (Alberta, Quebec and B.C.), all of whom do not have a deal.
Our Negotiations Task Force (NTF) is in daily contact with all the other PTMAs. They get information directly as soon as it develops. We will certainly be using that information to support our case.
Physicians Feeling Left Out By Phase II
There is a strong sense in the messages we’ve received that FFS docs are feeling left out. Disappointed, angry, betrayed are all words that I have read. I understand this. The decision at the Board was difficult. As I mentioned in my update, the main focus of the discussion at the Board was that the second stage of the COVID-19 funding package was split into Phase II and Phase III.
The Board wanted both done together, but there was resistance at the Ministry. At this time, the Ministry simply hasn’t been able to focus on something other than the current, expected, hospital surge.
The decision at the Board therefore really became do we accept this agreement, which allows for funding for immediate needs and urgent discussion on a third Phase; or do we send the whole thing back, with no one getting funded, and no guarantee of a third Phase? The Board chose the former and recognizes that it has to own that decision.
I will, however, tell you quite candidly that if there was not a concrete clause in the Phase II agreement to immediately start discussions on Phase III, the Board would not have supported it.
Future Earnings
There is a lot of talk about the funding in Phase III coming from “future earnings.” I understand the concerns. However, I would respectfully point out that there is not a Phase III agreement yet. While the wording has some connotations, at the end of the day what matters is the details in Phase III. We don’t have that, and the NTF is going to do their utmost to get the best possible arrangement on this.
I would also point out that the Paragraph 8 of the Phase II agreement states (about Phase III discussions), that there could be an advance payment plan against future billings or some other mechanism. It also recognizes the need to fund items like fixed costs, commercial rents and other overhead items.
Practice Survey
I really, really need your help to get doctors the best agreement. I know that I asked members to fill out the Practice Impact Survey yesterday. So far, over 3,400 physicians have done so. The survey is not perfect. We have had comments suggesting changes. With respect, there is an enormous time pressure here. We do not have time to develop a perfect survey. We need as many doctors as possible to fill this out so we get a reasonably fair idea of how many clinics will be affected, how many staff laid off, and yes, how many are shuttered. As you know, the OMA doesn’t usually go around asking what percentage you pay in overhead or how many staff you have. I’m asking now because we need to support our asks in Phase III. Please help by filling out the survey here.
Public Push
It is likely that we will well have to apply some public pressure to achieve a fair funding mechanism in Phase III. If you are willing to tell personal stories, about how you have had to cut so many hours, or lay off staff, please let the OMA know (info@oma.org). We will need to be ready in case we have to mount a public campaign.
Reminder About the Town Hall
There will be a Town Hall on Wednesday to review Phase II and to go over plans for Phase III. Please click here.
Telephone Codes
Members are aware of a recent report in the news suggesting that the telephone codes will not be programmed into the OHIP computers until May 5. This is unacceptable to the OMA. The NTF has presented the Ministry with solutions that are revenue neutral and allow physicians to immediately bill for the work they have done. The Ministry will either respect physicians or they won’t. I will let you know as soon as I hear back.
As an aside, I keep getting asked why the OHIP computers are so slow and difficult to program. Obviously, I can’t speak for the Ministry. But as many members know, the OHIP computers use the computer language COBOL. CNN had a recent article on how many governments still use it, and I found it insightful. The link is here.
The Week Ahead
By the end of the week, I believe we will have a much better idea of how long many of the restrictions that we are experiencing as a society will last. The staff at the OMA (who are all working virtually now) will continue to analyze the daily information presented by the Ministry, and will continue to provide information to all of you.
I thank you once again for your courage, your dedication, your efforts and your basic fundamental humanity during this crisis. All of you are my heroes.
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