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Colleagues,
I want to follow up on the supposed “deal to keep clinics open” that was widely reported in the press over the weekend. As you know from the update I sent on Saturday, the OMA’s Negotiations Task Force (NTF) only got the offer after the press had reported it.
The Board has now had a chance to review the offer and we have rejected it. The following motion passed unanimously:
“The Board rejects the Advance Payment Proposal as outlined in the April 20, 2020 Board document 2.0 as it is totally deficient in meeting the needs of the health care system for future sustainability, including income stabilization and infrastructure support.”
I’ve sent a letter to Health Minister Christine Elliott here to explain the Board’s decision and request that government work together with the OMA to achieve a solution that is fair and in the best interests of doctors, patients and the health care system alike.
What was in the offer?
The offer essentially said that the government would advance you payments against future billings. The government feels that while it is true that clinics are much slower now than in normal times – the work will be “made up” somehow in the future and when that work is “made up” you can pay back the advance. As all members know, this is patently ridiculous. Our health care system was working at full capacity to begin with. There is no ability to “make up” work lost. A general surgeon who isn’t doing elective surgery in April and May can’t just do twice as much in October and November because the hospitals aren’t staffed for it, nor are there enough ORs.
Not only did the offer amount to a no-interest loan to yourself, all it really does is kick the cash crunch down the road six months. You may have money to pay your overhead now, but in November you will have to start paying it back and be in the same boat. So, the Board said no.
Wait – what about the telephone codes? The fix is easy!
Despite our insistence over the past two weeks that the MOH simply allow physicians to bill regular codes instead of the telephone codes (which as you know is revenue neutral), the MOH has refused. They feel the advance payment is the solution for this problem as well. No, that does not make sense to me either and I am at a loss to explain their rationale.
What’s next?
The OMA will continue to apply pressure on the government to do the right thing and fund health care infrastructure. The media ads will continue. There will be more interviews in the press (see here, here and here). We will be continuing to ask physicians to speak out and tell their personal stories (see here and here).
Another thing that was very effective in garnering attention was a tweet showing a sign indicating a clinic is closed (see here). Sadly, I know that many clinics will have to close their doors due to the funding crunch. It’s regrettable that the Ministry does not recognize this. If you do have a sign up saying you’re closed, or you are going to be putting one up, please take a picture and send it to us – info@oma.org. We will tweet and distribute the pictures to make it known how many clinics are closing as a result of the government's inaction on stabilization of health care infrastructure.
What Else?
Thursday night there will be a Teletown hall by the folks at MNP (one of Canada’s leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firms). You may recall they have been hired by the OMA to try to set up a simple, physician-friendly guide on the financial supports available from the federal government during the pandemic. If you haven’t already, you can download the guide here.
The Teletown hall will be focused on answering questions about all these programs and how they can help you. Click here for details on how to join the Teletown hall.
Please Vote for Your Next President
Just a reminder that the non-binding poll for President-Elect closes this Friday at 2:00 p.m. While non-binding, the information gathered is important to guide your Council delegates as they vote for the next President-Elect. Please vote here.
Once again, my thanks to all of you during these troubled times. I know you are anxious and concerned. Today’s news about no agreement with the government will not help. I want you to know however, that I and the OMA Board and staff are committed to advocating on your behalf. We will do everything possible to reach a fair solution for all physicians.
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