Ontario Health Coalition -- Home

Resource Pages

Bill 8 Chronic Care Federal - Provincial Relations Homecare Hospitals International Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) Long Term Care Mental Health MRI/CTs OHIP Delisting Ontario Budget Pharmaceuticals Primary Care Privatization Public Private Partnerships (P3s) Romanow Report Women and Medicare

CLICK HERE FOR THE HOSPITAL CUTS CAMPAIGN RESOURCE PAGE

UPCOMING EVENTS

Health Action Assembly and Health Funding & Sustainability Conference
Saturday, November 6 – Sunday, November 7, 2010, Bond Place Hotel, Toronto

Health Action Assembly: Updates on key issues including hospital cuts and restructuring, protecting rural access to care, long term care funding/inspections/regulations changes, retirement homes, homecare, primary health care, P3s and privatization. Participate in strategy-setting session. This year will lead into the provincial election, so it is particularly important.
Conference on Health Funding and Sustainability: The newswaves reverberate with repeated stories about out-of-control health costs. Cuts, endless restructuring and delisting are justified using the funding crisis. But a closer look at the numbers shows a different story. It is time that those who want to protect our local public health care services fight back. This conference will provide the information and we will set a strategy to topple the myth of health care unsustainability.
September Cross-Province High-Level Briefing and Summit on Changes to Hospital Funding We will provide a briefing from experts in the U.K. and an update regarding plans of the Ontario government. What do the changes to fee-for-service hospital funding mean? What can we do about it? REGISTRATION FORM (all events) (November 6-7, 2010)

WHAT'S NEW
OHC Applauds Ombudsman’s Report on LHIN Spin: Sends McGuinty Open Letter Calling for LHINs Review, and Investigate Poor LHIN Decisions to Cut Hospital Care for Thousands
The Ontario Health Coalition applauds Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin’s report “The LHIN Spin”. But the Coalition is deeply concerned that the McGuinty government has evaded its legislative requirement to conduct a full review of its Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) and the legislation that governs them and is continuing a major round of health system cuts and restructuring while shutting out virtually all public advocates that have expressed concerns or criticized their reforms. MEDIA RELEASE OPEN LETTER (August 10-11, 2010)
OHC Newsletter – July 2010
This issue of The Pulse includes a report back on the success of fight-backs in reducing hospital cuts in some communities and updates on big cuts still underway in Niagara, proposed for Peterborough and threatening small town ERs in southwestern Ontario. PAGE 1 PAGE 2 (July 2010)
Ontario Health Coalition Analysis of the Peterborough Hospital Peer Review & Hospital “Improvement” Plan (HIP)
According to a detailed analysis conducted by the OHC, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Hospital Improvement Plan (HIP) recommends draconian cuts to staffing levels and proposes significant cuts to hospital beds and services, though it does not reveal the extent of these service reductions because it continues to list unstaffed (and therefore unusable beds) as open beds. The reduction in public hospital services for the Peterborough community and surrounding region proposed in the so-called Hospital Improvement Plan is based on the findings of the Peer Review relating to key performance indicators and financial data. In our analysis of the two documents - the HIP and the Peer Review – we have found that the financial “crisis” is overstated and key financial information has not been provided and the methodology used to determine the PRHC’s status in key performance indicators is deeply flawed. ANALYSIS (June 21, 2010)
Legal Opinion on Retirement Homes Act (Bill 21): Concerns for Human Rights and Public Interest
According to the legal opinion from Sack Golblatt Mitchell LLP, “This Bill raises significant questions in relation to safeguarding the public interest in regulating Ontario health facilities and respecting fundamental human rights. It is to be hoped that the Legislature will subject the provisions of the draft Bill to more thorough scrutiny to ensure that residents of Ontario retirement homes are adequately protected.” It is expected that the Government will pass the legislation this week. The OHC has written a letter to all MPPs asking them to vote against the bill. LEGAL OPINION (May 31, 2010)
Toward Equality and Access: Realigning Ontario’s Approach to Small and Rural Hospitals to Serve Public Values
This report appeals for equity and improved access to hospital services in rural Ontario and is based on input received from more than 1,150 people who attended 12 hearings in regions across Ontario in March 2010. The coalition organized its own public hearings after the government’s own rural and northern health panel, created after hospital closures in small and rural communities, refused to hold any public consultations. In total the coalition received 487 submissions into the state and future of local hospitals. The report has been written and submitted to the Ontario Health Coalition by a non-partisan panel including doctors, nurses, health professional, representatives of each region of Ontario, and representatives active in each political party. MEDIA RELEASE SUMMARY FULL REPORT (May 17, 2010) BACKGROUND: HEARINGS POSTER MARCH 4 MEDIA RELEASE ANNOUNCING THE HEARINGS
OHC Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy Regarding Bill 21 An Act to Regulate Retirement Homes
The Ontario Health Coalition, while applauding the provincial government for bringing in new legislation to govern retirement homes, is deeply concerned about significant portions of the legislation. We support the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly's (ACE's) recommendation that the government take this legislation back and think about the approach. The retirement homes industry is dominated by multinational for-profit chains and its behaviour impacts on thousands of seniors who live in the homes. In Ontario, there have been a number of retirement home fires in which residents have died. Other residents have died from inadequate care. There have been high-profile stories, court cases and coroner's inquests detailing the problems that have contributed to these tragedies. It is completely inappropriate that these facilities be self-regulating. It is important, that when establishing this new Act, the government takes the opportunity to take into account the input it has received from public interest groups and seniors' advocates and heed the warnings. SUBMISSION (May 10, 2010)
OHC Newsletter – May 2010
This issue of The Pulse includes a report back on our hearings on small, rural and northern hospitals and the new report coming out of the process; updates on the Oakville P3 hospital, Town Hall meetings and our protest outside the Health Minister’s speech; Northumberland Hills hospital cuts and fight-back; the new retirement homes act (Bill 21) and proposed cuts at the Peterborough Hospital. PAGE 1 PAGE 2 (May 2010)
OHC Response to Provincial Budget: McGuinty Must Stop “Over the Top” Crisis Rhetoric Used to Justify Hospital Cuts
The Ontario Health Coalition is warning Ontarians that the rhetoric used by the McGuinty government to justify hospital cuts is “over the top” and is not supported by the facts. MEDIA RELEASE (March 25, 2010)
OHC Response to Throne Speech: Fears that New Hospital Funding System Threatens Patient Access, Leads to Privatization
Premier Dalton McGuinty is planning changes to hospital funding systems, according to his Throne Speech today. The changes, if implemented, will have a profound impact on Ontarian’s access to care. “We are deeply opposed to the government’s proposal to force hospitals to try to underbid each other for funding,” said Natalie Mehra, director of the Ontario Health Coalition. “This system is the opposite of patient-centred care. It ignores the human element of health care entirely.” MEDIA RELEASE (March 8, 2010)
OHC Newsletter – February 2010
This issue of The Pulse includes information about our upcoming hearings on small, rural and northern hospitals; information on the closure of Burk’s Falls Health Centre, an update on Kingston Rideaucrest; an update on the new Long Term Care regulations and more. PAGE 1 PAGE 2 (February 2010)
OHC Calls For Coroner’s Inquest in the Death of Reilly Anzovino
The Ontario Health Coalition is requesting a coroner’s inquest into the death of Reilly Anzovino after a Boxing Day car accident. Ms. Anzovino was taken by ambulance to Welland because the closest emergency department in Fort Erie was recently closed due to budget cuts. She passed away prior to arriving at the hospital. This is the second death since the emergency department closures in Fort Erie and Port Colborne that has raised questions about whether the closures have contributed to avoidable fatality. Prior to the closure of the Emergency Departments in Niagara, the Ontario Health Coalition conducted in-depth interviews with 50 paramedics across Ontario. For more information on that report see the next item on this page. MEDIA RELEASE LETTER TO CORONER (January 25, 2010)
OHC Newsletter – November 2009
Government’s Rural and Northern Health Panel A Sham; Restructuring or Deregulation? Ontario Long Term Care Homes; Updates on Hospitals and Homecare, the OHC’s 2009-2010 Action Plan; Brian Day’s Private Surgical Hospital in Court with B.C. Government; Health Care Reform in the US and more. THE PULSE (November 2009)
For earlier editions of The Pulse please consult our newsletter archive.
Putting Patients at Risk: Interviews with Ontario Paramedics on the Consequences of Closing Local Emergency Departments
A new report, based on interviews with 50 paramedics across Ontario, on what the provincial government’s planned emergency room closures would mean for patient care in communities across the province. The report will address the following questions:
What do paramedics think of the Ontario government’s plan to close small and rural hospital emergency rooms?
Can paramedics really replace hospital emergency rooms?
What are the implications for patients and customers of ambulance services? MEDIA RELEASE SUMMARY FULL REPORT (June 18, 2009)
OHC’s Response to 2nd Set of Draft Regulations under Bill 140 the Long-Term Care Homes Act
Our analysis and response to the second set of draft regulations put out by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. Once these regulations are completed, the new Long Term Care Homes Act (Bill 140) will come into effect. The regulations, under the Act, provide detail about the provisions in the Act. Notable is that there is no minimum care standard. The new draft regulations contain very few required program standards and criteria and no outcomes. At the same time, the Ministry is undertaking a "Compliance Transformation" process. It is not clear how inspectors will be able to provide evidence of breaches of requirements if there are no clear requirements. SUBMISSION (October 15, 2009)
What's Wrong with Ontario's Health Ministry and How to Fix It
Natalie Mehra on the resignation of Health Minister David Caplan and the deeper problems of lack of transparency and democratic accountability that plague the ministry. OP/ED (October 13, 2009)
Documents Revealed Through Freedom of Information Request Show Increasing Privatization and Consolidation of Ontario's Medical Laboratory Services
Documents released after a two year Freedom of Information battle reveal almost complete control of Ontario's community medical laboratory services by three multinational corporations. Three multinational corporations are the big winners while local communities are losing lab services. MEDIA RELEASE (October 8, 2009)
Video Player
The OHC has a new YouTube video player featuring presentations from the OHC’s Emergency Summit on Hospital Cuts and Restructuring in January, Save Our Hospital Town Hall meetings and more. VIDEO PLAYER
Thousands Join Rally at Ontario Legislature to Stop Hospital Cuts

More than 3,000 people came by bus, car pool and public transit to the front lawn of Queen’s Park on April 29, 2009 to demand that Premier Dalton McGuinty stop the cuts and closures of local hospitals across Ontario. Small and rural communities were particularly visible with people carrying messages from Wallaceburg, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Welland, Niagara Falls, Strathroy, Petrolia, Burk’s Falls, Kincardine, Quinte West, Picton and other towns. Larger communities also facing cuts such as Hamilton, Guelph, Cambridge and Toronto were also well represented.

Mayors from small and rural communities across Ontario convened a press conference at Queen’s Park during the protest to announce the formation of an alliance of municipalities working to protect their local hospitals. Liberal MPP Kim Craitor from Niagara Falls, where birthing is slated to be cut, sponsored the media studio. Opposition MPPs from the Conservative and NDP parties peppered the Health Minister with questions during Question Period, then joined protesters outside where leaders and health critics from both parties spoke to the assembled crowd.

Check out our updated and revamped Gallery for pictures of OHC events from over the years.
Is Health Spending Out of Control?
Dr. Gordon Guyatt of McMaster University busts myths about health spending and uses facts to prove that Canadian health spending is stable and that privatization costs more and generates worse health outcomes. POWERPOINT PRESENTATION (June 24, 2009)
Long Term Care: Final Response to Draft Regulations
Updated June 5
For those of you who are particularly concerned about long term care homes, please find attached the draft OHC response to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care draft regulations under the new Long Term Care Homes Act. The draft regulations will replace the current regulations under the Acts governing for-profit, non-profit and municipal long term care homes, and the Facility Program Manual. Please feel free to copy, distribute, or use the attached materials for your own submissions. The deadline for submissions or comments to the Ministry regarding the draft regulations is June 5. Click here for our action alert containing information on how to send your input to the government and click below for our detailed response to the government’s proposal. OHC FINAL RESPONSE TO DRAFT REGULATIONS (June 5, 2009)
Long Term Care: Letter to David Caplan
The following letter has been sent to the Minister of Health regarding his decision to move towards finalizing the draft regulations before the results of the Ontario Ombudsman's investigation into long term care homes sector is released. Please send in your letters as soon as possible. The Minister has set the deadline for submissions regarding the regulations for Friday, June 5. LETTER (May 29, 2009)
Long Term Care Homes: High Level Briefing and One Day Conference
This March the Ontario Health Coalition and the Alliance of Seniors/Older Canadians Network hosted a conference on regulating Long Term Care Homes to improve care which reviewed the recent history of LTC in Ontario, critical issues, best and worst practices, and prospects for the future. Below is a presentation on the US nursing home sector by Toby Edelman M.Ed., JD, Senior Policy Attorney, Centre for Medicare Advocacy, Washington D.C., and an overview of the situation in Ontario by OHC Director Natalie Mehra. PRESENTATION BY TOBY EDELMAN (PowerPoint) OVERVIEW BY NATALIE MEHRA (PowerPoint) (March 31, 2009)
Budget Will Not Help Save Hospitals From Closures, Cuts
“This budget does not provide even what is needed to maintain existing services, or save our local hospitals from major cuts,” noted Dora Jeffries, coalition co chair. “In hard economic times hospital closures, cuts to services and lay offs are the worst possible option. In many communities, the local hospital is vital to economic development. McGuinty is risking important hospital capacity for the long term by underfunding the hospital system. ” MEDIA RELEASE (March 26, 2009)
Brampton P3 Audit: Hundreds of Millions of Dollars in ‘Mistakes’ in Brampton P3 Finances
The Auditor-General has revealed cost overruns at Brampton’s privatized P3 hospital. The Ontario Health Coalition is providing an analysis of the AG’s findings, our submission to the Auditor-General made in March and a link to the AG’s report itself. The auditor’s findings show that the Brampton P3 hospital costs increased from a projected $357 million at the outset of the P3 project to $614 million at the end of construction. MEDIA RELEASE ANALYSIS OHC SUBMISSION TO THE AG
AUDITOR’S REPORT (December 8-9, 2008)
Briefing Note on Ontario’s Hospital Cuts and Restructuring 2008
A major round of hospital restructuring and cuts is underway in every health region in the province causing major layoffs, privatization and threaten local Emergency Rooms, birthing facilities and hospital beds. This new briefing note by the Ontario Health Coalition examines the cuts region by region. This year and next, provincial budget levels for hospital global budgets are insufficient to meet hospital rates of inflation and population growth. Cabinet-appointed Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) are reviewing services in hospitals with deficits, and at the behest of the provincial government, are forcing hospitals to eliminate their deficits through drastic cuts. MEDIA RELEASE BRIEFING NOTE (December 2, 2008)
Home Care Report: The Change We Need
A new independent report on Ontario’s home care sector by Patricia Baranek, Carol Kushner and the late Marion Dewar. An non-partisan independent review of the current research along with input received through 78 presentations and 69 written submissions to five public hearings held across Ontario in June 2008. The report makes 20 recommendations to reform home care and provide urgently needed change. MEDIA RELEASE MEDIA BACKGROUNDER FULL REPORT (November 17, 2008)
Private Clinics Report: Eroding Public Medicare: Lessons and Consequences of For-Profit Health Care Across Canada
Groundbreaking report on the growth and practices of for-profit surgical, MRI and boutique physician clinics across Canada. Where are they? How are they making their profits? How are they promoting two-tier medicare? Where do they get their staff from? What does this mean for public health care in Canada. MEDIA RELEASE FULL REPORT
FRANÇAIS (en bref) (October 6, 2008)
In 2007, the OHC obtained a legal opinion on the Copeman clinic which found the proposed Ontario clinic to be in contravention of the law.