Docs up $8,300 each in recent negotiations?

Dr. Michael Rachlis, a well known expert on the health care system, suggests there is more to the recent deal the province hatched with the Ontario Medical Association than has been reported.

He estimates that increased utilization and "fee drift" will mean an extra $200 million for doctors.

With about 24,000 full time (equivalent) doctors in the province, that works out to an extra $8,333 each. That is small change compared to some of the income improvements the docs have achieved over the last decade, but it is pretty significant by anybody else's measure. Certainly it's a lot better than what the McGuinty government is offering to the rest of us further on down the pecking order (see the McGuinty government's list of concessions demands for its own workers here) .

OCHU long ago flagged the mighty increases the doctors were getting from the McGuinty government, but this was only identified through a retrospective review of annual government Budget documents known as the Estimates. We may well have to wait for future government Estimates to find out exactly how much extra the doctors secured through this round of negotiations.

One thing is for sure: there won't be any admissions from the Liberal government.

Donna Metcalf-Woo

Two CUPE activists recognized for their contributions

Louis Rodrigues

OCHU members, Donna Metcalf-Woo (CUPE Local 1999) and Louis Rodrigues (CUPE Local 1974) were honoured recipients of the Daniel Benedict Award from the Ontario Health Coalition this weekend.

Dan Benedict, an economist with the CAW, was a tireless activist with the Ontario Health Coalition who made a substantial contribution to public health care in Canada.

Congratulations to Donna and Louis -- and thank you for your contribution to public health care !

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