Ontario doctors' pay should be overhauled to save millions: report

TORONTO, Ont. - A group of Ontario health-care providers said changing the way doctors in hospitals are paid could save the province more than $200-million a year.

The coalition wants physicians to be under contract to hospitals rather than the usual method of being granted hospital privileges.

Ontario is currently paying $2.2-billion a year more per capita for physician services than other provinces.

The coalition also recommends more end-of-life care be provided in the community rather than in hospitals, and crisis care for those with mental illness be made available in facilities other than
hospital ERs.

The report has been released Thursday by the Ontario Hospital Association, the Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres and Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs.

The recommendations come as the Ontario government is trying to eliminate fees for pharmacists in an attempt to cut generic drug costs and lower escalating health-care costs.