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Bill 8 Makes Accountability And Accessibility the Cornerstones Of
Ontario's Health Care System
TORONTO, June 18 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government has received Royal
Assent on the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act, a landmark bill that
will strengthen public health care in Ontario, Health and Long-Term Care
Minister George Smitherman said.
"Bill 8 is the cornerstone of our plan to transform and strengthen
Ontario's health care system," Smitherman said. "We are building a public
health care system that's committed to accessible, top-quality patient care,
and is accountable to the people of Ontario."
The Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act, 2004, which became law on
June 17, 2004, improves medicare in the province by:
- strengthening the prohibition of "two-tier" medicine by closing
legislative loopholes that allow queue-jumping and extra billing;
- ensuring that Ontarians get the health care they need, through the
establishment of accountability agreements between the ministry and
health care providers; and
- establishing an independent Ontario Health Quality Council to report
on our health care system in areas including wait times, so we can
determine where improvements are needed and where progress is being
made.
"We are a results-based government, and Bill 8 is the tool that will
ensure that the health care system delivers the results Ontarians need and
deserve," Smitherman said.
"Medicare is the best expression of Canadian values. It's an essential
social program that ensures every person in this province has access to the
publicly funded health care they need, regardless of their economic means,
their age or ethnicity, or where they live".
This news release is available on our website at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca
Version française disponible
-30-
For further information: Members of the media - Eva Lannon, Minister's Office, (416) 327-4320; Tanya Cholakov, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, (416) 314-6197; Members of the general public: (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154
Other news releases disseminated by this ministry
