The government is introducing new legislation that, if passed, would make the health care system more responsive to the needs of the public by strengthening and supporting health professionals and the various programs and services that make up our health care system.
Highlights of the proposed Health System Improvements Act, 2006 include :
- Proposing a new medical billing review process and review board for checking physicians' Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) billings, based on the recommendations of the Cory Report. This would include more professional education, payment review, a new review board, and an appeal process that would restore confidence in the system, while maintaining greater accountability to patients, doctors and the government.
- Enhancing regulatory colleges' complaints procedures by giving patients increased access to information, improved communications and streamlined processes.
- Establishing the first-ever Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion – a centre for public health excellence that will provide research, scientific and technical advice and support, modeled after the Centers for Disease Control.
- Enhancing services that optometrists and dental hygienists provide, and establishing new colleges to regulate four additional health professions – naturopathy, homeopathy, kinesiology and psychotherapy.
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