York hospitals shortchanged: health alliance

Chris Traber, Staff Writer

02/24/05 00:00:00
York Region hospitals should be getting $284 million more from the province, while home care services should get an extra $21 million, according to the executive director of the GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance.

York taxpayers contribute more to the Ontario Health Premium than is invested back in the hospitals, mental health and home care organizations that serve them, according to Tariq Asmi.

Of the $573 million Ontario Health Premium contributions from the GTA/905 -- representing 26 per cent of total collected by the province -- York taxpayers pay $169 million.

"York is often the lowest funded on a per-capita basis in terms of health care, home care and is among the lowest for hospital funding," Mr. Asmi said.

The alliance, representing 10 acute care hospitals and one mental health centre at 20 sites in Halton, Peel, Durham and York, said the province has unfairly shortchanged the regions by $615 million annually, $70 million of which should support home care.

At a meeting of regional mayors and chairpersons last week, the alliance said the GTA/905 receives 30 per cent less in total health care funding, 27 per cent less in hospital funding and 24 per cent less for home care, compared with other Ontario regions on a per-patient basis.

"This massive gap in health care funding for GTA/905 residents is even more significant when you consider that the (GTA/905) regions will welcome and accommodate half the province's annual population growth in the years ahead," Mr. Asmi said. "We're looking for equitable funding that's closer to home to improve access to health services for our residents."

The regions represent 25 per cent of Ontario's population and are growing by 90,000 people annually. From 1996 to 2003, Ontario's population grew by 14.6 per cent, while the GTA/905 grew by 33.9 per cent.

Despite being home to half of Ontario's new residents every year, the provincial government provides the 905 with no additional health funding to accommodate growth, Mr. Asmi said.

On a per capita basis, the provincial funding average for hospitals is $779, home care is $96 and total health care funding is $1,611. In the GTA/905, the amounts are $569, $73 and $824 respectively.

Based on the same equation, GTA/905 hospitals should have received $85 million from the government's $307-million increase in base operating funding for 2004-05, instead of the $37.6 million received.

"The premier is arguing that Ontario does not receive our fair share from Ottawa in terms of federal spending, yet the provincial government is not addressing funding disparity within our own borders when it comes to a fair share of health care investments," Mr. Asmi said.

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BY THE NUMBERS

According to the GTA/905 Healthcare Alliance:

· The GTA/905 contributes $573 million in Ontario Health Premiums -- representing 26 per cent of the province's total

· The 905 areas should receive $615 more for health care annually, $70 million of which should support home care

· The average provincial funding per capita is $779 for hospitals, $96 for home care and $1,611 for total health care. In the 905 area, the amounts are $569, $73 and $824 respectively.

· Based on the same math, 905 hospitals should have received $85 million from the $307-million increase in base operating funding for 2004-05, instead of the $37.6 million they received.