www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, April 22, 2016 | 4 LexusofoakviLLe.ca Health care reform needed: Alam continued from p.3 calls a "significant number of high-billing doctors," that have been able to boost their fees because of new technology. "We need to make sure our compensation to our physicians keeps up with technology so we are fairly compensating them for the amount of time and effort that goes in to the procedure and promoting evidence-based care and positive outcomes for patients," he added. The minister cited the example that cataract surgery, which used to take more than an hour to perform on one eye, now, thanks to technology, can be done in under 20 minutes. Hoskins says the government is hoping the OMA (Ontario Medical Association) will work with it to reach a negotiated agreement that provides "predictable budget increases based on evidence to reflect our growing and aging population." He notes the Province continues to increase the physician services budget each year. "And our most recent annual data shows Ontario saw a net increase of more than 900 doctors," said Hoskins. He noted if the OMA comes back to the table to negotiate with the government, he is confident an agreement will be reached to provide stability and improve the sustainability of the health-care system. Georgetown doctor Nadia Alam, who is coleader of Concerned Ontario Doctors, told the Beaver things aren't looking good for Ontario's health-care system if it continues the way it is going. Noting the group has been trying to measure and track the effects of government cuts, she said in Oakville, a family doctor was forced to close a clinic and subsequently left Ontario while a multidisciplinary clinic with three family doctors, two paediatricians and an obstetrician gynaecologist was prevented from opening. When asked if she could identify the doctors, she said the names have been kept anonymous to protect them. She did say, however, that one of the doctors was a someone she knew personally. "Ontario's health-care system is in desperate trouble," she said. "We need a smart way of tackling this issue. We need to do health-care reform. Most of all, we need to stabilize the system and make sure everyone has a fair contract and then we all, all of us -- politicians, physicians, nurses, other health-care providers and the public, I cannot stress that part enough -- the public has to be engaged and working together to make a better health-care system." Alam continued everyone has a part to play. "We can't just have faith everything will work out. We have to step up and demand more from leaders who are supposed to be accountable for managing the health-care system," she said. Alam is encouraging residents to come out and support the rally and learn more about how the health-care system is being affected. For more information, visit www.carenotcuts. ca. The Lexus F sporT evenT 2016 IS 200t F SPORT AT Lease THe 0.9% FOR ONLY $399 PER MONTH + HST AND LICENSING Lease offer is based on a 39 month term at 0.9% with $6180 down payment. 20,000 kms allowance per year for a total of 65,000 kms over the full term of the lease. Kilometer overage is calculated at $0.20 per kilometer + HST. Offer valid until May 2nd, 2016. Please visit Lexus of Oakville or lexusofoakville.ca for details. 1453 North service road, West oakville, oN l6M 2W2 AyA Kitchens of oAKville 1195 north service roAd west 905.847.1522 ayaoakville.com 905.847.8400 · 1.866.lexus.66