News Release

Medical Reform Group of Ontario

March 4, 1986

The Medical Reform Group reaffirmed its support today for Bill 94 which would outlaw physician extra billing. Speaking before the Legislatures Social Development Committee, Dr. Philip Berger said that members of the group had seen senior citizens and welfare recipients extra billed. While acknowledging that some physicians had been scrupulous in their billing behaviour, Dr. Berger said that physicians' economic rights to set their own fees must be subordinated to the public's right to access to medical services without financial barriers.

The Medical Reform Group also called for a Royal Commission on the funding of health services which would allow the public to become educated on this complicated issue. Other recommendations included a call for the government and the CMA to establish a fair fee negotiation process and some simple measures to facilitate medical practice such as plastic OHIP cards.

The Medical Reform Group was founded in 1979 and has fought to preserve and expand medicare.

For further information contact:

Dr. Philip Berger:
Dr. Michael Rachlis

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