by arthur Weinreb,
January 19, 2005
There is a shortage of doctors in the province of Ontario. The Ontario Medical association (OMa) estimates that the province is short approximately 2,000 family practitioners. The problem is especially acute in smaller centres and rural areas.
Dr. Ken Milne, a family physician in Goderich Ontario says that during the past two years, six of the 13 doctors in his area have left and he estimates that over half of the population of 7,500 is without the services of a family doctor.
Milne is urging his fellow practitioners to refuse to treat Liberal MPPs and replace the parliamentarian/patients with those who otherwise do not have the services of a family doctor. Doctors are upset with the province for a variety of reasons other than the fact that there is a shortage of practitioners. Many physicians are angry with the government over the way they have been treated by the Minister of Health, George Smitherman. Despite his protests to the contrary, Smitherman is a bully who likes to throw his not insignificant weight around.
There is nothing unethical or unprofessional in Milne’s suggestion. He is not advocating refusing treatment to a Liberal Member of Parliament in emergency situations, something that inevitably puts him at odds many other residents of Ontario. Doctors are not required to treat each and every patient that seeks their services.
But Dr. Milne’s proposal will not work. While the provincial Liberals have a substantial majority in the legislature, there are only 71 of them. Human nature being what it is you can count on a significant number of doctors continuing to treat their patients. Not wanting to anger a powerful politician or hopes for favours will prevent many doctors from joining the MPP boycott. and even if an MPP is refused medical services, he or she can always find another doctor, despite the fact that ordinary people are having a difficult time securing the services of a family doctor. The MPPs spend a lot of time in Toronto where it is still possible to find a family practitioner that is taking new patients.
Despite all the preaching to the contrary, Canada does have a two-tiered medical system with the second tier located south of the border. History has shown that even the staunchest supporter of socialized medicine has no qualms about seeking medical treatment in the United States when it affects him or her personally. and although it cannot really be said that provincial politicians are vastly overpaid, they can afford to go south for medical treatment.
Milne’s proposal would be nothing more than a symbolic gesture that will not prevent each and every one of the 71 government MPPs from obtaining the services of a family doctor. In order to be effective, the boycott of services would have to be broadened. Physicians could consider withdrawing their services from all employees of the Ministry of Health. It would be highly unfair to those on the lower echelons who have no say in policy or operations but hey, life is unfair. Demoralizing ministry employees might get the attention of Smitherman and the premier. Or perhaps the doctors could consider withdrawing their services from all high ranking provincial civil servants; the ones who have input in policy areas.
None of this will ever happen of course. The province’s doctors could never get together to form an effective boycott to make their point. and any action taken against government employees would likely result in doctors’ OHIP payments slowing down; something few of them would be prepared to risk. at most, Dr. Milne’s idea is a symbolic gesture.
The good doctor might want to consider buying a gun — and moving to Texas.