They will also be ranked on Web sites and be required to report annually on how they use their money. In terms of accountability, hospitals have been in the lead. She pointed out that Ontario hospitals were the first in Canada to create their own report cards three years ago and have been expanding them ever since. This year's will look at acute care, emergency care and long-term care with the first reports coming out in June. Most of the accountability reforms have received widespread praise from health care providers with the notable exception of the billing statements.
Doctors say there is too much risk of the statements ending up in the wrong hands.
They could be picked up by other members of the household or sent to an old address. The chances of your mail going astray are very high. Gord Haugh, spokesman for the minister, said privacy concerns are being taken into consideration as the program is developed. However, doctors are also concerned they will be stuck with the daunting task of creating the statements and getting them to patients. They say nationwide doctor shortages have already created overwhelming workloads and they don't have time to add more paperwork to their day.