Common myths about LHINs

MYTH #1:  LHINs mean less access to health services and services further away from your community

MYTH #2:  LHINs are not sensitive and responsive to local health care needs

FACT:  It does not make sense to micromanage a $33 Billion operation from Head Office. People and communities at the local level best understand the needs of their communities. LHINs are based on the understanding that community based care is best planned, coordinated and funded in a locally integrated manner.

FACT:  We are committed to the principle of a publicly funded health system. We confirmed this in Bill 8, the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act. The Local Health System Integration Act contains a provision restating this commitment to publicly funded Medicare. This initiative is not about privatizing health care, it is about providing better health care to the people of Ontario by doing some things differently than in the past - like involving communities in important health care decisions. Furthermore, the legislation very specifically prohibits any integration that would result in an individual being required to pay for a health service, unless the payments is permitted by law.

FACT:  LHINs are not about closing programs or hospitals, cutting jobs, or slashing wages. They are about improving the quality and accessibility of health care for Ontarians. They are also about doing things differently and more efficiently, so that there is money in the future to continue to invest in health care. The status quo is not good enough and we are making the necessary changes to make it better.

FACT:  The legislation provides a specific and known process for dealing with employees and labour relations issues. The legislation makes the Public Sector Labour Relations Transition Act available to ensure a fair, balanced and stable transition for employees.

FACT:  :LHINs need independence to respond to local needs and priorities. The government retains the ultimate responsibility to ensure high quality and accessible health services. As a Crown agency, LHINs are subject to the government's accountability policies and directives. And the relationship between LHINs and the Ministry is subject to a Memorandum Of Understanding, and an accountability agreements. The accountability agreements will include performance goals and objectives for the LHINs, performance standards, targets and measures, and a plan for spending the money the LHINs receive.

FACT:  LHINs will work in partnership with doctors, Family Health Teams, and other health care professionals to make sure that patients continue to receive high quality care. The legislation requires LHINs to engage their community, including physicians and other health care practitioners, on an ongoing basis for planning and priority setting.

FACT:  LHINs are about putting decision making and spending power back into the hands of local people and communities. LHINs have an obligation to engage communities in discussion about where money is spent, which certain services should be strengthened or consolidated, and how to improve patient care.

FACT:  The goal of the Local Health System Integration Act is to promote better access to health services, coordinated health care and effective and efficient management of the health systems through LHINs. There is no intent to expand the home care competitive bidding process.

FACT:  LHINs are about improving patient centered care. LHINs will devolve power to the local community to give them a voice to allocate scarce health resources.

FACT:  Many public meetings and working sessions about LHINs and the health system were held in each LHIN across the province. More than 6,000 people attended those sessions, including representatives of patient advocacy and community groups, unions, the public, health care providers and health related associations, to help shape the development of LHINs. We've also met with many organizations on proposals for the legislation.

March 2, 2006