Legislation Updates LEGISLATION UPDATES

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1 LEGISLATION UPDATES Central LHIN Board of Directors Page 1

2 Table of Contents 1.0 Regulation 55 Health Insurance Act (Appendix 1.0)....0 Community Care Corporations Act, Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act (Appendix 3.0)... Central LHIN Board of Directors Page 1

3 Regulation 55 Health Insurance Act (Appendix 1.0) The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has recently amended OHIP eligibility provisions in Regulation 55 of the Health Insurance Act. As a result, effective April 1, 009, individuals are exempt from the remainder of their waiting period for OHIP coverage upon moving into a long-term care facility in Ontario if they: Have moved to Ontario from another province or territory where they were insured under the publiclyfunded health insurance plan; and Are admitted into a long-term care facility during their waiting period for OHIP coverage. This new waiting period exemption expands upon the pre-existing policy to exempt individuals from the waiting period if they move directly into a long-term care facility in Ontario from another province or territory where they were previously insured. 1.0 Community Care Corporations Act, 001 The Lieutenant Governanor has proclaimed changes to the Community Care Corporations Act, 001, effective April 1, 009, returning Ontario s Community Care Access Centres to the status of community agencies. These changes simplify the accountability relationship between the Community Care Access Centre, Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The key changes to the Act remove the requirement for Community Care Access Centre Boards of Directors and Executive Directors to be appointment through the Lieutenant Governor s Order in Council process. Boards will recruit and elect members from their local communities, and hire their own Chief Executive Officers..0 Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act (Appendix.0) On April 6, 009, the government announced that the province has passed the Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act, which allows health regulatory colleges to directly observe a health professional s practice, including watching a procedure being performed, as part of a facility inspection. The new legislation also ensures that a college investigator may make reasonable inquiries of a health professional under investigation. The health professional must cooperate fully. For more information, visit the Ministry s website at: Central LHIN Board of Directors Page

4 APPENDICES Central LHIN Board of Directors Page 3

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6 NEWS Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care ONTARIO IMPROVES PATIENT SAFETY McGuinty Government Gives New Powers To Regulatory Colleges NEWS April 6, \nr-010 Ontario is increasing protection for people who undergo high risk procedures such as cosmetic surgery. The province has passed the Regulated Health Professions Amendment Act, which allows health regulatory colleges to directly observe a health professional s practice, including watching a procedure being performed, as part of a facility inspection. The new legislation also ensures that a college investigator may make reasonable inquiries of a health professional under investigation. The health professional must cooperate fully. QUOTES Our government is taking yet another step to improve patient safety in the province. This legislation will ensure that patients receive safe and high quality care from their health care providers, using the best medical equipment in the most secure settings. - David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care "We welcome this legislative change which will enhance our ability to fulfill our mandate to protect the public." - Dr. Rayudu Koka, President, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario QUICK FACTS Health regulatory colleges are bodies with the authority under the Regulated Health Professions Act to regulate the professions in the public interest. In 007, the government also provided greater protection to the public by requiring health regulatory colleges to post information on their websites about their members related to malpractice and professional negligence, professional misconduct and discipline decisions. LEARN MORE Find out more about the regulation of health professionals in Ontario. Find out more about the College of Physicians and Surgeons initiatives to ensure the safety of patients who undergo cosmetic surgery. For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at (Toll-free in Ontario only) Steve Erwin, Minister s Office, Andrew Morrison, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, ontario.ca/health-news Disponible en français