The McGuinty government has reached a new agreement with the Ontario Medical Association that includes a shared commitment to help 500,000 Ontarians without a family physician find one.

The commitment is the driving force behind a new program called Health Care Connect that will connect patients with family health care providers who are taking on new patients. Health care professionals in each of the 14 Local Health Integration Networks will connect people with appropriate health care providers in their community. The program will be launched in February, 2009.

Other key components of the agreement ratified by Ontario Medical Association members on October 18 include:

• Reducing congestion in hospital emergency rooms
• Providing funding for 500 nurses to join group practices
• Helping patients who have chronic diseases - such as diabetes - better manage their condition and reduce their need for emergency health services
• Ensuring Ontario remains the jurisdiction of choice for future physicians with a new program that will defer interest on medical resident debt
• Improving access to community mental health services provided by physicians