Health care providers support Ontario auto regs

A group representing many health care providers is going public with its support for auto insurance reforms implemented by the Ontario government.The Coalition of Regulated Health Professional Associations and Allied Organizations says it supports regulations for Bill-198 which put in place such things as a pre-approved treatment plan for minor injuries.””The primary motivation for these reforms was a desire to stabilize premium increases without compromising the integrity of patient care”, says Dr. Carlan Stants, chair of the coalition. “Health professionals recognize that consumers were shouldering unacceptable premium increases and needed relief. The coalition also recognizes that consumer best interests are served by improving the stability of the auto insurance system.”He notes that health care professionals were involved in the discussions through which the regulations were devised, with the coalition formed in 2001 for just this purpose. Dr. Stants expects the reforms to reduce insurer costs by $400-$500 million.”While we do not know what further reforms the government will propose in the next few weeks, the coalition remains committed to working collaboratively with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that Ontario continues to have an affordable auto insurance system without sacrificing high quality patient assessment and treatment.”Among the members of the coalition are associations representing designated assessment centers, chiropractors, massage and occupational therapists, physiotherapists and nurses.