The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday January 28, 2009 - 9 Local LHIN not getting its fair share of funding pie By Stephanie Hounsell METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Population within the Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) may be growing exponentially, but an inequitable funding formula means it's at the bottom of the list in several areas, says a provincial healthcare organization. Tariq Asmi, executive director of the Growing Communities Healthcare Alliance, said that of all 14 LHINs in Ontario, the Mississauga Halton LHIN -- which includes Milton, Halton Hills and Oakville -- receives the least funding for mental health, health centres and community care access centres (per resident aged 65 and older). Asmi presented this information to Halton Region's Health and Social Services Committee Jan. 13 and asked for support to encourage the Province to implement a more equitable funding formula that doesn't fund "across the board," but takes into account population growth and service-demand growth, as well as a community's unique characteristics. "We want population-needs- based funding for hospitals and health care," he said. "We need to let the government know there is a problem, and the problem is getting worse." The funding pie, he said, should be distributed fairly, based on needs -- and that's not happening now. When it comes to hospital care, residents within the Mississauga Halton LHIN are the third lowest-funded (per resident) of all LHINs; the Ontario average is $1,000 per person, while in the local LHIN, funding is $718 per person, Asmi told the committee. It also ranked near the bottom in areas of addictions program funding (third lowest) and long-term care funding (second lowest). In eight areas of provincial health funding, the local LHIN was above the provincial average, per person, in only two -- community support services for residents 75 and older and assisted living. The Alliance represents 20 hospital systems, including Halton Healthcare Services, in Ontario's fastest-growing communities. For years, Ontario's hospital funding has been based on out- dated demographics, Asmi said. Forecasts suggest the population in the Mississauga Halton LHIN will grow by 140 per cent from 2001 to 2031, Asmi said. That's in comparison to the rest of Ontario, which will grow by 72 per cent. "Things are getting worse rather than better," he told councillors. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced in 2007 it would be developing a Health-Based Allocation Model of funding, which Asmi supports. Although it's scheduled for broader use in 2010-11, he said he'd prefer it sooner. Regional Chair Gary Carr asked Asmi what the provincial government's position is. "They seem to be understanding ... but we've yet to hear of them supporting or acting on (population-needsbased funding)," he said. As for the $100 million in growth funding the provincial government has earmarked for hospitals in fast-growing communities, Milton Councillor Colin Best said that wouldn't even cover funding requirements for Milton District Hospital. Best said he agrees a new allocation model that keeps up with population growth is essential. Asmi told The Beaver after the meeting, "It's not about high growth versus non-high growth. It's about ensuring all Ontarians, regardless of where they live, receive a fair share of provincial funding based on where they are getting care and their relative needs." The committee referred the issue back to staff for further information. BUY MORE, SAVE MORE! From January 29th to February 15th, buy your favourite CHANGE style and SAVE 15% SAVE 25% SAVE 50% on the 2nd bra in the same style on the 3rd bra in the same style on the 4th bra in the same style The right bra at the right price. www.change.com Oakville - Oakville Place Shopping Centre 905.845.4773 Thornhill - The Promenade Shopping Centre 289.472.5070 Toronto - 315 Queen St. W. 416.977.7667 Offer applies to regular priced merchandise only. Cannot be combined with any other promotions.To be eligible for discount, all bras must be same style and same size. Discount will be applied to next lowest priced item. While supplies last.