Summary

Bill 11, known as the More Convenient Care Act, 2025, amends several existing health care laws in Ontario. It focuses on health care governance, data sharing, staffing agency reporting, and public health order processes. The bill aims to modernize the health care system for better service delivery while ensuring transparency and accountability.

What it means for you

1. Health Care Governance: The City of Hamilton will establish its own board of health. This board will help guide public health policies and practices in Hamilton.

2. Language Services: Health services under the Connecting Care Act, 2019 will now be explicitly required to provide services in French, which may improve access for French-speaking residents.

3. Staffing Agency Reporting: Health care staffing agencies must submit regular reports on their activities, including pay rates for staff assigned to health facilities. This could lead to more accountability in staffing practices.

4. Public Health Orders: Medical officers of health must get approval from the Chief Medical Officer of Health before issuing certain public health orders. This change is intended to ensure more oversight in public health decisions.

5. Blood Testing: Nurse practitioners will have expanded roles, allowing them to conduct certain functions related to mandatory blood testing and thus reduce wait times for patients.

6. Digital Health Identifiers: There will be a new system for digital health identifiers, intended to streamline patient identification and health record access. This may benefit patients by making their health data more accessible and secure.

Expenses

1. Implementation Costs: No specific figures are provided for the costs associated with implementing the changes in governance, reporting, or the digital health identifier system. Costs will depend on how each health authority adapts to the new regulations.

2. Financial Penalties: For violations of the new provisions, individuals can face fines up to $10,000, while corporations can face fines up to $25,000. These penalties could deter non-compliance but may also lead to additional costs for those affected.

Proponents' View

Proponents of the bill argue that it will improve health care service delivery by:

• Localizing health governance, allowing for more tailored public health strategies.
• Ensuring accountability through regular reporting from staffing agencies.
• Expanding access to health services for French speakers.
• Enhancing data privacy and patient identification through digital health identifiers.

They believe these changes will lead to a more efficient, transparent, and responsive health care system, ultimately benefiting patients and communities.

Opponents' View

Opponents express concerns that the bill may:

• Overburden local health boards with additional responsibilities without sufficient funding or resources.
• Result in conflicts or delays in public health responses due to the added requirement of chief officer approvals.
• Risk patient privacy if the digital health identifier system is not managed properly.
• Create potential confusion or inequity if not all health agencies are adequately prepared to implement the necessary changes.

They argue that without enough oversight and a clear plan for funding, the intended benefits may not be realized.