Prince Edward Island health contracts to be negotiated by out-of-province law firm

CHARLOTTETOWN | Health Minister Robert Henderson is being called to task for bringing in an out-of-province law firm to negotiate contracts with physicians, pharmacists and long-term health providers.Agreements with the unions and associations have expired and contract negotiations have been ongoing for months. During question period last week, opposition health critic James Aylward asked the health minister why McInnes Cooper, a Halifax law firm, had been hired to conduct negotiations, how much those legal fees would cost and if significant budget cuts were on the way. Opposition health critic James AylwardThe health minister acknowledged that the law firm had been retained “to do the negotiations on a number of different files.” He added, “I can assure this House that McInnes Cooper will be representing our department and representing all Islanders to make sure we get the best value possible for Islanders.” That said, the health minister noted that he did not know “the exact fees that would be paid.”It was an admission that did not sit well with the opposition members of the provincial legislature. “Is there no one here on Prince Edward Island qualified to do this negotiation?” Aylward asked. Apparently not. “Everybody knows everybody on Prince Edward Island; sometimes it’s important to get someone who has no connections to anyone on Prince Edward Island,” the health minister remarked.Despite hiring a “high-priced” law firm, contract talks don’t seem to be progressing any more quickly. “The negotiations alone for the master agreement with doctors have now dragged on for a long 18 months and counting,” Aylward said. He also expressed concern that the government was looking to slash $25 million from the province’s health-care budget. P.E.I. Health Minister Robert HendersonThe current state of negotiations with doctors, pharmacists and long-term care providers remains a mystery. When asked questions about the contract talks, Henderson said it would be imprudent for him to negotiate on the legislature floor. The Medical Society of PEI also declined to speak about the issue while talks are ongoing. (The Health Department did not respond to requests from the Medical Post for an interview.)Aylward also raised concerns that the government may cut pharmacy services spending by as much as 18%. Henderson sidestepped the issue. “I think it’s incumbent upon me as minister to make sure that we are getting the best value when it comes to the cost of pharmaceuticals and the dispensing fees in this province,” he said. “Islanders are paying the highest dispensing fees in the country. I think it’s important that we get a reasonable deal for Islanders that’s in the best interest of Islanders and taxpayers.” He did not define “reasonable.”

Prince Edward Island health contracts to be negotiated by out-of-province law firm

Register for free access or login.

Related Topics

Business Topic