Ontario doctors say that fee cuts – which came into effect today – are short-sighted and will result in even longer wait times for patients.

They also say there’ll be reduced access to care for many Ontarians.

The Ontario Medical Association says the cuts come with the number of new patients in Ontario jumping by 140-thousand each year – and an estimated 800-thousand people don’t have a family doctor.

The government insists there are no cuts to patient care in its latest round of fee cuts for physicians – and Health Minister Eric Hoskins says Ontario doctors are the highest paid in Canada.

He says they are being asked to take a small fee cut – to help free up cash for other health-care needs.