Quebec has just surprised everyone with a very bold announcement. It will suspend two of the most contentious measures of Bill 2 to incentivize Manitoba’s doctors’ federations to re-enter the bargaining table. Health Minister Christian Dubé and Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau together announced their about-face. This is set against a growing backdrop of tension between the provincial administration and the health professionals.
Bill 2, the extremely controversial legislation, changed payment plan for Quebec physicians and charged them to the tune of $1.1 billion at the same time. The suspension goes as far as to include a provision to repeal the premium that specialists receive when family physicians refer patients to specialists. The federal government will be suspending another measure which limits the 30 percent allocation to office related costs. This modification directly affects physicians practicing in family medicine networks (FMGs).
The Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) has demanded a full suspension of Bill 2 before resuming negotiations with the government. The FMOQ is particularly opposed to the legislation’s introduction of quantifiable, performance-based indicators. They claim that these metrics would incentivize physicians to practice so-called “fast-food” medicine.
Doctors’ federations, like the FMOQ, are currently using pressure tactics to fight Bill 2. Among their strategies are refusing to train medical students. Medical education institutions are the center of a perfect storm. Students at each of Quebec’s four medical schools have voted for an unlimited general strike mandate against the legislation.
Premier François Legault expressed a willingness to “extend a hand” to the doctors’ federations, signaling the government’s desire to engage in discussions regarding Bill 2’s contentious elements. However, skepticism remains within the medical community.
“The government does not understand the true depth of anger felt by family doctors right now, on the eve of its ‘explanatory’ webinar with them and from which the FMOQ was excluded.” – Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ)
Duranceau recognized the worry with how physicians might respond during these past few days. She stated, “We’re very preoccupied by the reaction from the doctors over the past few days.” This declaration highlights the mounting frustration and consequences if negotiations continue to be deadlocked.
It’s only gotten worse. Internal reports indicate that at least three physicians from the Outaouais health authority have quit in opposition to the law. To that end, many medical students are already laying the groundwork for legal challenges. They hope to demonstrate how key elements of Bill 2 violate their rights to an education.
To quell this rising anger, Dubé set up information sessions to answer physicians’ concerns about Bill 2. The FMOQ continues to be doubtful towards these attempts. This reaction highlights a wide chasm between the government and the medical community.
