The Quebec government is taking steps to pause certain aspects of Bill 2 in an effort to encourage doctors’ federations, who are upset by the legislation, to engage in negotiations. Although changes to the method of doctors’ compensation have been finalized, Premier François Legault expressed a willingness to open discussions with the federations.
Health Minister Christian Dubé and Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau announced the decision to halt parts of the law as the federations representing Quebec’s general practitioners, medical specialists, and medical students initiated legal challenges against Bill 2 by filing a stay of execution.
Quebec will maintain the premium that specialized doctors receive when referred a patient by a family doctor until further notice, despite the new law’s initial plan to eliminate this premium and redirect the associated funds. Additionally, the 30% of funds allocated to doctors in family medicine groups for office expenses will continue to be paid to doctors for the time being, rather than being directly transferred to the groups as proposed by the law.
The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) used closure to pass Bill 2, which imposes fines of up to $500,000 per day on physician groups engaging in “concerted action” against government policies. The federations representing family doctors and medical specialists had utilized pressure tactics, such as refusing to teach medical students, to oppose the new remuneration system.
The Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) stated on social media that they will not resume discussions with the government unless Bill 2 is entirely suspended. The FMOQ expressed concerns about the creation of performance indicators in the law that could lead to what they call “fast-food” medicine. They also highlighted issues with the government’s patient vulnerability assessment system and the lack of assurance regarding access to human resources as reasons for their stance.
