Negotiations between Quebec and family doctors broke down just weeks before the reforms were to take effect
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Negotiations between the Quebec government and family doctors have once again fallen short instead A month before a set of reforms are implemented that will change the way doctors are paid.
Legault government and Federation des médecins omnipracticiens du Québec (FMOQ) had restarted negotiations in the weeks following the adoption in October of special legislation, Bill 2, drafted by Health Minister Christian Dubé.
But on Thursday it was revealed that these talks had failed.
FMOQ spokesman Stéphane Gosselin said, “Nothing is working. The government will not back down from its law.”
Quebec’s Treasury Board President France-Alain Duranceau said she was “very disappointed” that the talks had ended. He said the provincial government is ready to find common ground.
The adoption of Bill 2 caused an uproar, for both reasons. There was huge controversy over its provisions And because the government used the closure to get the bill passed in the middle of the legislative session – a move considered highly unusual.
Many family medicine clinics across the province have said they will close if changes to the new law are not made.
represented by medical experts from the province Federation des Médecins Specialistes du Québec (FMSQ), are also targeted by the law.
For their part, they have refused to return to the negotiating table since the passage of the bill, despite efforts by the provincial government to bring them back.
FMSQ has chosen to focus its lawsuit challenging Bill 2 on its own. This is not the only legal action currently underway; FMOQ and the province’s Medical Students Federation (FMEQ) have also asked the courts to intervene in the dispute.
Medical groups – which the government refers to as unions – are opposing Bill 2 because it links a portion of physicians’ remuneration to the achievement of collective goals.
They also oppose provisions that allow sanctions to be imposed if doctors do not comply with the new law, even though Quebec has promised do not apply that remedy In the short term.
The closure of a family medicine clinic west of Montreal could affect about 12,000 patients. GMF Hudson says three of its seven physicians will no longer practice in the province, citing the new law.
