The Québec government has reached a tentative agreement with the Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec (FMOQ), marking a significant shift in its approach to healthcare legislation. This agreement rescinds several controversial aspects of Law 2, focusing on enhancing the overall conditions for physicians and improving patient care.
Key Points of the Agreement
- Financial penalties and performance targets have been eliminated.
- The affiliation requirement for the entire population to a care environment has been withdrawn.
- Application of Law 2 is suspended until February 28, 2024.
Changes to Legislation
The agreement includes the removal of specific provisions that some physicians argue infringe on fundamental rights. These changes entail:
- Withdrawal of articles that threaten fundamental freedoms.
- Elimination of the Health Minister’s ability to modify the agreement through regulations.
- Cancellation of the 13% salary cut and collective bonuses.
- Removal of the color-coded vulnerability indicators associated with remuneration.
Focus on Patient Enrollment
Instead of mandating that all citizens affiliate with a healthcare facility, the new objective is to enroll an additional 500,000 patients by June 30, 2026. This can occur through individual or collective registrations.
If this target is met, practitioners will receive a 2.5% bonus to their remuneration package, which will also see an enhancement of 14.5%.
More details regarding the agreement are anticipated to be released shortly. The new direction aims to foster a more collaborative environment between the government and healthcare providers.
