Quebec recently presented a “final global offer” to medical federations, proposing an annual budget of $190 million aimed at increasing healthcare resources. This proposal was met with strong opposition from medical specialists, who referred to it as a “declaration of war.”
Healthcare Offer and Response
On the morning of the proposal, Premier François Legault’s government allocated $190 million to negotiate with the Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ) and the Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec (FMOQ). However, specialists have criticized the funding as being derived from “recycled money.”
- Budget Breakdown:
- $50 million allocated for hiring up to 500 healthcare professionals, including nurses and social workers.
- $100 million intended to increase operating room availability by adding eight additional surgical blocks.
- $40 million designated annually over ten years to optimize the demand management center for specialties.
According to Quebec officials, the increased surgical capacity could enable approximately 30,000 additional surgeries each year. However, the FMSQ claims these funds stem from savings they have already achieved since 2019 through the Institute for the Relevance of Medical Acts.
Challenges in Negotiations
Negotiations between the Quebec government and the medical federations have stalled since last week, particularly over the controversial decision to tie 15% of physician remuneration to performance targets, as stated in Bill 106. Both the FMOQ and FMSQ have expressed concerns regarding the lack of additional resources needed to meet these performance goals.
Moreover, Quebec aims to connect the compensation of top management at Santé Quebec to the performance targets set for healthcare providers. The Legault administration has pledged to freeze the remuneration framework for physicians for two years, maintaining the 15% performance-related percentage during this period.
Need for Urgency
During a brief press conference, Health Minister Christian Dubé stressed the urgent need for action. He urged both federations to carefully consider the advancements proposed during negotiations and mediation efforts. Dubé emphasized the importance of working towards a resolution for the benefit of Quebec’s healthcare system.
