The FMOQ and the Quebec government have reached an agreement in principle

Quebec and family physicians have found a way forward: the two sides have reached an agreement in principle to renew the framework agreement for general practitioners, while the Legault government will make amendments to Bill 2, postponing its implementation.The Quebec Federation of General Practitioners (FMOQ) indicated that the agreement was reached following a meeting in recent days between its president, Dr. Marc-André Amyot, and Premier François Legault, as well as the subsequent intensive negotiations.The FMOQ welcomed this agreement in principle, which it considers “an important step in the current context.”“The commitment and motivation of family physicians remain essential for the future of primary care and for the health of the Quebec population, and the FMOQ believes that this agreement in principle is a concrete step in this direction,” the federation wrote on social media.The FMOQ thanked Legault for intervening in the negotiations to "curb the disengagement and departures of Quebec family physicians" and "increase Quebecers' access to family medicine."The details of this agreement in principle were not immediately released, as they will be presented first to family physicians during webinars to be held on Friday.The agreement in principle will then be put to a vote by FMOQ members in order to obtain a result "as soon as possible."A law than can be improved For its part, the Legault government confirmed its intention to table a bill aimed at postponing the coming into force of the controversial Bill 2 on the reform of physician compensation.Rather than coming into effect on Jan. 1, the law will be applied starting Feb. 28, which, according to Health Minister Christian Dubé, will allow the government to "make the necessary amendments.""I've always said that Bill 2 could be improved and that we wanted to take the time to make the necessary adjustments," Dubé stated during a press scrum at the National Assembly on Thursday morning.Earlier this week, Legault opened the door to offering financial incentives to doctors in exchange for taking on more patient care, in order to break the deadlock in negotiations.On Thursday morning, Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau declined to confirm whether such incentives had been included in the tentative agreement.“The goal of this whole process is to change how doctors are paid, to increase the number of Quebecers cared for by family physicians, and that’s what this agreement reflects,” she emphasized.Duranceau also declined to say whether a portion of doctors’ compensation would be linked to performance indicators.“Quebecers have won.”The arrival of this agreement in principle has eased tensions between doctors and the Legault government, which had been strained since the passage of Bill 2 under closure.Dissatisfied with this law, many doctors threatened to change their practice, retire or move to another province. A large rally in opposition to the law was held at the Bell Centre.Just when negotiations seemed to have reached an impasse, the premier himself intervened, holding two in-person meetings with Dr. Amyot.According to Dubé, whose work was sometimes criticized during the negotiations, Quebecers will be the winners of this agreement with family physicians."Let's be very clear: a lot of work has been done, Quebecers have won," declared Dubé, noting that the members of the FMOQ (Quebec Federation of General Practitioners) will have to vote on the agreement."This is excellent news," added Legault. "If it is accepted by the members . . . this would be the most significant change in family physician compensation since the implementation of the health insurance plan."Bill 2 stipulates, in particular, that primary care physicians would now be paid by capitation, fee-for-service, and an hourly rate. Currently, they are paid only per service, which does not encourage collaborative work or the management of complex and serious cases, argues the government.“This would truly be a win for doctors, a win for the government, but above all, a win for patients,” the premier added.The Legault government will now have to seek an agreement with medical specialists.In a memo sent to its members on Thursday, the Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ) described the suspension of Bill 2 as a “major victory.”“Yesterday, we submitted proposals that take into account our priorities and the progress we made during mediation,” wrote its president.This article has been translated from its original French.

The FMOQ and the Quebec government have reached an agreement in principle

Register for free access or login.

Related Topics