Quebec is close to finalizing a new agreement with family doctors that would scrap penalties linked to performance goals and reverse several other proposed reforms by the provincial government. The tentative deal would also cancel a contentious strategy to categorize patients based on vulnerability levels using a color-coded system and eliminate any provisions in the legislation that would have penalized doctors for non-compliance with the reforms.
Under the proposed agreement, family doctor groups, known as GMFs, would not be required to take on the province’s approximately 1.2 million orphaned patients by January 2027. Instead, GMFs would be expected to assume 500,000 patients by next June, including 180,000 deemed vulnerable, with incentives totaling $76 million.
The changes outlined in the deal are contingent on the approval of the agreement in principle by the members of the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ). The details of the agreement, disclosed on Thursday and shared with members through webinars on Friday morning, were initially reported by La Presse.
The adjustments come after a prolonged period of resistance against the proposed reforms, including a notable protest at the Bell Centre, with many doctors considering leaving the province and family medical clinics facing potential closure. Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau, responding to reporters at the National Assembly, dismissed the notion that the deal represented a backtrack, emphasizing the need for compromise in negotiations.
Dr. Benoit Heppell, president of the association of family doctors in the Eastern Townships, highlighted the shift towards collaboration with the government as a significant change in approach, fostering a more sustainable foundation for the future. The agreement also introduces a modified compensation structure for physicians, allocating 50% as a fixed amount per patient, 30% as fee-for-service, and 20% as an hourly rate.
Moreover, the agreement includes a 14.5% rise in the overall compensation envelope for family doctors by 2028, amounting to $435 million. The government passed legislation on Friday to postpone the implementation of Bill 2 until February 28, which was originally set to take effect on January 1.
The bill will be revised as per the terms of the agreement if sanctioned by FMOQ members, with the voting results expected to be disclosed on December 19. The status of other provisions within Bill 2 remains uncertain. Additionally, negotiations are ongoing between the government and the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) concerning medical specialists affected by the bill.
The Quebec government has not yet reached an agreement with the province’s medical specialists, who are also impacted by Bill 2, underscoring the complexity of ongoing negotiations between the parties.
[Source](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/family-doctors-deal-9.7013257)