2024-11-05 13:44:00
Minister Christian Dubé caused a surprise on Tuesday by announcing his intention to slow down the development of private health. And Quebec will have to use the derogation clause to force young doctors to work in the public network.
Maximum prices for in-clinic procedures, end of back and forth between networks, reduction in the use of out-of-network surgeries: everything is on the table of the Minister of Health, the day after an exit from the Doctor’s College to claim “that the expansion of the private health sector be suspended immediately”.
“Yesterday I listened to Doctor Gaudreau, from the College of Physicians, who said: what is important is to stop this growth. And I agree 100%,” declared Christian Dubé during an interpellation requested by solidarity deputy Vincent Marissal.
But the Minister of Health created confusion by repeating four times that the network was on the verge of weaning itself from the private network.
“I’m not saying that we are there exactly, but we will be there in the coming months, able to gradually wean ourselves off the private system, which will always remain complementary, but perhaps not up to the level of what it is at the moment,” he declared in particular.
This about-face by the CAQ took the opposition by surprise, after years of putting forward the development of specialized medical clinics, private mini-hospitals and paid options on Rendez-vous santé Québec and Clic Santé.
PQ MP Joël Arseneau compared the minister to an “arsonist firefighter”. “We open the door wide to the private sector, we praise it, then today we say: perhaps we have gone too far,” he said.
Dubé corrects the situation
A few hours later, however, Christian Dubé tempered his remarks, removing the word “weaning”, and instead talking about better regulating the development of the private network.
Prime Minister François Legault instead defended the use of this parallel system. “We think, for our part, that sometimes, it is more efficient, the private sector, sometimes, it is less effective, the private sector. We choose, pragmatically, what is best for Quebecers,” he declared during question period.
The debate will continue in the coming months, when Minister Dubé has tabled his bill to force doctors trained in Quebec to work in the public network during the first years of their practice.
But to get there, Quebec will have to use the derogation clause again, in order to protect itself from legal proceedings, revealed François Legault.
“Oh! There, Québec solidaire will be angry. The exemption clause, we’re not touching that,” said the Prime Minister, taunting the parliamentary leader of QS, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
The latter demanded the cancellation of two private mini-hospitals promised by the CAQ during the electoral campaign, for “consistency” with Minister Dubé’s new position. His request went unheeded.
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**Interview with Dr. Sophia Leclair, Health Policy Expert and Advocate for Public Health Reform**
**Interviewer**: Welcome, Dr. Leclair. Thank you for joining us to discuss this significant shift in Quebec’s health policy under Minister Christian Dubé.
**Dr. Leclair**: Thank you for having me. It’s an important topic that affects many people in Quebec.
**Interviewer**: Minister Dubé has announced plans to phase out the reliance on private health care and to ensure young doctors work within the public network. What are your thoughts on this move?
**Dr. Leclair**: It’s a crucial step towards ensuring equitable access to health care for all Quebecers. The expansion of private health services has raised serious concerns about fairness and accessibility. This shift aims to refocus resources on the public system, which serves the majority of the population.
**Interviewer**: The Minister mentioned using a derogation clause to ensure that young doctors enter the public network. How do you think this will impact the medical workforce?
**Dr. Leclair**: Implementing such measures could be contentious, but if handled correctly, it could strengthen the public system. However, it’s essential for the government to provide incentives and support for young doctors to work in these settings. Otherwise, we risk creating discontent among new graduates.
**Interviewer**: There seems to be some confusion from the Minister regarding the status of private health care’s growth. How significant is this confusion in the broader context of health policy?
**Dr. Leclair**: Confusion at the government level can undermine public trust. It’s crucial for health policy to be clear and consistent, especially with such a vital service. If the message is mixed, it can lead to uncertainty among both patients and practitioners about where to seek care and how to plan for the future.
**Interviewer**: The opposition has criticized the CAQ for engaging with private health services in the past. Do you believe there is a way to reconcile these previous actions with the current direction?
**Dr. Leclair**: Reconciliation is possible, but it requires transparency and accountability. The government must acknowledge past mistakes and demonstrate a genuine commitment to public health. Only through open dialogue and collaboration can we build a health system that serves everyone effectively.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Leclair, for your insights. This is certainly a pivotal moment for Quebec’s health care system.
**Dr. Leclair**: Thank you! It is indeed crucial, and I hope to see positive changes that prioritize the health and well-being of all Quebecers.