Québec Reaches Preliminary Agreement with Doctors, Backs Down on Penalties

Quebec has reached a preliminary agreement with the Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec (FMOQ), marking a significant shift in its approach to healthcare legislation. The deal eliminates financial penalties and collective performance targets that were previously mandated under Law 2.

Major Changes in Healthcare Legislation

As part of this agreement, several key components of Law 2 will be withdrawn. These include:

• Removal of performance indicators based on patient volume.
• Cancellation of a 13% salary cut for physicians and the elimination of collective payment reductions.
• Abolition of colored indicators defining patient vulnerability, which were previously tied to doctor remuneration.
• Revocation of provisions that infringe on fundamental freedoms.
• Removal of the power of the Health Minister to modify the agreement through regulatory means.

Changes to Patient Affiliation Goals

The Quebec government has also backed down on its target of having all residents affiliated with a healthcare facility by January 1, 2027. Instead, a new goal has been set to register an additional 500,000 patients, including 180,000 deemed “vulnerable,” by June 30, 2026. This registration will be voluntary rather than mandatory.

Financial Improvements for Physicians

According to the FMOQ, the agreement includes a 14.5% increase in the overall remuneration budget for family doctors. This increase will be equitably distributed across various practice areas, addressing both secondary care and specialized practices. Additionally, if the target of 500,000 new patient registrations is met, there will be an extra incentive of 2.5% (approximately $74.9 million).

Further financial incentives will also be available regarding after-hours care and appointments made within a 48-hour timeframe. A new remuneration model, in which capitation will comprise 50% of payments, is set to be implemented on June 1, 2026. Existing programs such as the Access to Primary Care (GAP) and the Family Medicine Group (GMF) will remain unchanged.

More details on this evolving situation are expected to be released soon, as the FMOQ continues to engage with its members about the terms of this agreement.