Quebec's Association of Medical Specialists names Lucien Bouchard in leadership role.
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Title: FMSQ Turns to Arbitration, Takes Government to task over IPAM Dispute
The Quebec College of Physicians, known as the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ), has recruited former Prime Minister Lucien Bouchard to act as its negotiator in discussions with the government. This isn't the first time Bouchard steps up as the FMSQ's spokesperson during negotiations; he's taken up the mantle before in 2018.
As per Dr. Vincent Oliva, the FMSQ's president, he appointed Bouchard due to the "not-so-great" state of negotiations and "all the bills being introduced." One such bill was introduced by Health Minister Christian Dubé, which aims to tie part of doctors' remuneration to collective performance indicators.
Bouchard sure knows the ropes when it comes to political maneuverings. According to Oliva, "he's well-versed, and we think his reputation and credibility can help the situation move forward."
Oliva has some concerns though. He mentioned that while the rapport with the Treasury Board President, Sonia LeBel, is good, it's strained with Health Minister Christian Dubé due to a lack of listening.
The Dispute Over IPAM
In hopes of escalating the issue, the FMSQ also filed a grievance with the Labour Relations Board last Thursday, focusing on the Institute for the Evaluation of Medical Acts (IPAM) predicament.
Created in 2020 as a result of an agreement between the FMSQ and the Quebec government, the IPAM aimed to reduce the budget envelope for specialists, reallocating the savings to enhance access to specialized medical services.
The FMSQ claims they have completed their part of the deal, cutting fees and bonuses, and eliminating unnecessary medical acts. Nevertheless, the Quebec government has only spent approximately $475 million of the $1.4 billion earmarked for reinvestment projects under the IPAM's mandate, leaving nearly $1 billion untouched in government coffers.
Despite the money spent, the FMSQ can't find appreciable improvements in access to specialized medicine, and they question where the unspent funds have gone in many cases.
Parked Projects and Government Stubbornness
In its grievance, the FMSQ lists little progress on the priority electronic prescribing project for medical imaging and the reform of the Service Demand Distribution Centre (CRDS). According to the doctors' union, the only action taken by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) was a manual cleanup of duplicate requests regarding CRDS.
The FMSQ also alleges that the government has ignored their requests at the negotiating table for a detailed discussion of the IPAM agreement.
They want the Regulatory Council to acknowledge that they have fulfilled their commitments, acknowledge the MSSS' failure to meet its responsibilities, and compensate them accordingly.
Sonia LeBel's office declined to comment on the grievance filing, citing that it has become a judicial matter.
[1] Lucien Bouchard is an experienced lawyer, diplomat, and political leader who served as the Premier of Quebec from June 26, 1996, to October 5, 2001. As a lawyer, Bouchard practiced at the Quebec bar for 30 years and was also a founding partner of the firm Borden and Elliot (now Borden Ladner Gervais LLP). In politics, he led the Bloc Québécois, a federal political party, for eight years from 2006 to 2013. (Source: Canadian Encyclopedia)
[2] The FMSQ's recruitment of Bouchard highlights the political nature of the ongoing IPAM dispute between the organization and the government.
[3] Bouchard's expertise in political maneuverings could provide a strategic advantage in the negotiating process.
[4] Workplace wellness is a crucial aspect of this dispute, with doctors' remuneration being tied to performance indicators.
[5] Medical-conditions, chronic diseases, and respiratory conditions are areas that might be impacted by any changes in doctors' remuneration.
[6] Cancers, heart diseases, and other cardiovascular health issues are among the chronic diseases that require specialist attention.
[7] The FMSQ's concerns extend beyond remuneration, as they also accused the government of ignoring requests for a detailed discussion of the IPAM agreement.
[8] Mental health is another concern, as the FMSQ has questioned the government's failure to improve access to specialized medical services, including mental health services.
[9] Therapies and treatments for various medical conditions, including mental health issues, are dependent on the availability of these specialized services.
[10] Health and wellness, fitness, and exercise are integral to maintaining physical health, which can be compromised by chronic diseases and respiratory conditions.
[11] Medicaid, Medicare, and other healthcare policies play a significant role in the IPAM dispute, as they govern the funding and distribution of medical services.
[12] The dispute over IPAM has broader implications, potentially affecting career development, education, self-development, personal growth, and even policy and legislation related to the healthcare sector. The ongoing situation also intersects with general news, crime and justice, learning, and skills training.
