Quebec doctors say Bill 20 will jeopardize future of family medicine

MONTREAL – The Quebec Federation of General Practitioners is speaking out against Bill 20, the Liberal government’s proposed health care reform plan.

On Saturday, family doctors took an official stance against the new measures affecting their clinical practice.

They say the bill questions the future of family medicine and quality of care.

They fear that young people are choosing other areas of study and many physicians are retiring early.

Bill 20 would impose a minimum number of 1,000 patients to doctors.

The Federation insists, doctors have had enough of the penalties imposed by Health Minister, Gaetan Barrette.

According to Barrette, 60 per cent of general practitioners work less than 175 days per year.

The average is 117 days of work, while in private care it’s about 240 days.

Between 2005 and 2011, the number of doctors has increased by nearly 6 per cent, while the number of patients dropped 7 per cent.

Barrette said he doesn’t support a situation where the number of doctors and wages rise while the number of days worked are reduced.