Quebec Physicians Urge Reform of Bill 7 Amid Political Concerns

URGENT UPDATE: The Quebec College of Physicians (CMQ) is sounding alarm bells over Bill 7, warning that it could pave the way for political interference that threatens the independence of public health organizations. In a letter sent Monday to the Secretary of the Institutions Committee, CMQ President Dr. Mauril Gaudreault is calling for immediate reforms to prevent potential abuses in Quebec’s health system.

Bill 7 proposes merging the Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) and the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) into a new entity, the Institut québécois de santé et de services sociaux (IQSSS). This merger, coupled with the transfer of national laboratories to Santé Québec, raises concerns of centralized control over critical health decisions.

Dr. Gaudreault argues that the scientific independence of public health authorities is at stake. “Such independence is essential to guarantee the credibility of scientific advice and to avoid any political or economic influence,” he stated. The CMQ fears that the merger will diminish essential functions related to surveillance, prevention, and health promotion, especially concerning chronic and infectious diseases.

The urgency of this matter is underscored by the ongoing discussions about public health structure following the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Gaudreault emphasizes that the lessons learned from the pandemic highlight the need to bolster scientific capacity in public health agencies. “The desire to reduce bureaucracy could be an opportunity to establish a stronger public health infrastructure,” he noted.

Moreover, the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) has echoed CMQ’s concerns, emphasizing the necessity of financial autonomy for public health institutes to safeguard their scientific processes from political meddling. While collaboration with the Ministry of Health is vital, IANPHI insists that independence must be preserved.

Drawing on recent history, Dr. Gaudreault cites the restructuring in the United States, which resulted in drastic funding cuts to major health institutions like the Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration. He warns that such measures have exacerbated health inequalities and politicized public health decisions. “Quebec must avoid embarking on a path that could lead to abuses,” he cautioned.

In addition, Bill 7 proposes the dissolution of Transplant Quebec, transferring its responsibilities to Héma-Québec. The CMQ is apprehensive about this change, stressing the importance of maintaining the expertise of Transplant Quebec’s specialized teams to ensure quality care for transplant patients. “The transfer should include measures to maintain Transplant Quebec’s specialized teams, whose expertise is widely recognized,” Dr. Gaudreault emphasized.

The special consultations on Bill 7 began last week and are set to continue this Tuesday. Héma-Québec has acknowledged the concerns raised by Transplant Quebec and pledged to evaluate the possibility of integrating it as a subsidiary, ensuring that no immediate changes will disrupt current practices.

As the debate continues, the CMQ is urging the government to revise Bill 7 to clearly define the mission and functions of public health agencies, thereby ensuring their autonomy and effectiveness.

Stay tuned for more updates as this critical situation develops in Quebec’s healthcare landscape.