Quebec bill is an attack on doctor’s autonomy

Quebec’s Bill 20 is an “unprecedented attack on the professional autonomy of physicians,” associations representing 90 000 Canadian doctors told a committee of Quebec’s National Assembly on Mar. 25.

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Quebec Medical Association (QMA) jointly submitted a brief to the assembly’s Committee on Health and Social Services at the conclusion of the consultation process on Bill 20, which purports to increase access to family and specialist medical services. Dozens of other medical lobby groups, including Collège des médecins du Québec, Fédération des médecins omnipracticiens du Québec and Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec, also objected to the bill.

“Canadian physicians are concerned about the impact of Bill 20, which could affect the medical profession and especially patient care,” said Dr. Pierre Harvey, spokesperson for CMA, in his opening remarks.

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