Why Parallel Medical Systems?

Abstract

The Act Respecting Health Services and Social Services (Bill 65), enacted into law by the National Assembly of Québec at the end of 1971, and completed by a Regulation which became effective on January 1, 1973, has dashed the hopes of those who were led to expect too much from the recommendations of the Castonguay-Nepveu Commission. While dialogue between the government and the physicians proves more and more difficult, the Act, disregarding private consulting offices, imposes poorly defined and barely coherent public structures upon the physicians. Faced with this situation, which could lead to the failure of the reforms undertaken by the government, the Federation of General Practitioners of Québec urges its members to prepare their own organization plans for dispensing medical care.