The leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) Éric Duhaime asked the Quebec government on Wednesday to stop making decisions “behind closed doors” and to hold a public consultation on the place of private health.
“Obviously, my fear is not that there will be more private health. My fear is that it will be done just anyhow, ”said Mr. Duhaime, during a press briefing in Quebec. This question must be debated in the public square, according to him.
“It’s time to be more transparent and listen,” said the Conservative leader. Several announcements have been made about private health lately, he continued. For example, Caquiste MP Youri Chassin was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health last fall to oversee the construction of two private mini-hospitals in Quebec City and Montreal.
In mid-January, Mr. Duhaime was nevertheless delighted with his meeting with Prime Minister François Legault. The latter had told him that he wanted to build “quickly” these two establishments which will be managed by the private sector. However, the care will be reimbursed by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec.
On Wednesday, however, the leader of the PCQ changed his tone. “It feels like decisions are made behind closed doors. Mr. Legault told us that he wanted it to go very quickly [pour les mini-hôpitaux], without wanting to give information on the exact nature of what is happening. »
Éric Duhaime also raised the question of the number of mini-hospitals that will be built. “I don’t understand why it will be two hospitals. Why is the government dictating it? I think the market should dictate that. »
Ensuring the social acceptability of private healthcare
Mr. Duhaime believes that a public consultation is necessary to ensure the social acceptability of projects like that of the two private establishments. “I think it would be important for everyone to be able to discuss it, because opponents of private health care risk having an outcry if it is ever done in a non-transparent way. »
The public discussion called for by the Conservative leader could take various forms, he said. “It will take the form that the government wants. »
One thing is certain, such a consultation must take place, according to him. “We got there,” he said. The health system is at its wit’s end. »