This question has been on everyone’s lips for the past few days, especially since Minister Christian Dubé announced his desire to set up privately managed “mini-hospitals”.
Posted at 1:00 p.m.
The various political parties took advantage of this election campaign to comment on the presence of the private sector in health, in particular during the first debate between the leaders on Thursday evening.
Preserve free healthcare
From the outset, be aware that health entrepreneurs believe in the merits of the universal system and in no way question the very foundations of our health care system, which is free. Like all Quebecers, we are not fervent defenders of the two-tier health care system. In fact, it is rather the desire to invest in improving health care that motivates many.
A survey conducted by the Léger firm last March confirms that 77% of the Quebec population believes they have no objection to seeking private or public treatment if the costs are assumed by the government. Private establishments under agreement have been an example of this for 65 years.
The ancestors of intermediate resources, the first group homes for vulnerable clienteles already existed in the 1970s, at the same time as ambulance companies transported the first patients.
The notion of private health care is therefore nothing new and is not a passing fad.
Accelerate access to care thanks to the private sector and relieve the network
Currently, the private sector is making it possible to increase the number of surgery rooms for the 157,000 people waiting for surgery throughout Quebec. It also allows us to better deal with the predicted tsunami for which we were not sufficiently prepared, namely the aging of the population.
Home care companies, intermediate resources, private CHSLDs (under agreement or not) and private residences for seniors (RPA) offer accommodation and care for seniors in Quebec, which has the effect of reducing the state burden. Also, did you know that family medicine groups (GMF) or radiology clinics are privately managed? However, we can go to these facilities without paying a penny from our pocket. This is a real alliance between the public and the private sector. The examples are numerous, eloquent and can still be multiplied for the benefit of the Quebec population.
Collaborate to provide quality care
One thing is clear, the government must keep control of the quality of the care and services offered. For private health companies, there is no embarrassment in being evaluated on the same basis as the public, quite the contrary. In addition, by sharing our data and planning needs in collaboration between the public and private sectors, we will be better able to meet the needs of the population together.
Healthcare companies and public establishments are faced with the same issues related to the shortage of manpower. By joining forces, concerted strategies could counter the exodus of personnel to other employment sectors.
Why not here ?
A private system that supplements the supply of public services to improve the health system, without the patient having to pay a penny more, exists in France, Sweden and Denmark. Why not here ?
This collaboration has already existed for several decades, why want to do without it since the results are there? To ask the question, is to answer it.
* Co-signatories: Paul Arbec, President of the Association of Private Long-Term Institutions of Quebec (AELDPQ); Marc Fortin, President and CEO, Quebec Association of Resources for Seniors (RQRA); Jean Nadon, President of the Association of Private Institutions under Agreement in Quebec (AEPC); Dr Sébastien Toussaint, President of the Corporation des services ambulanciers du Québec (CSAQ)