Update of the professional code : Bill 67 could go further
Bill 67, aimed at updating the professional code, modernizing professional orders and give more responsibility to health professionals, is currently under review in Quebec, and Réseau FADOQ welcomes this legislative initiative.
Although we were not invited to the commission hearings, as they primarily feature professional orders, we nonetheless made our representations and submitted a brief.
First and foremost, we believe that the bill could have gone further, particularly by allowing audiologists to sell hearing aids. Nearly a quarter of those who need hearing aids do not purchase them due to their high cost.
In Quebec, they range from $3,000 to $7,500, which is significantly more expensive than what is found in the United States or Ontario. This situation can, in part, be attributed to the monopoly held by audioprosthetists over the sale of hearing aids in Quebec. Removing such a monopoly would likely impact the supply of hearing aids and, ultimately, the sales prices.
Removing barriers
We also emphasized that the benefits of breaking down barriers can only be fully realized if all obstacles, particularly financial ones, are eliminated.
For example, Bill 67 allows more professions to perform mental health diagnostics. However, access to treatment remains challenging. On average, the wait time to see a psychologist in the public network in Quebec is around 6 to 24 months, and patients often have to resort to costly private services.
In this regard, Réseau FADOQ recommends that the Government of Quebec expand the coverage of the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) to include privately provided psychotherapy services. It is unacceptable that only those with the financial means to pay for sessions or those with private insurance benefit from these services.
Bill 67 also allows pharmacists to perform various tests. However, some of these tests, which are already permitted for these professionals, are still not covered by RAMQ. This is the case for the strep test. In our view, the strep test performed in pharmacies should be covered by RAMQ.
We also took this opportunity to address RAMQ coverage concerning hearing aids. Our organization has emphasized the importance of making changes to the RAMQ hearing aid program to cover the purchase, repair, and replacement of two hearing aids.
