The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform Kahnawa’kehró:non that Ohén:ton Í:rate ne Ratitsénhaienhs Cody Diabo, Ratsénhaienhs Arnold Boyer, and members of the Health portfolio met virtually today with Quebec Minister of Health Christian Dubé to discuss the impacts of Bill 2 legislation on Indigenous health and Kahnawà:ke’s physicians.
The legislation introduces conditions that discourage physicians from continuing to practice in Quebec with the best interests of their patients, and ultimately affect the level of care that is provided in Kahnawà:ke.
“As the Coalition Avenir du Quebec government passed Bill 2, it pressures physicians to focus on the quantity of patients over quality of care – otherwise, they suffer the consequences in compensation,” said Ohén:ton Í:rate ne Ratitsénhaienhs Cody Diabo.
“Minister Dubé has been informed that it’s critical this cannot happen to our community members,” said Ratsénhaienhs Boyer.
While the Bill emphasizes handling more patients across the province, the MCK emphasized that these measures could have the opposite effect of what is intended and may jeopardize the community’s health services. At the political level, the MCK continues to advocate for policies that will protect Kahnawà:ke’s health system and ensure that Kahnawa’kehró:non receive the care they need. Dubé has committed to a follow-up in-person meeting as well as a technical meeting with our internal experts and his team.
“Communications and dialogue are crucial at this time, and we will update the community formally on developments stemming from this meeting,” stated Boyer.
