A majority of Quebecers are in favor of increased access to private health care as part of the mini-hospital project put forward by the Legault government, according to a survey released Thursday.
The Ipsos study on behalf of the Montreal Economic Institute (IEDM) reveals that 52% of Canadians are in favor of health care being offered by independent contractors, support increased to 63% among Quebecers.
The project of mini-hospitals accessible to all with the sun card that Quebec advocates was favored by almost 7 out of 10 Quebecers (69%), while only 18% say they totally disagree with such a prospect.
In addition, some 72% of Quebecers surveyed say they support the decentralization of the health system, at a time when the CAQ government is proposing a new entity to centralize the daily management of health care establishments.
“With good reason, Quebecers are much more concerned with access to care than with the administrative structure of the care establishment,” indicated Emmanuelle B. Faubert, economist at the MEI, who observes that the mini-hospitals seem to be popular.
“People understand that they are better served when decisions are made closer to them, and not in provincial capitals,” Ms. Faubert explained, adding that “centralizing projects such as Bill 15 in Quebec deserve to be reviewed”.