Quebec to finance ultrasounds in private clinics

Ultrasounds carried out inprivate radiology clinics will becovered by the provincial public health insurance agency(RAMQ)starting in November, the Quebec government announced Wednesday.

Health Minister Gatan Barrette said ultrasounds are in high demand across the province, second onlyto blood tests. There are currently over110,000 patientswaiting for an ultrasound, according to Barrette.

• Gatan Barrette 'shocked' at delay in changing MUHC assisted death policy
• Quebec health minister defends cancer surgery wait times

"Everybody in Quebec listening to us right now, including professionals, knowthere areproblems of accessibility," Barrette said.

The exams will now be covered after a deal was struck with Quebec's medical specialists. Barrette claimedthis was only possible due to Bill 20, part of theprovince's controversial overhaul of the health-care system.

"This kind of access is substantial progress for Quebec."

TheFdration des MdecinsSpcialistes du Qubec praised the decision,but said the province should have instead put that funding and resources into hospitals.

"The presence of a radiologist would strengthen medical teams at the same time as improving the speed of diagnostics in emergencies at a high volume at night," the FMSQ said in a statement.

"A solution that would have been win-win for the medical staff and the patients."

More announcements

Barettepromised Wednesday's would bethe first of severalannouncements over the next few months about what is covered bypublic healthcare.

"We have said that we would cover through the public health-care system all three exams: ultrasounds, [CT scans]and MRIs. And that will be the case," Barrette said.

Starting in November, the fee for eye drops used in glaucoma eye exams will also be covered byRAMQ.

• Controversial health reform billpasses in National Assembly