Alberta Medical Association

Program details you need to read

November 24, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I wrote to you briefly on November 2 and more details are now available. I have noted below things that you need to know or do at this time. For those who want to read more, links are provided for each item.

Alberta Doctors' Digest

November 23, 2022

The November-December 2022 issue of Alberta Doctors' Digest is now available! Highlights include: Meet your new Dr. Gadget!; Health Law Update The uninsured minority; Shine A Light: Dr. Farhad Peerani; Managing caregiver relationships as a competency; Breast cancer screening update and more!

Daily cap temporarily removed, lump sum payment details

November 21, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Since our agreement with government was ratified, we have been making progress on various pieces of implementation. Today, in a joint news conference with the minister, we announced that there will no longer be a daily cap on the number of services a physician can fully bill for.

Administrator replaces AHS Board

November 17, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Today the government announced that the Board of Directors of Alberta Health Services has been replaced by an administrator. We thank the AHS board for their service.

Advocacy for continued precautions in virus season

November 15, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As school settles in and respiratory viruses surge, the AMA has been advocating on social media platforms to encourage Albertans to take preventive precautions, including masking in crowded venues and, vaccination for COVID and seasonal influenza.

Zonal/Regional RF Delegate - Elections

November 14, 2022

Voting is now open for the election of zonal/regional delegates to RF. Voting closes at 4pm on Wednesday, December 14, and ballots will be counted on December 14 in the presence of scrutineers. AMA member login required.

Quick update on Board activity

November 10, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Board of Directors met October 27-28. It was a full agenda focused on implementing the new agreement and the implications for AMA business planning. I’ve written since then regarding some payments arising from the agreement.

AMA holiday office hours

November 10, 2022

Please note the AMA phone lines will be closed Friday, November 11. Regular business hours will resume Monday, November 14.

Rep needed on AMA agreement committees

November 4, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Representatives are needed for two newly formed committees: the Management Committee and Rates Committee.

Zonal/Regional RF Delegate - Call for Nominations Results

November 4, 2022

The deadline to submit nominations for Zonal/Regional RF delegates was 9 a.m. on November 4. Calgary Zone, Central Zone-Region 4 and Edmonton Zone will hold an election on November 14 with voting closing at 4pm on December 14. Delegates for the South Zone – Region 1 and Central Zone – Region 5 were elected by acclamation. Member login required.

Apply today for two new AMA committees: Management Committee and Rates Committee

November 3, 2022

Representatives are needed for two newly formed committees: the Management Committee and Rates Committee. Both committees were formed in 2022 pursuant to the Alberta Medical Association Agreement. The Management Committee has overall authority to manage the agreement and the Rates Committee is responsible for operating and dealing with matters of physician compensation, plans and programs. The deadline to apply is November 10. View the terms of reference and apply today. Member login required.

A very short update: programs and payments

November 2, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: This letter is for those who prefer very brief updates. Read on for information on items that members have inquired about.

Acknowledging all that you have done

October 31, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Board of Directors met Thursday and Friday, September 27-28. This was our first meeting since the new agreement was ratified and an opportunity for assessing where we are and why as we move into implementation.

Airdrie: An urgent care situation

October 21, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As we adjust to the welcome realities of a post-negotiation environment and having an agreement with government, I want to assure you that our advocacy work will continue. Our health care system is still under immense pressure. As physicians, we have a responsibility to help Albertans understand what is happening and what is at stake. Our Care Deficit Assessment Series (CDAS) has explored some of those system-wide issues, including the crisis in emergency departments, children’s mental health and care of the elderly.

The year ahead and my three priorities

October 11, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As I begin my term as president, I would like to thank the membership of the AMA for your vote of confidence. This is an honour that I certainly wouldn’t have expected myself. Hopefully, I will prove worthy.

UCP leadership vote concludes today

October 6, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: At Monday’s Annual General Meeting, I began my term as AMA president. It is a privilege to face this year with you as we begin a new agreement with government in the midst of an ongoing health care storm. There are many priorities, but I believe there are three key things that will be essential, and I will write to you again in the next few days to comment further on these.

It has been an honour to serve you

October 4, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: When I became president of the AMA in September 2021, I was told that the year would go by fast, yet I am still astonished at how quickly it has gone. Serving as AMA president has been altogether the most challenging, humbling experience of my life.

Members have ratified agreement

September 28, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Voting closed today at 4 p.m. for the 2022-26 agreement package just negotiated with government. I am pleased to report that members ratified it with a “Yes” vote from 70.2% of responding physicians. (Voter turnout was 45.8%. While turnout was higher for the package that members rejected in 2021, today’s result is significantly higher than recent ratifications.)

Register for the AMA's Annual General Meeting

September 27, 2022

Join us Monday, October 3, at 7 p.m. for the 117th Annual General Meeting of the Alberta Medical Association. This is an opportunity to hear about important business of the AMA, as well as your chance to vote on bylaw changes and nominate members for key positions. You will also hear Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren's valedictory address as well as comments from the new AMA president, Dr. Fredrykka Rinaldi, about the year ahead. Note that only AMA members are eligible to vote at the AGM. To allow time to confirm membership status, Members must register by 4 p.m., Monday, October 3 in order to be eligible to vote. As there may be a delay for verification of membership status, voting eligibility cannot be guaranteed for members registering after that time.

Leadership candidates answer our questions; your vote on potential agreement

September 21, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: You may recall that I have been engaging with the seven candidates for the leadership of the United Conservative Party in recent weeks. I have met now with five and meetings are booked for the remaining two.

Advocacy for drug poisoning crisis; various voting reminders

September 19, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Members tell the AMA that one of the most important things we do is help the public better understand the health care system from the front lines. As promised in my letter last week, advocacy will continue as members consider the potential agreement package and beyond the vote, regardless of the outcome. This advocacy work helps focus attention on critical health issues so we can work together to ensure Albertans receive the care they need, when and where they need it.

Members will vote on a potential agreement

September 9, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Alberta physicians will vote on a potential agreement package that has been negotiated between the Alberta Medical Association and the ministry of Alberta Health.

Advocacy update and how you can assist

August 26, 2022

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: We have been actively advocating on a number of fronts in recent weeks. I hope you saw the PatientsFirst.ca report I shared last week about what patients who are waiting for care told us about their experiences. This initiative, supported by the Joint Physician Advocacy Committee, will continue in the months ahead and we will report again on what we learn.