Alberta Medical Association

Possible changes to Health Professions Act: Self-regulation concerns

August 6, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: We have received a consultation document from government regarding proposed changes to the Health Professions Act. In our assessment, some of the options presented in the discussion paper suggest a wholly new, government-led approach to licensing and complaints registration. I am sending you our initial review as some of the possible amendments are a serious threat to self-regulation of physicians if implemented.

Changes to AMA Bylaws and Notice of Elections

August 6, 2020

Members are advised of proposed changes to the AMA Bylaws and elections taking place at 7 p.m., Monday, October 5, at the 115th AMA Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be held virtually; details will be provided with the AGM report circulated prior to the meeting.

Masks4Canada

July 31, 2020

Masks4Canada is a grassroots initiative to educate the public and Canadian government that face coverings/masks are essential to fight the transmission of COVID-19. Masks, in addition to physical distancing and hand hygiene, can help contain and stop the pandemic. Want to learn more and get involved?

AMA holiday office hours

July 31, 2020

Please note the AMA phone lines will be closed Monday, August 3 for Heritage Day. Regular business hours will resume Tuesday, August 4. All physical AMA locations continue to be closed.

WCB outage this weekend

July 30, 2020

WCB online services, including electronic injury reporting, will not be available from 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31 to 6 a.m., Tuesday, August 4.

Reaching out to the Premier

July 30, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Today I have written to Premier Jason Kenney asking for his involvement in our current impasse with the Minister of Health. This action follows our Confidence Vote Referendum and the overwhelming vote of non-confidence that I announced yesterday.

An unprecedented and overwhelming vote

July 29, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The results of our referendum vote are in. There were 8,934 votes from physicians, residents and medical students across Alberta, which represents a voter turn-out of 67%. As for the results: 98% indicated they do NOT have confidence in the Minister. Over the past week, the confidence referendum was conducted with the same rigor as a contract ratification vote.

Alberta doctors overwhelmingly vote non-confidence in Minister Of Health

July 29, 2020

MEDIA RELEASE: 98% (97.83%) of Alberta’s physicians have lost confidence in Health Minister Tyler Shandro’s ability to manage the province’s health care system, according to a referendum conducted by the Alberta Medical Association.

Bill 30

July 27, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Last week, Bill 30, The Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2020 completed second reading in the legislature. There is no doubt that this government-sponsored bill will be passed before the session ends for summer break, likely this week.

News on programs and other matters

July 24, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: On Wednesday, July 22, we received an update on government’s decision-making regarding the future of the programs under the AMA grant agreement. As you are aware, since the spring and end of negotiations, the grant agreement has been unsigned, leaving all involved in limbo. Given the importance of these programs to physicians and the health care system, we have ceaselessly pushed for clarity on their future and underscored the value of retaining them within the AMA. We have now been advised of the following...

Members: Do you have confidence in the Minister?

July 21, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Today, for the first time, I am offering my President’s Letter in both video and written formats. Our relationship with the provincial government has reached an all-time low and in an emergency meeting of the Representative Forum last weekend, by an overwhelming majority, RF took the step of requesting a Confidence Vote Referendum on the Minister of Health. Over the next week, we are asking Alberta physicians to let their voices be heard on this vital matter. This is your choice and your voice. We want every single doctor across this province to have an opportunity to vote, as this grassroots direction will guide our next steps and send a strong message to government.

We are under attack

July 20, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: On Saturday, a special virtual meeting of the Representative Forum was held to discuss our current situation with government. I want to thank delegates who made themselves available and provided wise counsel for the Board at this very difficult time.

Representative Forum virtual meeting tomorrow

July 17, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: To seek guidance from leaders of the profession, there will be a special virtual Representative Forum meeting tomorrow morning. The Board will share plans to keep the organization strong and focused as we work through the issues we are facing. We will also seek direction on a number of strategic options for the short and long term.

Email/phone call scam alert

July 16, 2020

We have recently learned of a phone and email scam claiming to be coming from the Canadian Medical Protective Association. Please be advised the CMPA does NOT accept credit cards nor do they communicate using pre-recorded messages.

Minister letter to CPSA

July 16, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Many of you will be aware of the Minister’s letter to the College of Physicians and Surgeons regarding what steps physicians may take in adjusting their practices and what he characterizes as job action. I fully support and respect the work that the College does in its mandate to protect the public, but there are great concerns with the Minister’s approach.

Taking our story public

July 15, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Those who read the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal this morning will have seen an Alberta Medical Association full page ad, releasing our most recent proposal to address government’s mandate. This proposal has been sitting with Government since Canada Day with no movement. On your behalf, I took it public.

Unused CME allotments will expire July 31

July 15, 2020

Please note this is applicable only to members emailed regarding remaining allotments. Physicians have until July 31 to submit claims to use up their remaining Continuing Medical Education balance. As the CME Program was eliminated effective March 31, 2020 due to government's Physician Compensation Framework, CME to be claimed must have been completed on or before March 31, 2020. We encourage you to submit your CME claim online through the AMA member dashboard.

Looming physician exodus from Alberta caused by failed provincial funding framework

July 10, 2020

According to a newly released survey of physicians by the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), almost 9-in-10 physicians (87%) will be making changes to their medical practices as a result of the funding framework Health Minister Tyler Shandro imposed on physicians. Of this group, an alarming 49% have made plans or are considering looking for work in another province (this represents 42% of all Alberta doctors). One third (34%) of physicians who will be changing their practices say they may leave the profession or retire early, with other alternatives being mulled including changing how they offer services/withdrawing services from AHS facilities (48%), reducing their hours (43%) and laying off staff (34%).

Your Practice, Your Plans: Your Results

July 9, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent member survey “Your Practice, Your Plans: Tell Us How You’re Doing.” We had a very good response given the short timeline.

Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant

July 9, 2020

As part of its provincial relaunch strategy the Alberta government has made a available a small grant (maximum $5,000) for small to medium businesses, which also applies to physician corporations. To qualify the applicant needs to enter revenue information from certain months in 2019 and 2020 to show a 50% decrease (e.g., compare March 2019 to March 2020, or compare May 2019 to May 2020). Learn more about the grant and view the AMA’s Program Brief and Application Support Guide for Physicians.

Medical Liability Reimbursement Application Process

July 8, 2020

Please see July 6, 2020 Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Bulletin for update on the Medical Liability Reimbursement application process.

No consultation with AMA on Bill 30 development

July 8, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I have received a number of emails regarding Bill 30 and my President’s Letter from yesterday. Thank you for that feedback. It is unacceptable that the Alberta Medical Association was not consulted on the development of these significant reforms to our health care system. These impending legislative changes will have consequences for the profession and how we practice, as well as our freedom to advocate for our patient’s needs. The patient-physician relationship is at risk.

July-August 2020 Alberta Doctors' Digest now online

July 8, 2020

Highlights in this issue: Cyber security now; Award-winning physician is at home in rural Alberta; Shine A Light - Dr. Joni McNeely; Dr. Gadget - Virtual care built by and for Alberta docs; Health Law Update - Resuming practice and providing a safe workplace; Student Spotlight - Students helping physicians during COVID-19; Insurance Insights - Your AMA life insurance plans just got better; and a lot more!

The Road; Bill 30

July 7, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Yesterday, Bill 30, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, was introduced in the legislature. Many of you have already contacted the Alberta Medical Association with concerns. The AMA was not consulted about Bill 30. Much like Bill 21, this bill introduces elements of health care reform with no transparency or consultation with important stakeholders, including the AMA. We will be evaluating the implications.

There is no room for systemic racism

July 3, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The world-wide outcry against systemic racism has resounded broadly. Canada and Alberta have been no exceptions. Within our profession, there has been commentary from the Canadian Medical Association and by the provincial associations.

Healthy Work Environments. Is Alberta on track?

June 30, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As physicians, we take the privilege of practicing medicine and our responsibility to our patients seriously. We also understand our ethical responsibility to speak up if situations arise that endanger quality care or access for our patients. We are not only stewards of health care, but function as part of an early warning system to protect the public. This is our social contract. It exists with our patients, both individually and collectively.

Who won the 2020 AMA student sponsorships?

June 22, 2020

The Committee on Student Affairs recently met to review sponsorship applications. The Committee chose the following projects/events to receive funding. An email from the AMA to all organizers will be sent out shortly with more information.

PPE in the community: Just the facts

June 20, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: My May 27 President's Letter addressed issues arising from government’s announcement that community physicians would no longer be provided with personal protective equipment. Since then this has been discussed extensively at the Pandemic Community Supports Working Group. Matters continue to develop, while communication to physicians about PPE has been coming from several directions. I thought it would be helpful to summarize what we know.

Good news regarding WCB and support for member wellness

June 18, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Voting closed Tuesday, June 16 for the tentative Alberta Medical Association-Workers’ Compensation Board agreement. Voting opened May 28. The proposed four-year agreement carried the endorsement of the Board of Directors and I am pleased to report that the vote was overwhelmingly positive, with 98% of voting physicians in favor of the agreement.

Further update: Resumption of cancer screening services

June 16, 2020

A message from Alberta Health Services: Effective June 15, FIT testing has resumed in Alberta and is recommended for persons aged 50-74. Physicians should avoid ordering FIT testing on patients who do not fall within the target age range.

WCB agreement: Exercise your right!

June 12, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: June 16 update - ratification vote now closed. | The vote for the tentative WCB-AMA Agreement closes on Tuesday, June 16 at 4 p.m. and it is important that you vote now.

Your AMA Section: Two Question Survey

June 12, 2020

NOTE: This survey has now closed. Thank you to all who responded. The two-question survey was conducted on behalf of the Representative Forum Governance Oversight Group; it supports GOG's goal to increase the effectiveness of the AMA's governance structure and promote excellence among sections. All responses are anonymous and only aggregate data will be provided to section executives and shared with GOG.

Annual Achievement Awards paused until 2021

June 9, 2020

The AMA recognizes the strong focus on COVID-19 preparations and management during the past six months. This focus has understandably disrupted many other things including nominations for our annual Achievement Awards. The Board has consequently decided to close nominations immediately and will instead announce a special recognition for 2020. The annual Achievement Awards program will return in 2021.

AMA response to Bill 19, the Tobacco and Smoking Reduction Amendment Act

June 5, 2020

Read the Alberta Medical Association's official response to government’s recent announcement about their Tobacco and smoking reduction review.

What the AMA offered: Real savings, real solutions

June 4, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Government claims that during negotiations, the Alberta Medical Association did not offer concrete proposals to deal with the province’s fiscal challenges. I thought members would be interested to learn more about what the AMA put forward.

Influenza Immunization Program Update

June 1, 2020

The Influenza immunization Program for 2019-2020 is over. As of May 2, 2020: 1,438,866 doses of influenza vaccine were administered in Alberta. This equates to a provincial coverage rate of 32.9%, an increase of 2.8% over the 2018-2019 season.

Tentative AMA-WCB agreement reached, ratification vote now open

May 28, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: June 16 update - ratification vote now closed. | One of the core functions of the Alberta Medical Association is the negotiation of compensation agreements on behalf of Alberta physicians. While the spotlight these days has been on our ongoing struggle to reach a master agreement with government, at any given time we are negotiating a number of different contractual arrangements for subsets of the membership. One of the most significant of these is our negotiations with the Workers' Compensation Board. This is an agreement for physician services provided to employees covered by the WCB. Negotiations for a new agreement between AMA and WCB commenced on June 14, 2019 and the parties reached an agreement, in principle, on March 27, 2020. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on April 6, 2020.

Community access to PPE: physician concerns, principles

May 27, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The AMA sits on the Pandemic Community Supports Working Group, which is chaired by Alberta Health and also including Alberta Health Services and the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta. This working group has been a successful space for advancing solutions to pandemic issues, from establishing virtual care codes, to streamlining and clarifying communication issues and more. Access to personal protective equipment has been a constant agenda item.

Facts worth repeating, myths worth busting

May 22, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In the ongoing impasse with the Alberta Medical Association, government continues to promote its own messaging, some of it misleading. The MacKinnon report alleges that Alberta doctors are paid far more than provincial counterparts (“as much as $100,000 a year” or “35%”). Other examples include claims that the AMA failed to bring forward any proposals during negotiations, and government MLAs have said that our negotiation strategy failed to include the interests of rural physicians.

Medical students say, "Thanks!"

May 20, 2020

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex / AMA Medical Student Bursaries help to reduce financial pressure from escalating medical school tuition fees. This is so that every qualified student can afford to attend medical school. Since 2001 the program has awarded $1,845,000. This year we were fortunate to administer $1,500 bursaries to each of 90 well-deserving medical students, and they want to express their gratitude to you!

Screening mammography to resume at community Diagnostic Imaging clinics May 19

May 19, 2020

The Alberta Society of Radiologists / Section of Diagnostic Imaging would like to advise colleagues that screening mammography will resume at community Diagnostic Imaging clinics on May 19. This is in order to allow planning time to address a possible return of those patients wanting related consultations and requisitions.

We Asked, You Answered

May 19, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Thank you for the fantastic response to our member’s survey April 14-24! Almost 4,500 members (32%) responded, giving a clear picture of what is important to you and providing a foundation for our advocacy and planning. Your thoughtful responses are greatly appreciated. There were over 550 pages of verbatim comments. Clearly, there is much that the membership wants to share. We will continue to seek out ways to actively hear from you.

Exercise your right of representation

May 15, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In the absence of an agreement, through our members the AMA continues to assert our representative role to effectively support you with respect to the Schedule of Medical Benefits, Alberta Health Services payments, clinical alternative relationship plans (ARPs) and all matters relating to physician compensation. Thank you for so actively supporting our profession to speak with one voice!

We are the AMA

May 8, 2020

PRESIDENT'S LETTER: On May 5, I released a letter to the Minister. It was jointly signed by physician leaders as a declaration of unity within the profession and support for the Alberta Medical Association as the representative of physicians.

Call for applications: Committee on Achievement Awards

May 7, 2020

The AMA is currently recruiting to fill vacancies on the Committee on Achievement Awards. This committee reviews nominations and recommends recipients for several of AMA’s prestigious awards. The deadline to apply is June 8, 2020.