Alberta’s health system is under extraordinary pressure. Physicians are feeling that pressure across the system, but the fundamental question for Albertans remains simple: can patients get the care they need, when they need it?
Primary care – The foundation we cannot afford to weaken
The AMA's second annual State of Health Care report shows Albertans are confident in the quality and skill of their physicians and health care teams, but have less confidence in the system's ability to provide timely access to care when and where it's needed.
Today, government announced a $172.3 million investment in physician compensation as part of the final year of the current Master Agreement (2022-26).
Last week, you should have received a link to complete the latest AMA Member Tracking Survey. I encourage you to take a few minutes to share your experience. Your feedback gives us timely insight into the realities you are facing in practice and helps ensure our advocacy, priorities and member support reflect what physicians are experiencing right now.
Over the past several months, many of you have raised important questions about what expanded dual practice could mean for patients, physicians and the future of our publicly funded health care system — especially since Bill 11 (Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2)) was introduced.
Below you will find previous issues of The President's Letter. For older issues no longer on the website, contact us.
We know that physicians are eager to learn the details of the Physician Comprehensive Care Model (PCCM), a novel and game-changing funding option that will provide family physicians and rural generalists with the stability and incentive to provide life-long, comprehensive patient care.
Your Board of Directors is not slowing our pace heading into summer; in fact, we are increasing our efforts. That was a key takeaway from last week’s Board meeting and two days of business and strategic planning for 2024-25 to deliver what you need from the AMA.
The number of oncology spaces funded in Alberta has failed to keep pace.
The acute care system is in desperate trouble. That was the subject of our latest Inside Scoop virtual town hall on May 22 with over 250 acute care, hospital and community-based specialists.
Cancer care provided in Alberta is second to none, when you can access it. Unfortunately, this expert care is no longer being delivered in a timely fashion because we do not have enough oncologists to provide the care that patients need.
The acute care system in Alberta is like an expanding aneurysm that could rupture at any time.
I have written to Premier Danielle Smith and requested that she ask the federal government to reconsider proposed changes to capital gains taxation included in the recently announced federal budget 2024.
This morning I participated in a joint news conference with the Minister to announce that government is committing to the Physician Comprehensive Care Model with a target implementation date of fall 2024.
The second Inside Scoop Town Hall was Thursday, April 11 and the recording is available (member login required). Here are some comments on the discussion at the session.
Many members are extremely concerned that they are ineligible for the Transitional Funding Program funds that began flowing to physicians yesterday. Unfortunately, the TFP is not available to family or rural generalist practices with panels of under 500 patients.