Decisions about our health system move quickly, and physicians must be part of the conversations that shape what comes next. Now more than ever, we encourage physician members across specialties to join an AMA committee. Applications close May 29.
Read the May 22 President’s Letter
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.
An update on self-referred private pay diagnostic imaging and screening laboratory services and to encourage members to attend an upcoming information session on youth proxy access through MyHealth Records.
Dr. Brian Wirzba provides updates on three important areas of work underway at the AMA.
Reminder to complete the current AMA Pulse Survey regarding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and the proposed Bill 18, the Last Resort Termination of Life Act.
Below you will find previous issues of The President's Letter. For older issues no longer on the website, contact us.
I wrote to you a few days ago to report on the May 13-14 Representative Forum and made three key points.
The Representative Forum met Friday and Saturday (May 13-14) and received updates, deliberated and provided direction regarding government discussions and the Income Equity Initiative. We will have more to tell you on those fronts soon. Today, I want to share my overall impressions of what delegates had to tell the Board.
The Spring Representative Forum, Part Two will take place at the end of this week (May 13-14). The agenda includes the latest updates on negotiations toward a new agreement, as well as the Physician Compensation Strategy and Income Equity Initiative. We’ll hear from expert physician leaders on two critical topics: the opioid poisoning crisis and pediatric mental health. We’ll also discuss AMA advocacy plans for the upcoming weeks and months.
Today I am releasing a new topic in the AMA’s Care Deficit Assessment Series.
On Tuesday, April 5 we held a webinar to update members on the status of negotiations with Alberta Health for a new agreement. As promised, the presentation portion of the webinar was recorded (member login required) for those unable to attend.
As you know we have been continuing interest-based negotiations with government. I wrote to you on March 27 to advise that, based on recent conversations with Alberta Health, there would be no changes – planned or otherwise – to stipends come March 31.
As Alberta welcomes displaced Ukrainians – with hundreds more expected to arrive in the coming weeks – I know as physicians we will do everything we can to enable their access to care until they can safely return home or permanently relocate to Canada.
I am writing this evening to provide an update on the various stipend programs that are due to end on March 31, 2022 or shortly thereafter.
As promised, a new phase of AMA advocacy is beginning to help Albertans better understand what is happening in health care in Alberta. We are also hoping to identify ideas – with partners and stakeholders – for resolution, innovation and solutions.
The Virtual Spring Representative Forum Part One was held March 11. The Spring RF Part Two will be held May 13-14 in person, COVID-state permitting. In this letter I want to share the March 11 highlights: