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.
News that the remains of 215 Indigenous children were discovered in a mass grave at a former residential school in Kamloops has drawn attention to a dreadful legacy of the residential school system. This is not an isolated incident: graves have been found at other former school sites, including in Alberta. The search for these is still incomplete.
As we come to the end of the 2021 Alberta Rural Health Week, I wanted to take the opportunity to add my voice to the celebration of rural health care in this province. As an urban physician and Albertan, I am indebted to the stellar health care teams who are part of the lifeblood and infrastructure of rural communities in our province.
This is to provide you with an update on several activities being undertaken by the Alberta Medical Association. These relate to our efforts regarding the compensation of physicians, the restoration of our relationship with government, the support of physicians during the pandemic and our engagement with members.
As you are aware, on May 13 government released a new public health order stipulating that medical exemptions for mask use will be allowed for a list of “verified health conditions,” and that an exemption letter will be required from a physician, nurse practitioner or psychologist.
Yesterday, government released a new public health order stipulating that medical exemptions for mask use will be allowed for a list of “verified health conditions.” An exemption letter will be required from a physician, nurse practitioner or psychologist.
The new public health restrictions put in place this week have been welcomed by the broader medical community. Like you, I have been watching the rising COVID-19 case numbers in Alberta with increasing concern.
Canadians have fervently expressed their thanks to all health professionals during this pandemic year. As physicians, we have been quick to recognize all team members who are working alongside of us. From our allied health colleagues to our underrecognized front line staff who keep our facilities running smoothly, we could not do our job without them.
The April meeting of the Board of Directors took place last week. This was our first opportunity to gather since the ratification vote. We spent two days discussing the challenges facing our members, patients and health care system, and how we can best address them.
I’ve written a few times about the work to involve community-based physicians in delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine. We have moved forward in partnership with Alberta Health, working closely with the Primary Care Networks. The Alberta Medical Association created the online Expression of Interest portal, through which physicians could express interest in participation.
I have appreciated all the emails and conversations since my April 1 President’s Letter. Many of you have shared your thoughts and hopes for the future. Your feedback demonstrates the strong engagement of members in the voting process and a thorough understanding of what was at stake.