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.
As this letter was completed, we were advised that Alberta Health has decided to postpone the implementation of new rates for Z codes, scheduled for January 1. The implementation of these reductions has now been postponed until April 1.
As discussions continue with government toward a negotiated agreement, new payment models are emerging and are being offered to physicians. This move toward new payment models seems to be accelerating, which has caused me to think about why alternative models matter in the first place.
As we settle into a new phase of restrictions to check the spread COVID-19, I wanted to write to you about the impact of the pandemic on patient care and the health care system. While the arrival of vaccines in Alberta is truly encouraging, we face a long road back to whatever the new normal will be.
Some of you may have seen the letter I wrote to Albertans urging them to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. This letter was published in both the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal this week.
I wrote to you on November 26 about the explosive rates of COVID-19 in Alberta and the new measures that have been taken to slow the virus down. It is too early to know how effective these will be. Promising news about vaccine availability and provincial logistical planning for roll out may provide a little daylight, but it does not change our current situation and the pressure on our health care system.
Since I wrote to you earlier this week, additional public health measures have been announced to slow the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a lot of debate on the probable effectiveness of these plans and what needs to happen next.
We have all been watching the seemingly unabated rise in COVID-19 cases with increasing concern. There is little doubt that if we continue on this path, more severe restrictions are inevitable. In the meantime, the AMA encourages all Albertans to do their part by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, hand washing and following all public health guidance that may be forthcoming.
Every year, the Canadian Medical Association holds nominations and election processes for the position of CMA president-elect and this year the president-elect will be chosen from Alberta. If Alberta’s nominee is ratified, that physician will become CMA president in August 2022.
We have heard from many physicians since our October 2 President’s Letter about government’s decision to terminate grant funding for the AMA’s Alternative Relationship Plan Physician Support Services (ARP PSS) program. A variety of things have been underway to determine how the AMA can best assist members in both the short and long term.
About 1,300 physicians registered for an AMA webinar last Friday entitled: Living with the Sunshine List. Government has said it will release the list on or before November 9. A recording of the webinar is available on the AMA website (member login required). Below is some key content for those who may not find time to watch in the next few days.