Keep yourself informed on negotiations

April 12, 2022

Dear Members,
 
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.
 
I have tried to keep you updated as much as possible in recent months with frequent President’s Letters. You’ve received a lot of information, but it’s a little hard to grasp the big picture one letter at a time. The webinar contains important information to bring the pieces together in context, including topics like Alberta Health Services stipends, payments and overhead policy and the Income Equity Initiative.
 
Negotiations are moving forward and there is still a lot of hard work ahead. AMA agreements tend to be complex, and any arrangement we may reach in these negotiations will likely continue that way. While we are still at the table, it’s important to keep yourself informed on the issues and educated about how an agreement can address them. Doing this allows you to ask the wise and pointed questions that the Board counts on you to provide while discussions are still underway. Engaging early also spreads the information load around, making it faster and easier to review the final package and cast an informed vote when it’s time to do so.
 
I know your days and your inboxes are full. Please take some time to review the video of the presentation portion of the webinar. We’ve provided an index of timestamps so you can see the topics covered and, if you prefer, skim through to those that are of particular interest to you. You’ll also find a list of questions-and-answers (member login required) from the discussion that took place after the presentation portion of the webinar. For those who prefer text to video, we have also posted the slide deck and speaking notes used for my President's Update (member login required).
 
Thank you for your consideration and attention! I plan to be available to meet with sections, zone medical staff associations or other groups in the months ahead. If you’d like me to address your particular professional group, please email president@albertadoctors.org. Comments are also always welcome at that address.
 
I will write again soon. 
 
Sincerely,

Vesta Michelle Warren, MD, CCFP, FCFP
President, Alberta Medical Association