UCP leadership vote concludes today

October 6, 2022

Dear Members,

At Monday’s Annual General Meeting, I began my term as AMA president. It is a privilege to face this year with you as we begin a new agreement with government in the midst of an ongoing health care storm. There are many priorities, but I believe there are three key things that will be essential, and I will write to you again in the next few days to comment further on these.

Today, however, requires a letter on another topic. It is October 6, vote-count day for the leadership of the United Conservative Party to identify the next premier. Given the importance of this change at this time, the AMA has engaged with all the leadership candidates to hear from them about their visions for health care. Dr. Vesta Michelle Warren, now immediate past president, conducted her last interview with a candidate on Monday afternoon, just hours before the end of her term. I thank her for this and it’s only one more demonstration of her endless dedication to advocacy for the profession. Given the lateness of the final interview there was not enough time to report back to membership, but she has asked me to do so on her behalf.

All seven individuals expressed support for reestablishment of a positive working relationship between Alberta doctors and government and felt that an agreement was essential for that purpose. Those with whom we spoke after the ratification, and some who have spoken in the media on the topic, characterize the ratification as a positive development for which both parties should be commended.

Candidates were also uniform in expressing the value they place on the health care system. They understand that quality health care is essential to Albertans. They had a range of ideas in terms of necessary improvements, but each one expressed a wish to see Albertans obtain the care they need, when and where they need it.

If you haven’t already read them, you can find more detail on individual perspectives in the questionnaires that were completed by five of the seven candidates.

We received only a few comments from members in response to the candidate questionnaires. A few more ventured to comment on social media. Those who did comment expressed the importance of leaders understanding physician values, and some were concerned about a perceived lack of understanding of the health care system among the candidates. Still others said that politics in general have become riddled with anger and invective that had entered this particular campaign.

It was an interesting opportunity to engage with people in the political sphere. Regardless of the outcome of the vote, it’s valuable to increase understanding about the AMA’s vision for a quality health care system that offers timely access, value for patients and fairness for physicians.

You will hear from me often in the weeks and months ahead, and I hope I will hear from you too.

You can email me via president@albertadoctors.org. You can also comment on this letter on the AMA website.

Regards,

fred Rinaldi, MD, CCFP, FCFP, LLB, MBA, MPA(HSA), BCom
President, Alberta Medical Association