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Home > Member services > Media/Publications > President's Letter
The "voice of the AMA" – The President's Letter informs you about Alberta Medical Association positions on key issues in Alberta's health care.
Comments on the President's Letter are welcome. Go to the most recent President's Letter (see the link below) to post a public comment.
You may also contact the AMA President by email at president@albertadoctors.org.
For older issues of the President's Letter (and issues on other topics), visit the President's Letter archive.
President's Letters and news releasesRSS
First update of 2020: Many things underway
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I will provide you with updates on discussions with government and negotiations frequently in the weeks ahead.
Plans in place for 2020
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Last Friday you will have received a copy of the AMA's final response document for government's Insured Services Consultation. The December 20, 2019 President's Letter is on our website if you missed it. It contains our perspective on the consultation items.
AMA response to government consultation proposals
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: On November 14, the Alberta government tabled several proposals, which they considered to be outside of negotiations, and gave the AMA until today (December 20) to formally respond. We received feedback from over 1500 physicians and I am writing today to provide members with the AMA's response to the Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services Insured Services Consultation proposals.
Government consultation proposals: action to date
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I am writing today to provide a brief update of the work and activities that have taken place since the Special RF on December 7.
HQCA Evaluation: Crowfoot and Taber Clinics
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: On December 9, the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) released its Final Report of the Crowfoot and Taber clinics case study evaluation.
Special RF Response to Government, Pushing Back
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The special meeting of the Representative Forum took place on Saturday, December 7 in Calgary. Delegates received a full update on the current negotiations with government for a new financial agreement. There was a presentation on the evolving AMA response to the 11 consultation proposal items that government has released and that were the subject of my November 29 President's Letter. The RF also endorsed the Board of Directors' proposed plan to respond to these challenges and ensure that government hears our concerns.
Deep Concerns re Government Consultation
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: This is in regard to recent developments in our negotiations with government that are deeply concerning for the profession. I want to provide you with information regarding what government has proposed, what work the AMA is doing to review these proposals and how you can contribute. On November 14, government tabled several proposals which, in their view, were outside the negotiations. They asked the AMA to respond by November 20 as to how we would like to be consulted.
On conscience rights legislation
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: On November 7, a United Conservative Party MLA tabled a private members bill: Bill 207, Conscience Rights (Health Care Providers) Protection Act. I wanted you to know that I have written to Minister of Health Tyler Shandro to express the opinion that this legislation is unnecessary and inappropriate. You can review my letter here.
On-call deserves our support
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Our rural physician colleagues have recently been in the media with concerns related to reductions in on-call payments by Alberta Health Services. Our rural members, who are already stressed by a heavy burden of service, know that reducing on-call support will make it even more difficult to recruit and retain physicians to rural areas.
New Legislation – AMA Agreement and Physician Supply
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Government has tabled legislation: Bill 21 Ensuring Fiscal Sustainability Act. This omnibus bill amends a number of statutes. Having received it late Monday afternoon, we have been exploring its implications. There are important provisions relating to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act.
Connect Care Launch: Must-read information
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: On November 3, Alberta Health Services will launch the first wave of Connect Care in the Edmonton Zone. Supported by a fully integrated clinical information system, Connect Care will consolidate the patient's story, including goals, problems, plans, investigations, treatments and all prior AHS health records. Connect Care is the AHS record of care.
Physician On-Call What's Happening; What's Next
PRESIDENT's LETTER: Many of you will have received an Alberta Health Services bulletin last week: Physician On-Call Program Changes Effective October 1, 2019, that highlighted changes in the number of on-call categories from five to three, and a reduction of stipends paid for those services.
In your service: a new president's thoughts
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: It is a great honor to represent our profession as AMA president. I have been a physician for 43 years. I have practiced my dual specialty in Calgary at the Foothills Medical Centre and in EFW Radiology's community clinics for 34 years. I now come before you simply as a physician devoted to our profession.
Saying goodbye and wishing you well!
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: As my tenure as President comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on a challenging and rewarding year. Looking back, I am proud of what the Alberta Medical Association tackled this year.
Value for Patients, Fairness for Physicians
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: This week we will hold the 114th Annual General Meeting of the Alberta Medical Association, in conjunction with our Fall Representative Forum. We will have many discussions at both events about the challenges and opportunities facing physicians in caring for our patients.
Sunshine list legislation gets four-year review
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The all-party Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship is conducting a review of the Public Sector Compensation Transparency Act, better known to physicians as the sunshine list legislation. The bill became law in 2015 and provided for regular legislative reviews. The committee has invited public submissions to inform its 2019 review and the AMA was asked to comment.
AMA & CMA Membership renewal: Offering members a choice
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: AMA/CMA renewal notices will be sent out later this week. AMA and CMA dues remain unchanged from last year and we want to remind members that, starting this year, membership in the CMA will be optional for Alberta physicians. Through our renewed partnership, the AMA and CMA are working together to advance our shared priorities and to advocate for physicians at the national and provincial levels, and that is why we want to encourage all AMA members to continue to support the CMA when they renew this year.
Initial thoughts on Blue Ribbon Panel report
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Yesterday you will have heard about the release of the Report and Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Alberta's Finances. The report details government's concerns over the growth and level of health expenditures, i.e., the issue of affordability. It conveys many of the same messages contained in the government's election platform, although the focus there was more on value for patients and included creating a medical home for each Albertan, as well as issues related to seniors' care, mental health and addiction.
Update on first months with a new government
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: The Alberta Medical Association advances patient-centered, quality care by advocating for and supporting physician leadership and wellness. Most of the time, this requires collaboration with others in the system. Relationships matter – and the one between the profession and the Government of Alberta is one of the most important. As I look back over the past few months with our new government in place, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you. My first observation is that the new government has been very active, including in health care where they have launched reviews of Alberta Health Services, laboratory services and Connect Care.
Overhead Working Group report and what comes next
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: I'm writing as promised in my July 9 President's Letter to provide all members with a copy of the Overhead Working Group Assessment and Review Report regarding the overhead study commissioned by AMA and Alberta Health for the Income Equity Initiative. It is available here: https://www.albertadoctors.org/leaders-partners/income-equity/related-documents (member login required).
About laboratory services
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In June, the government cancelled construction of the Edmonton laboratory hub lab project and is currently exploring the needs of the province for laboratory services. Yesterday, the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science added its voice to support appropriate investment in this area. We wanted to update members with our own assessment of the situation and to let you know what the AMA and Section of Laboratory Physicians have been doing.
Overhead Working Group and Physician Compensation Committee
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: You may have seen an update bulletin from the Physician Compensation Committee today, including reference to the recent Deloitte overhead study and the committee's discussion. As I wrote to you April 25 in a President's Letter, the Board of Directors formed a small working group in response to concerns raised by the Representative Forum and sections about the results provided by Deloitte. The working group was asked to review what has been provided and then recommend (i) what, if any, elements of the study are usable and (ii) the next steps for ensuring usable overhead information in the Income Equity Initiative.
Board planning: Working with a new government and supporting members
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: At our annual planning retreat in a few weeks, the Board will be bringing together months of environmental scanning, analysis and discussion around the Board table. We will be planning for the year ahead in the interests of members and with a new government. Today I wanted to give you a sense of what that has involved.
Introducing Healthy Working Environments initiative
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Like me, perhaps you have lately observed a surge of headlines, reports and journal articles like these: "Why focusing on professional burnout is not enough", "Task force launched to tackle sexual harassment", "Addressing gender equity and diversity in Canada's medical profession", "Understanding how patients perceive physician wellness and its links to patient care", "Most doctors have little or no management training, and that's a problem." Almost a year ago, the AMA Board sat down at our annual business planning retreat and considered the convergence of these issues – in both our profession and society at large. Respect. Diversity. Inclusion. Leadership. Wellness. All of these things are relevant to AMA members and absolutely necessary if we are to play a leadership role in the system.
An Update on Income Equity Initiative and Overhead Study
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In the March 25 President's Letter, I wrote to you about the overhead (office expenses) study under the Income Equity Initiative. Concerns have been raised by the Representative Forum and sections about the results provided by Deloitte. In response, the Board has formed a small working group with delegates from the Specialty Care Alliance and sections of General Practice and Rural Medicine. The working group will review what has been provided and then recommend (i) what, if any, elements of the study are usable and (ii) next steps for ensuring usable overhead information for use in the IEI.
RF Highlights
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: An excellent Representative Forum was held March 15-16 in Calgary. I'm writing to give you a brief summary of what happened. You'll hear more on these topics in future letters.
MyHealth Records has launched
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In December 2018 we wrote to you from the Alberta Medical Association and College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta to let you know that the Alberta government would soon be introducing MyHealth Records, a secure online portal that will enable Albertans to access some of their personal health information. We are pleased to tell you that the portal went live for all Albertans on Saturday, March 16.
Funds flowing to Alberta – Well Doc Alberta is first initiative under CMA-AMA MOU
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In our February 21 joint President's Letter, we announced that the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) and Canadian Medical Association (CMA) established a new collaboration – outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding – to align activities and partner on joint initiatives that advance our shared priorities.
Retro BCP payments and other physician compensation news
Just as physicians cannot help patients achieve their best health by focusing on only one aspect of being healthy, similarly, in overseeing the AMA's work toward financial health, the Board must take a comprehensive approach.
AMA-CMA relationship
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: We're pleased to announce that the Alberta Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association are establishing a new partnership, which is outlined in a principle-based Memorandum of Understanding.
About retroactive payments to physicians
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: In my December 6 President's Letter, I wrote that members would soon receive retroactive payments for the April 1, 2017 Schedule of Medical Benefits cost of living adjustments. These payments have now been issued by Alberta Health for the April 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018 claims period.
AMHSP physicians – a vote and a new council
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: Recent changes in Alberta Medical Association governance and the passage of legislation on the rights of physicians to representation provide important new vehicles for physicians to bring their issues forward. The focus of this President's Letter is on those academic physicians who are or soon will be part of the Academic Medicine Health Services Plan, and who now have the ability to request direct support in negotiations from the AMA.
SOMB retroactive increases coming this week
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: This fall, we have been moving forward on making payments owed to physicians under our Amending Agreement. The AMA issued the 2017 Retention Benefit payments on Friday, November 2. Today I'm writing to provide you with some dates and details about the retroactive payments for the Schedule of Medical Benefits and Alternative Relationship Plans cost-of-living adjustment.
An Act to Protect Patients
PRESIDENT'S LETTER: You may have heard news reports last week that the Government of Alberta had tabled Bill 21, An Act to Protect Patients. The legislation guards patients against exposure to inappropriate or predatory sexual behavior from their care providers. It applies to all regulated health professions, including physicians. The bill passed at the end of last week and is expected to come into effect in April 2019.
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