AMA says doctors back in discussions with the province
By GILLIAN SLADE on March 10, 2020.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade The Alberta Medical Association says the government and doctors have returned to discussions this week. The aim is to reach a physician agreement that provides value for patients, fairness for physicians and affordability for the system, said Dr. Christine Molnar, AMA president. The government had been in talks with the AMA since November. Talks had broken off in February and within a few days the government imposed a settlement. Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced that Alberta was terminating its agreement with doctors and its new fee structure would commence April 1. This would prevent an additional $2 billion being added to the physicians’ budget over the next three years. There are four individuals on the government side for the working group discussion and four from the AMA, including Dr. R. Michael Giuffre. Giuffre was president of the AMA in 2012/13 when doctors were attempting to reach a contract with the former Progressive Conservative government when Fred Horne was the health minister. Former premier Alison Redford was called out by him at the time for calling the fees doctors were paid their “salaries.” Giuffre explained about the overhead costs a physician has to pay for an office, staff and equipment, before there is a salary to take home. He also pointed out that Alberta doctors were paid more than other provinces but so were Alberta’s politicians. After 20 months of contract negotiations, Horne announced in November 2012 what was called the government’s final offer. Giuffre was successful at that stage in having the government return to the table for more discussions with doctors. Molnar says a fair agreement is necessary now not only for doctors but patients as well. 11-10
