President's Letter
Dear Members:
Yesterday the federal government announced a proposed new health funding framework with the provinces and territories, prioritizing primary care, health workforce wellness, health human resources and innovation toward sustainability.
It is a long-term financial commitment including $46 billion in new funds divided among provinces and territories. The predictability over 10 years will be helpful. This is, though, a down payment on what will be needed given our increasing, aging population and overstrained system.
The premiers will assess the framework and further negotiations will be needed. Whatever the outcome, it’s important that decisions occur quickly. Canadians are suffering as they wait for care and for any relief that the new framework can deliver.
Nothing announced will immediately address wait times, access and survivability of physician practices. Every province will take steps and the Modernizing Alberta's Primary Health Care System (MAPS) initiative is Alberta’s focus on supporting primary care. The AMA will continue to advocate for more immediate-term improvements as provinces like BC have taken.
You are always welcome to share your thoughts with me. You can email me via [email protected]. 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
"Fate whispers to the warrior, 'You can not withstand the storm.' The warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.'"