Nurses protest outside of MLA Drew Barnes office earlier this week. (CHAT News photo)

By The Canadian Press

Doc mediation

Medical Association and Alberta Health at a standstill in negotiations

Feb 15, 2020 | 5:03 PM

EDMONTON, AB – All options are on the table, according to Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro, following failed mediation with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA).

The current deal between the two parties expires at the end of March, thus the need for a new master agreement. Shandro says current levels of spending must be maintained.

“Cost overruns are forecast to amount to $2 billion over the next three years – this is unacceptable,” Shandro says.

“Any savings that will be achieved through our efforts to curtail costs of physician compensation will be reinvested into front-line services such as reducing surgical wait times, addressing mental health and addictions issues, and investing in continuing care.”

What the province hopes to alter is the length of a time a physician is required to see a patient before adding an extra fee, and limit the number of patients a doctor may see and bill for daily.

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The association says not paying physicians properly will affect the quality of care patients receive.

“There are a few possibilities for next steps. Some of which the parties can do together, others that would be done separately,” says AMA President Christine Mohar in a statement published Saturday. “We are actively exploring our options and will be reaching out to the Health Minister to discuss a way forward that will satisfy the needs of Albertans and treat physicians fairly.”

Mohar says doctors are well aware of the challenging times faced by the province.

(with files from Canadian Press)