Consultation with the AMA: Minister Shandro

Minister of Health Tyler Shandro issued the following statement following a meeting with the Alberta Medical Association

The Voice of Canada News:

“I met with Dr. Christine Molnar, president of the Alberta Medical Association (AMA). We made a number of proposals and invited the AMA to provide advice. We’ve now received their advice, and will be reviewing their proposal over the coming weeks.

“Without concrete action, our physician services costs are expected to grow from over $4.6 billion to $5.7 billion in a few short years. In order to put patient care first, meaningful ways to control escalating costs must be realized. Savings will be reinvested into health care programs and services that benefit all Albertans.

“I continue to encourage the AMA to propose concrete alternatives that will restrain growth in physician expenditures. We know this will be difficult, but Albertans expect us to meet this challenge head-on so they can receive the health care they expect and deserve. With the concerted efforts of all parties involved, I believe that this can be accomplished.

“I look forward to working with the AMA in the new year as we work to address these issues.”