Alberta Medical Association

Dear Members, Alberta’s health system is under extraordinary pressure. Physicians are feeling that pressure across the system, but the fundamental question for Albertans remains simple: can patients get the care they need, when they need it? For many patients, that begins with a family physician. Family medicine is the foundation of Alberta’s health system, and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are an important part of that foundation.

Dear Members, Last week, the Alberta Medical Association released our second annual State of Health Care report, a public-facing report designed to better understand how Albertans are experiencing the health system today and to track changes over time. This work is part of our commitment to informed reform: grounding advocacy in evidence, elevating patient voices and helping ensure that decisions about the health system are informed by real experiences on the ground.

Dear Members, Today, government announced a $172.3 million investment in physician compensation as part of the final year of the current Master Agreement (2022-26). This represents the arbitrator’s award of a 3% increase, retroactive to April 1, 2025. Consistent with the terms of the agreement, the distribution was developed jointly by the AMA and government working together to address compensation priorities.

Join the AMA Committee on Financial Audit (COFA). Learn more and apply (member login required). Deadline has been extended to June 29. June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to celebrate and honour the living histories, cultures, languages, voices and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada.

University of Calgary Kayla fitzpatrick Kayla Fitzpatrick was born and raised in Fort McMurray, Alberta, where most of her family still resides, including her parents, siblings, and 41 first and second cousins. She is grateful for the love and support of her community and large family, which have shaped the person she is today. As the first in her family to become a physician, Kayla feels immense pride and privilege in having this opportunity.

Dear Members, Decisions about our health system are continuing to move quickly, and now more than ever, physicians must be part of the conversations that shape what comes next. One of the most direct ways to do that is through AMA committees, where much of our work happens. They provide practical input on the issues affecting physicians and the care they provide, with members helping to pressure test ideas and solutions against what will actually work in practice.

Strong care, growing access challenges across the system Based on a province-wide survey of 1,100 Albertans and supported by direct patient insights, the 2026 State of Health Care report points to a clear and widening gap: a mismatch between strong confidence in health care providers and declining confidence in the system’s ability to deliver timely, accessible care.

May 14, 2026 Alberta’s 2026 wildfire season has begun, with some regions already issuing evacuation alerts. Officials are urging residents to stay prepared. With that in mind, the AMA has gathered some information for members about various insurance options and encourages you to consider your situation and your risk so you can ensure you have sufficient coverage.

Dear Members, The AMA continues to emphasize the need for informed reform. It is our firm belief that changes to Alberta’s health care system, especially major shifts like dual practice, must be evidence-informed and physician guided. Put another way, any move toward dual practice must be carefully designed and safeguarded to avoid foreseeable harms. That starts with a commitment to ensure that access to necessary medical care is based on need, not on ability to pay.

The AMA supports the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the calls to justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Physicians are among the first trusted professionals to see signs of violence, coercion and exploitation, and we have a responsibility to help protect the Indigenous women and girls who turn to us for care.