The Alberta Health Care Insurance Amendment Act has passed third reading.The Alberta government said it is ensuring doctors have stable and predictable funding so they can focus on providing high-quality health care with the introduction of Bill 4..A law allowing the government to terminate its agreement with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) will be repealed if proposed legislation is passed. Bill 4, the Alberta Health Care Insurance Amendment Act, would repeal Section 40.2 of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act (AHCIA).READ MORE: Alberta's government says important step with AMA provides stability"It is a straightforward bill that proposes repealing section 40.2 of the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act. This section allows the government to terminate compensation-related agreements such as the one we have with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA)," said Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping during the third reading. "Repealing this legislation is part of our commitment in the new agreement with the AMA. Mr. Speaker, this commitment is not only to the Alberta Medical Association but to physicians throughout our province."As part of the new agreement with the AMA, Alberta's government committed to introduce legislation to repeal Section 40.2. In response, the AMA has agreed to stop its lawsuit against the government without seeking costs once the legislation receives royal assent.READ MORE: Alberta government following through on promise to physicians with Bill 4Alberta's government says collaboration with the AMA continues as the new agreement is implemented. This includes lifting the daily visit services cap so there won’t be a daily cap on the number of visit services a physician can fully bill."I want physicians to know that we are moving forward together. With this agreement, we are partners, and they have my commitment that I will work collaboratively with the association and its members to continue building an environment of partnership and innovation," Copping said."This agreement adds an estimated $750 million to stabilize the health care system, including $260 million in targeted funding to address current pressures. This includes recruitment and retention programs so more Albertans can access family doctors, and it provides more stability for practice viability."Alberta's government stated the new agreement puts a strong priority on primary health care, including a sliding scale of rate increases with the highest increases for family physicians at 5.2%. With additional targeted spending including new supports for rural physician recruitment, spending on family medicine overall will increase by 8% over three years.It provides additional $45 million to physicians (approx. $4,000 per physician).“We appreciate this swift action to repeal Section 40.2," said AMA President Fredrykka Rinaldi."This process will encourage renewed collaboration to serve Albertans and our health-care system."
