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Tentative funding deal struck, threat of cuts still anger doctors

DMONTON — Alberta is trying to make peace with angry doctors by shelving plans to cut nine physician support programs at the end of the month, but it’s too soon to say whether the government’s medicine is working.

EDMONTON — Alberta is trying to make peace with angry doctors by shelving plans to cut nine physician support programs at the end of the month, but it’s too soon to say whether the government’s medicine is working.

The Alberta Medical Association says the government agreed to hold off on the cuts for at least a few months after the two sides reached an agreement in principle on a funding deal.

Association president Dr. Patrick White says doctors are furious about the threat to the programs that would cost family physicians and general practitioners about $35,000 a year. He says the “intimidation” has soured years of goodwill with doctors and warns the government will face a backlash if the programs aren’t part of a new deal.

“We are very angry with the fact that the government threatened to discontinue programs which are vital to enabling physicians to deliver care to patients,” White said Tuesday.

“If they aren’t continued, I think they will face a significant rebellion from the profession. Doctors are already leaving the province. Physicians are already voting with their feet. This relationship has been severely damaged.”

Alberta Health officials said the master agreement calls for a freeze on all physician rates for two years and a raise in the third year based on a cost-of-living formula. The two sides hope to finalize the deal by June 30. The cost of the proposed deal was not released.

The support programs that are under the knife were designed to help recruit and retain family doctors, which are in short supply. They include subsidies for community-based medical practices, a program that encourages older doctors to continue to see patients and one that helps doctors work together in primary care clinics.

The government has agreed to continue the supports until the June 30 deadline, but there is no guarantee they will be included in the final deal.

Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky said he supports the programs but he is not at the bargaining table with the medical association. He said doctors must appreciate the fiscal realities facing Alberta, which is in its worst economic crunch since the 1930s.

“There is also the other side of the equation, and that has to do with physician rates, and I remain hopeful that the programs will be protected,” Zwozdesky said.

“All I’m saying is that I support the continuation of those programs, or as many of them that are economically feasible to support, and I hope that includes all of them.”

White said after eight years of working with the province under the current master agreement, the association is “mystified” at the change in tactics. He said doctors are aware the government is running deficits, but threatening to cut programs that are solving problems will just create new ones.

He said doctor shortages are a reality that could get worse. He noted that two pathologists in Calgary have served notice they will leave by this fall because of their heavy workloads. If replacements aren’t hired, southern Alberta will not have any pathologists.

“We’ve become very cynical, very angry and we are very disappointed,” White said.

“There is slight relief with the agreement in principle. We live to see if we can come up with a master agreement.”