Thread by @UofA007MD

A thread about the latest way the UCP is making it harder by the day to stay and fight for my patients, our health care system, and my province.

I recently sold my farm, b/c it looked like I wouldn't be able to afford the upkeep under the current circumstances. 1/

Luckily, it sold not long after COVID hit, before many of the economic effects had shown themselves (I doubt I would easily find a buyer now if I had waited). But sold for a lot less than I paid for it.

My plan was to buy a house in the town where my clinic is located, and... 2/

... where I do hospital work. Moved into a rental temporarily while looking for a suitable house.

Have just heard from the mortgage broker that I didn't get approved for the house I put an offer on. Asked him if I could get approved for a smaller amount, like $195K for a... 3/

...2 bed/1 bath. He said very unlikely, given the "current circumstances."

Granted, I have a $190K mortgage on a condo in the city, which a relative has been renting from me for the past 10+yrs (for the exact cost of mortgage and condo fees, no income for me). I also still...4/

...have almost $100K in student debt, which has been paid down from the $250K debt I graduated w/. And I have debt taken on to set up my clinic when I arrived in town. But the exact wording from the mortgage broker was that "the fact it's all over the news that the UCP is...5/

...at war w/ doctors, paints a pretty grim picture." Apparently, banks now consider docs high risk to lend to.

The destabilizing effects the UCP has had on AB, and the medical profession in particular, has created a situation where this rural doc (who Kenney claims is...6/

...among the "1%"/"highest earners") can't qualify for a mortgage of $157K ($195K house w/ 20% down). In the town where I've practiced for almost 15yrs.

I respect my colleagues who have made the difficult decision to relocate out of province, because I know the stress...6/

...they're facing and that they have to do what's best for their families. That being said, I've remained motivated to stay and fight for what's right. But it seems like there's a new obstacle at every turn. I didn't see this one coming, and I can't imagine it's going to...7/

...help convince many ppl to stay and fight.

@DShepYEG @AB_MD_WarRoom @Hell_Berta @RachelNotley @abndpcaucus

#FiretheUCP #Shandemic #ABdocs4patients

Edit: Twitter still needs an edit button. Looks like I misnumbered the tweets towards the end of my thread. 🤦‍♀️