A brief summary of why I decided to vote "no" on ratifying the agreement between @Albertadoctors and @GoAHealth.
A thread. #abhealth #abpoli #ableg 1/16
A thread. #abhealth #abpoli #ableg 1/16
2/16
This decision was difficult and I contemplated both options since the potential agreement was announced. In speaking with colleagues it is clear this vote will be a difficult decision for all of us. It truly feels like a lose-lose situation.
This decision was difficult and I contemplated both options since the potential agreement was announced. In speaking with colleagues it is clear this vote will be a difficult decision for all of us. It truly feels like a lose-lose situation.
3/16
So my reasoning:
- The agreement depends on good faith bargaining and trust between MDs and the government. They have demonstrated that they will not bargain in good faith and have spent a year shattering any trust.
So my reasoning:
- The agreement depends on good faith bargaining and trust between MDs and the government. They have demonstrated that they will not bargain in good faith and have spent a year shattering any trust.
4/16
- Recent letters from @shandro change nothing. He has spent a year lying and misleading the public. It will take ACTION to regain trust. Words alone, let alone right before this vote, are meaningless at best and come off as manipulative at worst.
- Recent letters from @shandro change nothing. He has spent a year lying and misleading the public. It will take ACTION to regain trust. Words alone, let alone right before this vote, are meaningless at best and come off as manipulative at worst.
5/16
- His decision to say that there never was a 'fight with doctors' only solidifies my belief that nothing will change with this agreement. The war on public healthcare will continue. Gaslighting will continue. My patients will suffer because of his decisions.
- His decision to say that there never was a 'fight with doctors' only solidifies my belief that nothing will change with this agreement. The war on public healthcare will continue. Gaslighting will continue. My patients will suffer because of his decisions.
6/16
- The agreement does not state anything specific. All is left up to interpretation. Issues which have been of the upmost importance to MDs are either not mentioned, or left TBD.
- Cuts are not cancelled, simply delayed.
- The agreement does not state anything specific. All is left up to interpretation. Issues which have been of the upmost importance to MDs are either not mentioned, or left TBD.
- Cuts are not cancelled, simply delayed.
7/16
- The AMA already offered an across the board 5% cut to MD payments. This was rejected by the government. This agreement proposes SMALLER cuts, but undermines our right to arbitration, and sets the stage for unmitigated control of our profession by the gov't in the future.
- The AMA already offered an across the board 5% cut to MD payments. This was rejected by the government. This agreement proposes SMALLER cuts, but undermines our right to arbitration, and sets the stage for unmitigated control of our profession by the gov't in the future.
8/16
- This agreement is rife with opportunities for it to be abused by this gov't. I feel it will be used as a tool to further manipulate the system, and to create the illusion that MDs are in agreement with whatever chaos the gov't sows.
- This agreement is rife with opportunities for it to be abused by this gov't. I feel it will be used as a tool to further manipulate the system, and to create the illusion that MDs are in agreement with whatever chaos the gov't sows.
9/16
- Any agreement with this gov't is meaningless as long as they can unilaterally cancel it. Yes they mention an exception for MDs to this bill. But I do not feel right being exempt while those in education and other HCW are not.
- Any agreement with this gov't is meaningless as long as they can unilaterally cancel it. Yes they mention an exception for MDs to this bill. But I do not feel right being exempt while those in education and other HCW are not.
10/16
- Significant damage to healthcare has already been done by the UCP. This agreement does not have a plan to fix this. In fact, the budget caps as they are will only further contribute to a physician shortage. This is disproportionally affect rural Albertans.
- Significant damage to healthcare has already been done by the UCP. This agreement does not have a plan to fix this. In fact, the budget caps as they are will only further contribute to a physician shortage. This is disproportionally affect rural Albertans.
11/16
- Abandoning the lawsuit is a non-starter for me. This government broke the law and infringed on our rights. They put us and the system through hell for over a year. I won't let them off the hook because they burned their political capital and needed an agreement.
- Abandoning the lawsuit is a non-starter for me. This government broke the law and infringed on our rights. They put us and the system through hell for over a year. I won't let them off the hook because they burned their political capital and needed an agreement.
12/16
- I feel that this agreement is bad for the system, and bad for patients. In the long run it will further undermine family medicine. A strong primary care system is the backbone of any successful system, and this agreement will actively work against that.
- I feel that this agreement is bad for the system, and bad for patients. In the long run it will further undermine family medicine. A strong primary care system is the backbone of any successful system, and this agreement will actively work against that.
13/16
I could add another 20 tweets, but I will end it here. I feel that the path forward with, or without, an agreement will be difficult. However, I can not accept that I would appear complicit in the damage being done by this gov't if I voted yes.
I could add another 20 tweets, but I will end it here. I feel that the path forward with, or without, an agreement will be difficult. However, I can not accept that I would appear complicit in the damage being done by this gov't if I voted yes.
14/16
I do not blame those that vote yes. We all must do what we feel is right. The reality is that a no vote is likely going to bring a lot of pain to MDs in the short term. It is likely that the gov't will retaliate.
I do not blame those that vote yes. We all must do what we feel is right. The reality is that a no vote is likely going to bring a lot of pain to MDs in the short term. It is likely that the gov't will retaliate.
15/16
My vote is for the long term. It is what I think will lead to the best outcomes for patients, the system, and my profession in the long run.
My vote is for the long term. It is what I think will lead to the best outcomes for patients, the system, and my profession in the long run.
16/16
And to those in @UnitedNurses @CupeAB @albertateachers @_AUPE_ and all the other frontline workers hung out to dry by this government know that Alberta's MDs stand with you and appreciate all that you do.
And to those in @UnitedNurses @CupeAB @albertateachers @_AUPE_ and all the other frontline workers hung out to dry by this government know that Alberta's MDs stand with you and appreciate all that you do.
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