Albertans tell AMA "where it hurts"

Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 154: 1069

More than 50 000 Albertans signed postcards, wrote letters, sent email messages or phoned a toll-free number to tell the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) how they have been affected by budget cuts to health care. Results of the Tell us where it hurts public-awareness campaign indicate that Albertans have lost confidence in the health care system and want the government to stop the budget cuts, says Dr. Guy Gokiert, the AMA president. Overall, Albertans are frustrated by the deterioration of health care in the province and the perceived "budgets-before-people" philosophy of Premier Ralph Klein's government. Major concerns include fear for the future (23% of respondents), a smaller number of health care providers (23%) and long waits for surgery and services (20%). Almost 20% of respondents expressed concern about privatization and its effect on public access to quality care. However, Albertans had high praise for health care providers and the work they do, and 90% supported the physicians' "stop-the-cuts" message.

| CMAJ April 1, 1996 (vol 154, no 7) |