A tentative agreement between Alberta's doctors and the provincial government would set the current physician services budget at the 2018-19 level and allow the government to withhold payments from doctors if overspending is expected. The agreement, dated Feb. 26, outlines the proposed physician services budget for the next three years:$4.571 billion for 2020-21 through 2021-22, the same amount as the actual physician services cost for 2018-19. "The AMA acknowledges that the physician services budget is established by the minister in the minister's sole discretion," it states. "The AMA further acknowledges that nothing in this agreement fetters the minister's authority or discretion with respect to the physician services budget." But one of those possible methods will likely prove contentious with the province's doctors.

Source: CBC News March 10, 2021 21:49 UTC