Alberta Medical Association Survey Finds Over Half of Doctors Would Leave an Independent Alberta A survey by the Alberta Medical Association found that 55 per cent of physicians would move to another province if Alberta separated from Canada, while only 15 per cent would stay, raising concerns about health-care funding and patient coverage ahead of the October 19 referendum. A new survey by the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) has found that more than half of doctors say they would not practise in an independent Alberta. Doctors Warn Of Alberta ExodusThe AMA represents physicians across the province and released the findings as Albertans prepare to vote on separation. Of the 1,649 physicians surveyed, 55 per cent said they would move to another Canadian province or territory if Alberta became an independent country. Only 15 per cent said they would continue living and practising in Alberta. Another 18 per cent said they were uncertain what they would do.A small percentage of respondents said they would retire or leave the medical field earlier than planned. The survey results suggest that hundreds of physicians could stop practising medicine in Alberta if the province separates from Canada. Tuesday also marked the first of five days of advance voting on separation. The official referendum day is scheduled for Oct. 19.The AMA said the upcoming referendum has raised concerns about what an independent Alberta would mean for the health-care system. Dr. Fell, speaking in a letter, said the association is focused on an important question as Albertans prepare to vote. Fell asked what the referendum outcomes could mean for patients, physicians and Alberta's health-care system.The AMA said that if Albertans choose to separate, the medical workforce would shrink and health care in an independent Alberta would be left in limbo. Fell said it is unclear how an independent Alberta would fill the health-care funding gap created after it loses federal money. She said that in addition to assuming federal health-care funding responsibilities, significant concerns remain about maintaining access to medicines, equipment and medical services.Health Care Funding And Coverage ConcernsThe referendum ballot includes nine questions about Canada's Constitution and immigration. Those questions ask whether the government should impose limitations and financial fees for newcomers and temporary workers accessing health care. The 10th question asks whether the province should stay in Canada or hold a second, binding referendum on leaving the country. The AMA also has questions about the effects of the immigration questions on health care should the government receive a mandate on them.One of Fell's questions is what doctors should do when someone needs necessary care but their eligibility cannot immediately be confirmed. She said physicians often need to make clinical decisions before a patient's identity, residency status or coverage can be verified. Fell said the AMA's position is straightforward: uncertainty about coverage should not unnecessarily delay care. She added that physicians and their staff should not be placed in the position of determining or enforcing a patient's immigration or coverage status.Fell said questions about coverage should ultimately be addressed through a reliable and timely administrative process. That would allow physicians to remain focused on clinical decisions and patients to receive the care they need. A government spokesperson said in an email Tuesday that it would be inappropriate to speculate on the outcome of the referendum or any technical legislative, policy or program changes that may follow until Albertans have had their say.The Calgary Chamber has also warned of economic fallout from an Alberta split. The referendum vote has been decades in the making, with the current ballot representing a long history of separatist sentiment in Alberta. Advance voting continues ahead of the official referendum day on Oct. 19.