SMA stops in Yorkton to talk to physicians

The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) wants to keep in touch with doctors across the province and push for things those doctors feel are important. That’s the reason behind their annual president’s tour, which stopped in Yorkton recently.

SMA President Dr. Joanne Sivertson  and SMA Vice President Dr. Siva Karunakaran were in the city to talk to local physicians about what their concerns are, as well as talk about what the SMA is working on.

Two issues were high on the priority list for this tour, Karunakaran says. One was the amalgamation of the health regions in Saskatchewan, and the impact that will have on physicians and their practices as this occurs. The other is the proposed federal tax changes, and how they will impact physicians who are incorporated. 

The tour will be used to set the SMA’s agenda for the next year, with the concerns raised by physicians being the basis for their work in the next year.

“It tells us what we need to work on over the next year. We have identified certain areas and we like to hear from members about what they want us to work on.” 

Yorkton was the second stop tour, but Karunakaran says that the changes in tax laws have already become a priority for the SMA. Karunakaran notes that 1,800 of the 2,200 practicing physicians in the province are incorporated, and this could have a big impact on their livelihood.

“That will change the way they operate and how they are taxed, so that’s a big concern for us.”

With the health board amalgamation, the main concern is the uncertainty that having an amalgamation involves, but Karunakaran is confident that the concerns of the SMA are being heard during the process, as they have had physicians as part of the amalgamation process.

“We don’t know how this is going to evolve. We have certain priorities and we have indicated to the government one of the areas is that we would like to have an integrated patient-centered health care system, and we would like to have physician leadership in various levels.”

The main goal of the tour is to get the concerns of physicians across the province.

“It’s important for us to connect with our members,” concluded Karunakaran.