Dear ACFP Members:
The Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) is concerned by the Government of Alberta’s announcement of legislation allowing privately purchased diagnostic screening and testing, including MRIs, CT scans, full-body scans, and blood work.
The ACFP stands with its partner organizations—many of whom already have voiced their concerns over the proposed legislation, including the Alberta Medical Association and its Section of Family Medicine—and share their sentiments around the issues it raises.
Preventative health is a core tenet of family medicine. As family physicians, we know our patients and have built trusted relationships with them over the years, developing a more fulsome understanding of their health needs. This unique perspective we hold as family physicians cannot be underestimated in its value by providing and helping navigate care and preventative health measures for our patients.
Preventative care is best delivered in the context of a longitudinal relationship with a family physician and team of providers who understand a person’s values and goals. In addition, family physicians are medical experts, helping our patients interpret evidence-based guidelines to adapt to the individual’s needs. When tests are done without the guidance of a medical expert, results are not only more difficult to interpret, but there is a risk of causing harm from further unnecessary investigations. In addition to the harm caused to individuals when inappropriate tests are done, health care system costs also rise.
The ACFP recognizes the government’s desire to improve access to diagnostic screening and testing services. However, further discussion, exploration, and consultation is needed to ensure that this legislation does not increase harm rather than increase access. In 2013, one report stated that unnecessary investigations cost the US health care system $210 billion dollars in wasted funds1. That money is better spent investing in team-based primary care2,3.
We encourage you to provide your thoughts and feedback to the Government of Alberta at PPHS.Minister@gov.ab.ca on the proposed legislation. If you have feedback for us on how we should be approaching advocacy on this topic, don’t hesitate to let us know at acfppres@acfp.ca.
Sincerely,
Melanie Hnatiuk, MD, CCFP, FCFP
President
Alberta College of Family Physicians
References
1. Carroll, Aaron E. The High Costs of Unnecessary Care. The JAMA Forum, JAMA Network, 2017 September 27. Accessed October 29, 2025
2. Canadian Medical Association. Why Canada’s health system needs (a lot more) team-based care. Accessed October 31, 2025.
3. College of Family Physicians of Canada. Evidence Summary – Patient’s Medical Home 2019: a new vision for family practice in Canada, 2020. Accessed October 31, 2025.
