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fighting to save alberta’s primary care clinics: the founding of apccoa

when clinics close or go bankrupt, the health care of entire communities is affected

by leslie assini, apccoa
published jan 08, 2026
read time 3 minute read
read time 3 minute read
apccoa
“it wasn’t just numbers — it was our children, parents and neighbours left without basic health care,” says dr. andrew kohler, one of the principal founders of apccoa. supplied
alberta is grappling with an urgent health-care crisis: primary care clinics are shutting down at an alarming rate, leaving many communities without reliable access to essential medical services and putting a major strain on alberta’s health-care system. 
recent estimates reveal a staggering reality: more than 700,000 albertans do not have a family doctor, and this number continues to rise as more clinics shut their doors or struggle to get off the ground. 
the consequences ripple outward — emergency rooms become overwhelmed, regular checkups and preventive care are missed and hospitalizations increase as untreated health needs worsen. 
at the heart of this crisis are the owners of alberta’s primary care clinics. confronted with escalating operational expenses, limited financial support and a shortage of physicians, these clinic owners are often forced to make difficult decisions just to keep clinics open. when clinics close or go bankrupt, the health care of entire communities is affected. 
recognizing an urgent need for change, a determined group of clinic owners founded the alberta primary care clinic owners association (apccoa) in 2024. the apccoa quickly united to protect clinics, champion owners and ensure every albertan gets the care they deserve in their own community. 
dr. andrew kohler, a respected primary care clinic owner and one of the principal founders of the alberta primary care clinic owners association (apccoa), explains, “we saw our colleagues burning out and our communities losing their family doctors. it wasn’t just numbers — it was our children, parents and neighbours left without basic health care. we realized if we didn’t act, the situation would only get worse.”  
for years now, many clinic owners have been subsidizing their practices out of pocket or operating at a loss due to rising overhead costs and an unsustainable fee-for-service model. most family physicians are responsible for significant business expenses, including staff salaries, leases, insurance and medical equipment. while these costs have all increased over time, the compensation for providing primary care services has not kept pace.    
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fighting to save alberta’s primary care clinics: the founding of apccoa
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additionally, as alberta’s population ages, family practices are managing more complex chronic conditions, which demand longer appointments and greater resources. “we’re seeing more patients with chronic issues like hypertension, diabetes, cancer and mental health challenges,” explains dr. kohler. “this surge is placing tremendous pressure on our clinics.” 
again, while the demands on a physician’s time and resources have increased, the current billing system does not adequately capture these needs, leaving clinics struggling to keep up.  
“primary care is the cornerstone of our health-care system,” explains kohler. “it manages 90 per cent of patient needs. if the clinics can’t keep their doors open, entire communities pay the price.”   
with little-to-no external support available, apccoa united with a shared commitment to protect alberta’s primary care clinics for future generations. today, apccoa stands as the province’s first and only organization dedicated exclusively to championing primary care clinic owners. apccoa provides advocacy, cost-saving strategies, valuable resources and mentorship, empowering its members to strengthen and sustain the future of primary care in alberta. 
operating independently from the alberta medical association, the apccoa works closely with government agencies to tackle the policy issues impacting clinic owners. and now, more than ever, it’s the knowledge and experience of clinic owners that are needed to shape the reforms that will decide the future of primary care in alberta. 
alberta’s primary care clinics stand at a critical crossroads: without immediate advocacy and support, the foundation of community health is at risk. as dr. kohler reflects, “we’re not just fighting for our businesses. we’re fighting for the entire health-care system — for every albertan who needs a family doctor, for every clinic that’s on the brink of closing. the time to act is now.” 
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for more information or to join, visit www.apccoa.ca or contact info@apccoa.ca.  
this story was provided by apccoa for commercial purposes.