“Say thank you”

@todmaffin

Somewhere between the balcony applause and ER hallways, we lost the plot.

♬ original sound – Tod Maffin

Add your voice – Friends of Medicare

Alberta has passed Bill 11, which allows for a two-tier healthcare system to exist. The result will see people with the necessary finances paying to jump the healthcare queue while those without such monetary resources waiting longer for their medical care.

With this reality taking shape in Alberta, the potential is that other provinces might follow suit.  To prevent this from happening, please consider sending this letter to Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel asking her to enforce the Canada Health Act.

Primary Care – What do we know?

In this video, Dr. Braden Manns highlights some things that are known about improving Canada’s primary care for patients, families, physicians….everyone.

@bradenmannsyyc

We know what works in primary care: planning, teams, and payment reform. The challenge is doing it at scale. Check out my substack for what the experts say needs to be done, and listen to Dr. Kiran’s podcast, the link is in my bio. #healthcarecanada #primarycare #ontariohealthcare

♬ original sound – bradenmannsyyc – bradenmannsyyc

Add Your Voice

“Bill 11 opens the door to two-tier, Americanized health care in Canada. We urgently need action from the Federal Government to safeguard our public health care and protect patients by speaking out against the Alberta government’s Bill 11 and enforcing the Canada Health Act.”  Click here to add your voice.

Alberta –  Dual practice medical model for several surgeries

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

In September, Alberta will be going to a dual practice medical model. This will allow doctors to bill surgeries to both public and private systems. The claim is that this dual system will reduce surgical wait times for patients. Will it?

If you have not read Stephen Hunt’s article, you may wish to do so.

MAID: 10-years in Canada

“‘We keep thinking that it’s all about death, but it isn’t. It’s about life.'”

This article looks at different perspectives surrounding MAID.

Alberta’s Bill 11

The law firm Goldblatt Partners describes the changes introduced by Bill 11 as “the most extensive privatization of payment for medically required physician services since the Canada Health Act’s enactment in 1984.”

They add that it “permits queue-jumping and creates a parallel private pathway for the provisions of medically necessary care to insured residents of Alberta, contrary to the core objectives and provisions of the Canada Health Act.”

Click here to read the full article.

https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2026/05/06/legal-expert-dual-practice-health-model-violates-federal-law/

As Food Prices Climb, Dispatches from the Aisles | The Tyee

“‘Food insecurity cannot be addressed with food. It must be addressed via income….We can’t ‘food bank’ our way out of food insecurity, we can’t ‘decrease food waste’ our way out of food insecurity, we can’t ‘smart shopping’ our way out of food insecurity.'”

Click here to read this Tyee article.

Bill 11 – Threat to Public Healthcare in Alberta and Beyond

Click here or on the above image to read the letter.

Alberta’s ‘Dual practice’ health plan: improve or worsen wait times?

Image by Wim van ‘t Einde https://unsplash.com/photos/clear-glass-hour-glass-with-blue-liquid-iEhFJJAMTK4?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditShareLink

The Alberta Givernment claims that their dual practice will decrease wait times. Others, including medical associations, physicians disagree.

“‘Doctors across Canada are deeply concerned about the Alberta government’s proposal to expand private health care…This plan would take resources away from the public system and create a private option that only some people could afford. That would mean longer waits, fewer available doctors, and more strain on the public system, the one that most people depend upon.'”

Read more here.