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.
If you are in an emergency room on Vancouver Island and see carts being wheeled around filled with items such as blankets, neck pillows, and stuffed animals, you are probably in one of urgent care facilities that are implementing “Comfort Carts.” The single-use items on the cart are given to seniors as way to help individuals feel more comfortable as they wait to receive healthcare. “‘And gosh, does it ever feel good when you see the smile on a senior’s face, or the comfort, that look of relief when you provide those kinds of items to a senior in distress.'”
Click here to read more about this initiative.
Click here or on the above image to read the letter.
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.
Check out this thread to read @RajSherman’s full letter.
“‘This is going to take all Albertans standing up together to protect the public health care that we all deserve.'”
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If you have not yet read Dr. Saxinger’s X thread, please consider doing so.
Click here or on the image below to access the full thread without X.
“Experts have already proven that dual-tier systems don’t fix wait times; they just prioritize profit over people. Why are we following like sheep when we should be leading the world in public health?”
Are you interested in what is happening in Alberta’s hospitals related to closures, services available etc? If so, check out the Frazzlehead substack.
Dr. Paul Parks shares some healthcare-related concerns with Ryan Jesperson on @realtalkrj.
