Blog

Setting the stage for 2019

May 22, 2018 3:53 PM

Setting the stage for 2019

Matters to be considered as we approach Election 2019

With an international spotlight on the divisive UCP debate on May 6 at their AGM in Red Deer over notifying parents of children joining Gay-Straight-Alliances, another important debate was being overlooked.

The UCP chose to head down a dangerous path to American style for-profit health care where the wealthy can pay to push the rest of us to the back of the line.

Graff-McRae: Some modes of elder care delivery are more equal than others

February 12, 2018 10:23 AM

Some Modes of Elder Care Delivery Are More Equal Than Others

We wanted to share this article from Rebecca Graff-McRae, a research manager at the Parkland Institute. The article originally appeared in the Calgary Herald on February 10, 2018.

Public Good or Private Profit?

February 07, 2018 11:42 AM

Public Good or Private Profit?

Who will benefit from new home care funding?

This article was included in our 2017 year end newsletter sent to Friends of Medicare members. We intend to publish our newsletter every year so make sure you sign up today so you can get your copy for 2018!

Friends of Medicare were pleased to see Alberta's Budget 2017 include a $201 million increase to community and home care funding, an 11% increase from the previous year.

Investment in home care will be a key priority in providing more dignified care, allowing seniors and other patients to stay in their homes. Without adequate homecare, many patients will end up in significantly more expensive long-term care or even hospital beds.

Making Improvements or Losing Ground?

February 07, 2018 11:17 AM

Making Improvements or Losing Ground?

Alberta Seniors Deserve Better Long-Term Care

There's an understanding in Alberta that our continuing care system is in crisis. This was acknowledged by the Alberta NDP in the 2015 election, and more recently by the University of Alberta based Parkland Institute in their fall 2016 report "Losing Ground" by David Campanella.

The Parkland report shined a light on what Friends of Medicare has been saying for years - that public ownership and operation of long-term care was preferable to privatization, and that patients were being short changed by the growth of private providers.

My Body My Choice?

February 06, 2018 10:06 AM

My Body My Choice?

Abortion Pills, Hormone Replacement Therapy, and Fertility Services

The Alberta Government announced on July 24 that they would be providing access to Mifegymiso, a medical abortion pill, at no cost to all Albertans.

Health Minister Sarah Hoffman was quoted on the decision saying "Women's reproductive options should not be determined by their income or where they live."

It's Time to Expand Medicare

February 05, 2018 12:46 PM

It's Time to Expand Medicare

Will Canadians See Pharmacare Started by 2020?

by Trevor Zimmerman - pictured below speaking on pharmacare in Medicine Hat. Photo credit Jason Soklofske.

2020 is "the year we begin to see national pharmacare being implemented," said Liberal MP John Oliver to a recent iPoliticsLive luncheon panel.

This is welcome news, but we still don't have a commitment from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or any members of the federal Liberal cabinet. The campaign for pharmacare is far from over.