EDMONTON — This afternoon, Bill 39: Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 (No. 2) was tabled in the Alberta legislature. The 144-page omnibus bill makes proposed changes to several pieces of existing health legislation, including the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act, as well as the so-called Compassionate Intervention Act, which permits forced treatment for Albertans who use drugs. This was passed last year in spite of significant evidence showing forced treatment could very well result in further harm and more fatalities.
“The Alberta government continues to use a wrecking-ball approach when it comes to public health care, and at a rapid pace. Bill 39 marks the fourth sweeping Health Statutes Amendment Act tabled by the Alberta government in slightly over a year. Each of these bills has made major changes to Albertans’ health care, with absolutely no mandate from the public,” said Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare. “At every turn, this government is finding ways to charge Albertans out of pocket for more care services, while prioritizing the interest of private insurance companies seeking to profit off of our care needs.”
Previous Health Statues Amendment Acts include Bill 55, which allows the government to appoint private entities to operate our hospitals, and Bill 29, which permits Albertans to pay privately for diagnostic services without a referral. Most concerning was Bill 11—a gift to the insurance industry—which permits physicians to work in the public and private health care systems simultaneously, bringing in a system of two-tier, American-style health care to Alberta.
“We are three years into the complete dismantling of Alberta’s health care system, and what do Albertans have to show for it? Everywhere we go, patients, families and health care workers all tell us the same thing: the system has never been more chaotic and access hasn’t gotten any better,” said Gallaway. “But instead of focusing on what Albertans really need—workforce planning, and action to increase capacity—the government remains focused on plowing ahead with convoluted administrative and legislative changes that merely line the pockets of the private, for-profit insurance and health care industry.”
Bill 39 also sets a framework for “self-insurance plans,” laying the groundwork for a much greater market for private, for-profit health insurance companies, and taking Alberta another step closer to two-tier, American-style health care. Insurance changes that came into effect last month are already costing Albertans more out of pocket to access their health care.
Friends of Medicare along with many others in Alberta and across the country have been vocal in our opposition to the UCP government’s ongoing efforts to implement U.S.-style health care, and Albertans have been clear that they do not support it.
“Albertans are proud of our equitable public health care and deserve a government that prioritizes patient care, not private profits. Everyone deserves timely access to quality public health care, without worrying about how they’re going to afford to be able to see a doctor, or whether or not they qualify for adequate insurance to cover the care they need,” concluded Gallaway.
Friends of Medicare continues to urge Albertans to speak out against two-tier, American-style health care by emailing the Federal Health Minister and their MP to enforce the Canada Health Act.
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