Alberta Health's expenses are budgeted at $19.7 billion for 2015-2016, which is an increase of $800 million from the budget initially issued in March 2015. This includes a promised funding increase of $10 million for needed mental health services.
Friends of Medicare is pleased to see these increases in the new 2015-2016 budget.
"While recognizing that this is a 'tough times budget' we are pleased to see that Alberta's new government has come through on their promise to invest in Albertans' health. This province voted for health care and we are finally seeing a move in the right direction, " indicates Sandra Azocar, Executive Director Friends of Medicare.
"This funding will help maintain our health system, yet we know there will be calls to control spending. We believe that efficiencies should be sought by making existing private contract arrangements transparent and looking at additional services to bring back under the public umbrella," adds Azocar.