News

Copeman Corporate Welfare Unacceptable

May 26, 2016 12:49 PM

Copeman Corporate Welfare Unacceptable

Following today's CBC story on the Copeman clinic Friends of Medicare are calling on the Provincial and Federal Governments to take responsibility for protecting the interests of patients and our public health care system. The story highlighted instances of both patients and Alberta Health Services paying for services, with additional strain on our public purse through tax deductions for Copeman patients.

Lab Report Confirms Lack of Evidence to Support Privatization

May 03, 2016 2:55 PM

Lab Report Confirms Lack of Evidence to Support Privatization

Friends of Medicare are encouraged by today's release of the Health Quality Council of Alberta
report confirming a lack of evidence was gathered to support the privatization of Edmonton and Northern Alberta lab services.

TPP the Wrong Prescription for a Healthy Democracy

April 19, 2016 10:30 AM

TPP the Wrong Prescription for a Healthy Democracy

Friends of Medicare are speaking out on the potential harm the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement will cause to Canada’s health system.

At House of Commons consultations in Calgary, Executive Director Sandra Azocar made the case that the TPP “limits Canadians ability to find democratic and public solutions to ongoing healthcare issues, most notably on pharmaceutical costs.”

Budget 2016 Provides Healthcare Stability in Tough Times

April 14, 2016 4:00 PM

Budget 2016 Provides Healthcare Stability in Tough Times

With funding increases of 3% for health care in 2016, Friends of Medicare are relieved to see population growth and inflation met with 2016 spending despite the economic downturn and pressures for funding cuts.

Audit of Copeman Clinic Applauded and Should be Expanded to Other Clinics

April 14, 2016 10:00 AM

Audit of Copeman Clinic Applauded and Should be Expanded to Other Clinics

In light of the news that Health Minister Sarah Hoffman is initiating a long called for audit of the private-for-profit Copeman clinic, Friends of Medicare are calling on the Alberta Government to expand their audit beyond just Copeman.

Alberta Can Show Leadership in Banning Pay-for-Plasma

March 31, 2016 3:35 PM

Alberta Can Show Leadership in Banning Pay-for-Plasma

On March 31st, 2016 an Open Letter was sent to the Honorable Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman, urging the Alberta government to enact our own legislation banning the sale of blood and plasma as soon as possible in order to safeguard the health of Canadians and the integrity of our voluntary blood donation system:

It's Time for a New Health Accord

March 31, 2016 10:41 AM

Today March 31^st, marks 12 years since the last negotiation of a Canadian Health Accord. That accord had expired in 2014. We continue to see aggressive and increased privatization, from pay-for-plasma to private MRIs and much more. We have stalled on progress towards a national seniors strategy and still do not have a commitment to a national public drug plan. The need for a new accord is clear.

Fertility Clinic Privatization a Broken NDP Promise to Albertans

News in today's Edmonton Journal about the opening of a privately run fertility clinic in Edmonton this year is a broken promise on private health care from Alberta's NDP Government.

"While delivery decisions may be made by AHS, ultimately, policy directives to privatize services rests with the Ministry of Health. We believe that the Minister should put an end to this experiment," said Friends of Medicare Executive Director Sandra Azocar.

News

Copeman Corporate Welfare Unacceptable

Copeman Corporate Welfare Unacceptable

Lab Report Confirms Lack of Evidence to Support Privatization

Lab Report Confirms Lack of Evidence to Support Privatization

TPP the Wrong Prescription for a Healthy Democracy

TPP the Wrong Prescription for a Healthy Democracy

Budget 2016 Provides Healthcare Stability in Tough Times

Budget 2016 Provides Healthcare Stability in Tough Times

Audit of Copeman Clinic Applauded and Should be Expanded to Other Clinics

Audit of Copeman Clinic Applauded and Should be Expanded to Other Clinics

Alberta Can Show Leadership in Banning Pay-for-Plasma

Alberta Can Show Leadership in Banning Pay-for-Plasma

It's Time for a New Health Accord

Sundre Bed Closures Show Lack of Commitment to Care and Community

Immediate Mental Health Commitment Needed Despite Downturn

Immediate Mental Health Commitment Needed Despite Downturn

Fertility Clinic Privatization a Broken NDP Promise to Albertans

Fertility Clinic Privatization a Broken NDP Promise to Albertans

Copeman Corporate Welfare Unacceptable