news_calgary at Friends of Medicare

The New Calgary Chapter

Posted on Blog · March 19, 2019 3:53 PM

On March 12, Calgary regained a Chapter of Friends of Medicare.

Welcome to the new Chapter Executive!

Sundre Bed Closures Show Lack of Commitment to Care and Community

Posted on news · March 15, 2016 12:46 PM

Friends of Medicare are calling on Alberta Health Services to consult with and respect the wishes of the people of Sundre and the long-term care residents in the Sundre hospital.

Shift Continuing Care to Public Sector

Posted on news · December 08, 2015 2:40 PM

From the December 8 Edmonton Journal:

http://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-shift-continuing-care-to-public-sector

Written by Executive Director Sandra Azocar and Public Interest Alberta's Seniors Task Force Chair Noel Somerville

Government should redirect public funding from for-profit continuing care facilities, say Noel Somerville and Sandra Azocar

Victorian Order of Nurses Closure Another Example of Failure in Private Care

Posted on news · November 25, 2015 3:11 PM

After announcing today that they will be ceasing operations in Alberta, home care provider Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) have demonstrated yet again why experiments in private care must be ceased.

"This is now twice since 2013 AHS has lost a contract for home care services," said Friends of Medicare Executive Director Sandra Azocar. "Home care should not be subject to the pressures of a competitive market. It's clear that instead of a race to the top for quality care, we have a race to the bottom to slash costs which squeezes out not-for-profit groups like VON."

Centralization of Ambulance Dispatch Services in Calgary Will Add Further Stress to Emergency System

Posted on news · October 09, 2014 12:00 PM

"When you are in a life-and-death situation seconds do count," says Friends of Medicare

The plan to continue the centralization of Ambulance Dispatch System in Calgary continues full steam ahead despite the wishes of Albertans, says Friends of Medicare.

NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON'T: PRENTICE DISAPPEARS FROM BOARD OF HOLDINGS COMPANY THAT OWNS $4,495-A-YEAR CONCIERGE CLINIC

Posted on news · June 06, 2014 12:00 PM

Premier-to-be must level with Albertans about his personal financial interest in elitist private health care

In May 2012, Jim Prentice joined the Board of Coril Holdings Ltd. Coril is a Calgary-based private investment company that owns Inliv, a big medical clinic in Calgary which aggressively markets a product called "Total Health Management," at a cost of $4,495 a year.

Closure of Banff Mineral Springs Hospital maternity beds another slap in the face to rural families

Posted on news · March 23, 2013 12:00 PM

Friends of Medicare is standing in support of Banff community members and physicians who are in court today asking for an injunction and a judicial review to keep the maternity beds open at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital.