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Council of the Federation

July 23, 2015 10:00 AM

Canadian Medical Association President, Dr. Christopher Simpson, and Friends of Medicare Executive Director, Sandra Azocar, with members of the Canadian Health Coalition

Canadian Medical Association President, Dr. Christopher Simpson, and Friends of Medicare Executive Director, Sandra Azocar, with members of the Canadian Health Coalition.

Meeting with Health Minister Sarah Hoffman

July 23, 2015 8:30 AM

On Monday, July 20, 2015, the Board members and the staff of Friends of Medicare met with Health Minister Sarah Hoffman. The meeting was productive and insightful, with mutual respect and shared values characterizing the exchanges.

Moving Day! August 15

July 23, 2015 8:00 AM

We will be moving to a new office on August 15, 2015, located at 601 - 12323 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton AB.

An open letter on health care to Alberta''s incoming Premier Jim Prentice

September 06, 2014 12:00 PM

Friends of Medicare congratulates Jim Prentice on winning the leadership of the Alberta PC Party and becoming the Premier-designate. The following open letter is to Mr. Prentice on the future of health care in Alberta:

Future of health care at stake

June 02, 2014 12:00 PM

By Paul Cowley - Red Deer Advocate

Published: June 01, 2014

In a B.C. courtroom this fall, nothing less than the future of Canada’s health-care system will be at stake, says the B.C. Health Coalition.

Alberta health care can be better, but not through lawsuits and a two-tier system

April 11, 2014 12:00 PM

The following opinion article was published in the Medicine Hat News on April 11, 2014 (available on their website here).

On April 2, Justice P. R. Jeffrey of Alberta’s Court of Queen’s Bench rejected the claim put forward by lawyer John Carpay on behalf of Darcy Allen that prohibition on private health insurance in Alberta infringes on Mr. Allen’s Charter Rights.

Improvements in health-care system showcased

February 10, 2014 12:00 PM

BY CHARLES LEFEBVRE ON FEBRUARY 10, 2014.

Accessed via Medicine Hat News here.

@MHNLefebvre

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Azocar: Medical tourism is a sickness, not a cure

January 23, 2014 12:00 PM

The following op-ed was published in the Calgary Herald on January 23, 2014. It can be found on the Calgary Herald's website here:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/op-ed/Azocar+Medical+tourism+sickness+cure/9423128/story.html

The op-ed was written as a response to the following article:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Have+scalpel+will+travel+Alberta+surgeons+operate+abroad+bypass+wait+times/9405898/story.html

Budget will hurt long-term care services

March 08, 2013 12:00 PM

FRIDAY, 08 MARCH 2013 00:00 ALEX MCCUAIG

ALEX McCUAIG

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Twitter:MHNMcCuaig

The three-per-cent increase in Alberta health care spending was highlighted as one of the few increases in this year's budget. To the local Friends of Medicare chapter, compared to the promised 4.5-per-cent increase in 2013, it represents nothing but a cut.

Funding formula will make health-care crisis worse: group

January 31, 2013 12:00 PM

Friends of Medicare members Sam Denhaan, Sandra Azocar, and Brenda Corney visited Symphony Senior Living Aspen Ridge on Wednesday to show their support for striking AUPE staff.

SUSAN ZIELINSKI/Advocate staff
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By Susan Zielinski - Red Deer Advocate
Published: January 31, 2013 8:35 AM

Friends of Medicare says the crisis in seniors care happening at Symphony Senior Living Aspen Ridge is only the beginning.

Nearly 130 licensed practical nurses, health-care aides and other staff walked off the job on Monday after contract talks failed at the seniors care facility located at 3100 22nd St. in Red Deer.