Friends of Medicare recently completed a tour of the province, with stops in 25 communities from Fort McMurray, to Drayton Valley, to Lethbridge — and everywhere in between! We spoke to many municipal leaders who reported they are trying to find ways to fill the gaps in the health care services available in their communities, often using municipal tax dollars to fund what is provincial jurisdiction.

This shift and its impacts on communities and residents is not being tracked at the provincial level. We've been conducting research into the overlooked role that Alberta municipalities are increasingly playing in ensuring access to health care services.

What we've learned (so far):

Alberta municipalities — particularly in rural communities — are increasingly assuming costs of providing health services, fueled by insufficient provincial investment and a severe physician shortage. 

➤ Read the interim report: Filling the Gap

As of this fall, municipal employers in Alberta stand to incur significant increases to health care and benefit costs, as a result of major changes made through recent Health Statutes Amendment Acts: Bill 11 and Bill 29.

➤ Get the factsheet: How Heath Care Changes Will Impact Alberta Employers

Our research is ongoing: 

Are you a municipal leader in Alberta? What health care gaps is your community experiencing? What policy tools is your local government using to fill them?

➤ Take our survey

➤ Sign up to be interviewed by a researcher

 
Thank you for your time and participation in this project! 

Friends of Medicare is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and strengthening Alberta’s public health care. Learn more.