Alberta Health's expenses are budgeted at $18.9 billion in 2015-2016, about $160 million lower than 2014-2015.  Health will see a $950 million cut in 2015-16 through "significant restraint measures" by Alberta Health Services (AHS), cuts to Primary Care Networks (PCNs), and drug cost savings.

Today the Alberta Government released its Rural Health Services Review report. It highlighted and validated a number of concerns that rural Albertans have been sharing for a long time.

Health Minister Stephen Mandel and Alberta Health Services (AHS) CEO Vickie Kaminski held a press conference today to announce measures that aim to improve access to health care. However, the announcement raised more questions than answers. Mandel announced that they will be 'reallocating' $50 million from existing health care funds to the Peter Lougheed Hospital, South Health Campus, Misericordia Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital, and Grey Nuns Hospital to renovate and expand ER facilities.

February 19, 2015
EDMONTON

Yesterday Finance Minister Robin Campbell said the government is "keen" on the idea of bringing back health care premiums.

On February 6th Alberta Health Services (AHS) put out a request for proposal, inviting companies to submit proposals for the "provision of executive search services that will identify qualified, interested candidates to be considered for appointment as members of the Alberta Health Services board."

Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, issued the following statement today regarding the sale of Revera Home Health to Extendicare's ParaMed Home Health Care:

Friends of Medicare was appalled to hear that the Alberta Government is delaying the long-awaited cancer centre planned for Calgary. The government first promised funding to increase capacity for cancer care in 2005, and last year the government promised a world-class cancer facility would be open in Calgary by 2020. Now they are refusing to commit to a timeline for its completion.