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

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

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

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:

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.

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.

Immediate Mental Health Commitment Needed Despite Downturn

"The increased funding for mental health in Budget 2015 was a welcome first step towards improved mental health services, yesterdays report indicates greater investment is needed," said communications staff Trevor Zimmerman.

Fertility Clinic Privatization a  Broken NDP Promise to Albertans

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