News

More vulnerable Albertans left behind by SCS review

More vulnerable Albertans left behind by SCS review
Albertans have once again been presented with the findings of a government-appointed review committee, and as in the case of previous reports, it reflects a predetermined outcome consistent with the ideological bent of this government. Unsurprisingly, today’s presentation of the findings of the supervised consumption services (SCS) review committee provided exactly the ideological justification that this government needs to move forward on their dangerous plan to limit or eradicate harm reduction services in this province.
 
“This panel was only tasked with looking at one side of the story, the socioeconomic impact, and not on the human benefit of having this health care service available to the individuals who need it,” said Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.
Fom Friends of Medicare

Written by
March 05, 2020

  • More vulnerable Albertans left behind by SCS review

    More vulnerable Albertans left behind by SCS review
    Albertans have once again been presented with the findings of a government-appointed review committee, and as in the case of previous reports, it reflects a predetermined outcome consistent with the ideological bent of this government. Unsurprisingly, today’s presentation of the findings of the supervised consumption services (SCS) review committee provided exactly the ideological justification that this government needs to move forward on their dangerous plan to limit or eradicate harm reduction services in this province.
     
    “This panel was only tasked with looking at one side of the story, the socioeconomic impact, and not on the human benefit of having this health care service available to the individuals who need it,” said Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.
    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    March 05, 2020

  • Surgeries announcement poses more questions than answers

    Today Health Minister Shandro and Premier Kenney announced a $500 million investment as part of the Alberta Surgical Wait Times Initiative, and earmarked just $100 million of this amount to provide capital funding to upgrade and renovate surgical rooms and equipment and expand surgical capacity within the public system.
    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    March 04, 2020

  • Budget 2020 flatlines health care funding while cuts and privatization continue

    Today's budget sees a flatlining of the health care budget for 2020, with a spending increase of a mere 0.3% over the next three fiscal years. A minimum of 2.9% additional funding is necessary to keep Alberta's health care spending in line with inflation and population growth each year – the spending freeze through 2023, as outlined in today's budget, will mean fewer public dollars spent in the health care system. In terms of the impact on Albertans, the spending freeze will amount to a 9% reduction in health care spending in the next three years.
    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    February 27, 2020

  • Albertans for Ethical Drug Policy call on government to support supervised consumption services

    Albertans for Ethical Drug Policy call on government to support supervised consumption services

    February 26, 2020

    EDMONTON — Albertans for Ethical Drug Policy are disheartened by the potential changes coming to supervised consumption services (SCS) in our province, and are standing in solidarity today in support of these life-saving and evidence-based services. Today, more than 25 organizations from across the province and abroad are releasing a joint statement, calling on the government to commit to supporting SCS, and the organizations that provide it.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    February 26, 2020

  • Friends of Medicare's response to the Throne Speech

    Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, made the following statement today following the Alberta government's Throne Speech:

    The 2020 Throne Speech not only outlines business that the government will bring to the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming session, but also serves to direct the political discourse and narrative intended to shape and influence how we view and respond to the political challenges facing us.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    February 25, 2020

  • APWG: Pharmacare Bill signals a positive step towards a long-awaited national, universal Pharmacare program

    The Alberta Pharmacare Working Group (APWG) is encouraged by the tabling of Bill C-213, An act to enact the Canada Pharmacare Act. This private member’s bill, introduced by Peter Julian, MP for New Westminster-Burnaby, proposes the framework for the implementation of a national pharmacare program modeled after the Canada Health Act, and founded in the principles of public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability and accessibility.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    February 24, 2020

  • Alberta's seniors continue to suffer at the expense of corporate profit

    Alberta's seniors continue to suffer at the expense of corporate profit

     
    Yesterday, CBC’s investigative unit, Go Public,     released a story that showcases the painful reality facing our current elder care system, revealing that an Alberta continuing care facility, Extendicare Athabasca, has been alleged to have rationed diapers, leaving incontinent residents in medical duress.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    February 24, 2020

  • Unilaterally ripping up doctors agreements will leave Albertans paying more out of pocket

    February 20, 2020
    EDMONTON

    Unilaterally ripping up doctors' agreement will leave Albertans paying more out of pocket

    Today, Minister Shandro announced that his government would be terminating the current contract between the Alberta government and the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), and, as per the MacKinnon Report, using “legislative options” to make changes to physician compensation. No mention was made as to the resulting delisting of services from the Schedule of Medical Benefits (SOMB), which lists everything that physicians and health practitioners are able to bill for.

    “As we have seen over the years, anytime services are delisted, the costs are passed down to patients,” says Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    February 20, 2020

  • FOM's response to the AHS review

    With the release of the much-awaited performance review of Alberta Health Services (AHS), Albertans will have to wait until May 2020 to fully understand the real life consequences that the recommendations will have on Albertans.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    February 03, 2020

  • Alberta Government bent on privatization, rather than the public good

    Alberta Health Services (AHS) released a Request for Expression of Interest today for surgical services in Alberta. The request follows a government announcement of a new initiative to contract out surgical services.
    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    January 31, 2020