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TPP the Wrong Prescription for a Healthy Democracy

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.”

Fom Friends of Medicare

Written by
April 19, 2016

  • TPP the Wrong Prescription for a Healthy Democracy

    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.”

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    April 19, 2016

  • Budget 2016 Provides Healthcare Stability in Tough Times

    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.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    April 14, 2016

  • Audit of Copeman Clinic Applauded and Should be Expanded to Other Clinics

    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.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    April 14, 2016

  • 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:

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    March 31, 2016

  • It's Time for a New Health Accord

    Today March 31st, 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.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    March 31, 2016

  • Sundre Bed Closures Show Lack of Commitment to Care and Community

    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.

     

    March 15, 2016

  • Immediate Mental Health Commitment Needed Despite Downturn

    Immediate Mental Health Commitment Needed Despite Downturn

    Friends of Medicare are calling on the Alberta government to prioritize greater investment in mental health in light of the released "Valuing Mental Health" report.

    "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.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    February 23, 2016

  • Fertility Clinic Privatization a Broken NDP Promise to Albertans

    Fertility Clinic Privatization a  Broken NDP Promise to Albertans

    News in today's Edmonton Journal about the opening of a privately run fertility clinic in Edmonton this year is a broken promise on private health care from Alberta's NDP Government.

     

    "While delivery decisions may be made by AHS, ultimately, policy directives to privatize services rests with the Ministry of Health. We believe that the Minister should put an end to this experiment," said Friends of Medicare Executive Director Sandra Azocar. 
    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    January 11, 2016

  • Shift Continuing Care to Public Sector

    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

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    December 08, 2015

  • Kaminski Resignation Brings Hope for Change in AHS

    Today's announcement of the resignation of Alberta Health Services President and CEO Vickie Kaminski is a welcome step says Friends of Medicare.
     
    "We have a new government but AHS had not changed," said Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.  "Until this new government deals effectively with the governance structure of our health care system we will not be able to focus on the real work of improving our health care to ensure that Albertans receive timely, quality, publicly funded and delivered health care."
    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    November 26, 2015