EDMONTON – With the federal Liberal caucus meeting for their pre-session retreat in Edmonton this week, Friends of Medicare is joining the Canadian Health Coalition and allies from Alberta and across Canada for a rally to call on the Federal Government to keep their promise to implement and expand a national Pharmacare plan.

The historic passing of Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare last October brought us closer than we’ve ever been to achieving universal drug coverage in Canada, with a preliminary plan for universal coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medication and devices. Since then, bilateral agreements have been signed by the federal government with Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon, to get coverage for diabetes and contraceptive medications under way. Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have all been mentioned as potentially being next in line.

EDMONTON — Each year, August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). It is an opportunity to mourn those we have lost, and to refocus our collective work to end overdose and tackle the toxic drug poisoning crisis in our communities. This year’s IOAD comes just weeks after the Edmonton region hit an all-time monthly high for drug poisoning deaths.

FORT MCMURRAY — Residents from Fort McMurray and the Wood Buffalo region have come together to launch a new Friends of Medicare chapter, to advocate for the protection and expansion of public health care in north-east Alberta and beyond.

EDMONTON — Yesterday afternoon, some of Alberta’s health care unions announced they had reached a deal with Alberta Health Services to ensure their members would be able to receive the COVID-19 immunizations free of charge on a voluntary basis. This is a change from the Alberta government’s previously announced COVID-19 immunization plan that tightly restricted access to free vaccines.

EDMONTON — As Albertans’ anxiety grows over the rising cost of living — including how new tariffs could impact their employment, health benefits, drug costs, and pocketbooks — the federal government is creating uncertainty about whether they intend to fulfill their promise to deliver much-needed relief when it comes to expanding federal dental care coverage, and bringing down drug costs via a national public drug plan.

EDMONTON — Last week, a provincial audit of Alberta clinics charging membership fees was released, finding that paying members are receiving better access to more thorough care than non-paying patients. While the report found no “significant cases” of patients paying for insured services, it was concerningly unable to rule out the possibility that extra-billing is occurring.

Health Coalitions from across Canada issued a joint statement in advance of the gathering of First Ministers and the Council of the Federation:

EDMONTON — As we head into mid-July, Alberta now has higher measles cases per capita than anywhere else in North America. Dozens of emergency rooms and health care facilities are experiencing closures due to chronic short staffing, while the government’s restructuring and privatization agenda continues to create chaos for health care workers and patients.

EDMONTON — Yesterday, an important new report was released by the Parkland Institute entitled, “Undervalued and Overstretched: Inequity, Discrimination, and the Crisis Facing Alberta’s Allied Health-Care Workforce.” It outlines the conditions driving widespread burnout and retention issues among Alberta’s health care workers.