calgary_news
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To Advance Cancer Care, Government Should Fully Open the New Calgary Cancer Centre
EDMONTON — Yesterday, the Minister of Health announced yet another restructuring change for Alberta health care, creating another new agency called Cancer Care Alberta and sharing that later this year, cancer care will fall under Acute Care Alberta. No details were provided on how this will improve patient care, reduce our unacceptably long cancer treatment wait times, or address concerns from frontline health care workers.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
April 09, 2025 -
Health Care Capacity and Workforce Plan needed in Upcoming Provincial Budget
EDMONTON — The 2025 provincial budget will be tabled in the legislature next Thursday, February 27th. Heading into the budget, the provincial government continues to roll out their expensive and chaotic restructuring of public health care in Alberta, while doubling-down on their failing privatization strategies.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
February 21, 2025 -
World Cancer Day: Let’s get the new Calgary Cancer Centre fully operational
EDMONTON — Every year, February 4th marks World Cancer Day, an important day to raise awareness and mobilize for improvements to cancer care. This year, we are calling on the Alberta government to publicly share more information on the plans for the continued operations of the new Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Friends of Medicare was pleased to see the new centre finally begin taking appointments in October, but we remain concerned that the public has yet to be provided a plan for full operations at this new facility.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
February 04, 2025 -
Government continues secretive approach to health care deal in Airdrie
EDMONTON — Yesterday, the Office of the Minister of Health confirmed to DiscoverAirdrie that the controversial proposal to build a facility to house a primary care clinic as well as a second urgent care centre in Airdrie has been approved. Airdrie remains by far the largest city in Alberta without a hospital.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
September 13, 2024 -
Minister Must Clarify What’s Happening in Airdrie’s Health Care
EDMONTON — Earlier this year, the government informed the Airdrie Health Foundation that the long-overdue expansion and renovation of the Airdrie Community Health Centre had been paused in order for them to consider a proposal to add a private partner to the public facility. Following much outcry from Albertans, the government announced the public project was back under way.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
August 13, 2024 -
Addictions Care is Health Care
CALGARY — This morning in Calgary, Friends of Medicare stood alongside Mike Parker, President of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), in calling on the provincial government to release up-to-date data and broaden its approach to addiction care beyond their one-size-fits-all model.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
April 04, 2024 -
Albertans Call on Government to Improve Home Care Services
EDMONTON — Friends of Medicare, and activists within the disability community are at the legislature today to call on the Alberta government to improve the province’s home care system. Our online petition containing more than 33,000 names of individuals who have signed in support of improved home care funding and services in Alberta will be tabled in the legislature after Question Period
Following recommendations in the Facility-Based Continuing Care (FBCC) review, the UCP government has repeatedly made clear their intention to shift the delivery of Alberta’s continuing care services to include a greater proportion of care in-community. But while disabled Albertans, seniors, families and advocates have long called for an expansion to our home care system, we have seen no meaningful investment to support this shift in care delivery.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
March 28, 2024 -
Airdrie Urgent Care Centre Should Proceed as Planned, Without Delays or Privatization
Last week, Albertans learned that the long-needed expansion and renovation of the Airdrie Community Health Centre has been paused as the government considers a proposal to add private delivery to the publicly funded facility.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
February 06, 2024 -
Government Decision to Vote Against Legislation Banning Health Care Access Fees Lets Down Albertans
EDMONTON — Yesterday afternoon, the UCP Government used their majority in the Legislature to vote against Bill 201: Alberta Health Care Insurance (Access Fees) Amendment Act. This legislation would have banned access fees and membership-only health care in Alberta, and required the Minister to enforce the Act.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
November 21, 2023 -
Premier must say no to allowing thousands of dollars in “membership fees” to access a family doctor
A Calgary clinic recently informed patients they are moving to a costly membership system for primary care. Since it is illegal in Canada to bill directly for a visit to a family doctor, membership fees such as these are designed as a loophole to get around the rules and principles contained in the Canadian Health Act.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
July 25, 2023