Primary Care
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Answers Needed on Private Health Care Proposal in Fort McMurray
EDMONTON — SMG Medical Complex is a proposal to build a massive, 14-storey, private, for-profit health care facility in Fort McMurray. This contentious project has doubled in size from its initial proposal, and now promises to provide numerous services including chartered surgeries, ambulatory care, and “luxurious accommodations." They have launched a website seeking investors where they promise eight to 10 percent returns on investments, plus further opportunities for profits from “those willing to pay out of pocket.”
Written by Alyssa Pretty
December 05, 2024 -
Government inaction drives more doctors from Alberta, this time in Lethbridge
LETHBRIDGE — Two family doctors at the Campbell Clinic in Lethbridge recently posted public letters explaining why they are leaving their practices, pointing the finger squarely at the government and Health Minister for their failure to listen to Alberta’s physicians and act to sustain primary care.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
October 09, 2024 -
Government Chooses Politics Over Health Care Needs of Long-COVID Patients
EDMONTON — This past Friday, the provincial government announced that they were shutting down the long-COVID outpatient programs, meaning that the clinics in Alberta dedicated to treating people suffering from long-COVID will be closing. The letter from Alberta Health Services informing patients of the closure suggests that they should contact their primary care provider to determine if they require additional resources. This at a time when over 650,000 Albertans are without a family doctor.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
August 14, 2024 -
Keep Alberta’s COVID clinics open!
It's likely that tens of thousands of people in this province are suffering long-COVID symptoms, yet the Alberta government has decided to abruptly close our only dedicated outpatient clinics. Tell the government to stop playing politics with our health care and keep Alberta’s COVID clinics open!!
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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 -
Alberta Must Ban Medical Access Fees
EDMONTON — Today, news broke that a provincial audit has found more than 40 medical clinics advertising membership fees for access to health care. Previous reports from the Parkland Institute and Ontario Health Coalition have shown this is a recurring problem in Alberta that has long gone unaddressed.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
April 24, 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 -
Say NO to Access Fees!
Add your voice: Say no to health care access fees in Alberta in Alberta! #ABhealth #ABleg
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All MLAs Should Support Bill 201 and Ban Access Fees for Medical Care
This afternoon, Gurinder Brar, MLA for Calgary North East, tabled Bill 201: the Alberta Health Care Insurance (Access Fees) Amendment Act. If passed, this legislation would ban access fees and membership-only health care, and require the Minister to enforce the Act.
Written by Alyssa Pretty
November 02, 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