Primary Care

  • COURT OF APPEAL DECISION IN ALLEN V. ALBERTA WELCOMED

    On September 9, 2015, Justices Peter Martin, Jack Watson, and Frans Slatter unanimously rejected the appeal put forward by lawyer John Carpay on behalf of Darcy Allen that prohibition on private health insurance in Alberta infringes on Mr. Allen's Charter rights. The rejection of this appeal affirms the decision from Justice P. R. Jeffrey of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench on April 2, 2014.
     
    "The rejection of Mr. Allen's appeal is not a rejection of access to health care, but rather recognition that allowing private insurance to determine Albertans' access to healthcare is not a solution to the problems in our public healthcare system," stated Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.
    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    September 11, 2015

  • FRIENDS OF MEDICARE APPLAUDS PRIMARY CARE NETWORK FINANCIAL REVIEW

    Friends of Medicare applauds the undertaking of a full financial review of the Primary Care Networks prior to any further financial and funding decisions being made. 

    "This is a great step towards fiscal responsibility, accountability, and stewardship over how our health dollars are being spent by these 42 PCNs," indicates Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare. 

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    August 05, 2015

  • Quality health care being "absorbed" by 2015 budget

    Alberta Health's expenses are budgeted at $18.9 billion in 2015-2016, about $160 million lower than 2014-2015.  Health will see a $950 million cut in 2015-16 through "significant restraint measures" by Alberta Health Services (AHS), cuts to Primary Care Networks (PCNs), and drug cost savings.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    March 26, 2015

  • As Spring returns every year, so do "feel good" announcements in election season

    Health Minister Stephen Mandel and Alberta Health Services (AHS) CEO Vickie Kaminski held a press conference today to announce measures that aim to improve access to health care. However, the announcement raised more questions than answers. Mandel announced that they will be 'reallocating' $50 million from existing health care funds to the Peter Lougheed Hospital, South Health Campus, Misericordia Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital, and Grey Nuns Hospital to renovate and expand ER facilities.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    March 11, 2015

  • Premiums and cuts both wrong for Alberta health care

    February 19, 2015
    EDMONTON

    Yesterday Finance Minister Robin Campbell said the government is "keen" on the idea of bringing back health care premiums.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    February 19, 2015

  • Premier Prentice Announces yet Another Review while Rural Health Suffers

    "It is difficult not to be skeptical when we have seen over and over again how plans introduced by this PC government are not acted upon while medical needs take a backseat," stated Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    September 23, 2014

  • NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON'T: PRENTICE DISAPPEARS FROM BOARD OF HOLDINGS COMPANY THAT OWNS $4,495-A-YEAR CONCIERGE CLINIC

    Premier-to-be must level with Albertans about his personal financial interest in elitist private health care

    In May 2012, Jim Prentice joined the Board of Coril Holdings Ltd. Coril is a Calgary-based private investment company that owns Inliv, a big medical clinic in Calgary which aggressively markets a product called "Total Health Management," at a cost of $4,495 a year.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    June 06, 2014

  • No one is minding the store when it comes to private medical facilities in Alberta

    The documents released yesterday by the Alberta Federation of Labour further highlight the Alberta government's failure to protect and expand our public health care system.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    February 21, 2014

  • Copeman Clinic's Ad in Edmonton Journal Misleads Albertans

     

    Friends of Medicare is concerned about a full-page advertisement placed in the Edmonton Journal on May 8, 2013. The ad appears in a form meant to look like a news column on page A7.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    May 09, 2013

  • Boutique Private for Profit Clinics causing more problems to Alberta's Health Care System

    In light of what has been revealed in the Preferential-Access Inquiry, Friends of Medicare is calling on the Alberta and Federal Government to take immediate action to ensure compliance with the Canada Health Act.

    Fom Friends of Medicare

    Written by
    January 18, 2013