EDMONTON — This morning, the Alberta NDP Opposition Caucus released a leaked copy of an internal cabinet document showing the provincial government has been working on a plan to rollback Albertans’ drug benefits. The proposal shows that an average senior couple would pay hundreds, or even thousands of dollars more per year for their medications under this new scheme, costing Albertans up to $400 million dollars more out of pocket for their prescriptions.

EDMONTON — Today, after months of waiting, the Alberta government is finally supposed to receive an interim report from Justice Wyant’s investigation into the allegations of corruption and interference in Alberta’s health care procurement and contracting processes. The report was initially due on May 30, but instead the Deputy Minister of Justice, an unelected bureaucrat, was sent out to quietly announce a months-long delay in the report.

EDMONTON — This afternoon, the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) announced that, with a record turnout, their members have sent a clear message by voting to reject a tentative agreement with Alberta Health Services and other provincial health agencies and corporations. The union is calling on the Alberta government to "recognize their worth and the incredible pressure they work under.”

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 — 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.