Privatization
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Elder care in Alberta should not be an industry
Elder care in Alberta should not be an industry
Yesterday’s media report on the death of an Alberta senior residing in a for-profit seniors’ facility served as a harrowing example of the real life consequences of the political ideology and short-sighted policy decisions that have shaped Alberta’s continuing care system. “Alberta’s continuing care system is an area that has seen aggressive privatization that has resulted in serious consequences for our seniors,” says Sandra Azocar, executive director of Friends of Medicare. “We have turned our elder care system into an industry that treats residents as consumers, rather than people deserving of timely and quality care.”
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
January 27, 2020 -
Surgical wait time initiative announcements leave Albertans with more questions than answers
In a press conference this morning, Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced the government’s plan to reduce surgical wait times in Alberta. The minister confirmed that the planning for the surgical initiative was informed by the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative (which ultimately failed to solve wait-time issues in Saskatchewan) but was unable to clarify the lessons that this government is taking from its failure.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
December 10, 2019 -
Black Friday announcements signal dark days ahead for public health care
Black Friday announcements signal dark days ahead for public health care
Announcements made on Black Friday of the loss of well over 5,100 front-line health care jobs highlights the deep disdain for public services that our current government holds.“These announcements were a clear move away from the collectivism that drives our social programs, a move away from the caring and compassion that is necessary to advance our society. It was a reiteration of a commitment to an endless quest to privatize our needed public services,” states Sandra Azocar, executive director of Friends of Medicare.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
December 02, 2019 -
Cuts to front-line staff is not the solution to balancing the budget and it is not what Albertans voted for
Cuts to front-line staff is not the solution to balancing the budget and it is not what Albertans voted for
On Friday morning, Albertans learned that 500 front-line Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses will lose their jobs over the next three years. The United Nurses of Alberta estimate this loss of staff will equate to more than a million fewer hours of care for patients.“In an already overstretched system, this attempt to save money by eliminating front-line staff can only be seen as nonsensical,” stated Sandra Azocar, executive director of Friends of Medicare.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
November 29, 2019 -
The future of Laboratory Services in Northern Alberta still uncertain under Budget 2019
The future of Laboratory Services in Northern Alberta still uncertain under Budget 2019
Budget 2019 released yesterday referred only briefly to the issue of laboratory services, indicating that we will see the removal of the Edmonton Clinical Laboratory Hub project, which was set to cost $579 Million. “Budget 2019 makes no mention or addresses any moneys being allocated to a future facility or to renew much needed equipment,” indicates Sandra Azocar, executive director of Friends of Medicare.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
October 28, 2019 -
Friends of Medicare stands with the 53 workers from Vegreville Century Park as they fight to save their jobs.
“Alberta open for business” resonates loudly in Alberta’s broken seniors’ care system –
At noon on October 7th, Friends of Medicare will be standing side by side with the 53 workers from Vegreville Century Park, as they fight to save their jobs.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
October 07, 2019 -
Government-appointed “Blue Ribbon Panel” sets the stage for 4 years of unwarranted austerity budgets
Although health care took a back seat to “jobs, pipelines, economy” during the recent election, it was expected and reasonable to assume that health care should now become a much spoken about subject area.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
September 03, 2019 -
Albertans will pay for the UCP's fiscally irresponsible political gimmick to quash public laboratory services
MEDIA RELEASE
APRIL 23, 2019
EDMONTON
Albertans will pay for the UCP's fiscally irresponsible political gimmick to quash public laboratory services
Through media reports, Friends of Medicare learned that construction Alberta Health Services’ $590 million lab at the University of Alberta’s south campus has been put on hold until the new government has an opportunity to “review the project.”Given that Premier-designate Jason Kenney has already indicated that he would reverse the building of a public laboratory, we know that 'review' is simply rhetoric for the ideologically driven privatization of an integral part of our health care system. "Even before the new government is sworn in, we see the first glimpse of what is to come," says Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
April 23, 2019 -
UCP health policy announcement insupportable
Today’s health policy announcement from Jason Kenney, leader of the United Conservative Party, made clear that he and his party are not interested in finding public solutions to improve and expand our public health care system. Kenney presented Albertans with the UCP’s “Surgical Wait Time Reduction Plan,” and confirmed that if elected, his party would introduce policy to mirror the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative. He touted their achievements and successes; however, he did not disclose how much money they would need to invest in contracting out and privatizing public surgeries, nor where this money would be coming from.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
March 28, 2019 -
Advocacy groups: Good direction for long term care, but beds must be public
Today, Premier Rachel Notley announced that if re-elected, the Alberta New Democratic Party is committed to building an additional 2,000 long term care (LTC) beds. The promised $170 million investment is welcome news to a system that is currently facing serious shortages.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
March 22, 2019