(Ottawa) – The Canadian Health Coalition issued an urgent alert to Canadians in light of today’s news that the Harper Government is terminating its funding of the Health Council of Canada. 

Friends of Medicare is joining health care professionals who today are standing in opposition to so-called 'patient-based funding.'  "As Canadians, we value our publicly-delivered and publicly-funded health care system, and we need to put the well-being of people and the health of our society at the forefront of our budgetary decisions," said Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.

Three years ago, the Alberta Government and then Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky proudly announced "Alberta's 5-year Health Action Plan". In this action plan it was noted that "within 5 years, Albertans can expect a stronger more integrated, province-wide health system." It would stand to reason that we can all assume that long term planning is carried out through a process that involves relying on committed money and not money contingent on the price of oil.

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.

Friends of Medicare is in full support of the striking nurses of UNA Local 417 at Devonshire Care Centre in Edmonton. The nurses are employed by Park Place Seniors’ Living, the private, for-profit, corporation that runs the home. The home’s operations are funded by Alberta Health Services, but the nurses are paid well below the industry standard in wages and benefits.

OTTAWA - As the Alberta affiliate of the Canadian Health Coalition, Friends of Medicare is in the nation's capital this week to focus on inter-provincial and national issues concerning public health care.

Today, Minister Fred Horne announced a 5% increase in  charges for long-term care accommodations starting January 1st, 2013. He sweetened the blow to seniors by opening up with the announcement that he will offset this financial impact to our low income seniors by increasing financial assistance through the Alberta Seniors Benefit (ASB) and Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH).

Friends of Medicare is concerned to hear that the new chair of the Alberta Health Services board, Stephen Lockwood, is a businessman who is an active supporter of both the Conservative and Wildrose party.

Friends of Medicare denounces the inappropriate and excessive expenses claimed by Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Allaudin Merali during his employment with with Alberta Health Services and the now dissolved Capital Health Region. It has come to light through a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPP) request that Merali claimed nearly $350,000 in expenses from 2005-2008, including costs for travel and hosting.

While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pay tribute to Canada’s military at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rotary Challenger Park, 29 seniors, including many war veterans from the Colonel Belcher Seniors residence in Calgary are facing eviction.