EDMONTON — This morning the provincial government celebrated the opening of a third Recovery Centre, this one in Gunn, Alberta. This is the latest announcement in the ongoing expansion of their so-called “Alberta Recovery Model.”

Seniors, health care advocacy groups concerned about continuing care changes this fall

EDMONTON – The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Women’s Committee launches an awareness and letter  campaign Strike a Change for Alberta Seniors, as Alberta’s Health Minister continues to roll out changes to Continuing 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.

EDMONTON — In recent weeks, Albertans have heard repeated, troubling news about the state of surgeries in our hospitals, first about 90 orthopedic surgeries out the Royal Alexandra Hospital were postponed, followed by the news that orthopedic surgeries at the facility have now been halted until August 11. The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) has also been raising the alarm over the frequency of general surgery diversions as a result of these ongoing staffing shortages, which have since expanded to include trauma care diversions. 

EDMONTON — As Canada’s premiers meet in Halifax this week for the annual Council of Federation, health care is once again one of the key agenda items. New Environics Research polling released by the Canadian Health Coalition today shows that people across Canada overwhelmingly support initiatives to support and expand public health care. 

EDMONTON — The first full week of June each year marks Alberta Seniors’ Week. It is a chance for Albertans to show appreciation for Alberta’s seniors and all that they contribute to our province. Friends of Medicare is marking this Seniors’ Week by continuing to call for the return of an independent Seniors’ Advocate, for properly funded home care, for Alberta to get on board with universal Pharmacare, and for the Alberta government to stop their attacks on Continuing Care.

EDMONTON — This afternoon, Danielle Smith’s government tabled Bill 22: The Health Statutes Amendment Act, following through on their previous announcement that they would be massively restructuring public health care in Alberta. None of this was part of their election platform in last year’s provincial election.

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.

EDMONTON - This afternoon, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced two new contracts with private partners to provide interfacility transfer services, with work underway to further expand this privatization initiative across the province. These services are currently publicly provided.

EDMONTON — This afternoon, the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction announced they are tabling Bill 17, a piece of legislation that establishes the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE), an entity designed to be directly aligned with the goals and priorities of the Government of Alberta.