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.

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 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.

Friends of Medicare would like to acknowledge Fred Horne’s appointment as Alberta’s Minister of Health this morning. “While we wish him the best, Mr. Horne carries a lot of baggage from his involvement with private health initiatives,” said David Eggen, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.

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.

Yesterday's Supreme Court ruling to allow James Darwish and the Elder Advocates of Alberta Society's class action suit against the Provincial Government is an important step forward to re-build adequate and affordable long-term care services in Alberta, says Friends of Medicare.

Friends of Medicare is encouraged by a proposal by all opposition members of the Alberta Legislature to launch a full public inquiry into the operations of our public health system.

After reading this article in today's Edmonton Journal, I sent an email to Premier Stelmach asking him to respond to the charges levied against these changes.  I'll copy my email below. 
 
I also sent a letter to the Editor of the Journal showing support for this article.  I hope all of you will take the time to do something similar.  (Click on the link below to go directly to the editor of the Journal.)
 
Butch