Public Interest Alberta and Friends of Medicare have released a video of former Associate Minister of Seniors George VanderBurg responding to concerns raised about seniors care at a forum in Whitecourt on November 13th, 2013.

Member organizations of Public Interest Alberta’s Seniors Task Force released a new position paper that challenges the Alberta government to rethink its proposed seniors’ drug plan strategy.

Friends of Medicare  has learned  that Revera Inc., one of the 13 contracted agencies will be giving up ½ of their newly awarded  Home Care contract, as they are not able to provide the staffing necessary to service Home Care recepients  in  the Southwest area of Edmonton.

September 11, 2013

Friends of Medicare Executive Director Sandra Azocar released the following statement today regarding the story at St. Therese Villa in Lethbridge:

September 9, 2013
EDMONTON

Friends of Medicare has learned that last Sunday, a dementia and disabled resident of the Lethbridge St. Therese Villa Designated Assisted Living facility - a Covenant Health facility - was discovered by a staff member with mice nibbling at her face.

Friends of Medicare would like to extend our support to Home Care workers who delivered letters to Health Minister Horne and Premier Redford outlining their concerns around the changes being made to Home Care delivery in Alberta.

June 11, 2013
EDMONTON

In December 2012, Albertans receiving home care services saw their services cut by 15 minutes.  Friends of Medicare has now learned that as a result of the changes being made in home care, a further 10 minutes of services will be taken off direct patient care time.

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.

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.