Continuing Care
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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 -
Good direction for long term care, but beds must be public
MEDIA RELEASE
MARCH 21, 2019
EDMONTON
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 21, 2019 -
Been there, done that: Albertans want strong public health care not privatization
Privatization Ideologues have been set on marketizing our health care system, and yesterday's announcement by the leader of the UCP, Jason Kenney, that he intends to privatize laboratory services in Alberta, is another reminder that this unbridled disdain for our public services is nothing more than a celebration of self-interest and the interests of those who seek to profit from the poor health of others.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
March 12, 2019 -
Restrained Spending in Budget 2018 Sets Unwelcome Precedent
MEDIA RELEASE
MARCH 22, 2018
RESTRAINED SPENDING IN BUDGET 2018 SETS UNWELCOME PRECEDENT
In the past three budgets, this government has managed to maintain the line of health care spending, staying slightly above population and inflation growth. Budget 2018 represents a concerning trend of spending restraints by only increasing health care spending by 3%, not even meeting population and inflation growth of 3.5%.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
March 22, 2018 -
Greater Role for Public Sector in Hinton Continuing Care Applauded
Greater Role for Public Sector in Hinton Continuing Care Applauded
Friends of Medicare and Public Interest Alberta welcome a change in direction for continuing care today, with the announcement from Alberta's Ministry of Health that they will now be operating the Mountain View Centre supportive living services in Hinton. The facility is currently operated by the private not-for-profit Good Samaritan Society.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
December 20, 2017 -
RESIDENT AND FAMILY COUNCILS ACT A WELCOME STEP IN PROVIDING PATIENTS A VOICE
NOV 1EDMONTON
RESIDENT AND FAMILY COUNCILS ACT A WELCOME STEP IN PROVIDING PATIENTS A VOICE
Friends of Medicare are applauding Alberta Health Minister Sarah Hoffman for introducing Bill 22 the Resident and Family Councils Act.
"Resident and Family Councils are a great tool to give voice to residents of continuing care facilities and their loved ones," said Executive Director Sandra Azocar. "Friends of Medicare have been calling for this for years and it is great to see this step being taken."
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
November 01, 2017 -
How Will Provinces Cope with $31 Billion Cut
New National Report Outlines the Huge Cost of the Failed Health Accord
As Health Ministers from across Canada meet in Edmonton this week, Canada's Health Coalitions released a report showing the recent bilateral health schemes pushed through by the Trudeau government have come at a huge cost. The report "Health Accord Breakdown: Costs and Consequences of the Failed 2016/17 Negotiations" calculates that the failure of the Health Accord will mean a health care funding shortfall of $31 billion for the provinces with no concrete targets to improve public health care for Canadians and no plan to bridge the fiscal gap. Calling the rhetoric around health transformation and target funds for home and mental health care "more PR than substance", the coalitions also tallied the non-monetary costs of the lost Health Accord: the grave problems of under capacity in public hospitals, long-term and community care; long-waits; growing inequities and problems with access to care that will continue without any national plan to address them.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
October 18, 2017 -
Canadian Health Advocates to Premiers: Stand up for Public Health Care
Canadian Health Coalition Chair Pauline Worsfold speaks at the rally. Photo credit Linda Silas.Media ReleaseJuly 19, 2017EdmontonCanadian Health Advocates to Premiers: Stand up for Public Health Care
Health care advocates from across the country gathered in Edmonton today at a rally outside the Hotel Macdonald to call on Canada’s Premiers to fight for patients and call for fair federal funding for health care.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
July 19, 2017 -
Budget 2017 Resists Pressure to Cut Needed Health Services
For Immediate ReleaseEdmontonMarch 16, 2017Budget 2017 Resists Pressure to Cut Needed Health Services
Major Work Needs to Begin on Expanding and Improving Universal Public Care
Friends of Medicare are pleased to see funding increases of 3.2% which will cover spending pressures in inflation and population growth. Friends of Medicare are also glad to see the government willing to resist wrong headed calls to cutback an already stretched system.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
March 16, 2017 -
Hinton Needs Long-Term Care Now
Hinton needs long-term care now
Family members with loved ones in care in Hinton were joined this morning by Public Interest Alberta Executive Director, Joel French, and Friends of Medicare Executive Director, Sandra Azocar, to call on the provincial government to take action to support Hinton residents in need of long-term care. The community had long-term care beds built by the Good Samaritan Society with government support in 2002, but the PC government in 2005 downgraded the beds to supportive living, and the community has been without long-term care ever since.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
December 05, 2016
