Surgeries
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Auditor General’s report sets a clear path to improve wait times via public solutions, not private expansion
The Auditor General’s report, Alberta Health Services Use of Publicly Funded CT & MRI Services, released on April 22nd, shows clearly that AHS has lost control of this important part of our health care system.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
April 23, 2021 -
Government continues to exploit pandemic surgery backlog to expand role of private care
Yesterday, Alberta Health Services released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for ophthalmology chartered surgical facilities. The RFP is set to close mid-May 2021, and a contract will likely be awarded in fall 2021. While Albertans are trepidatiously looking towards the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, this government is barreling forward with their agenda of privatizing the very public health care system that we have all relied on throughout this pandemic.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
April 14, 2021 -
The UCP government pays $3M to high priced consultants to repackage and force their privatization agenda
In July 2020, the UCP passed Bill 30: The Health Statutes Amendment Act, provincial legislation that proposes to cut approval times required for private surgical facilities. Shortly after, the government announced their intention to establish a "Health Contracting Secretariat," to build the health care delivery market and reduce barriers to market entry for larger corporate players.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
March 29, 2021 -
Alberta Budget 2021
Just as Budget 2020 was pushed through with unrealistic forecasts for oil prices and subsequent unfeasible estimations for government revenue, Budget 2021 is being presented under the pretense of unrealistic forecasts for the health needs of Albertans. Quite simply, Budget 2021 is a cruel blow to our public health care system in favor of privatization.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
February 25, 2021 -
Friends of Medicare responds to the Cambie decision
Today, the BC courts made a historic decision on the infamous Cambie Case, ruling that provincial laws which limit a two-tier health care system do not contravene the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
September 10, 2020 -
Backroom deals, political influence are dictating Alberta's health care
Today’s CBC story highlights the lengths that this government will go to in order to push their privatization agenda on Albertans. A new private orthopedic surgical facility—the largest ever in Alberta—has been proposed on the site of Ericksen Nissan, next to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, and has already gained the Minister of Health’s “tentative political support.”
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
August 10, 2020 -
Bill 30: Paving the way for privatization
On July 30, 2020, Friends of Medicare hosted an online discussion about the recently passed Bill 30 and it's impacts on both patients and health care workers. FOM's executive director Sandra Azocar, along with panelists Dr. Jillian Ratti and Dr. Lorian Hardcastle, sat down to explore the contents of Bill 30, discuss the ways that it opens the door to the privatization of our public health care, and answer questions from concerned Albertans.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
July 31, 2020 -
Surgeries announcement poses more questions than answers
Today Health Minister Shandro and Premier Kenney announced a $500 million investment as part of the Alberta Surgical Wait Times Initiative, and earmarked just $100 million of this amount to provide capital funding to upgrade and renovate surgical rooms and equipment and expand surgical capacity within the public system.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
March 04, 2020 -
Budget 2020 flatlines health care funding while cuts and privatization continue
Today's budget sees a flatlining of the health care budget for 2020, with a spending increase of a mere 0.3% over the next three fiscal years. A minimum of 2.9% additional funding is necessary to keep Alberta's health care spending in line with inflation and population growth each year – the spending freeze through 2023, as outlined in today's budget, will mean fewer public dollars spent in the health care system. In terms of the impact on Albertans, the spending freeze will amount to a 9% reduction in health care spending in the next three years.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
February 27, 2020 -
Friends of Medicare's response to the Throne Speech
Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, made the following statement today following the Alberta government's Throne Speech:
The 2020 Throne Speech not only outlines business that the government will bring to the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming session, but also serves to direct the political discourse and narrative intended to shape and influence how we view and respond to the political challenges facing us.
Written by Fom Friends of Medicare
February 25, 2020