The $18.3 billion going to this year's Ministry of Health operational budget, which includes $10.7 billion going to the Alberta Health Services base operating grant, when considering population and inflation growth, means the government is cutting health care spending per person. The cuts include a $26 million cut to acute care services.

Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare, made the following statement today following the Alberta government's Throne Speech:

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.

Friends of Medicare is appalled by a document released by Alberta's NDP today showing that Alberta Health Services (AHS) plans to cut 200 full-time nursing positions in Alberta.

Friends of Medicare has learned that starting today, 72 Licenced Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides working at the University of Alberta Hospital will be receiving their layoff notices as part of AHS `workforce transformation' scheme. "In an already over-stretched system, this attempt to save money by moving staff around units and hospitals can only be seen as nonsensical," states Sandra Azocar, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare. "These front-line staff will be displaced and given the hope that they will find employment elsewhere in the system. This re-organization, transformation, whatever name one wants to give it, can only serve to cause havoc in our health care system," adds Azocar.

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 has learned that as of February 28th, 2013, the Royal Alexandra Hospital will be closing 18 beds in the Medicine Transition Unit.  The closure of these beds will result in the layoff of 31 LPN's and Nurse Aides as well as 2 service workers and 1 unit clerk.

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.

Friends of Medicare has confirmed that Alberta Health Services will be following through with their commitment to support children with Down syndrome in Edmonton and northern Alberta by reversing its decision to cut funding to the Nurse Coordinator position at the Edmonton Down Syndrome Medical Clinic. We are very pleased that AHS was willing to listen to the concerns brought forth by families and were able to address them in a timely manner.