Alberta no friend of private health-care
Jamie Komarnicki
Calgary Herald
Friday, December 12, 2008
Contrary to the perception of Alberta as a private health-care champion, a new University of Calgary study says the province's regulation of private funding and insurance of health services is more restrictive than required by the Canada Health Act and more stringent than most other provinces.
The study, commissioned by the U of C's School of Policy Studies, scrutinized Alberta's health-care legislation in light of what's allowed under the federal Health Act and also compared the province's approach to regulation across the country.
It found Alberta's regulations that compel physicians to operate either fully inside or outside of the public system goes beyond federal requirements; it also showed the same is true about Alberta's ban on private insurance for otherwise publicly insured services.
Still, despite the notion that Alberta could actually push the private health-care envelope further under the nation's laws, study author and health-care policy expert Gerard Boychuk said the research project found that Albertans are less receptive to private health-care overtures than Canadians on average.
"I think it corrects that misperception that Alberta is a leader in encouraging private financing for health care," said Boychuk, associate professor in the University of Waterloo political science department.
Alberta politicians have long wrestled with private-public health care, most notably with the 2001 Mazankowski report and Ralph Klein's infamous Third Way, each of which were blitzed with public opposition.
In September, protesters marched in front of a pricey private medical clinic that began operating in Calgary. The Copeman Healthcare Centre charges fees of nearly $4,000 in the first year and almost $3,000 annually to cover services like a full health assessment, nutritional counselling and a preventive health plan.
The health-care centre, which also has a Vancouver location, has been dogged by criticism, despite the fact that an audit ordered by the B. C. health minister cleared the West Coast operation of any contraventions with the law.
Albertans have consistently shot down attempts to privatize on a provincial-scale, said David Eggen, executive director of the lobby group Friends of Medicare.
"There's a chasm between what the government would like to do and what Albertans are comfortable with and want to do," he said.
jkomarnicki@theherald.canwest.com
Friday, December 12, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Plan to limit costs denied
Renata D'Aliesio, with files from Richard Cuthbertson, Calgary Herald
Calgary Herald
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Health Minister Ron Liepert says he's not planning to draft legislation to rein in health-care spending, despite a document surfacing Wednesday that signalled a belt-tightening bill was in the works.
Liepert said he doesn't know why a four-page document outlining the roles and responsibilities of the new health board's chief executive mentions a pro-posed legislation.
Details offered by a management consulting firm to candidates interested in the top health board job state improving Alberta Health Services' financial position is a key priority "within the context of proposed new legislation which will impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
The Liberals, who obtained the Egon Zehnder International document, pressed Liepert and the premier on its contents in question period Wednesday, the last day of the fall legislative session.
"The minister on Monday said (cutting) costs weren't an issue and now we find out in a job posting for the top health officer in the province that costs are going to be an issue," Liberal health critic Hugh MacDonald said outside of the assembly. "If there's legislation coming forward, I want to see what it is. Taxpayers want to see what it is.
"They owe us an explanation." Liepert said while he's discussed medical spending with health board chairman Ken Hughes, raising challenges posed by the economic downturn and slumping crude oil prices, he maintains he's never spoken about legislation to limit costs.
"We've certainly had discussions around what Alberta Health Services' budget might look like for the next three years, and if somehow that got misconstrued as legislation and then got miscommunicated to the firm that's doing the search, well that's possible," Liepert said.
"But clearly, I can tell you there is no proposed legislation that would impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
Hughes wasn't available to comment Wednesday evening. Health board spokesman Mark Kastner said he doesn't know how the line about proposed health legislation made it into the Egon ad. He said a senior board member would take up the issue with the management consulting firm, which Alberta Health Services hired to conduct a search for a permanent chief executive.
Legislation or no legislation, health spending will be a priority for the new health boss. (The interim chief executive position is being filled by Charlotte Robb.)
On Wednesday, the Alberta government passed a bill pumping an additional $157 million into the $13-billion medical system to cover health region deficits and transition costs associated with creating a single health board.
MacDonald worries health cuts are coming, such as reduced care beds and closing rural hospitals. David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, share his concerns.
Eggen accused the government of being secretive about its future plans for health care. In the spring, the Alberta government embarked on major medical reforms, releasing changes in stages.
Next week, a new pharmaceutical strategy is slated for release.
"Our health-care spending is within the reasonable boundaries in relation to our population and GDP in the province," Eggen said. "It's hardly the first place you would go looking to cut public expenditures. It's sort of the rock, the most important public service that the government supplies."
But Liepert counters that the medical system, as it stood before the reforms began, wasn't sustainable.
rdaliesio@theherald.canwest.com.
Renata D'Aliesio, with files from Richard Cuthbertson, Calgary Herald
Calgary Herald
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Health Minister Ron Liepert says he's not planning to draft legislation to rein in health-care spending, despite a document surfacing Wednesday that signalled a belt-tightening bill was in the works.
Liepert said he doesn't know why a four-page document outlining the roles and responsibilities of the new health board's chief executive mentions a pro-posed legislation.
Details offered by a management consulting firm to candidates interested in the top health board job state improving Alberta Health Services' financial position is a key priority "within the context of proposed new legislation which will impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
The Liberals, who obtained the Egon Zehnder International document, pressed Liepert and the premier on its contents in question period Wednesday, the last day of the fall legislative session.
"The minister on Monday said (cutting) costs weren't an issue and now we find out in a job posting for the top health officer in the province that costs are going to be an issue," Liberal health critic Hugh MacDonald said outside of the assembly. "If there's legislation coming forward, I want to see what it is. Taxpayers want to see what it is.
"They owe us an explanation." Liepert said while he's discussed medical spending with health board chairman Ken Hughes, raising challenges posed by the economic downturn and slumping crude oil prices, he maintains he's never spoken about legislation to limit costs.
"We've certainly had discussions around what Alberta Health Services' budget might look like for the next three years, and if somehow that got misconstrued as legislation and then got miscommunicated to the firm that's doing the search, well that's possible," Liepert said.
"But clearly, I can tell you there is no proposed legislation that would impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
Hughes wasn't available to comment Wednesday evening. Health board spokesman Mark Kastner said he doesn't know how the line about proposed health legislation made it into the Egon ad. He said a senior board member would take up the issue with the management consulting firm, which Alberta Health Services hired to conduct a search for a permanent chief executive.
Legislation or no legislation, health spending will be a priority for the new health boss. (The interim chief executive position is being filled by Charlotte Robb.)
On Wednesday, the Alberta government passed a bill pumping an additional $157 million into the $13-billion medical system to cover health region deficits and transition costs associated with creating a single health board.
MacDonald worries health cuts are coming, such as reduced care beds and closing rural hospitals. David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, share his concerns.
Eggen accused the government of being secretive about its future plans for health care. In the spring, the Alberta government embarked on major medical reforms, releasing changes in stages.
Next week, a new pharmaceutical strategy is slated for release.
"Our health-care spending is within the reasonable boundaries in relation to our population and GDP in the province," Eggen said. "It's hardly the first place you would go looking to cut public expenditures. It's sort of the rock, the most important public service that the government supplies."
But Liepert counters that the medical system, as it stood before the reforms began, wasn't sustainable.
rdaliesio@theherald.canwest.com.
Plan to limit costs denied
Renata D'Aliesio, with files from Richard Cuthbertson, Calgary Herald
Calgary Herald
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Health Minister Ron Liepert says he's not planning to draft legislation to rein in health-care spending, despite a document surfacing Wednesday that signalled a belt-tightening bill was in the works.
Liepert said he doesn't know why a four-page document outlining the roles and responsibilities of the new health board's chief executive mentions a pro-posed legislation.
Details offered by a management consulting firm to candidates interested in the top health board job state improving Alberta Health Services' financial position is a key priority "within the context of proposed new legislation which will impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
The Liberals, who obtained the Egon Zehnder International document, pressed Liepert and the premier on its contents in question period Wednesday, the last day of the fall legislative session.
"The minister on Monday said (cutting) costs weren't an issue and now we find out in a job posting for the top health officer in the province that costs are going to be an issue," Liberal health critic Hugh MacDonald said outside of the assembly. "If there's legislation coming forward, I want to see what it is. Taxpayers want to see what it is.
"They owe us an explanation." Liepert said while he's discussed medical spending with health board chairman Ken Hughes, raising challenges posed by the economic downturn and slumping crude oil prices, he maintains he's never spoken about legislation to limit costs.
"We've certainly had discussions around what Alberta Health Services' budget might look like for the next three years, and if somehow that got misconstrued as legislation and then got miscommunicated to the firm that's doing the search, well that's possible," Liepert said.
"But clearly, I can tell you there is no proposed legislation that would impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
Legislation or no legislation, health spending will be a priority for the new health boss. (The interim chief executive position is being filled by Charlotte Robb.)
On Wednesday, the Alberta government passed a bill pumping an additional $157 million into the $13-billion medical system to cover health region deficits and transition costs associated with creating a single health board.
MacDonald worries health cuts are coming, such as reduced care beds and closing rural hospitals. David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, share his concerns.
Eggen accused the government of being secretive about its future plans for health care. In the spring, the Alberta government embarked on major medical reforms, releasing changes in stages.
Next week, a new pharmaceutical strategy is slated for release.
"Our health-care spending is within the reasonable boundaries in relation to our population and GDP in the province," Eggen said. "It's hardly the first place you would go looking to cut public expenditures. It's sort of the rock, the most important public service that the government supplies."
But Liepert counters that the medical system, as it stood before the reforms began, wasn't sustainable.
rdaliesio@theherald.canwest.com.
Renata D'Aliesio, with files from Richard Cuthbertson, Calgary Herald
Calgary Herald
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Health Minister Ron Liepert says he's not planning to draft legislation to rein in health-care spending, despite a document surfacing Wednesday that signalled a belt-tightening bill was in the works.
Liepert said he doesn't know why a four-page document outlining the roles and responsibilities of the new health board's chief executive mentions a pro-posed legislation.
Details offered by a management consulting firm to candidates interested in the top health board job state improving Alberta Health Services' financial position is a key priority "within the context of proposed new legislation which will impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
The Liberals, who obtained the Egon Zehnder International document, pressed Liepert and the premier on its contents in question period Wednesday, the last day of the fall legislative session.
"The minister on Monday said (cutting) costs weren't an issue and now we find out in a job posting for the top health officer in the province that costs are going to be an issue," Liberal health critic Hugh MacDonald said outside of the assembly. "If there's legislation coming forward, I want to see what it is. Taxpayers want to see what it is.
"They owe us an explanation." Liepert said while he's discussed medical spending with health board chairman Ken Hughes, raising challenges posed by the economic downturn and slumping crude oil prices, he maintains he's never spoken about legislation to limit costs.
"We've certainly had discussions around what Alberta Health Services' budget might look like for the next three years, and if somehow that got misconstrued as legislation and then got miscommunicated to the firm that's doing the search, well that's possible," Liepert said.
"But clearly, I can tell you there is no proposed legislation that would impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
Legislation or no legislation, health spending will be a priority for the new health boss. (The interim chief executive position is being filled by Charlotte Robb.)
On Wednesday, the Alberta government passed a bill pumping an additional $157 million into the $13-billion medical system to cover health region deficits and transition costs associated with creating a single health board.
MacDonald worries health cuts are coming, such as reduced care beds and closing rural hospitals. David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, share his concerns.
Eggen accused the government of being secretive about its future plans for health care. In the spring, the Alberta government embarked on major medical reforms, releasing changes in stages.
Next week, a new pharmaceutical strategy is slated for release.
"Our health-care spending is within the reasonable boundaries in relation to our population and GDP in the province," Eggen said. "It's hardly the first place you would go looking to cut public expenditures. It's sort of the rock, the most important public service that the government supplies."
But Liepert counters that the medical system, as it stood before the reforms began, wasn't sustainable.
rdaliesio@theherald.canwest.com.
Plan to limit costs denied
Renata D'Aliesio, with files from Richard Cuthbertson, Calgary Herald
Calgary Herald
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Health Minister Ron Liepert says he's not planning to draft legislation to rein in health-care spending, despite a document surfacing Wednesday that signalled a belt-tightening bill was in the works.
Liepert said he doesn't know why a four-page document outlining the roles and responsibilities of the new health board's chief executive mentions a pro-posed legislation.
Details offered by a management consulting firm to candidates interested in the top health board job state improving Alberta Health Services' financial position is a key priority "within the context of proposed new legislation which will impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
The Liberals, who obtained the Egon Zehnder International document, pressed Liepert and the premier on its contents in question period Wednesday, the last day of the fall legislative session.
"The minister on Monday said (cutting) costs weren't an issue and now we find out in a job posting for the top health officer in the province that costs are going to be an issue," Liberal health critic Hugh MacDonald said outside of the assembly. "If there's legislation coming forward, I want to see what it is. Taxpayers want to see what it is.
"They owe us an explanation."
Liepert said while he's discussed medical spending with health board chairman Ken Hughes, raising challenges posed by the economic downturn and slumping crude oil prices, he maintains he's never spoken about legislation to limit costs.
"We've certainly had discussions around what Alberta Health Services' budget might look like for the next three years, and if somehow that got misconstrued as legislation and then got miscommunicated to the firm that's doing the search, well that's possible," Liepert said.
"But clearly, I can tell you there is no proposed legislation that would impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
Legislation or no legislation, health spending will be a priority for the new health boss. (The interim chief executive position is being filled by Charlotte Robb.)
On Wednesday, the Alberta government passed a bill pumping an additional $157 million into the $13-billion medical system to cover health region deficits and transition costs associated with creating a single health board.
MacDonald worries health cuts are coming, such as reduced care beds and closing rural hospitals. David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, share his concerns.
Eggen accused the government of being secretive about its future plans for health care. In the spring, the Alberta government embarked on major medical reforms, releasing changes in stages.
Next week, a new pharmaceutical strategy is slated for release.
"Our health-care spending is within the reasonable boundaries in relation to our population and GDP in the province," Eggen said. "It's hardly the first place you would go looking to cut public expenditures. It's sort of the rock, the most important public service that the government supplies."
But Liepert counters that the medical system, as it stood before the reforms began, wasn't sustainable.
rdaliesio@theherald.canwest.com.
Renata D'Aliesio, with files from Richard Cuthbertson, Calgary Herald
Calgary Herald
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Health Minister Ron Liepert says he's not planning to draft legislation to rein in health-care spending, despite a document surfacing Wednesday that signalled a belt-tightening bill was in the works.
Liepert said he doesn't know why a four-page document outlining the roles and responsibilities of the new health board's chief executive mentions a pro-posed legislation.
Details offered by a management consulting firm to candidates interested in the top health board job state improving Alberta Health Services' financial position is a key priority "within the context of proposed new legislation which will impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
The Liberals, who obtained the Egon Zehnder International document, pressed Liepert and the premier on its contents in question period Wednesday, the last day of the fall legislative session.
"The minister on Monday said (cutting) costs weren't an issue and now we find out in a job posting for the top health officer in the province that costs are going to be an issue," Liberal health critic Hugh MacDonald said outside of the assembly. "If there's legislation coming forward, I want to see what it is. Taxpayers want to see what it is.
"They owe us an explanation."
Liepert said while he's discussed medical spending with health board chairman Ken Hughes, raising challenges posed by the economic downturn and slumping crude oil prices, he maintains he's never spoken about legislation to limit costs.
"We've certainly had discussions around what Alberta Health Services' budget might look like for the next three years, and if somehow that got misconstrued as legislation and then got miscommunicated to the firm that's doing the search, well that's possible," Liepert said.
"But clearly, I can tell you there is no proposed legislation that would impose constraints on growth of costs in health care provincewide."
Legislation or no legislation, health spending will be a priority for the new health boss. (The interim chief executive position is being filled by Charlotte Robb.)
On Wednesday, the Alberta government passed a bill pumping an additional $157 million into the $13-billion medical system to cover health region deficits and transition costs associated with creating a single health board.
MacDonald worries health cuts are coming, such as reduced care beds and closing rural hospitals. David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, share his concerns.
Eggen accused the government of being secretive about its future plans for health care. In the spring, the Alberta government embarked on major medical reforms, releasing changes in stages.
Next week, a new pharmaceutical strategy is slated for release.
"Our health-care spending is within the reasonable boundaries in relation to our population and GDP in the province," Eggen said. "It's hardly the first place you would go looking to cut public expenditures. It's sort of the rock, the most important public service that the government supplies."
But Liepert counters that the medical system, as it stood before the reforms began, wasn't sustainable.
rdaliesio@theherald.canwest.com.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Alberta's 2020 health plan fails vision test 10:29 a.m. 12/2/2008
What Alberta needs is a pharmacare program to bring down medical costs and help improve healthcare in the province. As Friends of Medicare's David Eggen tells iNews880, Health Minister Ron Leipert missed the mark yesterday in announcing the vague details of the government's Vision 2020 strategy.Eggen says his group is dissapointed that the plan didn't demonstrate any leadership in establishing a pharmacare program that would certainly improve healthcare and cut costs.Friends of Medicare, along with the Canadian Health Coalition have issued a new report on a universal public drug plan.
What Alberta needs is a pharmacare program to bring down medical costs and help improve healthcare in the province. As Friends of Medicare's David Eggen tells iNews880, Health Minister Ron Leipert missed the mark yesterday in announcing the vague details of the government's Vision 2020 strategy.Eggen says his group is dissapointed that the plan didn't demonstrate any leadership in establishing a pharmacare program that would certainly improve healthcare and cut costs.Friends of Medicare, along with the Canadian Health Coalition have issued a new report on a universal public drug plan.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
www.medicare.ca
MEDIA RELEASE December 2, 2008
Canadians Can’t Afford Not to Have a Public Drug Plan
OTTAWA – The Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) has released a ground-breaking report entitled Life Before Pharmacare. Starting in the fall of 2007, the CHC held a series of public hearings in communities across Canada. As part of this release, Friends of Medicare is identifying the cost benefits and efficiencies of a prescription drug plan for Alberta.
The costs of prescription drugs are increasing more than three times the rate of overall health care spending. This major spike in drug costs – about 1 billion a year for our provincial public health system – are driving costs to exceed the rate of inflation.
Alberta has the opportunity to realize significant savings through either a national or provincial pharmacy plan. By using proven methodology for managing drug purchases, Alberta could realize savings upwards of 40 million dollars:
Referential pricing – a system for pricing prescription drugs, based on what is available and what is needed. “Equivalent drugs, equivalent pricing.”
Negotiate bulk purchases for discounts, bundling and rebates. “Price security for price concessions.”
Savings in the four major prescription drug categories would be significant. A cost comparison analysis between Canada and New Zealand revealed that drugs used to treat high cholesterol, heart problems, depression, and gastro-intestinal illness were 50 percent cheaper in New Zealand.
“A more efficient prescription drug plan would make medical costs more affordable for the individual and for our public health system”, said David Eggen. “Savings could be invested to make our public health system stronger”.
Life Before Pharmacare is published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
To download the report or order a copy, visit their website: www.policyalternatives.ca
-30-
For further information, contact:
David Eggen, Friends of Medicare. 780 423 4581, 780 887 0446
MEDIA RELEASE December 2, 2008
Canadians Can’t Afford Not to Have a Public Drug Plan
OTTAWA – The Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) has released a ground-breaking report entitled Life Before Pharmacare. Starting in the fall of 2007, the CHC held a series of public hearings in communities across Canada. As part of this release, Friends of Medicare is identifying the cost benefits and efficiencies of a prescription drug plan for Alberta.
The costs of prescription drugs are increasing more than three times the rate of overall health care spending. This major spike in drug costs – about 1 billion a year for our provincial public health system – are driving costs to exceed the rate of inflation.
Alberta has the opportunity to realize significant savings through either a national or provincial pharmacy plan. By using proven methodology for managing drug purchases, Alberta could realize savings upwards of 40 million dollars:
Referential pricing – a system for pricing prescription drugs, based on what is available and what is needed. “Equivalent drugs, equivalent pricing.”
Negotiate bulk purchases for discounts, bundling and rebates. “Price security for price concessions.”
Savings in the four major prescription drug categories would be significant. A cost comparison analysis between Canada and New Zealand revealed that drugs used to treat high cholesterol, heart problems, depression, and gastro-intestinal illness were 50 percent cheaper in New Zealand.
“A more efficient prescription drug plan would make medical costs more affordable for the individual and for our public health system”, said David Eggen. “Savings could be invested to make our public health system stronger”.
Life Before Pharmacare is published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
To download the report or order a copy, visit their website: www.policyalternatives.ca
-30-
For further information, contact:
David Eggen, Friends of Medicare. 780 423 4581, 780 887 0446
Monday, December 1, 2008
Liepert launches review of rural hospitals
By Michelle LangDecember 1, 2008 12:01 PM
Alberta Health is launching a review of the role of small town hospitals as part of a new “sustainability” strategy for the province’s $13 billion health system.
Health Minister Ron Liepert announced Monday a broad blueprint for the future of health care that will deliver more care outside hospitals and boost the amount of assisted living capacity for seniors.
The strategy, which Liepert dubbed “vision 20-20,” is the health minister’s latest move to reform the medical system, which he says is costing Albertans more money, but is not accessible enough for patients.
“Failure to implement change will be at our peril,” he said, at a press conference in Edmonton. “The status quo is no longer tolerable.”
Part of the strategy includes a review of services at rural hospitals, which could take more than one year.
The comments come about six months after government released a series of audits that recommended converting some underutilized rural hospitals to long term care and other uses.
Monday’s announcement sparked heated reaction from groups like Friends of Medicare, which said the province is moving to “degrade” some small hospitals and emergency rooms into clinics as a cost saving measure.
“They have to be very careful not to deconstruct the essence of these hospitals to spearhead some kind of reform,” says Dave Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare.
“I don’t think Albertans living in dozens of communities around the province would find that acceptable.”
Liepert, however, insisted he is not planning to close rural hospitals.
In addition to the hospital review, the strategy includes more recruitment strategies to address the health workforce shortages facing the province and more “team-based” medical care for patients.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
Media Release
December 1, 2008
New 2020 Health Plan Fails the Vision Test
New plan will reduce public healthcare and force people into more private clinics
Edmonton: Friends of Medicare is deeply concerned about Minister’s Liepert’s so called new 2020 vision for healthcare as its primary focus is on scaling back public healthcare and forcing people into private clinics.
“If this is a 2020 vision, then Minister Liepert had better get his eyes checked” said David Eggen, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.
“While they outline some serious challenges that face our growing healthcare system, they fail to address what they are going to do beyond a series of vague generalizations.”
The government’s announcement implies that they will be limiting support for and reducing the mandate for our existing public health facilities, while at the same time emphasizing more support for “non-hospital facilities” and “other clinic type facilities”.
“While people should be given access to appropriate care in their communities, the Minister needs to clearly define what he means by these “other clinic type arrangements” and why he is supporting private clinics while proposing to shut down or downgrade existing public facilities.”
I highlighted this with the Extendicare in Red Deer, and also the new private MRI facility.
“We have already seen what this policy means as it relates to seniors care - the province uses tax payers dollars to subsidies corporations to build unregulated assisted living facilities, while our long-term care beds remain underfunded and over 1100 seniors are currently languishing on the urgent waiting list for a bed.”
“The Minister has completely failed to demonstrate how this plan will improve healthcare and be more cost effective. One of the main cost drivers in healthcare is the lack of a real pharmacare program. While the plans has a vague reference to “better management” and “purchasing processes”, we are disappointed that this plan does not demonstrate any leadership in establishing a pharmacare program that would really improve healthcare and be more cost effective for Albertans,” concluded Eggen.
Friends of Medicare, along with the Canadian Health Coalition and other provincial health networks, will be releasing a new national report on a universal public drug plan on Tuesday December 2, 2008. David Eggen will be available to the media from 9:30 – 11:30 AM at #35 9912-106 St. or call to arrange for an interview.
December 1, 2008
New 2020 Health Plan Fails the Vision Test
New plan will reduce public healthcare and force people into more private clinics
Edmonton: Friends of Medicare is deeply concerned about Minister’s Liepert’s so called new 2020 vision for healthcare as its primary focus is on scaling back public healthcare and forcing people into private clinics.
“If this is a 2020 vision, then Minister Liepert had better get his eyes checked” said David Eggen, Executive Director of Friends of Medicare.
“While they outline some serious challenges that face our growing healthcare system, they fail to address what they are going to do beyond a series of vague generalizations.”
The government’s announcement implies that they will be limiting support for and reducing the mandate for our existing public health facilities, while at the same time emphasizing more support for “non-hospital facilities” and “other clinic type facilities”.
“While people should be given access to appropriate care in their communities, the Minister needs to clearly define what he means by these “other clinic type arrangements” and why he is supporting private clinics while proposing to shut down or downgrade existing public facilities.”
I highlighted this with the Extendicare in Red Deer, and also the new private MRI facility.
“We have already seen what this policy means as it relates to seniors care - the province uses tax payers dollars to subsidies corporations to build unregulated assisted living facilities, while our long-term care beds remain underfunded and over 1100 seniors are currently languishing on the urgent waiting list for a bed.”
“The Minister has completely failed to demonstrate how this plan will improve healthcare and be more cost effective. One of the main cost drivers in healthcare is the lack of a real pharmacare program. While the plans has a vague reference to “better management” and “purchasing processes”, we are disappointed that this plan does not demonstrate any leadership in establishing a pharmacare program that would really improve healthcare and be more cost effective for Albertans,” concluded Eggen.
Friends of Medicare, along with the Canadian Health Coalition and other provincial health networks, will be releasing a new national report on a universal public drug plan on Tuesday December 2, 2008. David Eggen will be available to the media from 9:30 – 11:30 AM at #35 9912-106 St. or call to arrange for an interview.
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