Health care protestors take to the legislature

Updated: Sat May. 09 2009 19:03:50ctvedmonton.ca

Over 1,000 supporters of Friends of Medicare took to the Legislature Saturday, protesting a wide range of health care issues.
The demonstrators said they are concerned with recent changes made to the province's health care system. The 2009 budget delisted chiropractic services and sex change operations, and added a new pharmacare plan that charges senior citizens premiums for drug coverage.
Hundreds of protesters sent messages in drug bottles destined for both Health Minister Ron Liepert, and to the premier's office. Many participants said they're worried Alberta is moving to a two-tiered system that is inaccessible for many people.
"If it's not public, it becomes private and private can cost an arm and a leg... I don't have the money in my bank account and when I come here, I like to know that the government and the people behind the government are here to support me through the hard times," says protester Branden Morris.
Friends of Medicare submitted a petition to opposition parties with more than 13,000 signatures, calling on the government to stop current and planned changes to the health care system.
-With files from Kevin Armstrong