NDP will consult Albertans on health care


By Darcy Henton, edmontonjournal.comSeptember 29, 2009 6:39 AMBe the first to post a comment

EDMONTON — NDP Leader Brian Mason says his party will consult with Albertans about their concerns over healthcare reform since the provincial Conservative government won't.

Mason said Monday his party will hold seven public hearings around the province--starting with a meeting today in Calgary--to hear what Albertans have to say about the system and to give them an opportunity to suggest changes they think are needed.

"In our view, to bring about the magnitude of change in our healthcare system without consulting Albertans is unacceptable," Mason said.

The NDP leader criticized the Ed Stelmach government for refusing to declare its plans for health-care reform and for leaving Albertans, particularly seniors, in the dark about changes that could dramatically affect their lives.

"This is causing great anxiety among Albertans," Mason said. "They are so worried about what is going to happen and how much they are going to have to pay in their old age to find care. ... They are very concerned about how the government has not given them a chance to express their views."

The announcement by the opposition party comes on the heels of concerns expressed by the province's doctors about the lack of government consultation with them on health-care reform.

New Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Chip Doig says the provincial government needs to do a much better job of consulting with doctors about the coming changes.

"We're simply saying that all of us have something to bring to the table and we're willing and happy to be partners," he said. "That's not to say we'll always agree."

He is also encouraging his members to raise concerns about proposed changes that may harm patients.

Alberta Health spokesman John Tuckwell said Albertans will soon have an opportunity to express their views to a 16-member minister's health advisory council through a survey on its new website. A survey will be posted on the site by late next week to enable the public to provide input into the committee's work, he said.

But David Eggen of the Friends of Medicare said he has concerns about the effectiveness of that process.

"We don't get to see what the results are, and they are meeting behind closed doors," he said. "They are using the Internet as a firewall to keep information out and to keep information in."

Eggen said Health Minister Ron Liepert has indicated he has no intention of revealing his plans for health reform in advance of the changes.

"Ron Liepert told us ... he wasn't going to reveal the whole picture," Eggen said. "He wasn't going to make the same mistake Ralph Klein did with the "Third Way" and give away all his cards at once. This is their strategy to keep Albertans in the dark."

Eggen says the Friends of Medicare will also hold meetings around the province to give Albertans a forum to express their concerns. The Edmonton meeting is set for Oct. 13 at the Polish Hall.

The NDP has scheduled hearings for Edmonton Oct. 6, Red Deer Oct. 13, Grande Prairie Oct. 14 and Fort McMurray Nov. 9. Meetings have also been planned for Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.

dhenton@thejournal.canwest.com