Don Braid: Health superboard raises wreck goodwill
By Don Braid, Calgary Herald
March 31, 2009 7:06
The raises for Alberta's health superboard members aren't just appalling in their symbolism, they look sneaky, too.
Most board members have been getting higher payments since last Dec. 1.
Nobody said a thing. There was no announcement from either the board or the government.
Maybe they worried they'd look like the overstuffed regional executives they fired last year.
They'd be correct.
Last week the superboard members went to Red Deer for one of their brief, taciturn efforts to imitate public disclosure.
At these meetings, they act like monks who only break silence to sing the hallelujah chorus.
A brief agenda item mentioned compensation and honoraria.
It appeared to signal a blanket policy, not an actual raise.
But a raise was behind it; one that most board members had been collecting for three months.
The news only came out because reporters smelled a rat that seemed to be lighting cigars with public money.
Then the excuses began.
Health Minister Ron Liepert made the decision, said Ken Hughes, the board chairman
The government said Hughes proposed the raises. Then that Liepert asked Hughes to propose them. Who knows?
Now I hear that board members are feeling hung out to dry.
They're undeniably well-intentioned. At least one member donates all her health board payments to charity.
But the way this was handled has an eerily familiar bad odour.
The government behaved the same way last spring when ministers gave themselves 34 per cent raises behind closed doors.
The only sign anything had happened was a brief order-in-council that said: "Makes the MLA remuneration order."
Similarly, the health board mentioned remuneration without any detail. In these circles, you hear that $50,000 for a part-time board member, and $75,000 for the chairman isn't that much. Raises of 25 per cent, therefore, are fairly trivial.
They should tell it to the hundreds of engineers who lined up last week looking for jobs. Or the minimum-wage kids and the parents worried about mortgage payments.
Most of all, they should tell it to the patients who are seeing big increases in waiting times for surgeries and emergency ward help.
That's the crux of the problem with these raises.
It is fundamentally wrong for anybody in public life to take more money for doing a worse job.
But these people have bagged a pay hike at the very moment the system is hitting the wall.
Since the new board took over last May, health care has deteriorated sharply.
Now the honeymoon is over. Many Albertans, after months of neutral watchfulness, want results rather than raises.
But what do we hear from Liepert? The public might not see concrete improvements until the third year of reform.
Before, Liepert has always said we could expect some gains in 2009.
Now the public will have to wait until 2010.
Well, maybe that's realistic, but if it is, the superboard members should wait for their raises, too.
In the past few weeks we've heard about massive bonuses for civil servants and ATB Financial officials.
The ship of state, still under boom-time sail, is slow to alter course.
But it is changing. Bonuses will be suspended for this year and next. MLAs and political staff won't get their cost-of-living raises.
In most areas, the government finally realizes that public sector pay hikes are toxic assets in these times.
Liepert didn't get it, though, and the health board never saw the point in disclosing the raises.
As a result, they've blown the public's goodwill in just two weeks.
dbraid@theherald.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
http://www.calgaryherald.com/story_print.html?id=1446697&sponsor=
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Pay hike for health board is sick
Calgary HeraldMarch 27, 2009
O utrageous. That's the first word that comes to mind at the news that Health Minister Ron Liepert has given the members of the Alberta Health Services superboard a 25 per cent raise. Let's get the optics out of the way first. They are unquestionably terrible. In a time of economic downturn when health care is hurting more than usual, the sight of board members receiving this double-digit increase is frankly appalling.
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. The 15 positions on the superboard are not full-time jobs. The members are paid honorariums--but since when is any honorarium in the neighbourhood of $50,000? That's a salary, not an honorarium. The very word "honorarium" denotes a nominal sum paid as an acknowledgment of the time and effort dedicated to board membership. On top of that, members get $750 whenever they attend a board meeting, plus remuneration up to a maximum of $1,000 a month for other meetings and business. What kind of board, in the public or private sector, pays its members separately to attend meetings? That's what boards do--they meet. It's their most basic function. And when they meet, it should never be treated as some extraordinary circumstance de-serving of extra pay on top of the honorarium. Board chair-man Ken Hughes gets even more--his honorarium with the raise will be$75,000 a year, and he'll be paid another$1,000 each time he attends a board meeting--plus a maximum of $2,000 a month for conducting other superboard business.
Granted, the members of the superboard are tasked with many more responsibilities than are the members of other boards, but a 25 per cent raise plus payment per meeting is an affront to Albertans who expect and demand that their health-care dollars will be disbursed wisely. That means Liepert's priority should be addressing long wait lists, bed and staff shortages and other pressing needs, and not lining board members' pockets. Moreover, the board has not even been in place for a year, so merit raises based on a demonstrated ability to manage the health-care system prudently and well are extremely premature.
It is disheartening to see Liepert indulging the same attitude that has been displayed too often by the provincial government, such as when Premier Ed Stelmach and cabinet voted themselves undeservedly large raises soon after the last election. There is a pervasive sense among this bunch of being out of touch with the harsh economic realities affecting the people who elected them. For Liepert to treat the superboard members as if health care were flush with the cash of more prosperous times is yet another disturbing--and infuriating--manifestation of that attitude.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
Drug prices one third the cost back east
Growing old and sick is about to get more expensive for middle-income Albertans.
That's what Gordon Steele, 69, concluded when he calculated what he and his wife will pay under the province's proposed new drug plan for seniors.
If Health Minister Ron Liepert's new plan is approved, they'll have to find another $800 out of their combined income of $66,000 to cover drug costs.
That would bring their total drug bill to $2,310 -- up from the current $1,502 they pay.
Steele was also surprised to learn that his drug costs would be substantially lower if he lived in Ontario and slightly lower in B.C.
Out of curiosity, Steele wrote health authorities in Ontario, who confirmed the couple would pay $817.11. That's about one-third of what they would pay under the new Alberta plan -- and less than they pay now. (In Ontario, seniors with incomes over $24,175 pay the first $100 and $6.11 per prescription after that.) "We're already paying more than I'd pay in Ontario," said Steele. "If other provinces can provide better coverage than Alberta, you have to ask -- what is the goal?" Steele said he suspects the goal is to cut back public coverage to open up the market for private insurance for seniors benefits.
The prospect of higher drug bills comes at a time when seniors' savings in RRSPs have dropped by 30 per cent in the stock market meltdown.
Liepert, who says he opposes U.S.-style private health care, has said he wants to save the provincial treasury $30 million in 2010 by getting middle- and upper-income seniors to pay a greater portion of drug costs by charging deductibles that rise to five per cent of gross income.
Currently, Alberta seniors pay up to 30 per cent of drugs with a maximum $25 per prescription -- regardless of income.
Under the new plan, a senior with a gross income of $56,325 would pay $2,760 for drugs before coverage would kick in. (At $150,000 income, the deductible is $7,500 or 7.5 per cent of gross income.) If the government needs more cash from seniors, it makes more sense to raise the $25 prescription fee to $35 or $40, said Noel Chamberlain, seniors advocate with Public Interest Alberta.
That way, the government can avoid the prospect of income testing for seniors -- many of whom are angry at the prospect of divulging their incomes.
Frustration has grown among seniors because there was no consultation about the proposed plan and Tory MLAs won't respond to calls, said Michael Marlowe, who works with Seniors Helping Seniors.
"Everyone is quiet and 99 per cent of the time we get no response (from MLAs)," said Marlowe.
Premier Ed Stelmach has refused to meet with them, he said.
Many seniors rely on the province's seniors benefit for income supplement, so they don't want to rock the boat, Marlowe said.
Liepert told the legislature last month he will look at concerns raised by seniors.
"The policy is still the right policy, but we've had a number of seniors raise issues," Liepert told the legislature. "We're taking a look at all of those situations and we'll make a determination as we go forward." The government is reviewing the income thresholds that determine how much a senior pays before coverage kicks in.
Steele supports the additional benefit to low-income seniors but said the cash for it shouldn't come from middle-income seniors who are hit especially hard in this plan.
If the government wants people with higher incomes to pay more in order to make health care sustainable, it should rethink the flat 10-per-cent tax Albertans pay on gross income, which benefits the wealthy, said Steele.
"We should look at (returning to) a progressive tax system," he said, where the tax rate rises with income level.
spratt@thejournal.canwest.com
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Superboard - super raises
Less than one year after the formation of Alberta's health superboard, the province's health minister has given its members and chairman raises of 20 and 25 per cent.
Ken Hughes, board chairman of Alberta Health Services, will now earn $75,000 a year, up from $60,000 approved nine months ago. He will also receive $1,000 per day for up to four public meetings each month.
Board members will earn $60,000 a year, up from $50,000 previously approved, topped up with $750 a day for up to four meetings each month.
Hughes said the minister decided on the raises, which came in December.
"Most of us are not serving for the honoraria," he said after a board meeting in Red Deer. "We're serving because we think we can make a big difference."
John Tuckwell, spokesman for Alberta Health and Wellness, said the original smaller figures were set when the board was made of interim members. He said Hughes proposed the raises to the minister, and Ron Liepert approved.
"The minister has agreed that that's appropriate," Tuckwell said. "These are business-board-type people and you need to be able to recruit and retain the best. You need to offer competitive packages. This adjustment reflects what the market is doing," and what similar-sized organizations are offering their board members.
David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, doesn't approve.
"I don't think it's a good idea, talking about cutbacks in different sectors," Eggen said. "It sets the wrong message and tone for what they're trying to accomplish here in the next weeks and months."
Although the payments are categorized as honoraria, since the board member positions are part-time, Eggen said. "Plenty of front-line health-care workers make less than that for a full-time job. The minister should set a responsible and prudent tone."
Board members discussed policies surrounding their honoraria on Wednesday at their first meeting with Stephen Duckett, who is three days into his new job as president and CEO of Alberta Health Services.
Duckett said he will focus on improving access, quality and sustainability in the health system by setting clear strategies and monitoring progress.
"It's going to be really important that we live within our means," Duckett said. He wouldn't reveal third-quarter estimates of the board's deficit, but said the deficit is below the $700-million operating deficit reported up to now. The estimated deficit balloons to $1.3 billion when capital funds are included.
"It's changing in the right direction," he said. "I think it's going to be substantially better than that."
Duckett said he is eager to hear the provincial budget April 7.
"We're going to set a budget, saying this is what we're going to do, and we're going to deliver on the budget," he said. "It's really important that we get the numbers and plan so we set the course for the whole fiscal year."
He said Alberta Health Services will honour any severance packages, such as the one heading to Paddy Meade, who was laid off last week from her $515,000 salaried job as executive operating officer of the new Continuum of Care Division. She could receive upwards of $1 million in severance, though no details have been released.
"The structure is what we're looking at," Duckett said of the decision to cut her job. "I thought that this part of the organization, the reporting lines were somewhat long and the flattening of the organization was a good thing to do."
He said he's not anticipating any more huge changes.
Ken Hughes, board chairman of Alberta Health Services, will now earn $75,000 a year, up from $60,000 approved nine months ago. He will also receive $1,000 per day for up to four public meetings each month.
Board members will earn $60,000 a year, up from $50,000 previously approved, topped up with $750 a day for up to four meetings each month.
Hughes said the minister decided on the raises, which came in December.
"Most of us are not serving for the honoraria," he said after a board meeting in Red Deer. "We're serving because we think we can make a big difference."
John Tuckwell, spokesman for Alberta Health and Wellness, said the original smaller figures were set when the board was made of interim members. He said Hughes proposed the raises to the minister, and Ron Liepert approved.
"The minister has agreed that that's appropriate," Tuckwell said. "These are business-board-type people and you need to be able to recruit and retain the best. You need to offer competitive packages. This adjustment reflects what the market is doing," and what similar-sized organizations are offering their board members.
David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, doesn't approve.
"I don't think it's a good idea, talking about cutbacks in different sectors," Eggen said. "It sets the wrong message and tone for what they're trying to accomplish here in the next weeks and months."
Although the payments are categorized as honoraria, since the board member positions are part-time, Eggen said. "Plenty of front-line health-care workers make less than that for a full-time job. The minister should set a responsible and prudent tone."
Board members discussed policies surrounding their honoraria on Wednesday at their first meeting with Stephen Duckett, who is three days into his new job as president and CEO of Alberta Health Services.
Duckett said he will focus on improving access, quality and sustainability in the health system by setting clear strategies and monitoring progress.
"It's going to be really important that we live within our means," Duckett said. He wouldn't reveal third-quarter estimates of the board's deficit, but said the deficit is below the $700-million operating deficit reported up to now. The estimated deficit balloons to $1.3 billion when capital funds are included.
"It's changing in the right direction," he said. "I think it's going to be substantially better than that."
Duckett said he is eager to hear the provincial budget April 7.
"We're going to set a budget, saying this is what we're going to do, and we're going to deliver on the budget," he said. "It's really important that we get the numbers and plan so we set the course for the whole fiscal year."
He said Alberta Health Services will honour any severance packages, such as the one heading to Paddy Meade, who was laid off last week from her $515,000 salaried job as executive operating officer of the new Continuum of Care Division. She could receive upwards of $1 million in severance, though no details have been released.
"The structure is what we're looking at," Duckett said of the decision to cut her job. "I thought that this part of the organization, the reporting lines were somewhat long and the flattening of the organization was a good thing to do."
He said he's not anticipating any more huge changes.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Radio news too
Seniors rally against change to prescription drug coverage 5:45PM 3/21/2009
A rally in the city today, for seniors feeling short-changed by the government.A new pharmaceutical drug strategy will have low income seniors paying less but those who live modestly paying more.The Executive Director of Friends of Medicare David Eggen thinks the basic fundamentals of the system should not be tampered with. "We pay in when we're not sick and then we might use the system when we do need it. To break that idea up... to go from universality to a means test, I think, should worry every Albertan."The rally was held Saturday afternoon outside of the office of MLA Raj Sherman.(rw,Ams, blb)
A rally in the city today, for seniors feeling short-changed by the government.A new pharmaceutical drug strategy will have low income seniors paying less but those who live modestly paying more.The Executive Director of Friends of Medicare David Eggen thinks the basic fundamentals of the system should not be tampered with. "We pay in when we're not sick and then we might use the system when we do need it. To break that idea up... to go from universality to a means test, I think, should worry every Albertan."The rally was held Saturday afternoon outside of the office of MLA Raj Sherman.(rw,Ams, blb)
Lead Story on CTV
Seniors rally against changes to prescription drug coverage
Sonia Sunger, ctvedmonton.ca
Dozens of seniors are voicing their opposition to a new provincial pharmaceutical drug strategy that will reduce costs for some, but will force middle income seniors to pay much more for their prescription drugs.
The changes which were announced in December mean single income seniors who make less that $21,325, and senior families with a combined income of less that $42,650 will not pay for drug coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2010.
However, seniors who make more will have to pay a deductible based on their income, and that has many furious.
"Attacking the sick is what they seem to be doing," said Spruce Grove resident John Hartley. "If somebody in that government figures $42,000 is a lot of money, I got news for them."
Hartley says he and his wife receive modest pensions over the allotted $42,650, but he says its barely enough to get by, especially now that they'll have to pay for their prescriptions.
"This move by the government is going to cost not only me, but seniors with a modest income," he said. "We are both experiencing chronic health problems and as we go down this road its going to cost me between $1,200 and $1,700 a year."
Just days before the new provincial pharmaceutical drug plan was announced, Health Minister Ron Liepert said the changes were long overdue.
"It should have been keeping up with the pace of drug costs; it hasn't been, so we now need to ensure that we are taking steps to correct that, but we're not going to do it in one big jump, we are going to phase it in over three years," said Liepert.
Almost all of the changes will be phased in by July 2010.
Friends of Medicare Executive Director David Eggen, says the government needs to think about cutting costs in different areas instead of health care.
"We want to make sure the money hits the ground for health care, for people when they need it, and not being spent through million dollar severances and bulging bureaucracies," said Eggen.
Some seniors at the rally say they understand health care can get expensive, but they say they've earned the right to receive coverage.
"Seniors are costly, I realize that...however, we've earned this with our life in the province, we've earned this over our dedication to the province," said 80-year-old Anna Halder.
Liepert told the legislature last month that his department will look into the program and some believe that could mean raising the $21,000 threshold.
With files from Scott Roberts
Dozens of seniors are voicing their opposition to a new provincial pharmaceutical drug strategy that will reduce costs for some, but will force middle income seniors to pay much more for their prescription drugs.
The changes which were announced in December mean single income seniors who make less that $21,325, and senior families with a combined income of less that $42,650 will not pay for drug coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2010.
However, seniors who make more will have to pay a deductible based on their income, and that has many furious.
"Attacking the sick is what they seem to be doing," said Spruce Grove resident John Hartley. "If somebody in that government figures $42,000 is a lot of money, I got news for them."
Hartley says he and his wife receive modest pensions over the allotted $42,650, but he says its barely enough to get by, especially now that they'll have to pay for their prescriptions.
"This move by the government is going to cost not only me, but seniors with a modest income," he said. "We are both experiencing chronic health problems and as we go down this road its going to cost me between $1,200 and $1,700 a year."
Just days before the new provincial pharmaceutical drug plan was announced, Health Minister Ron Liepert said the changes were long overdue.
"It should have been keeping up with the pace of drug costs; it hasn't been, so we now need to ensure that we are taking steps to correct that, but we're not going to do it in one big jump, we are going to phase it in over three years," said Liepert.
Almost all of the changes will be phased in by July 2010.
Friends of Medicare Executive Director David Eggen, says the government needs to think about cutting costs in different areas instead of health care.
"We want to make sure the money hits the ground for health care, for people when they need it, and not being spent through million dollar severances and bulging bureaucracies," said Eggen.
Some seniors at the rally say they understand health care can get expensive, but they say they've earned the right to receive coverage.
"Seniors are costly, I realize that...however, we've earned this with our life in the province, we've earned this over our dedication to the province," said 80-year-old Anna Halder.
Liepert told the legislature last month that his department will look into the program and some believe that could mean raising the $21,000 threshold.
With files from Scott Roberts
Seniors Protest Pharmacy and Continuing Care Strategy
About 75 people gathered at the constituency office of MLA Dr. Raj Sherman this afternoon to protest "deficiencies" in the province's proposed senior's pharmaceutical and continuing care strategy.
“The government is proposing to impose a serious increase to drug costs for seniors, moving from a flat rate system to a means test,” said protest organizer David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare.
“This is a real attack on the principle of universality and really singling seniors out unfairly which, especially in an economic downturn, doesn't seem right.”
Ralliers of all ages shouted “Don't cut seniors out!” and waved signs as cars drove by and honked in support.
Eggen said they chose to picket Sherman's office because he is the Health and Wellness parliamentary secretary. He said he wants to push the message that a universal pharmacy care program is what is needed.
The campaigners plan to rally at the offices of Minister of Seniors and Community Supports Minister Mary Anne Jablonski, and Health and Wellness Minister Ron Liepert.
Under the plan, single seniors with an annual income of $21,325 or less and senior families with an annual income of $42,650 or less receive free drug coverage. Otherwise, they must pay a deductible based on their income.
Sherman, who was out of town for a presentation, said the current plan will help the sickest, most vulnerable people in the province in the lowest income bracket.
“Generally speaking, those of lower income are on more drugs and more expensive drugs, and have more medical problems,” he said, speaking from his experience as an emergency room doctor. “We would admit them, we would fix them up, but they couldn't afford their drugs and would be admitted again.
“This isn't about money, this is about making sure people who really need the drugs are able to get them.”
Sherman acknowledged that the lower-middle class seniors may face some challenges under the new plan. But he said the health minister has publicly announced that he will be taking a second look at the plan and “tightening up” a few things.
clara.ho@sunmedia.ca
“The government is proposing to impose a serious increase to drug costs for seniors, moving from a flat rate system to a means test,” said protest organizer David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare.
“This is a real attack on the principle of universality and really singling seniors out unfairly which, especially in an economic downturn, doesn't seem right.”
Ralliers of all ages shouted “Don't cut seniors out!” and waved signs as cars drove by and honked in support.
Eggen said they chose to picket Sherman's office because he is the Health and Wellness parliamentary secretary. He said he wants to push the message that a universal pharmacy care program is what is needed.
The campaigners plan to rally at the offices of Minister of Seniors and Community Supports Minister Mary Anne Jablonski, and Health and Wellness Minister Ron Liepert.
Under the plan, single seniors with an annual income of $21,325 or less and senior families with an annual income of $42,650 or less receive free drug coverage. Otherwise, they must pay a deductible based on their income.
Sherman, who was out of town for a presentation, said the current plan will help the sickest, most vulnerable people in the province in the lowest income bracket.
“Generally speaking, those of lower income are on more drugs and more expensive drugs, and have more medical problems,” he said, speaking from his experience as an emergency room doctor. “We would admit them, we would fix them up, but they couldn't afford their drugs and would be admitted again.
“This isn't about money, this is about making sure people who really need the drugs are able to get them.”
Sherman acknowledged that the lower-middle class seniors may face some challenges under the new plan. But he said the health minister has publicly announced that he will be taking a second look at the plan and “tightening up” a few things.
clara.ho@sunmedia.ca
Wow - check out our new website!
This new website for Friends of Medicare is more befitting the important work we do. Watch how this website will help us to reach out and educate Albertans about how important our public health system is.
Pricey Payouts continue...
Alberta's new health board could be on the hook for more than $1 million in severance pay after one of the top executives of Alberta Health Services was laid off Friday morning after less than a year in the position.
Paddy Meade, who was paid $515,000 in salary and benefits, received notice Friday morning that her newly created role of executive operating officer of the new Continuum of Care Division was disappearing as part of a "flattening of the organizational structure."
"That position has been eliminated," said Mark Kastner, spokesman for Alberta Health Services.
A letter to staff from Stephen Duckett, the new Australian president and CEO of the superboard who starts Monday, said Meade was leaving immediately.
"All the (senior management) people that reported to Paddy Meade are now reporting directly to Dr. Duckett," Kastner said. "In an organization of this size, which is nearly 100,000 employees, change is inevitable. From an organization structure, this makes sense."
Meade, Alberta's former deputy health minister, was a key player in the health system's reorganization when the ministry collapsed Alberta's nine health regions into one and laid off all the top regional bosses, with an aim to make the system more accessible and sustainable. Currently, the health board has a $1.2-billion deficit.
Kastner said the health board is negotiating a severance package, but wouldn't release the details.
According to a June 2008 contract document obtained by the Alberta Liberals through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy office, Meade would receive two years' salary and benefits, plus two times the average annual bonus (up to a maximum of 25 per cent of her annual salary) if she was terminated without cause.
It's unclear if that's the case for Meade. It's also unclear if the calculation would be based on Meade's full $515,000 salary, since she
wasn't in the position for a full year. But based on this information, Meade could get more than $1 million in severance.
"That's absolutely outrageous and I hope that they are not making this move under those very generous terms," said David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare. "If Mr. Duckett determined there was just cause in the sense this position was redundant or superfluous, then we don't need to see another multimillion-dollar round of severance packages paid out."
Alberta Health Services has already paid more than $8 million in severance packages to the eight ousted CEOs of the former health regions, not including millions more in supplemental retirement cash on top of regular pensions. Sheila Weatherill, former CEO of the former Capital Health Region, received a package worth $3.48 million.
Other people could receive payouts if Duckett makes more changes to the organizational structure. A February 2009 document obtained by the Journal suggests 70 to 80 new vice-president positions have been created under Alberta Health Services.
'SCARCE FINANCIAL RESOURCES'
"It's very troubling in light of the fact that we've already spent so many scarce financial resources on the transition and now we find the people who were calling the shots and giving the directions are no longer there," said Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald.
Last summer, MacDonald argued that Meade was in conflict when she moved directly from her role in government to become a top health bureaucrat.
Alberta's ethics commissioner cleared Meade and said she was the best person for the job.
"Kudos to Stephen Duckett," said NDP Leader Brian Mason.
"I think that's the right call. I think if you're going to find cost savings, you should start at the top. This is an encouraging sign from the new head."
Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann said Meade's abrupt layoff shows how unprepared the Alberta government was when it restructured the health system.
"It illustrates the lack of clarity and the lack of planning in this evolution, or at least the lack of transparency because there are so many surprises that occur," Swann said.
"It seems like this is a work in progress and these kinds of decisions, suddenly and abruptly, make people nervous. It sends the message that without an overarching plan, anything can happen."
He said a million-dollar severance package is unacceptable.
"They far exceed what Albertans believe are fair and reasonable expectations," he said.
jsinnema@thejournal.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
Paddy Meade, who was paid $515,000 in salary and benefits, received notice Friday morning that her newly created role of executive operating officer of the new Continuum of Care Division was disappearing as part of a "flattening of the organizational structure."
"That position has been eliminated," said Mark Kastner, spokesman for Alberta Health Services.
A letter to staff from Stephen Duckett, the new Australian president and CEO of the superboard who starts Monday, said Meade was leaving immediately.
"All the (senior management) people that reported to Paddy Meade are now reporting directly to Dr. Duckett," Kastner said. "In an organization of this size, which is nearly 100,000 employees, change is inevitable. From an organization structure, this makes sense."
Meade, Alberta's former deputy health minister, was a key player in the health system's reorganization when the ministry collapsed Alberta's nine health regions into one and laid off all the top regional bosses, with an aim to make the system more accessible and sustainable. Currently, the health board has a $1.2-billion deficit.
Kastner said the health board is negotiating a severance package, but wouldn't release the details.
According to a June 2008 contract document obtained by the Alberta Liberals through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy office, Meade would receive two years' salary and benefits, plus two times the average annual bonus (up to a maximum of 25 per cent of her annual salary) if she was terminated without cause.
It's unclear if that's the case for Meade. It's also unclear if the calculation would be based on Meade's full $515,000 salary, since she
wasn't in the position for a full year. But based on this information, Meade could get more than $1 million in severance.
"That's absolutely outrageous and I hope that they are not making this move under those very generous terms," said David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare. "If Mr. Duckett determined there was just cause in the sense this position was redundant or superfluous, then we don't need to see another multimillion-dollar round of severance packages paid out."
Alberta Health Services has already paid more than $8 million in severance packages to the eight ousted CEOs of the former health regions, not including millions more in supplemental retirement cash on top of regular pensions. Sheila Weatherill, former CEO of the former Capital Health Region, received a package worth $3.48 million.
Other people could receive payouts if Duckett makes more changes to the organizational structure. A February 2009 document obtained by the Journal suggests 70 to 80 new vice-president positions have been created under Alberta Health Services.
'SCARCE FINANCIAL RESOURCES'
"It's very troubling in light of the fact that we've already spent so many scarce financial resources on the transition and now we find the people who were calling the shots and giving the directions are no longer there," said Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald.
Last summer, MacDonald argued that Meade was in conflict when she moved directly from her role in government to become a top health bureaucrat.
Alberta's ethics commissioner cleared Meade and said she was the best person for the job.
"Kudos to Stephen Duckett," said NDP Leader Brian Mason.
"I think that's the right call. I think if you're going to find cost savings, you should start at the top. This is an encouraging sign from the new head."
Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann said Meade's abrupt layoff shows how unprepared the Alberta government was when it restructured the health system.
"It illustrates the lack of clarity and the lack of planning in this evolution, or at least the lack of transparency because there are so many surprises that occur," Swann said.
"It seems like this is a work in progress and these kinds of decisions, suddenly and abruptly, make people nervous. It sends the message that without an overarching plan, anything can happen."
He said a million-dollar severance package is unacceptable.
"They far exceed what Albertans believe are fair and reasonable expectations," he said.
jsinnema@thejournal.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Unhealthy decision?
Written by Dave Mabell
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Lethbridge residents may see more of their medical tests sent to a larger centre. That, some groups are warning, could mean slower results and greater chances for error.If more and more test samples are shipped off to Calgary or beyond, they predict the Lethbridge laboratory will lose staff members as well as their expertise.Health officials say changing to two major facilities could allow technicians to begin using digital equipment. The tests, involving Pap smears taken at doctors’ offices across the region, are currently run in the cytology section of regional medical labs in Lethbridge, Red Deer and a handful of other locations.No decisions have yet been made to stop testing in Lethbridge, officials say — or about who would run the tests instead. But local groups, along with provincial organizations like Friends of Medicare, see the move as yet another step toward dismantling regional resources by transferring those vital procedures to large, privately run facilities.“We are protesting the increasing privatization of our Alberta health-care system,” says Bev Muendel-Atherstone, one of a group of Lethbridge-area citizens organizing a demonstration this afternoon. In Edmonton, a health employees’ spokesperson pointed out, lab tests have already been privatized. Elisabeth Ballermann, president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, reported a for-profit lab in her city is believed to be on the government’s list of facilities that may be awarded a province-wide contract for gynecological cytology.“Privatization is definitely an issue for us,” she said. The private enterprise lab’s staff, she added, is represented by her union – along with public-sector lab workers in Lethbridge and many other centres.Yet government officials have not talked with her union about proposed changes, Ballermann said.“We’ve had no consultation with Alberta Health Services whatsoever” on this issue. Alberta has about 100 laboratory technicians who specialize in cytology, she added, and at least one-third of them are working outside Edmonton or Calgary. If the government moves those jobs to one of the major cities, Ballermann warned, there’s no guarantee those people would follow.“A significant number of people could say, ‘We’re not going,’ ” because they much prefer living in a smaller city.“We need health care people,” she said. “We can’t afford to lose them.”It’s essential to keep regional labs open, she added, providing a range of tests that physicians frequently request.“Lab testing is a significant factor in 85 per cent of the diagnoses that doctors make.”Friends of Medicare spokesperson David Eggen, also speaking from Edmonton, said he’s heard from people in many parts of Alberta who are concerned about the proposal.“There are ways to provide more effective and better services that don’t involve this centralization of power,” said Eggen, the Alberta group’s executive director.“Lethbridge has the skilled technologists,” as well as up-to-date testing equipment.“Is this really an effort to increase health effectiveness, or just part of an effort to centralize and privatize it?”Speaking from Red Deer, Alberta Health Services spokesperson Bryan Judd said a decision would be made soon on whether to begin negotiating with managers of a few selected lab services on a more centralized program.The first step, he said, was sending out a request for proposals. Now those are being evaluated, along with the advantages and disadvantages of moving away from the present system.“If it turns out the proposals make sense, we’ll go to the next step.”That would mean starting talks this spring with a few labs that submitted the best proposals, said Judd. About 120,000 tests are run annually from centres outside Calgary and Edmonton, he reported.Regional labs in both Lethbridge and Red Deer are equipped with the latest liquid-based cytology technology, he added. And both offer “a pretty full service list” for tests of all kinds.“Most of the routine work that’s required is done on site.”Just the same, Judd said “there’s a group of esoteric tests” used less often, that Lethbridge technicians send to Calgary.“There’s a low volume, and they’re fairly expensive.”
Written by Dave Mabell
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Lethbridge residents may see more of their medical tests sent to a larger centre. That, some groups are warning, could mean slower results and greater chances for error.If more and more test samples are shipped off to Calgary or beyond, they predict the Lethbridge laboratory will lose staff members as well as their expertise.Health officials say changing to two major facilities could allow technicians to begin using digital equipment. The tests, involving Pap smears taken at doctors’ offices across the region, are currently run in the cytology section of regional medical labs in Lethbridge, Red Deer and a handful of other locations.No decisions have yet been made to stop testing in Lethbridge, officials say — or about who would run the tests instead. But local groups, along with provincial organizations like Friends of Medicare, see the move as yet another step toward dismantling regional resources by transferring those vital procedures to large, privately run facilities.“We are protesting the increasing privatization of our Alberta health-care system,” says Bev Muendel-Atherstone, one of a group of Lethbridge-area citizens organizing a demonstration this afternoon. In Edmonton, a health employees’ spokesperson pointed out, lab tests have already been privatized. Elisabeth Ballermann, president of the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, reported a for-profit lab in her city is believed to be on the government’s list of facilities that may be awarded a province-wide contract for gynecological cytology.“Privatization is definitely an issue for us,” she said. The private enterprise lab’s staff, she added, is represented by her union – along with public-sector lab workers in Lethbridge and many other centres.Yet government officials have not talked with her union about proposed changes, Ballermann said.“We’ve had no consultation with Alberta Health Services whatsoever” on this issue. Alberta has about 100 laboratory technicians who specialize in cytology, she added, and at least one-third of them are working outside Edmonton or Calgary. If the government moves those jobs to one of the major cities, Ballermann warned, there’s no guarantee those people would follow.“A significant number of people could say, ‘We’re not going,’ ” because they much prefer living in a smaller city.“We need health care people,” she said. “We can’t afford to lose them.”It’s essential to keep regional labs open, she added, providing a range of tests that physicians frequently request.“Lab testing is a significant factor in 85 per cent of the diagnoses that doctors make.”Friends of Medicare spokesperson David Eggen, also speaking from Edmonton, said he’s heard from people in many parts of Alberta who are concerned about the proposal.“There are ways to provide more effective and better services that don’t involve this centralization of power,” said Eggen, the Alberta group’s executive director.“Lethbridge has the skilled technologists,” as well as up-to-date testing equipment.“Is this really an effort to increase health effectiveness, or just part of an effort to centralize and privatize it?”Speaking from Red Deer, Alberta Health Services spokesperson Bryan Judd said a decision would be made soon on whether to begin negotiating with managers of a few selected lab services on a more centralized program.The first step, he said, was sending out a request for proposals. Now those are being evaluated, along with the advantages and disadvantages of moving away from the present system.“If it turns out the proposals make sense, we’ll go to the next step.”That would mean starting talks this spring with a few labs that submitted the best proposals, said Judd. About 120,000 tests are run annually from centres outside Calgary and Edmonton, he reported.Regional labs in both Lethbridge and Red Deer are equipped with the latest liquid-based cytology technology, he added. And both offer “a pretty full service list” for tests of all kinds.“Most of the routine work that’s required is done on site.”Just the same, Judd said “there’s a group of esoteric tests” used less often, that Lethbridge technicians send to Calgary.“There’s a low volume, and they’re fairly expensive.”
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Falher-Smoky River News
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Alberta government considering health care cuts in next provincial budgetFalher Smoky River Express Wed 11 Mar 2009 Page: 1 Section: News Byline: Susan Thompson Source: The Express
Albertans will have to wait for the next provincial budget to find out if the province will cut funding for up to 30 different health services.
Dunvegan-Central Peace MLA and Minister of Employment and Immigration Hector Goudreau recently told a Rotary Club meeting in Grimshaw services not covered under the Canada Health Act might be delisted by the province. Alberta currently funds a number of different health services not covered by the act, such as chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and eye exams for children and seniors.
According to an article that ran in the February 11 edition of the Mile Zero News, Goudreau said, "There's no need to cover them."
The comment sparked a storm of controversy across the province, with media in Calgary and Edmonton picking up the story and critics such as opposition parties and health care groups charging that such cuts would threaten public health care and open the door to more private insurance.
Goudreau was unavailable to comment further on the issue when approached by the Express. Alberta's Health Minister Ron Liepert has so far refused to confirm that the services will be delisted, saying only that he is still in the process of developing the budget and has nothing to announce yet.
But Liepert has also been widely quoted as saying everything in the current health care budget is up for careful consideration.
Speaking to reporters in Calgary, he said, "Quite frankly, I wouldn't be doing my job as minister if we didn't look at every line of expenditure in our budget and ask the question, do we need to spend that money?"
Liepert has also said anything protected under the Canada Health Act will continue to be covered, and Goudreau initially told the Rotary meeting that Blue Cross will likely be expanded to cover any services that lose provincial funding.
Goudreau was originally speaking in Grimshaw about the future of health care in Alberta and the new administrator who will be joining Alberta Health Services March 23, Stephen Duckett of Queensland, Australia.
In the Mile Zero article, Gourdeau said, "Our system is totally not sustainable."
He added that how health care in Alberta is rendered is evolving and will be very different in ten years, but in his opinion the new Health Services chief executive is unlikely to move Alberta to a two-tier health system.
Dave Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, says our current system is sustainable if the proper investments are made in health now.
He points out that most of the services Goudraeu said may be delisted are preventative in nature, and it's cheaper in the long run to pay for preventative services that help maintain people's good health rather than to pay for more serious problems down the road. Liberal leader David Swann made similar comments to media in February.
However, Eggen adds, "It's less of a question of saving money and more of an issue of trying to narrow the scope of what public health care is, and we find that to be unacceptable."
"It's important to not think of medical services as being so arbitrary that you can bring them in or bring them out according to whether you want to balance your ledgers in the government. If we presume that a procedure has been deemed to be medically necessary it doesn't change arbitrarily when the government is looking for places to cut."
The idea of cutting any health services didn't go over well with local seniors gathered for coffee at Club Alouette in Falher. It's thought that any cuts to current health services would impact seniors the most.
"I think services should be maintained," said Aline Houle. "A lot of seniors are on a fixed income."
"Let alone paying for services, we have to travel so far to get them, so right there, that's a big expense already," pointed out Marilyne Despins.
"There isn't provision of services in our area, and that's a big downside," agreed Houle.
Most of the men and women at Club Alouette said they use services like chiropractic and acupuncture to relieve pain and maintain their health, and have to travel to Peace River or Grimshaw, if not further, for their appointments.
The next provincial budget is expected in late March.
Albertans will have to wait for the next provincial budget to find out if the province will cut funding for up to 30 different health services.
Dunvegan-Central Peace MLA and Minister of Employment and Immigration Hector Goudreau recently told a Rotary Club meeting in Grimshaw services not covered under the Canada Health Act might be delisted by the province. Alberta currently funds a number of different health services not covered by the act, such as chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and eye exams for children and seniors.
According to an article that ran in the February 11 edition of the Mile Zero News, Goudreau said, "There's no need to cover them."
The comment sparked a storm of controversy across the province, with media in Calgary and Edmonton picking up the story and critics such as opposition parties and health care groups charging that such cuts would threaten public health care and open the door to more private insurance.
Goudreau was unavailable to comment further on the issue when approached by the Express. Alberta's Health Minister Ron Liepert has so far refused to confirm that the services will be delisted, saying only that he is still in the process of developing the budget and has nothing to announce yet.
But Liepert has also been widely quoted as saying everything in the current health care budget is up for careful consideration.
Speaking to reporters in Calgary, he said, "Quite frankly, I wouldn't be doing my job as minister if we didn't look at every line of expenditure in our budget and ask the question, do we need to spend that money?"
Liepert has also said anything protected under the Canada Health Act will continue to be covered, and Goudreau initially told the Rotary meeting that Blue Cross will likely be expanded to cover any services that lose provincial funding.
Goudreau was originally speaking in Grimshaw about the future of health care in Alberta and the new administrator who will be joining Alberta Health Services March 23, Stephen Duckett of Queensland, Australia.
In the Mile Zero article, Gourdeau said, "Our system is totally not sustainable."
He added that how health care in Alberta is rendered is evolving and will be very different in ten years, but in his opinion the new Health Services chief executive is unlikely to move Alberta to a two-tier health system.
Dave Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, says our current system is sustainable if the proper investments are made in health now.
He points out that most of the services Goudraeu said may be delisted are preventative in nature, and it's cheaper in the long run to pay for preventative services that help maintain people's good health rather than to pay for more serious problems down the road. Liberal leader David Swann made similar comments to media in February.
However, Eggen adds, "It's less of a question of saving money and more of an issue of trying to narrow the scope of what public health care is, and we find that to be unacceptable."
"It's important to not think of medical services as being so arbitrary that you can bring them in or bring them out according to whether you want to balance your ledgers in the government. If we presume that a procedure has been deemed to be medically necessary it doesn't change arbitrarily when the government is looking for places to cut."
The idea of cutting any health services didn't go over well with local seniors gathered for coffee at Club Alouette in Falher. It's thought that any cuts to current health services would impact seniors the most.
"I think services should be maintained," said Aline Houle. "A lot of seniors are on a fixed income."
"Let alone paying for services, we have to travel so far to get them, so right there, that's a big expense already," pointed out Marilyne Despins.
"There isn't provision of services in our area, and that's a big downside," agreed Houle.
Most of the men and women at Club Alouette said they use services like chiropractic and acupuncture to relieve pain and maintain their health, and have to travel to Peace River or Grimshaw, if not further, for their appointments.
The next provincial budget is expected in late March.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Bye bye public care - hello AgeCare
Will AgeCare facility cost Strathmore our hospital expansion?
Posted By Bill Duke, Editor Posted 1 day ago
“I can tell you we are going to get it built, get it built as quickly as possible…I really do empathize with your situation…out of the 600 beds announced, 100 of those are right here in Strathmore. We don’t need any more meetings, it is a go.”
Those were the words uttered by Premier Ed Stelmach to a packed Strathmore Civic Centre just over a year ago.Following a January 29, 2008 announcement by the province that $300 million would be invested to build facilities housing 600 long-term care beds in Alberta, Stelmach visited Strathmore on February 12, 2008 and promised the total number of such beds in Strathmore would be increased to 100 from the current total of 23.
The premier went on to explain that the “money was in place” and described himself as a man of his word. He guaranteed residents of this community that the facility would be completed as quickly as possible because it was so desperately needed.But due to a potential partnership between the provincial government and the developers of the proposed AgeCare facility to be located in Cambridge Glen, the scenario laid out so clearly by Stelmach a year ago has become very muddy.
Following a meeting on Friday, Feb. 13 between MLA Arno Doerksen, Pam Whitnack of Alberta Health, Mayor George Lattery, Councillor Earl Best and others, Doerksen indicated to Best that if the province’s partnership with AgeCare materializes, the long-term care facility will be cancelled.“He told me that if this project (the AgeCare facility) goes forward, funding for extended care at the hospital will be lost,” said Best.“I’m worried we’re going to lose our extended care facility to a private-for-profit organization.”Doerksen confirmed that scenario in an interview with the Standard.“The provincial government is not in the business of building duplicate facilities in one community,” said Doerksen.“Given the fact that there are health care needs across this province, would you want to be building double in one area, whether it’s in Strathmore or somewhere else? Is that how you want your tax dollars spent?”
What is troubling to our local government is the province’s apparent belief that the addition to the hospital and the AgeCare facility are interchangeable.The town owns a parcel of land adjacent to the hospital, and has earmarked the lot specifically for a long-term care facility.The now defunct Calgary Health Region (which was recently folded into Alberta Health) even supplied the town with sketches of the care centre to be located at that site.The plan called for improvement of facilities in the existing hospital by moving all current long-term care beds into the new addition.The AgeCare partnership would prevent that plan from ever coming to fruition.According to Doerksen, Alberta Health is now gathering information to conclude just what type of facility is best for Strathmore.
“All I can tell you is that as soon as there are decisions made that are comprehensive we can get things going sometime in the spring, I hope. Things are moving forward.“(Alberta Health has) some good models as to how they assess the demographic and what seniors need. That’s all you need to know right now.”When pressed, Doerksen admitted to being unclear on the particulars of the process.
“I’m not even sure of the details exactly. They have a procedure that has worked other places and I’m confident it will work here too.”That’s a far cry from Stelmach’s triumphant message from a year go, which Doerksen essentially shrugged off.“That announcement was made prior to my involvement in government, to my election as MLA,” he said.“Our MLA needs to know what’s going on so he can fight for us,” said Best, who pointed out that Doerksen was in attendance at Stelmach’s press conference last February. Best is concerned that Strathmore residents are unaware of the limitations of the AgeCare facility, which will not include any long-term care beds.At a public hearing for the re-zoning of the Cambridge Glen parcel of land held Feb. 18, a number of letters were read aloud from citizens who applauded the proposal.
However, learning that the AgeCare facility will cost them the hospital expansion may change their tune.Donna Stelmachovich, senior vice president of seniors’ health and living options for Alberta Health Services, explained Alberta Health’s perspective in a statement.“Alberta Health Services is exploring opportunities to introduce additional capacity in Strathmore beyond only long-term or nursing home level care. We know, based on comprehensive assessments of seniors by Registered Nurses, that very few need long-term /nursing home level care. Over the years we have placed our seniors into nursing homes wether (sic) they need a small amount or very large amount of intense care.Placing seniors who only need a small amount of personal care and support into long-term care / nursing homes is not the best choice,” continued Stelmachovich.“Just as in an acute care setting, they will lose mobility and independence when the level of care is greater than their needs thus impeding quality of life. Today we have new models and increased choice for our seniors but we have not yet had the time to roll them out into all communities.”
Stelmachovich also touched on the province’s position regarding partnership with private organizations.“We realize there is concern in the community regarding partnerships with a private housing provider however there are many successful examples of these arrangements were (sic) the housing operator provides what they are expert at--housing--and Alberta Health Services provides what we are expert at--healthcare.” Stelmachovich mentioned an existing partnership between the Good Samaritan Society and the former Chinook Health Region.“This former region also has a partnerhsip (sic) with Age Care and they are providing our mutual residents with qulaity (sic) care. These facilities provide a true alternative to long term care / nursing homes and have helped to keep seniors in their own communities.”
Mayor Lattery, for one, doesn’t see eye to eye with Stelmachovich.“We’ve got 26 people shipped out to other places and 19 on a waiting list. We currently have 23 beds. Do the math; today, right now we can use 68 extended care beds. By the time (a facility) is built, which could be two years from now, we might need 75.”When asked if he agrees with Stelmachovich’s assessment, Lattery responded, “Not one iota. No member of town council shares the province’s opinion.
“I’m not against assisted living; I think it’s needed. But the main priority in this town right now is extended care.”At the Feb. 18 public hearing Strathmore’s Dr. Ward Fanning expressed to council his belief that the hospital’s long-term care facility is of much greater need to the community than the AgeCare complex.“One of the pressure points in our stressed medical system has been the care of the elderly,” said Fanning.
“Strathmore’s journey to acquire more long-term beds has been long and arduous. At no time has the government laid out all the facts. (The AgeCare facility) does not meet the needs of the community now.”The mayor and council unanimously voted in favour of the re-zoning of the Cambridge Glen land from Urban Reserve (UR) to Public Service District (P1) at their most recent council meeting.As Mayor Lattery and Councillor Best explained, squashing a request for re-zoning is very difficult when the applicant’s land is designated as UR.
This particular proposal met all qualifications to be approved for re-zoning.The AgeCare proposal can now be further scrutinized during the permit application and area structure plan application processes.Whether or not Alberta Health ultimately chooses to partner with AgeCare, it’s become abundantly clear that Premier Stelmach’s promise from a year ago no longer matters to the provincial government.
Posted By Bill Duke, Editor Posted 1 day ago
“I can tell you we are going to get it built, get it built as quickly as possible…I really do empathize with your situation…out of the 600 beds announced, 100 of those are right here in Strathmore. We don’t need any more meetings, it is a go.”
Those were the words uttered by Premier Ed Stelmach to a packed Strathmore Civic Centre just over a year ago.Following a January 29, 2008 announcement by the province that $300 million would be invested to build facilities housing 600 long-term care beds in Alberta, Stelmach visited Strathmore on February 12, 2008 and promised the total number of such beds in Strathmore would be increased to 100 from the current total of 23.
The premier went on to explain that the “money was in place” and described himself as a man of his word. He guaranteed residents of this community that the facility would be completed as quickly as possible because it was so desperately needed.But due to a potential partnership between the provincial government and the developers of the proposed AgeCare facility to be located in Cambridge Glen, the scenario laid out so clearly by Stelmach a year ago has become very muddy.
Following a meeting on Friday, Feb. 13 between MLA Arno Doerksen, Pam Whitnack of Alberta Health, Mayor George Lattery, Councillor Earl Best and others, Doerksen indicated to Best that if the province’s partnership with AgeCare materializes, the long-term care facility will be cancelled.“He told me that if this project (the AgeCare facility) goes forward, funding for extended care at the hospital will be lost,” said Best.“I’m worried we’re going to lose our extended care facility to a private-for-profit organization.”Doerksen confirmed that scenario in an interview with the Standard.“The provincial government is not in the business of building duplicate facilities in one community,” said Doerksen.“Given the fact that there are health care needs across this province, would you want to be building double in one area, whether it’s in Strathmore or somewhere else? Is that how you want your tax dollars spent?”
What is troubling to our local government is the province’s apparent belief that the addition to the hospital and the AgeCare facility are interchangeable.The town owns a parcel of land adjacent to the hospital, and has earmarked the lot specifically for a long-term care facility.The now defunct Calgary Health Region (which was recently folded into Alberta Health) even supplied the town with sketches of the care centre to be located at that site.The plan called for improvement of facilities in the existing hospital by moving all current long-term care beds into the new addition.The AgeCare partnership would prevent that plan from ever coming to fruition.According to Doerksen, Alberta Health is now gathering information to conclude just what type of facility is best for Strathmore.
“All I can tell you is that as soon as there are decisions made that are comprehensive we can get things going sometime in the spring, I hope. Things are moving forward.“(Alberta Health has) some good models as to how they assess the demographic and what seniors need. That’s all you need to know right now.”When pressed, Doerksen admitted to being unclear on the particulars of the process.
“I’m not even sure of the details exactly. They have a procedure that has worked other places and I’m confident it will work here too.”That’s a far cry from Stelmach’s triumphant message from a year go, which Doerksen essentially shrugged off.“That announcement was made prior to my involvement in government, to my election as MLA,” he said.“Our MLA needs to know what’s going on so he can fight for us,” said Best, who pointed out that Doerksen was in attendance at Stelmach’s press conference last February. Best is concerned that Strathmore residents are unaware of the limitations of the AgeCare facility, which will not include any long-term care beds.At a public hearing for the re-zoning of the Cambridge Glen parcel of land held Feb. 18, a number of letters were read aloud from citizens who applauded the proposal.
However, learning that the AgeCare facility will cost them the hospital expansion may change their tune.Donna Stelmachovich, senior vice president of seniors’ health and living options for Alberta Health Services, explained Alberta Health’s perspective in a statement.“Alberta Health Services is exploring opportunities to introduce additional capacity in Strathmore beyond only long-term or nursing home level care. We know, based on comprehensive assessments of seniors by Registered Nurses, that very few need long-term /nursing home level care. Over the years we have placed our seniors into nursing homes wether (sic) they need a small amount or very large amount of intense care.Placing seniors who only need a small amount of personal care and support into long-term care / nursing homes is not the best choice,” continued Stelmachovich.“Just as in an acute care setting, they will lose mobility and independence when the level of care is greater than their needs thus impeding quality of life. Today we have new models and increased choice for our seniors but we have not yet had the time to roll them out into all communities.”
Stelmachovich also touched on the province’s position regarding partnership with private organizations.“We realize there is concern in the community regarding partnerships with a private housing provider however there are many successful examples of these arrangements were (sic) the housing operator provides what they are expert at--housing--and Alberta Health Services provides what we are expert at--healthcare.” Stelmachovich mentioned an existing partnership between the Good Samaritan Society and the former Chinook Health Region.“This former region also has a partnerhsip (sic) with Age Care and they are providing our mutual residents with qulaity (sic) care. These facilities provide a true alternative to long term care / nursing homes and have helped to keep seniors in their own communities.”
Mayor Lattery, for one, doesn’t see eye to eye with Stelmachovich.“We’ve got 26 people shipped out to other places and 19 on a waiting list. We currently have 23 beds. Do the math; today, right now we can use 68 extended care beds. By the time (a facility) is built, which could be two years from now, we might need 75.”When asked if he agrees with Stelmachovich’s assessment, Lattery responded, “Not one iota. No member of town council shares the province’s opinion.
“I’m not against assisted living; I think it’s needed. But the main priority in this town right now is extended care.”At the Feb. 18 public hearing Strathmore’s Dr. Ward Fanning expressed to council his belief that the hospital’s long-term care facility is of much greater need to the community than the AgeCare complex.“One of the pressure points in our stressed medical system has been the care of the elderly,” said Fanning.
“Strathmore’s journey to acquire more long-term beds has been long and arduous. At no time has the government laid out all the facts. (The AgeCare facility) does not meet the needs of the community now.”The mayor and council unanimously voted in favour of the re-zoning of the Cambridge Glen land from Urban Reserve (UR) to Public Service District (P1) at their most recent council meeting.As Mayor Lattery and Councillor Best explained, squashing a request for re-zoning is very difficult when the applicant’s land is designated as UR.
This particular proposal met all qualifications to be approved for re-zoning.The AgeCare proposal can now be further scrutinized during the permit application and area structure plan application processes.Whether or not Alberta Health ultimately chooses to partner with AgeCare, it’s become abundantly clear that Premier Stelmach’s promise from a year ago no longer matters to the provincial government.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Substantial increase to Blue Cross premiums
ctvedmonton.ca
Albertans who rely on Blue Cross for medical coverage are about to be hit with a big increase to their premiums.
Starting July 1, 2009, premiums for a single person will jump from $20.50/month to $41/month.
Premiums for a family will jump from $41/month to $82/month.
There is also another big increase on the way in July 2010 when single premiums will rise to $63.50/month and family premiums will hit $118/month.
Blue Cross premiums have been the same since 1993 and the government said its fallen well behind with health care costs, and what insurance companies charge.
"Quite honestly the tax payer, you and I are subsidizing that none group plan and I believe that we should not be subsidizing that none group plan," said Health Minister Ron Liepert.
Friends of Medicare started petitioning against the changes, which also include a new model for seniors drug coverage.
"It determines a person coverage based on how much money they have or else they have to shell out the difference," said Dave Eggen with Friends of Medicare.
Starting next year, seniors will pay according to how much their annual income is, and if a seniors' income is just over $36,000 they will pay $1,000 for drugs before the government picks up any cost.
More than 4000 seniors have signed the petition asking for the government to cancel the changes and keep the current system in place.
Liepert said that while many have expressed their concerns, there is no guarantee that every government plan that exists today will exist forever.
The public can access the petition by clicking here.
It's estimated that 100,000 Albertan utilize Blue Cross services.
With files from Kevin Armstrong and CTV Calgary
ctvedmonton.ca
Albertans who rely on Blue Cross for medical coverage are about to be hit with a big increase to their premiums.
Starting July 1, 2009, premiums for a single person will jump from $20.50/month to $41/month.
Premiums for a family will jump from $41/month to $82/month.
There is also another big increase on the way in July 2010 when single premiums will rise to $63.50/month and family premiums will hit $118/month.
Blue Cross premiums have been the same since 1993 and the government said its fallen well behind with health care costs, and what insurance companies charge.
"Quite honestly the tax payer, you and I are subsidizing that none group plan and I believe that we should not be subsidizing that none group plan," said Health Minister Ron Liepert.
Friends of Medicare started petitioning against the changes, which also include a new model for seniors drug coverage.
"It determines a person coverage based on how much money they have or else they have to shell out the difference," said Dave Eggen with Friends of Medicare.
Starting next year, seniors will pay according to how much their annual income is, and if a seniors' income is just over $36,000 they will pay $1,000 for drugs before the government picks up any cost.
More than 4000 seniors have signed the petition asking for the government to cancel the changes and keep the current system in place.
Liepert said that while many have expressed their concerns, there is no guarantee that every government plan that exists today will exist forever.
The public can access the petition by clicking here.
It's estimated that 100,000 Albertan utilize Blue Cross services.
With files from Kevin Armstrong and CTV Calgary
Campaign alerts gov't to risk in changing health-care strategy The Edmonton Journal Wed 04 Mar 2009
Page: B6
Section: Alberta
Byline: Trish Audette, With files from Darcy Henton
Dateline: EDMONTON
Source: The Edmonton Journal
Alberta seniors and public health activists launched a campaign on Tuesday aimed at pressuring legislators to reconsider changes to long-term care and pharmaceutical strategies.
"Don't Cut Seniors Out" is a "ground campaign" at the moment, Friends of Medicare executive director and former NDP MLA David Eggen said.
About $10,000 has been spent getting petitions together and printing pamphlets.
But there's more pressure to come, he said.
Representatives of about 15 organizations, such as the Canadian Association of Retired People, the Alberta Retired Teachers Association and the Coalition of Seniors Advocates, want the government to toss its plans to reorganize aspects of health care.
"We represent the majority of public opinion," Eggen said. "Now is the time to take action, to mobilize. Albertans want a strong, public health-care system."
Next January, the province is scheduled to change the way it helps seniors pay for medication. Now, seniors pay 30 per cent of the cost of their prescriptions, up to $25, no matter their income.
Alberta Health and Wellness will re-evaluate how much seniors pay, and it will be based on annual income. The department estimates up to 60 per cent of seniors will pay less for their medications or nothing at all.
But high-earning seniors, about 40 per cent, will pay more.
In December, Health Minister Ron Liepert said Albertans should not have "a sense of entitlement when you're 65."
The NDP said Tuesday the new system would create winners and losers. The Liberals said plans to triple Blue Cross premiums over time were entering the realm of private insurance.
On long-term care, the province is working towards finding a balance between facilities and home care. Critics worry families will have to pay more for care, while Liepert has said people will have choices.
Retired social worker Baldwin Reichwein, who met with the minister earlier this week, said the pharmaceutical strategy will change how middle-class seniors live.
Page: B6
Section: Alberta
Byline: Trish Audette, With files from Darcy Henton
Dateline: EDMONTON
Source: The Edmonton Journal
Alberta seniors and public health activists launched a campaign on Tuesday aimed at pressuring legislators to reconsider changes to long-term care and pharmaceutical strategies.
"Don't Cut Seniors Out" is a "ground campaign" at the moment, Friends of Medicare executive director and former NDP MLA David Eggen said.
About $10,000 has been spent getting petitions together and printing pamphlets.
But there's more pressure to come, he said.
Representatives of about 15 organizations, such as the Canadian Association of Retired People, the Alberta Retired Teachers Association and the Coalition of Seniors Advocates, want the government to toss its plans to reorganize aspects of health care.
"We represent the majority of public opinion," Eggen said. "Now is the time to take action, to mobilize. Albertans want a strong, public health-care system."
Next January, the province is scheduled to change the way it helps seniors pay for medication. Now, seniors pay 30 per cent of the cost of their prescriptions, up to $25, no matter their income.
Alberta Health and Wellness will re-evaluate how much seniors pay, and it will be based on annual income. The department estimates up to 60 per cent of seniors will pay less for their medications or nothing at all.
But high-earning seniors, about 40 per cent, will pay more.
In December, Health Minister Ron Liepert said Albertans should not have "a sense of entitlement when you're 65."
The NDP said Tuesday the new system would create winners and losers. The Liberals said plans to triple Blue Cross premiums over time were entering the realm of private insurance.
On long-term care, the province is working towards finding a balance between facilities and home care. Critics worry families will have to pay more for care, while Liepert has said people will have choices.
Retired social worker Baldwin Reichwein, who met with the minister earlier this week, said the pharmaceutical strategy will change how middle-class seniors live.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A health system for the people, by the people!
Here is a revealing quote forwarded by one of our FOM members from his specialist.
"Our Health care system is increasingly being structured to generate revenue for private institutions and private practitioners, not to serve people and improve the quality and accessibility of the public system or cost effectiveness."
If the present trend continues, he said, we will be exposed to an American type of health system where seniors lose all their assets to pay their health bills. He also said doctors are more reluctant to take on seniors patients since the system only pays for one visit at a time. This is from a doctor, and a specialist, who actually said he is seeing less patients because the system is breaking down.
I am sure there are lots of other doctors who share the same opinion. Certainly we see this happening from all the information coming into FOM.
Now, there has never been a more important time to rise up and demand our health system works for us. Mr. Stelmach and his caucus are part of an old, tired system that works to gives good business deals to their friends, and not to move forward to build a better health system for everyone.
We have a proud tradition on the prairies of looking after one another and finding solutions, especially when the chips are down. Mr. Liepert, Mr. Stelmach and the rest are out of touch with both history and with the immediate future that is staring us in the face.
"Our Health care system is increasingly being structured to generate revenue for private institutions and private practitioners, not to serve people and improve the quality and accessibility of the public system or cost effectiveness."
If the present trend continues, he said, we will be exposed to an American type of health system where seniors lose all their assets to pay their health bills. He also said doctors are more reluctant to take on seniors patients since the system only pays for one visit at a time. This is from a doctor, and a specialist, who actually said he is seeing less patients because the system is breaking down.
I am sure there are lots of other doctors who share the same opinion. Certainly we see this happening from all the information coming into FOM.
Now, there has never been a more important time to rise up and demand our health system works for us. Mr. Stelmach and his caucus are part of an old, tired system that works to gives good business deals to their friends, and not to move forward to build a better health system for everyone.
We have a proud tradition on the prairies of looking after one another and finding solutions, especially when the chips are down. Mr. Liepert, Mr. Stelmach and the rest are out of touch with both history and with the immediate future that is staring us in the face.
Monday, March 2, 2009
There you are. Mr. Liepert laying it on the line.
Sun, March 1, 2009
Health boss Ron Liepert is urging Albertans to do the math so when the budget drops next month, reality won't come as such a shock
UPDATED: 2009-03-01 02:21:29 MST
By RICK BELL
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Columnists/Bell_Rick/2009/03/01/8576926-sun.php
Ron Liepert is back.
This time, the province's shoot-from-the-lip health head honcho isn't calling anybody a whiner for wanting the government to cough up more cash.
He isn't going after his critics like a junkyard dog.
No, Ron isn't rockin' or rantin' or even retractin'. He sounds relaxed and he's talking about the new reality coming to Alberta in a little more than a month.
"When we drop the budget there's going to be a rude awakening," says Ron, of the province's plans, to be unveiled April 7.
"We have to lower expectations. Clearly we have no surplus dollars. Government has to assess what it should be funding with the limited dollars we have. There have to be some tough decisions.
"Will there be lots of people complaining? You bet there will be. We will have significantly lesser increases in the budget. At the end of the day we, as a government, have to show strong leadership and we will."
Ron mentions the "boxes of cards and letters" coming to the government after another in Premier Ed's inner circle, Hec (Loose Lips) Goudreau, mused to his hometown crowd about the province not covering some health services medicare pays in full or in part now, like chiropractors.
Ron says maybe there are things the province shouldn't be footing the bill to provide but, at the moment, he is short on specifics. You do get a sense of where the ball is bouncing.
After all, when it comes to this budget, you don't show the ending of the movie in the preview, you just tell the folks sitting in the dark it's going to be a hell of a show to watch when it rolls.
"After you start to suggest to Albertans some of the things they have today they may have not in the future, you have reaction," says the health minister.
"We will have lots of reaction."
His advice to anybody who doesn't like what he's saying is simple.
"Do the numbers. Run the math."
One thing about the health minister. Unlike some of his colleagues who mutter a whole lot of nothing or hide in their offices because they think the press are a bunch of meanies, Ron doesn't flinch at the thought of people getting angry or agitated.
He worked for former premier Peter Lougheed and remembers the days of Ralph when the message, in Ron's words, was "no and what part of no don't you understand?"
Well, we're nowhere near Ralph's days of massive debt and real low oil and gas dollars, and a plan for real cuts to spending as opposed to reductions in the amount of the increase.
But, for many, who only know Alberta as a place to live large and larger again, going from double-digit annual hikes in government spending to somewhere around 3% to 5% will be an attitude adjustment.
And the math does equal far fewer dollars coming into the coffers of the common good as there were this time last year. This time last year, the oil price was more than $100 a barrel, not today's $44.
By last year's Stampede, oil hit $147 and smart boys called Alberta a tiger and predicted oil at $200 a barrel and beyond in an economic snakes-and-ladders game where no one would ever land on a snake. Ouch.
The province had been cranking out cheques to catch up with a boom the Tories didn't take seriously soon enough. Now, the boom is gone and the province has emergency savings for a couple or three years. But spending has to get under control.
Such is the new story.
"If you asked the average Albertan to guess what the projected deficit for this coming year might look like, almost all Albertans would undershoot it," says Ron.
"I don't think Albertans have thought about it. The recession hasn't really hit Alberta yet. Albertans are, for the most part, still employed but it is starting to hit in the rural areas."
This guy isn't singing a new tune. In '07, with parents yelling at him because they didn't get new schools, Ron as education minister said these words: "The treasury is going broke."
As oil and gas prices kept riding the up escalator Ron was like the guy at the party who tells everyone they're running out of booze but they're too hammered to listen.
People laughed at him. They're not laughing now.
"Obviously, I'm not a crystal-ball gazer but there wasn't any way we could continue the way we were. Then you layer on this incredible downturn. Do the math."
On the good news front, the minister confirms 140 new beds for the Peter Lougheed are new beds and not just 140 beds opening in one part of the hospital and 140 beds closing in another.
There is no commitment to finish the remaining three floors of the Lougheed.
A final question. Will Albertans back the government as it shrinks its spending?
"I guess we'll have to wait and see," says the man who sounds like he thinks he knows the answer.
Sun, March 1, 2009
Health boss Ron Liepert is urging Albertans to do the math so when the budget drops next month, reality won't come as such a shock
UPDATED: 2009-03-01 02:21:29 MST
By RICK BELL
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Columnists/Bell_Rick/2009/03/01/8576926-sun.php
Ron Liepert is back.
This time, the province's shoot-from-the-lip health head honcho isn't calling anybody a whiner for wanting the government to cough up more cash.
He isn't going after his critics like a junkyard dog.
No, Ron isn't rockin' or rantin' or even retractin'. He sounds relaxed and he's talking about the new reality coming to Alberta in a little more than a month.
"When we drop the budget there's going to be a rude awakening," says Ron, of the province's plans, to be unveiled April 7.
"We have to lower expectations. Clearly we have no surplus dollars. Government has to assess what it should be funding with the limited dollars we have. There have to be some tough decisions.
"Will there be lots of people complaining? You bet there will be. We will have significantly lesser increases in the budget. At the end of the day we, as a government, have to show strong leadership and we will."
Ron mentions the "boxes of cards and letters" coming to the government after another in Premier Ed's inner circle, Hec (Loose Lips) Goudreau, mused to his hometown crowd about the province not covering some health services medicare pays in full or in part now, like chiropractors.
Ron says maybe there are things the province shouldn't be footing the bill to provide but, at the moment, he is short on specifics. You do get a sense of where the ball is bouncing.
After all, when it comes to this budget, you don't show the ending of the movie in the preview, you just tell the folks sitting in the dark it's going to be a hell of a show to watch when it rolls.
"After you start to suggest to Albertans some of the things they have today they may have not in the future, you have reaction," says the health minister.
"We will have lots of reaction."
His advice to anybody who doesn't like what he's saying is simple.
"Do the numbers. Run the math."
One thing about the health minister. Unlike some of his colleagues who mutter a whole lot of nothing or hide in their offices because they think the press are a bunch of meanies, Ron doesn't flinch at the thought of people getting angry or agitated.
He worked for former premier Peter Lougheed and remembers the days of Ralph when the message, in Ron's words, was "no and what part of no don't you understand?"
Well, we're nowhere near Ralph's days of massive debt and real low oil and gas dollars, and a plan for real cuts to spending as opposed to reductions in the amount of the increase.
But, for many, who only know Alberta as a place to live large and larger again, going from double-digit annual hikes in government spending to somewhere around 3% to 5% will be an attitude adjustment.
And the math does equal far fewer dollars coming into the coffers of the common good as there were this time last year. This time last year, the oil price was more than $100 a barrel, not today's $44.
By last year's Stampede, oil hit $147 and smart boys called Alberta a tiger and predicted oil at $200 a barrel and beyond in an economic snakes-and-ladders game where no one would ever land on a snake. Ouch.
The province had been cranking out cheques to catch up with a boom the Tories didn't take seriously soon enough. Now, the boom is gone and the province has emergency savings for a couple or three years. But spending has to get under control.
Such is the new story.
"If you asked the average Albertan to guess what the projected deficit for this coming year might look like, almost all Albertans would undershoot it," says Ron.
"I don't think Albertans have thought about it. The recession hasn't really hit Alberta yet. Albertans are, for the most part, still employed but it is starting to hit in the rural areas."
This guy isn't singing a new tune. In '07, with parents yelling at him because they didn't get new schools, Ron as education minister said these words: "The treasury is going broke."
As oil and gas prices kept riding the up escalator Ron was like the guy at the party who tells everyone they're running out of booze but they're too hammered to listen.
People laughed at him. They're not laughing now.
"Obviously, I'm not a crystal-ball gazer but there wasn't any way we could continue the way we were. Then you layer on this incredible downturn. Do the math."
On the good news front, the minister confirms 140 new beds for the Peter Lougheed are new beds and not just 140 beds opening in one part of the hospital and 140 beds closing in another.
There is no commitment to finish the remaining three floors of the Lougheed.
A final question. Will Albertans back the government as it shrinks its spending?
"I guess we'll have to wait and see," says the man who sounds like he thinks he knows the answer.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Concern for jobs with further health service centralization
TENILLE TELLMANttellman@medicinehatnews.com
Centralizing health service supports does little for community development or quality care for Alberta patients, the provincial Friends of Medicare said Wednesday.Alberta Health Services (AHS) plans to consolidate gynecological cytology laboratory services for the entire province. Almost 20 providers of laboratory services are listed as having the capability and experience to submit applications to a request for proposal (RFP) issued earlier this month. At least one local lab is engaged in a proposal and cannot publicly discuss their application.
A memo sent to all AHS lab administrative and medical directors says the consolidation would move ahead as soon after April 1 as possible. Decisions on proposals are supposed to be made on March 20.A few cytotechnologists are speaking out on the issue through a Facebook group because they want the public to be informed about this move. They also suggest quality control could be compromised if all pap smears were observed at a central lab.
David Eggen, executive director of the Alberta Friends of Medicare (FOM) questions what impact the centralization will have on the timeliness of returning test results to Alberta patients and how many jobs it will take from Alberta communities."The economy runs up against best practices for health. This is a common problem and it highlights again the fact that health care is not just a commodity that you can use the same economic principles on as selling pizzas or building things," said Eggen. "It's a human resource that must be developed close to all population centres, you can't just centralize it for the sake of the economy."AHS should be providing Albertans with a full picture of this initiative and state whether or not other lab testing services will also be centralized, he says. Decisions to move services from communities are being made without public knowledge and the FOM is concerned about this lack of transparency.
The comment was echoed by Alberta Liberal Leader and shadow health minister Dr. David Swann. He says it's hard to support the changes when there is no explanation of who made the decision, why they made it or who will benefit.It also raises questions whether private labs would end up being more accessible and monitored as closely as public labs to ensure quality.However, a slight increase of costs is not a bad thing if government is prepared to show there is a real benefit to the patients."One could argue that you could put up a little bit of extra cost for transport if you're getting better quality and better affordability otherwise," said Swann. "It's not at all clear that's the case."360 words© 2009 Medicine Hat News. All rights reserved.
TENILLE TELLMANttellman@medicinehatnews.com
Centralizing health service supports does little for community development or quality care for Alberta patients, the provincial Friends of Medicare said Wednesday.Alberta Health Services (AHS) plans to consolidate gynecological cytology laboratory services for the entire province. Almost 20 providers of laboratory services are listed as having the capability and experience to submit applications to a request for proposal (RFP) issued earlier this month. At least one local lab is engaged in a proposal and cannot publicly discuss their application.
A memo sent to all AHS lab administrative and medical directors says the consolidation would move ahead as soon after April 1 as possible. Decisions on proposals are supposed to be made on March 20.A few cytotechnologists are speaking out on the issue through a Facebook group because they want the public to be informed about this move. They also suggest quality control could be compromised if all pap smears were observed at a central lab.
David Eggen, executive director of the Alberta Friends of Medicare (FOM) questions what impact the centralization will have on the timeliness of returning test results to Alberta patients and how many jobs it will take from Alberta communities."The economy runs up against best practices for health. This is a common problem and it highlights again the fact that health care is not just a commodity that you can use the same economic principles on as selling pizzas or building things," said Eggen. "It's a human resource that must be developed close to all population centres, you can't just centralize it for the sake of the economy."AHS should be providing Albertans with a full picture of this initiative and state whether or not other lab testing services will also be centralized, he says. Decisions to move services from communities are being made without public knowledge and the FOM is concerned about this lack of transparency.
The comment was echoed by Alberta Liberal Leader and shadow health minister Dr. David Swann. He says it's hard to support the changes when there is no explanation of who made the decision, why they made it or who will benefit.It also raises questions whether private labs would end up being more accessible and monitored as closely as public labs to ensure quality.However, a slight increase of costs is not a bad thing if government is prepared to show there is a real benefit to the patients."One could argue that you could put up a little bit of extra cost for transport if you're getting better quality and better affordability otherwise," said Swann. "It's not at all clear that's the case."360 words© 2009 Medicine Hat News. All rights reserved.
Delayed health projects rile critics
By Trish Audette, The Edmonton JournalMarch 1, 2009
Alberta Health didn't try to save money this year by delaying projects, a spokesman said Friday, dismissing the concerns of critics who worry $407 million may never find its way back to hospital construction or facility expansion across the province.
"It's not savings because the money will be spent as those projects take place," John Tuckwell said. "It's really more of a financial or accounting exercise than any changes in spending."
This week, Finance Minister Iris Evans delivered the province's third-quarter fiscal update, which showed a series of project delays and cancellations across government departments that shaved $766 million off the 2008-09 budget.
Still, losses to provincial investments added up to a $1.4-billion projected deficit for the year.
Tuckwell said he does not have a breakdown of health projects that will be delayed, but said reductions in department spending indicate renovations and construction had to be put on hold.
In some areas, the province would have been competing for construction contracts, which would have put building behind schedule.
At this point the projects committed to are still online, Tuckwell said, though "the minister has said all capital projects are under review."
Friends of Medicare director David Eggen points to Grande Prairie, Calgary and Medicine Hat as places where the province seems to be behind getting projects finished.
"We were concerned because these were projects that were already approved, and clearly (they have been) delayed by many months or years," he said. "Basically, they're picking projects that have already gone through due process and (they are) putting them back on the political table."
In Grande Prairie, residents are crossing their fingers the regional hospital Premier Ed Stelmach promised two years ago will be delayed only one more year. With no final design in place or construction started, any hope the Peace Country Regional Health Centre would break ground at the end of 2009 is gone.
"The land is available, the community is certainly needing and hopeful that they can start sooner rather than later," Grande Prairie Alderman Lorne Radbourne said. "We would hope that this is a priority for the provincial government."
Mayor Dwight Logan said the northern city's Queen Elizabeth II hospital has become something of a regional hospital, with a jammed-up emergency room and long wait times for specialized services leading to people being sent to Edmonton.
"Most of the governments in the world are not cutting back on their funding," he said. "If there's a good time to be spending, it's now."
Tuckwell could not say whether the Grande Prairie regional hospital was among the capital grant projects delayed this year.
He also could not confirm speculation that the costs of combining health regions this year might add to the province's overall deficit.
In December, Alberta Health Services Board chairman Ken Hughes projected a $700-million deficit. That number was not included in Evans' calculations this week, and Tuckwell said the department will not know what it is dealing with until June.
taudette@thejournal.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
By Trish Audette, The Edmonton JournalMarch 1, 2009
Alberta Health didn't try to save money this year by delaying projects, a spokesman said Friday, dismissing the concerns of critics who worry $407 million may never find its way back to hospital construction or facility expansion across the province.
"It's not savings because the money will be spent as those projects take place," John Tuckwell said. "It's really more of a financial or accounting exercise than any changes in spending."
This week, Finance Minister Iris Evans delivered the province's third-quarter fiscal update, which showed a series of project delays and cancellations across government departments that shaved $766 million off the 2008-09 budget.
Still, losses to provincial investments added up to a $1.4-billion projected deficit for the year.
Tuckwell said he does not have a breakdown of health projects that will be delayed, but said reductions in department spending indicate renovations and construction had to be put on hold.
In some areas, the province would have been competing for construction contracts, which would have put building behind schedule.
At this point the projects committed to are still online, Tuckwell said, though "the minister has said all capital projects are under review."
Friends of Medicare director David Eggen points to Grande Prairie, Calgary and Medicine Hat as places where the province seems to be behind getting projects finished.
"We were concerned because these were projects that were already approved, and clearly (they have been) delayed by many months or years," he said. "Basically, they're picking projects that have already gone through due process and (they are) putting them back on the political table."
In Grande Prairie, residents are crossing their fingers the regional hospital Premier Ed Stelmach promised two years ago will be delayed only one more year. With no final design in place or construction started, any hope the Peace Country Regional Health Centre would break ground at the end of 2009 is gone.
"The land is available, the community is certainly needing and hopeful that they can start sooner rather than later," Grande Prairie Alderman Lorne Radbourne said. "We would hope that this is a priority for the provincial government."
Mayor Dwight Logan said the northern city's Queen Elizabeth II hospital has become something of a regional hospital, with a jammed-up emergency room and long wait times for specialized services leading to people being sent to Edmonton.
"Most of the governments in the world are not cutting back on their funding," he said. "If there's a good time to be spending, it's now."
Tuckwell could not say whether the Grande Prairie regional hospital was among the capital grant projects delayed this year.
He also could not confirm speculation that the costs of combining health regions this year might add to the province's overall deficit.
In December, Alberta Health Services Board chairman Ken Hughes projected a $700-million deficit. That number was not included in Evans' calculations this week, and Tuckwell said the department will not know what it is dealing with until June.
taudette@thejournal.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
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