| klein government moves ahead on Third way
The provincial government is moving ahead with controversial plans to allow more private health care. The plans include allowing Albertans to pay for non-emergency medical treatments, such as hip, knee and cataract surgeries, in private clinics, and to buy private insurance, as well as allowing doctors to work in both the public and private systems, all of which is currently prohibited under provincial legislation.
Health and Wellness Minister Iris Evans unveiled the 10-point plan, called the Alberta Health Policy Framework, on February 28. The government is promising to introduce legislation soon, which would then be debated in the legislature before being passed.
The plan met with instant opposition. Friends of Medicare says the plan will simply shift the costs of health care onto individuals and argues that allowing doctors to work in the private system will reduce the number of doctors working in the public system. Alberta NDP leader Brian Mason says the proposed changes will create a two-tier system in the province and will reduce the quality of care in the public system. Alberta Liberal leader Kevin Taft says the government should be rebuilding the public system, not dismantling it. The Liberals have tabled their own health care plan in the legislature.
Evans says the changes are necessary because the current system is unsustainable due to the growing costs of new technology, drugs and an aging population. She promises that Albertans will still be able to access health care regardless of their ability to pay.
Evans says the government has received feedback from people who’ve been on long waiting lists and want to pay for faster care. She also points to the recent Supreme Court decision, which ruled that it was unconstitutional to prevent a Quebecer from paying for private health insurance if he wasn’t receiving timely care in the public system.
"You could well argue that people here should be well able to acquire private insurance and acquire private care based on their feeling of need."
Evans says the government wants to offer "alternatives if people can afford to pay for them."
The provincial government has been widely criticized for not consulting the public on its so-called "third way" reforms despite repeated promises to do so. But Evans promises the government will listen to Albertans before proceeding further.
"We’re going to listen to Albertans and hear how they feel about this plan," says Evans. "This is not full-speed ahead without listening to Albertans."
The proposed new framework is available on the Internet at www.health.gov.ab.ca. Evans says she’ll be meeting with stakeholder groups throughout March to discuss the plan. Groups interested in making a presentation can call 780-644-3333.
New brochure a good resource for immigrants
New immigrants to Calgary who are looking for information on the services available to them will now have a new resource.
The Immigrant Sector Council of Calgary (ISCC) has put out a brochure that lists where immigrants can go to get counselling, language training, employment assistance, citizenship classes and other services.
The brochure is now available at all organizations that serve immigrants and can be found online at www.aaisa.ca. It will also be available at all port of entries across Canada to immigrants who are moving to Calgary. The brochure has been translated in French, English, Chinese, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Spanish.
"Basically, it helps immigrants to be on the right track right away without wasting valuable financial resources," says Hadassah Ksienski, co-chair of the ISCC. |
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