N.S. Health Coalition concerned Alberta has paved the way for two-tiered health system

Nova Scotia health-care advocates are concerned with Bill 11 in Alberta.

Labour organizations and members from the Nova Scotia and the Canadian Health coalitions are critical of Alberta’s Bill 11, which would allow physicians to receive private payment for care otherwise covered publicly.

Nova Scotia Health Coalition’s provincial coordinator Jennifer Benoit says Alberta’s move to “create a two-tiered system” is a direct threat the entire Canadian public health-care system.

“When you need care, you receive it based on your need and not your ability to pay,” said Benoit.

Bill 11, which includes changes to the Health Statutes Amendment Act, would allow doctors to work in both a public and private heath-care system, which Alberta Premier Danielle Smith anticipates would improve capacity.

Benoit says the creation of two-tiered systems opens the door for expansion across the country and it will only make patients in the public system have to wait longer, as human resources are stretched across two systems.

“There are only so many doctors,” said Benoit. “If they move into private clinics, that pulls resources out of the public system and we end up paying more while fewer people have access to care.”

Jason MacLean, chair of the Canadian Health Coalition, is calling on the federal government to intervene before Alberta’s legislation clears the way for a two-tiered system.

“The federal government needs to step up for Canadians and for public health,” said MacLean. “We believe what Alberta is doing violates the Canadian Health Act and Ottawa needs to be clear and denounce it and put a stop to it.”

Smith said Bill 11 wouldn’t impact public procedures because physicians who choose to offer private services would still be required to keep up their public quotas.

“Our priority is the public system, we want to make sure that no one ever has to pay out of pocket for medically necessary care and we will be monitoring it,” said Smith.

Benoit said Bill 11 might affect Alberta, but it also matters in Nova Scotia.

“This matters to all of us across the country,” said Benoit. “And if we don’t stop it early, we could end up with a two-tier health-care system right across this country and in Nova Scotia as well.”

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