Some health professionals express concerns that the newly proposed legislation in Alberta to expand private healthcare lacks adequate planning and essential safeguards for the public health system. The bill, known as Bill 11, was presented in the legislature with the aim of establishing a “dual practice” system in Alberta, permitting doctors to practice in both public and private healthcare settings.
Under this legislation, patients would have the option to pay for healthcare services, including procedures like hip and knee replacements, within the province. The government asserts that this approach would alleviate strain on the public healthcare system, potentially reducing wait times.
The Alberta Medical Association, representing physicians in the province, voiced discontent over not being consulted on the bill and seeks involvement in the ongoing development of the details. Dr. Brian Wirzba, the association’s president, emphasized the necessity of informed reform supported by expert input.
The government highlighted that the dual practice model is commonly adopted in leading healthcare systems worldwide, citing examples from countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Australia.
Retired gastroenterologist Jon Meddings, the former dean of the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, expressed openness to the concept of a private payment option in Alberta but stressed the importance of comprehensive planning and consultation. Meddings cautioned that the dual practice system might attract physicians, particularly those in high demand like anesthetists, away from the public sector, potentially exacerbating wait times.
The Alberta government intends to exclude family doctors from the dual practice model initially and ensure that emergency care, surgeries, and cancer treatments remain publicly funded. Safeguards will be implemented to protect the public healthcare system, potentially including restrictions on the number of private procedures a doctor can perform or limiting private surgeries to specific times.
Consultations are planned with various healthcare organizations, including the Alberta Medical Association, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, Acute Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, facilities under Covenant Health, and chartered surgical facilities. The government emphasized that any future changes to the dual model would be made through ministerial orders, guided by policy priorities, evidence, and stakeholder input.
Lorian Hardcastle, a faculty member at the University of Calgary specializing in law and medicine, raised concerns about the absence of robust safeguards in the legislation and the potential for ministerial orders to modify them without extensive legislative scrutiny. Meddings advocated for expanding medical school training spots to address physician shortages in the province, suggesting that government funding and policies could be adjusted to increase the number of medical students.
Ultimately, stakeholders stress the importance of thorough planning, consultation, and safeguards to ensure the successful implementation of the dual practice model in Alberta’s healthcare system.