Alberta health privatization prompts advocates to urge federal response

Health-care advocates are on Parliament Hill asking the federal government to respond after Alberta passed a law allowing doctors to work in both public and private systems; they say the law breaches the Canada Health Act and have meetings scheduled with MPs and senators this week.

Health-care advocates are on Parliament Hill seeking a federal response to recent Alberta legislation. The Alberta government passed a law that allows doctors to work in both public and private health systems. Advocates say the change violates the Canada Health Act and that Ottawa should take a position. What is known: - Alberta has passed legislation permitting doctors to work in both public and private systems. - Jason MacLean, chair of the health coalition, says the law violates the Canada Health Act and has urged the federal government to withhold funding to provinces to enforce the law. - Advocates say they have meetings set with about 100 MPs and senators this week; federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel has not agreed to meet. Summary: Advocates are asking the federal government to respond and have arranged meetings with lawmakers this week while the health minister has not accepted a meeting request. Undetermined at this time.