Health advocates call on Liberals over Alberta health privatization

Health-care advocates lobbied MPs in Ottawa after Alberta passed a law allowing surgeons to practise in both public and private systems, and they say the federal government has not clearly defended the Canada Health Act.

A group of health-care advocates was on Parliament Hill this week asking the federal government to respond to Alberta's recent changes to health policy. Alberta's legislation allows surgeons to work in both the publicly funded system and private clinics, enabling paid procedures alongside public emergency and cancer surgeries. Advocates told reporters the law conflicts with the Canada Health Act and called on Ottawa to take a position. Federal officials say Health Canada is engaging Alberta to understand the changes and that funding deductions remain a possible tool, while Alberta says the law does not breach the act. What is known: - Health-care advocates met with lawmakers in Ottawa to press for a federal response to Alberta's legislation. - Alberta has passed a law permitting surgeons to practise in both public and private settings, allowing paid private procedures for items such as joint replacements and cataract surgery. - The federal government says officials are engaging Alberta and notes it can deduct funding under the Canada Health Transfer if principles are violated; Alberta disputes that the legislation breaches the Canada Health Act. Summary: The dispute centers on differing views about whether Alberta's law aligns with the Canada Health Act and on federal-provincial roles in health funding. Advocates have meetings with about 100 MPs and senators this week while federal officials say engagement with Alberta is ongoing. Further federal response is undetermined at this time.