Alberta Health Care information, tips and advice

The public discussions announcement came in place of an expected major challenge to the Canada Health Act and the federal government.

Those discussions will likely include a five-recommendation report from the MLA Task Force on Health Care Funding and Revenue Generation. The Task Force, which was formed in February 2000 in response to the Mazankowski Report on health care, was charged with recommending "a provincial funding framework and alternate revenue sources for regional health authorities." The reports would allow for a greater role for the private sector in the system.

In their main findings the MLA'S noted that "wages and salaries, new technology, prescription drugs and a growing and aging population are the main cost drivers in Alberta's health care system," and recommend that "those with a greater ability to pay should contribute more than those with a lesser ability," including combining premiums with an annual deductible based on the ability to pay.

The additional health dollars for the provinces health care system also includes:

* capital funding at $500 million, including--$350 million for health facilities and $150 million for capital equipment.

* development of business plans for pilot projects: 11 Local Primary Care Initiatives, involving 294 doctors who will work with other health professionals to increase 24-hour access to routine and non emergency health care.

Among the areas targeted for reduction in wait times is

* better use of elective, outpatient MRI'S through hospitals offering MRI services on weekends.

* new access standards for cardiac surgery, providing cardiac patients waiting for surgery with additional home care in order to free up more hospital beds for surgery.