CALGARY, Alberta — The government of the Western Canadian province of Alberta is proposing changes to its public health care system that some opponents say may expand private health care and violate federal law.
Iris Evans, health and wellness minister in Alberta's Progressive Conservative government, introduced a 10-point package of planned reforms in the provincial legislature on Tuesday that she said would protect the current system of government-paid health care, while allowing patients to pay for items such as knee and hip replacements or cataract surgery if they wish to skip waiting lists.
Doctors would also be allowed to practice privately while working within the public system.
Dubbed the "Third Way" by the government, the proposals were attacked by at least one group that monitors Canada's public health care system.
"I think that being able to pay to get medically necessary services quicker violates the Canada Health Act," said Harvey Voogd, coordinator for Friends of Medicare in Edmonton, Alberta. "It's legalizing queue-jumping."
While Canada's provinces are responsible for paying for health care, the federal government sets the rules for the system under the Canada Health Act. The act guarantees public payment for health care and mandates that all necessary health services must be available within the public system.
Speaking to reporters at an Ottawa press conference carried on the CTV Newsnet network, federal Health Minister Tony Clement said he was studying Alberta's proposals and wouldn't say if they violate Canadian law.
"We're examining the situation closely," he said. "My concern is accessibility...That's the prism through which I'm observing the current debate in Alberta."
The Alberta government has long been a vocal opponent of the Canada Health Act. However, it has shied away from introducing any changes to its laws that would contravene the federal legislation.
Evans, in a release, said the province would still have a government-paid health care system but the province, which is expecting a budget surplus of more than C$7 billion ($6.1 billion) this year, is concerned about the rising costs of paying its citizens' health care tab.
"We are absolutely committed to public health care," the minister said. "We are equally committed to ensuring the system survives."
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