UNA to examine Alberta budget, hopes province will adopt pharmacare program

United Nurses of Alberta listened to today’s provincial budget with interest and will now take the opportunity to thoroughly examine this complicated document and its related legislation, Bill 12, the Fiscal Management Act.

“Our concerns involve not only health care but the operations of other seniors’, education and social services programs that have an impact on health services,” said UNA President Heather Smith.

“UNA will take a few days to examine the budget and all related documents in a measured and balanced way,” Smith said. “In the mean time, we see no reason that our negotiations with Alberta Health Services and other health care employers will not proceed normally after we exchange our opening proposals in May.”

UNA is interested in learning more about the government’s proposals regarding comprehensive pharmaceutical drug and benefit programs, Smith added. “UNA has advocated for pharmacare and related programs for many years and we hope the government is moving in this direction.”

UNA represents more than 25,000 Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and other allied personnel employed by public, private and not-for-profit health care facilities and agencies throughout Alberta.

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