Hidden aspects of Bill 55 designed to decimate our public health care system

Legislative changes impacting hospital ownership and operation introduced by the United Conservative Party Government in the Alberta legislature could do irreparable harm to Alberta’s health care system.

The most dangerous aspects of Bill 55, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, were excluded from government briefings with stakeholders and when finally made public were buried in 332-pages, effectively introducing highly controversial changes by stealth.

Bill 55, debated in the Legislature last night, will not only permit the Alberta’s health minister to turn public hospitals over to private interests and allow private operators to charge patients fees for services, but it could also permit hospitals to evict sick patients or even turn them out into the streets as we have seen in U.S. cities.

In briefings by government officials, stakeholders were only told that the legislation would include “a new section that speaks to the management and operations of hospitals.”

Dismantling Alberta’s publicly funded and delivered health care system in favour of private hospitals built and operated with public money will in no way improve health-care access or outcomes and will cost more to run than publicly owned and operated hospitals.

It is very clear now that despite claims they intend to protect public health care, the UCP plans to open the door wide to full U.S.-style privatization of Alberta’s public health care system, UNA believes.

UNA also believes parts of Bill 55 may be in violation of the Canada Health Act.

Private corporations must never be allowed to run and profit from public hospitals.