Alberta implementation of physician dual practice is serious threat to medicare

The Alberta government’s announcement that starting in September it will allow physicians delivering publicly funded services also to privately bill patients for surgeries presents a deeply serious threat to public health care in Alberta and Canada.

Premier Danielle Smith’s claim that allowing a “dual practice model” will improve access and expand health care options has been proven time and again to be false, said United Nurses of Alberta President Heather Smith.

The clear goal of this policy is to impose an American-style two-tier health care system that will make Albertans pay out of pocket for timely care and let those with money jump the line for treatment, Smith said. 

“The government knows this, and it is proceeding with this plan anyway,” she stated. 

“The government also knows that because of Canada’s international trade agreements, once the door has been cracked open to U.S. health care practices, all Canadian provinces will be forced to admit American private health care corporations and insurance companies.”

“This is not just a bad policy, it is a betrayal of the greatest nation-building program in modern Canadian history,” she said. “For this reason, we are urgently asking the federal government today to enforce the Canada Health Act immediately.” Legal experts have found the government’s legislation allowing this practice to be clearly in violation of the Canada Health Act. 

While the Alberta government claims to have put in place safeguards to protect some kinds of surgeries, there is no evidence that this will increase capacity or shorten wait times. Previous experience in Alberta and other jurisdictions shows that the opposite is likely to happen. 

In addition, past statements by Premier Smith clearly show she intends to move forward with a broader program of health care privatization. 

“Albertans and all Canadians have made it clear time and again that they don’t want U.S. health care in Canada,” Smith said. “The Government of Alberta continues to ignore their wishes.”

Physicians will be able to begin applying for dual practice status next week.