Alberta Plans to Expand Private Health Care

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced new “dual-practice” legislation allowing public system physicians to perform elective procedures in private clinics, aiming to reduce long wait times for surgeries. This shift towards a hybrid model, inspired by practices in New Brunswick and Quebec, seeks to address inefficiencies in Canada’s healthcare system, which lags behind other high-income countries. LaGrange emphasized maintaining universal access to essential services while recognizing changing public attitudes towards private healthcare. She acknowledged potential challenges and plans to establish safeguards in consultation with medical bodies.

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