Concerns have been raised by some health professionals regarding the implementation of new legislation aimed at expanding private healthcare services in Alberta. Experts argue that the proposed Bill 11, which was introduced in the legislature recently, lacks essential safeguards for the public healthcare system.
If approved, Bill 11 will establish a “dual practice” model in Alberta, enabling physicians to work in both the public and private healthcare sectors. This model would permit patients to access privately funded healthcare services, including procedures like hip and knee replacements, within the province. Proponents of the bill suggest that this approach could alleviate strain on the public system, potentially reducing wait times.
The Alberta Medical Association, the representative body for doctors in the province, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of consultation on the legislation. The association emphasized the importance of involving experts and stakeholders in the decision-making process to ensure that reforms are evidence-based and well-structured.
In a press release, the Alberta government defended the dual practice model, citing its successful implementation in countries with high-performing healthcare systems such as Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Australia.
Retired gastroenterologist Jon Meddings, former dean of the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, cautiously welcomed the concept of private pay options in Alberta but emphasized the need for thorough planning and consultation. He raised concerns about the potential impact of the dual practice system on the availability of physicians, particularly specialists like anesthetists, in the public sector.
Meddings questioned the government’s strategy of using chartered surgical facilities for publicly funded procedures as a solution to long wait times, highlighting persistent challenges in the healthcare system that need to be addressed.
Government’s Proposed Safeguards
The Alberta government has outlined measures to safeguard the public healthcare system under the dual practice model. Family doctors will initially be excluded from participating in private healthcare services, with emergency care and essential treatments remaining fully publicly funded.
To ensure the integrity of the system, the government plans to impose restrictions on private practice activities, such as limiting the number of procedures performed in the private sector and scheduling private surgeries during off-peak hours. Any modifications to the participation criteria for doctors will be subject to ministerial approval, with input from various healthcare stakeholders.
Notably, the government intends to engage with key organizations, including the Alberta Medical Association, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, and healthcare facilities, to gather feedback and refine the implementation of the dual practice model.
Importance of Legislative Safeguards
Lorian Hardcastle, a legal and medical scholar at the University of Calgary, highlighted the necessity of incorporating robust protections for the public healthcare system directly into the legislation. Hardcastle expressed concerns about the potential ease of altering safeguards through ministerial orders, emphasizing the importance of enduring and comprehensive legislative safeguards.
Meanwhile, Meddings emphasized the need to address the shortage of physicians by expanding medical training opportunities. He suggested that removing caps on medical school enrollment or revising funding formulas could enhance the availability of healthcare professionals to support initiatives like the proposed dual practice model.
