Rallies Oppose Dual Practice Health Care

United Nurses of Alberta and other health-care advocates rallied in Calgary and other Alberta communities on Tuesday against Bill 11, the Alberta law that allows some physicians to work in both the public and private systems. CityNews reported the demonstrations took place as the dual-practice model came into effect, with protesters carrying signs that said, “Don’t pull the plug on public health care” and describing the change as “American-style health care.” Bill 11, formally the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), created a new category of “flexibly participating physicians” in Alberta. The Canadian Medical Association said that category lets eligible doctors decide case by case whether to bill the province or provide private-pay care, rather than fully opting in or out of the public system. (calgary.citynews.ca) ### What were protesters objecting to on Tuesday? Calgary and Edmonton rallies focused on the same complaint: opponents say dual practice will pull doctors and operating-room capacity toward patients who can pay. CityNews said rallygoers argued the model would benefit people who can afford private care while draining resources from the public system. (cma.ca) Jason MacLean, chair of the Canadian Health Coalition, said Monday that the law was “the biggest threat against health care since the Canada Health Act was passed in 1984.” CBC reported his group and allied organizations planned rallies in 30 locations across Canada as part of a Day of Action tied to Alberta’s rollout. ### What does Alberta’s dual-practice model actually allow? (calgary.citynews.ca) The Alberta Medical Association said the model applies to eligible physicians providing designated services in both publicly funded and privately paid care. The Canadian Medical Association said the specialties covered include orthopedics, cataract surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, some ear, nose and throat procedures, plastic surgery and dermatology. Family physicians are not generally eligible, except in limited subspecialty roles such as anesthesia or surgical assistance. (cbc.ca) June 18 was the date Alberta announced the dual-practice surgery model would roll out in September. The Alberta Medical Association said the government presented the policy as a way to expand capacity, reduce wait times, improve physician recruitment and retention, and give patients more choice while keeping insured services available without out-of-pocket charges. ### How has the Alberta government defended the change? (cma.ca) Premier Danielle Smith has said the law does not violate the Canada Health Act and that Ottawa should respect provincial jurisdiction over health care. CityNews reported the province has also argued that the status quo is not serving Albertans well and that the new system could attract more doctors to the province. (albertadoctors.org) Maddison McKee, press secretary for Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange, told CBC that Alberta had received nearly 400 expressions of interest from physicians over the summer. CBC reported the province said surgeries under the model were not expected to begin until later in the fall because doctors still need government approval, with formal applications set to open in mid-September. (calgary.citynews.ca) ### Which doctors and patients are most directly affected? In 2025, Alberta’s median wait time for orthopedic procedures was 58.8 weeks from referral to surgery, the Canadian Medical Association said. The group said supporters of private options argue patients who can pay may get faster care and that public wait lists could ease, while opponents say the model risks queue-jumping and longer waits in the public system. (cbc.ca) The Alberta Medical Association said its position has not been to simply support or oppose dual practice. Instead, it said any model must not displace publicly funded care, divert scarce workers from public services, or weaken continuity of care and patient safety. ### What happens next in the fight over Bill 11? Tuesday’s rallies were part of a broader campaign aimed at Ottawa as well as Alberta lawmakers. (cma.ca) CBC reported organizers plan 50 town halls this fall, while MacLean called on federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel to intervene before other provinces consider similar measures. Mid-September is the next operational milestone in Alberta’s rollout. (albertadoctors.org) CBC said that is when eligible physicians can begin formal applications for dual practice, with privately delivered surgeries expected later in the fall after provincial approvals are issued. (cbc.ca)