Alberta pushes dual practice plan

Premier Danielle Smith said on September 1 that Alberta’s dual-practice model had taken effect and that her government was asking Ottawa for “latitude” as it begins letting some physicians work in both the public system and private-pay care. Smith told reporters the province is working with the federal government to show the model does not violate the Canada Health Act, while critics and advocacy groups have urged Ottawa to intervene. Alberta has framed the change as a way to add options and attract doctors; opponents say it could deepen pressure on the public system. ### What is Alberta actually changing? Alberta’s new model allows eligible physicians to provide privately paid services while also continuing to work in the publicly funded system. The province’s initial rollout is focused on elective surgeries, including hip and knee replacements, according to reports citing the government’s implementation plan. (ca.news.yahoo.com) Danielle Smith said the arrangement is not illegal and pointed to Quebec as an example of doctors opting out of the public plan to treat private patients. Her government says the approach is meant to expand capacity rather than replace publicly funded care. ### How many doctors want in? Alberta’s government says close to 400 specialist physicians have expressed interest in participating in the dual-practice system. (edmonton.citynews.ca) That figure was reported ahead of the September 1 start date, with the province saying doctors would still need to go through a formal application process and meet eligibility criteria. (ca.news.yahoo.com) The province has said the level of interest supports its argument that dual practice could keep some physicians in Alberta rather than pushing them to leave the public system entirely. That is the government’s stated rationale; opponents dispute whether the model will protect public capacity over time. ### Why is Ottawa involved? The Canada Health Act is at the center of the dispute because it sets the conditions provinces must meet to receive full federal health transfers. (edmonton.citynews.ca) Smith said Alberta is trying to demonstrate that its model does not contravene the law and said she expects the federal government to respect provincial jurisdiction over health care. Federal scrutiny has intensified because critics argue Bill 11 could permit a broader two-tier system for medically necessary care. (edmonton.citynews.ca) The Canadian Health Coalition said Prime Minister Mark Carney should enforce the Canada Health Act, while Friends of Medicare has organized opposition rallies in Alberta. ### What do Albertans say about it? An Abacus Data poll commissioned by the Canadian Health Coalition found 86% of Albertans say universal health care based on need, not ability to pay, is a core Canadian value. (ca.news.yahoo.com) The same polling, reported in Alberta outlets and advocacy releases, found strong concern that Bill 11 could raise costs for patients and worsen wait times. The poll has become a central talking point for opponents of the legislation, who argue public support for universal care remains broad even as frustration with the current system grows. (healthcoalition.ca) The Alberta government has continued to argue the status quo is not serving patients well and that more delivery options are needed. ### Where could the effects show up first? (abacusdata.ca) Elective orthopedic surgery is the first test case because hip and knee replacements are among the procedures Alberta has identified for the initial phase. That matters beyond surgery itself, because those procedures often involve rehabilitation, follow-up care and transitions between hospital, clinic and community providers. This is an inference from the rollout’s focus on orthopedic procedures and the care pathways those surgeries typically require. (mylethbridgenow.com) For patients, the practical questions will include which parts of care remain publicly covered, which services may shift into private payment, and how wait-listed patients move between public and private streams. Alberta has not yet publicly resolved all of those operational details in the reporting available on September 2. ### What happens next? September 1 marked the legal start of the model, but Alberta has said the next step is the formal physician application and eligibility review process. (edmonton.citynews.ca) The first approved cases are expected to come from the elective surgery stream, with Ottawa, provincial critics and physician applicants all watching how the rules are applied. (ca.news.yahoo.com)