The Health Statutes Amendment Act 2025 would let specialized physicians moonlight in both public and private systems – a move officials say will “retain more doctors,” though family physicians, who handle the overwhelming majority of care, remain curiously excluded. Asked why, the government clarified that family doctors are “already too busy to enjoy innovation.”
Among other ambitious reforms, Alberta plans to become the “payor of last resort” for drug coverage, a phrase critics say translates roughly to “good luck with that.” The bill also forces residents to renew their health cards, ensuring no Albertan escapes at least one line-up this year.
Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange touted the package as “bold change,” though observers noted the boldest change appears to be redefining “health-care improvement” as “moving the deck chairs to an upscale private deck.”
