Alberta’s Health Care: Now with 100% More Profit Motive
In a bold move that has left many Albertans scratching their heads—and clutching their wallets—the provincial government has unveiled its latest health care innovation: turning hospitals into profit centers.
Under the new Health Statutes Amendment Act, also known as Bill 55, the Health Minister now has the authority to designate private corporations as operators of public hospitals. This legislative sleight of hand effectively opens the door for private entities to run hospitals, a move critics argue is a step toward full privatization.
Adding to the privatization parade, the government announced the transfer of ownership of hundreds of health care properties from Alberta Health Services to Alberta Infrastructure. This maneuver allows the government to lease these properties back to health entities, all while maintaining control over who operates them.
Opposition parties and health care unions have expressed alarm over these developments. The Health Sciences Association of Alberta warns that this could lead to a repeat of past privatization failures, such as the DynaLIFE lab services debacle, which resulted in increased wait times and a costly $100 million taxpayer-funded bailout.
Adding to the privatization parade, the government announced the transfer of ownership of hundreds of health care properties from Alberta Health Services to Alberta Infrastructure. This maneuver allows the government to lease these properties back to health entities, all while maintaining control over who operates them.
As Alberta continues down this path, residents may soon find themselves navigating a health care system where the bottom line takes precedence over patient care. After all, nothing says “healing” quite like a receipt.
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