A recent bill introduced in Alberta aims to enable physicians in the province to work in both public and private healthcare systems, although family doctors are currently excluded from participating in the private system. The Health Statutes Amendment Act, known as Bill 11, was presented in the Alberta legislature alongside the announcement of the proposed legislation for a “dual practice system.”
Premier Danielle Smith had previously unveiled the dual model, which allows physicians to operate in both public and private healthcare sectors. Concerns have been raised by Chris Gallaway, the executive director of Friends of Medicare, about the exclusion of family physicians from this dual practice system.
Under the proposed legislation, emergency medicine and surgeries for life-threatening conditions, such as cancer, will remain within the public healthcare system. The Alberta government asserts that the bill complies with the Canada Health Act and could serve as a strategy for recruiting healthcare professionals.
The government plans to engage with healthcare providers and organizations to establish potential restrictions on the public-private system. Options being considered include requiring surgeons to perform a set number of publicly funded surgeries before entering the private sector and implementing minimum years of service in the public system before transitioning to private practice.
Physicians practicing in both systems will need to maintain separate records to prevent payment discrepancies. The legislation also addresses food safety oversight, billing regulations, and health card renewal processes. The Alberta Medical Association has expressed concerns about the bill’s potential impact on public system access and stability, emphasizing the need for detailed planning and consultation with healthcare professionals.
Critics like Gallaway argue that the bill could create a two-tiered healthcare system, favoring those with financial means. They urge the government to prioritize utilizing public operating rooms efficiently and implementing a comprehensive healthcare workforce plan.