It’s been three weeks and a million questions since the Alberta government introduced its controversial health-care bill.
Even premier Ralph Klein, who introduced Bill 11 at the beginning of March, acknowledged it has unleashed a “firestorm” of controversy.
The bill would allow private surgical centres to do minor operations with an overnight stay. Much of the concern is about defining minor surgery and the implications of overnight stays. Albertans are worried the bill will be the first step to creating an American-style private health system.
Citizens’ calls to Alberta Health’s office are mixed, said Garth Norris, head of communications. Some are for it and some have more questions. Many ask about the fallout from allowing overnight stays.
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A poll released by an Edmonton television station suggests while most Albertans continue to support the Conservative government, Klein’s popularity has taken a dip since the health bill was introduced. The poll suggests 58.5 percent of Albertans are opposed to the bill, 20.2 percent are undecided and 21.4 percent support it.
Christine Burdett, chair of Friends of Medicare, said the group has organized more rallies to show the premier that people from Calgary and rural areas oppose the proposal. Klein had suggested the opposition was coming from special interest groups only.
“A lot of opposition is coming from rural Alberta. They’re not all just left-wing nuts from Edmonton,” said Burdett.
Alberta’s new lieutenant-governor also entered the fray, telling a Red Deer meeting she wanted to talk to the premier because she had concerns about the bill. After Lois Hole met with Klein, she backed away from hints to withhold royal assent, saying she would sign the bill into law.
Grande Prairie farmer Norm Dyck said he’s disappointed with Hole for buckling under pressure.
“I was appalled. This is a real Canadian history. She could have gone down in history for standing up for what’s right.”
The bill will have second reading April 4. The debate will continue through April with possible amendments introduced during the committee stage.
Kim Lynch-Staunton, director of communications for the Lakeland Regional Health Authority, said the district hasn’t studied the bill enough to know its impact. Now, it only contracts health services to the Roman Catholic-run hospitals in the region.
Brian Hrab, CEO of the Peace Regional Health Authority, said his board of directors will review the bill in April.
Hrab said he doesn’t expect private facilities will set up in rural areas because of economics.
As the person in charge of health-care funding allocation in his area, Hrab said he is not opposed to the bill if it will save money.
