If there was any belief that Albertans wanted a two-tiered health-care system, it seems to have been buried by the Provincial Health Council’s report card.
The report, completed by an independent citizen’s group set up in 1995 by the government to oversee its health-care reforms, levels serious criticisms.
“The public and service providers are distrustful of the system,” said the report. “There is a perception that there is no overall plan for the reform process other than cost savings.”
According to the report, support for an egalitarian, needs-based system is important to Albertans.
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Given top priority
“Universal access to core health services was most valued,” said the report.
“The second priority is a system where, if need is equal, ‘first come, first served’ is the way to preserve fairness, so that people do not buy their way into line.”
And the report suggested Albertans don’t trust the government’s motivations for the changes.
“Terms frequently used by the Alberta government to describe the ideal health system – consumer-focused, wellness-based, integrated, affordable, accessible and appropriate – are not clear and the interpretation varies widely.
Some Albertans told us they believe the government is purposely using these terms to hide a shift to a two-tiered health system.”
The report card’s main suggestion calls for the Alberta government to come up with a vision for health reform and to involve citizens in that vision.
“Much more needs to be done in dealing with change – recognizing concerns and enabling people to become active participants in change rather than feeling like victims of it.”
