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Alberta’s government is preparing to connect public hospital funding to the quantity and nature of medical procedures performed, a decision that has drawn criticism from various quarters. Opponents argue that this change may not enhance the public healthcare system and could instead expedite the rise of private healthcare options.
Premier Danielle Smith advocates for the new “activity-based” funding model, set to be introduced for select surgeries in 2026. She contends that this initiative will reduce costs by fostering competition among public and private providers, thus incentivizing improved outcomes.
The Premier claims that this approach will enhance system efficiency, reduce waiting periods for surgeries, provide increased transparency, and attract more surgical professionals to Alberta.
However, Sarah Hoffman, the Alberta NDP Opposition’s health critic, argues that while improving efficiency in healthcare is crucial, it should not come at the expense of quality care. She expresses concern that the push for rapid patient turnover may compromise the standard of treatment.
Hoffman further suggests that this new model appears to redirect funding and profits toward private surgical entities, which might not serve the public good. The Health Sciences Association of Alberta, representing healthcare workers, echoes this sentiment, warning that the model may incentivize private companies to focus on low-complexity surgeries that maximize returns, potentially leaving Alberta’s public hospitals underfunded and short-staffed.
— More developments are anticipated on this topic.
Source
globalnews.ca