Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government will introduce changes allowing surgeries to be performed in the private sector as well as the public system, an initiative she says will help reduce wait times.
The government says under its new proposed legislation, physician participation rules would be changed that would permit surgeons and surgical staff to perform both publicly and privately funded surgeries. The announcement on Nov. 19 comes a day after draft legislation outlining the changes was leaked to the media, sparking criticism from the opposition.
The health ministry had declined to comment on the proposal on Nov. 18 but vowed to ensure Albertans would never be forced to pay out of pocket to receive medical care….