Alberta fully privatizes lab services, but announcement lacks clarity

"How much public money is going to guaranteed profit for DynaLIFEDX? The province must release contract details so Albertans can see how much of their money is going to profits instead of patient care." — Mike Parker, HSAA President

Edmonton (08 Feb. 2022) — Alberta Health Services announced in late January that DynaLIFEDX, a private lab provider, would be taking over all community lab services across the province. The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) proudly represents the highly trained, skilled and dedicated lab professionals working in both the public and private systems.

Government announcement leaves more questions than answers

Mike Parker, HSAA President, commented on this decision in statement, "Our members have been pillars of strength throughout this pandemic for Albertans and they will continue to be every day to come."

“Assurances of no job losses and that lab professionals will continue to be represented by HSAA/NUPGE is good news. For 2 years now lab workers have been giving their all to protect Albertans during the pandemic while being kept in the dark as the UCP blindly plows ahead with its privatization plans," he continued.

“There are 3 things we need to know for our members and for Albertans. First, what happens to pensions? Our members in the public system have them, our private members don’t. Our workers without pensions must have the opportunity to get them and those with pensions in place must be assured that they will be kept whole. Second, what exactly is included in this transfer? Albertans and lab professionals deserve to know how lab services will be impacted. Third, how much public money is going to guaranteed profit for DynaLIFEDX? The province must release contract details so Albertans can see how much of their money is going to profits instead of patient care.

Parker concluded, “HSAA/NUPGE believes all public money spent on health care should go to patient care, not profits.”