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'We're relatively pleased with what appears to be this government's acknowledgement that public health care is a key priority for Albertans.' - Elisabeth Ballermann.
Edmonton (10 Feb. 2010) - Alberta's "apparent about-face" on health care spending suggests it may finally be getting the message that Albertans expect a fully funded public health care system, says the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE).
"We're relatively pleased with what appears to be this government's acknowledgement that public health care is a key priority for Albertans," HSAA president Elisabeth Ballermann said after seeing the new Alberta budget on Tuesday.
Finance Minister Ted Morton announced a recommitment to appropriate health care funding, including a one-time injection of $759 million to Alberta Health Services (AHS) to eliminate its accumulated deficit.
The government also increased its base operating grant to AHS, pledging 6% for 2010-11. The operating grant will also increase by 6% in both 2011-12 and 2012-13 and by 4.5% in both 2013-14 and 2014-15.
"Make no mistake, the proof is in the pudding, so we will be monitoring such things as staffing levels, AHS's vacancy plans and health care infrastructure going forward for the more than 18,000 members that we represent," Ballermann said. "The government has seemingly made a U-turn on its health care policy as the result of intense lobbying by Albertans, including organizations such as HSAA."
The announced injection of close to $2.5 billion over three years to fund new or expanded health facilities, as well as to maintain and renew existing facilities, was also welcomed news by HSAA.
"We're hopeful that the construction of much-needed facilities, such as a new hospital in Grande Prairie and existing facilities in Beaverlodge and Medicine Hat, will now receive the green light to proceed," Ballermann said.
However, she noted that the funds for health care come at the expense of other services important to Albertans.
"While this sounds like good news for health care, cuts to other important services including children and youth services and income support, will ultimately increase the burden on the health care system down the road," she noted.
HSAA also pointed out that Morton's budget failed to address the needs of a growing demographic group – seniors. The 2.2% budget increase announced for seniors and community supports amounts to an effective cut after taking inflation and the growth in the number of Alberta seniors into account, the union said.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE