Latest news with #HealthStatutesAmendmentAct
Cision Canada
28-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Canadian Medical Association files legal challenge to protect the rights of young patients and families to make medical decisions
CALGARY, AB , May 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), along with three Alberta doctors, will file a constitutional challenge to Alberta's Bill 26, to protect the relationship between patients, their families and doctors when it comes to making treatment decisions. Bill 26 directs physicians on how to deliver gender-affirming care to people under 18, down to which medications they can use, when and how. This is an historic and unprecedented government intrusion into the physician-patient relationship and requires doctors to follow the law rather than clinical guidelines, the needs of patients and their own conscience. "Medicine is a calling. Doctors pursue it because they are compelled to care for and promote the well-being of patients," says CMA President Dr. Joss Reimer . "When a government bans specific treatments, it interferes with a doctor's ability to empower patients to choose the best care possible." Doctors are governed by the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Under Bill 26, they are now powerless to provide independent expertise, clinical guidance and treatment options when it comes to gender-affirming care. "This legislation has put me and many of my colleagues in a state of moral crisis," says Dr. Jake Donaldson , a Calgary -based family physician providing gender-affirming care to about 40 adolescents. "These patients are a vulnerable group that already face significant and disproportionate discrimination, violence and mental health challenges," he adds. "Bill 26 commands physicians to stand on the sidelines and watch them suffer." This legal challenge is not just about Alberta and gender-affirming care. Health decisions are complex and unique to everyone. They are deeply personal and must be made by patients and their families, in partnership with their health provider – not by politicians. The CMA felt it had no choice but to step in before this kind of political interference expands to other national health issues, such as vaccination, reproductive health, medical assistance in dying, or even cancers or surgeries resulting from lifestyle choices. At a time when the Canadian health system is under significant pressure, the Alberta government should be spending its time, energy and resources on the 650,000 people in the province without a family doctor, not on the few hundred vulnerable youth seeking medical assistance. This is a misplaced priority that doesn't reflect the health care needs of people living in Alberta , and more broadly, in Canada . Background The CMA has filed an application with the Court of King's Bench for the judicial review of Alberta Bill 26 the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 and its proposed changes to the Health Professions Act R.S.A 2000 with the Court of King's Bench. The CMA asserts that Bill 26 and its proposed changes violate the freedom of conscience of physicians in Alberta contrary to section 2(a) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Protecting freedom of conscience in medical practice ensures doctors can provide medical guidance and treatments in the best interest of patients, without facing disciplinary action. In Canada , physicians are governed by the CMA Code of Ethics and Professionalism (the "Code"). First established in 1868, the Code articulates the ethical and professional responsibilities of the medical profession. It is founded on and affirms the core values, commitments and principles that physicians must uphold as members of their profession. About the CMA The Canadian Medical Association leads a national movement with physicians who believe in a better future of health. Our ambition is a sustainable, accessible health system where patients are partners, a culture of medicine that elevates equity, diversity and wellbeing, and supportive communities where everyone has the chance to be healthy. We drive change through advocacy, giving and knowledge sharing – guided by values of collaboration and inclusion. SOURCE Canadian Medical Association To schedule an interview or for further information, please contact: CMA Media Relations: [email protected]; Elena Gabrysz, 514-839-7296; Eric Lewis, 506-566-1671
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Health
- Calgary Herald
LaGrange denies Opposition accusations of Bill 55 hospital privatization
Opposition New Democrats said Thursday the Alberta government's Bill 55 opens the door for private ownership of hospitals, something the government denies, stating such accusations amount to 'empty fearmongering.' Article content Article content The Health Statutes Amendment Act was introduced in the legislature last week and proposes hundreds of changes across its 332 pages of text. Article content Article content Opposition health critic Sarah Hoffman has criticized the bill throughout the legislative process, saying it will allow private, for-profit entities to operate hospitals. Article content Article content She spoke on Thursday alongside representatives of five labour unions including those representing nurses and health care workers, and called the bill 'a disgusting betrayal' of the province's responsibility to ensure health care for Albertans when needed. Article content 'They didn't put any parameters in to say that they will be publicly operated hospitals if they actually want to say that this isn't about privatization,' she said. Article content 'I've got amendments that I'll be putting forward to say that this is about making sure that they are still publicly operated and publicly accountable.' Article content Speaking to reporters inside the legislature Thursday, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said Hoffman is mischaracterizing the bill. Article content 'The Health Facility Act stipulates very clearly that no person shall operate a private hospital in Alberta. So I find it very, very disingenuous of them to fear-monger,' she said. Article content Article content The bill began Thursday in second reading and was scheduled to be further debated into the early evening. Government house leader Joseph Schow gave oral notice that the government intends to limit further debate at second reading to one hour. Article content Hoffman said she plans to propose amendments to the bill intended to underscore the public funding, ownership and operation of hospitals in Alberta. Article content 'When you or someone you love goes to the ER or needs life saving surgery or has cancer, the people making decisions about you and your care should be focused on the patient, not the profit.' Article content 'There's no need to make an amendment,' she said. 'This bill does not do what they're saying.'
Edmonton Journal
08-05-2025
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
LaGrange denies Opposition accusations of Bill 55 hospital privatization
Article content Opposition New Democrats said Thursday the Alberta government's Bill 55 opens the door for private ownership of hospitals, something the government denies, stating such accusations amount to 'empty fearmongering.' The Health Statutes Amendment Act was introduced in the legislature last week and proposes hundreds of changes across its 332 pages of text. Article content Opposition health critic Sarah Hoffman has criticized the bill throughout the legislative process, saying it will allow private, for-profit entities to operate hospitals. She spoke on Thursday alongside representatives of five labour unions including those representing nurses and health care workers, and called the bill 'a disgusting betrayal' of the province's responsibility to ensure health care for Albertans when needed. 'They didn't put any parameters in to say that they will be publicly operated hospitals if they actually want to say that this isn't about privatization,' she said. 'I've got amendments that I'll be putting forward to say that this is about making sure that they are still publicly operated and publicly accountable.' Speaking to reporters inside the legislature Thursday, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said Hoffman is mischaracterizing the bill. 'The Health Facility Act stipulates very clearly that no person shall operate a private hospital in Alberta. So I find it very, very disingenuous of them to fear-monger,' she said. Article content Article content The bill began Thursday in second reading and was scheduled to be further debated into the early evening. Government house leader Joseph Schow gave oral notice that the government intends to limit further debate at second reading to one hour. Hoffman said she plans to propose amendments to the bill intended to underscore the public funding, ownership and operation of hospitals in Alberta. 'When you or someone you love goes to the ER or needs life saving surgery or has cancer, the people making decisions about you and your care should be focused on the patient, not the profit.' In response to reporter questions, LaGrange said such an amendment would be unnecessary. 'There's no need to make an amendment,' she said. 'This bill does not do what they're saying.' Hoffman had earlier raised concerns about the bill during Tuesday night's sitting of the legislature, noting Premier Danielle Smith had raised the idea of taking away ownership of hospitals at a town hall last year. Article content Hoffman said the bill gives too much say over patient care to hospital operators who she said could order collection of unpaid bills, and have patients discharged or relocated to other facilities under the threat of trespassing. 'This is absolutely allowing hospitals like the Stollery to be run by corporations,' she said. In a statement, Alberta Health said that's not the case and that the bill is focused on improving accountability, co-ordination, and outcomes. 'The concept of a hospital 'operator' simply ensures clear governance and accountability,' it said in a statement. 'Alberta Health Services, a provincial health agency, or a provincial health corporation may serve as an operator — none of which are private entities.' The spring sitting of the legislature is scheduled to conclude May 15. mblack@ Article content Latest National Stories
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
LaGrange denies Opposition accusations of Bill 55 hospital privatization
Opposition New Democrats said Thursday the Alberta government's Bill 55 opens the door for private ownership of hospitals, something the government denies, stating such accusations amount to 'empty fearmongering.' The Health Statutes Amendment Act was introduced in the legislature last week and proposes hundreds of changes across its 332 pages of text. Opposition health critic Sarah Hoffman has criticized the bill throughout the legislative process, saying it will allow private, for-profit entities to operate hospitals. She spoke on Thursday alongside representatives of five labour unions including those representing nurses and health care workers, and called the bill 'a disgusting betrayal' of the province's responsibility to ensure health care for Albertans when needed. 'They didn't put any parameters in to say that they will be publicly operated hospitals if they actually want to say that this isn't about privatization,' she said. 'I've got amendments that I'll be putting forward to say that this is about making sure that they are still publicly operated and publicly accountable.' Speaking to reporters inside the legislature Thursday, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said Hoffman is mischaracterizing the bill. 'The Health Facility Act stipulates very clearly that no person shall operate a private hospital in Alberta. So I find it very, very disingenuous of them to fear-monger,' she said. The bill began Thursday in second reading and was scheduled to be further debated into the early evening. Government house leader Joseph Schow gave oral notice that the government intends to limit further debate at second reading to one hour. Hoffman said she plans to propose amendments to the bill intended to underscore the public funding, ownership and operation of hospitals in Alberta. 'When you or someone you love goes to the ER or needs life saving surgery or has cancer, the people making decisions about you and your care should be focused on the patient, not the profit.' In response to reporter questions, LaGrange said such an amendment would be unnecessary. 'There's no need to make an amendment,' she said. 'This bill does not do what they're saying.' Hoffman had earlier raised concerns about the bill during Tuesday night's sitting of the legislature, noting Premier Danielle Smith had raised the idea of taking away ownership of hospitals at a town hall last year. Hoffman said the bill gives too much say over patient care to hospital operators who she said could order collection of unpaid bills, and have patients discharged or relocated to other facilities under the threat of trespassing. 'This is absolutely allowing hospitals like the Stollery to be run by corporations,' she said. In a statement, Alberta Health said that's not the case and that the bill is focused on improving accountability, co-ordination, and outcomes. 'The concept of a hospital 'operator' simply ensures clear governance and accountability,' it said in a statement. 'Alberta Health Services, a provincial health agency, or a provincial health corporation may serve as an operator — none of which are private entities.' The spring sitting of the legislature is scheduled to conclude May 15. mblack@ Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
Business Wire
08-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
UCP Introduces Private, For-Profit Hospitals
EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A bill before the Alberta Legislature will, if passed, allow for the operation and funding of hospitals by private, for-profit entities. Bill 55, The Health Statutes Amendment Act, lets the Health Minister turn hospitals over to private interests, and private operators and charge fees for services. CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal joined NDP MLAs and other health care union leaders at the Alberta Legislature to call on the United Conservative Party (UCP) government to scrap the bill. 'Danielle Smith needs to keep her election promise to stay away from private hospitals,' said Uppal. 'Charging fees for health care is mean, and it does nothing to bring down our already high cost of living.' Uppal said the quality of health care has 'dropped off a cliff' under the UCP's watch, adding that reorganization, scandals like corrupt care, and underfunding 'have added multi levels of chaos' to the system. 'Alberta health care needs stable funding, and quiet, competent management, not American style private hospitals and extra fees.' clc/cope 491
