Latest news with #PrimaryandPreventativeHealthServices
Edmonton Journal
3 days ago
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Opinion: 'New approach' to COVID shots puts Albertans at risk
Article content On June 13, the minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services, Adriana LaGrange, announced 'a new approach to COVID-19 immunizations' to reduce vaccine wastage and 'better align supply with demand … while continuing to protect those at highest risk.' Article content This rationale is a red herring. The 'new approach' drastically limits Albertans' access to the lifesaving COVID vaccine. Wastage? No provincially funded vaccine has been wasted. The COVID vaccine was provided by the federal government for the past four years; 2025 is the first time provinces must order and pay for it. Article content Article content Article content Under the 'new approach,' 240,000 fewer doses of vaccine have been ordered than were given last year. It also limits the venues for vaccine delivery to 13 per cent of the sites that were accessible last year, and drastically restricts who can receive free vaccine. Article content Albertans must register with the vaccine-booking system in advance if they wish to 'register intent' to receive a COVID shot. If more people register than the number of doses ordered, the minister has not provided assurance that the province can acquire more vaccine in time. Article content Pharmacists, who gave 87 per cent of COVID shots last year, have been removed from delivery options. COVID vaccine will be delivered entirely by public health clinics. This decision makes no sense; it instead creates unfair barriers to those who work shifts, lack transportation, or are unable to get to vaccine-delivery locations. Article content Article content The 'new approach' will limit who will receive COVID vaccine free of charge, requiring other Albertans to pay a yet-to-be determined fee. Alberta is the only Canadian jurisdiction that will make its citizens pay for the vaccine. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that everyone over the age of 65, health-care workers, pregnant women, and Indigenous people (including Métis) receive the COVID vaccine. Article content Cost is a barrier to many Albertans — particularly low-income families, community-dwelling seniors, and members of racialized and other equity-denied communities. Scientific research and evaluation have shown a clear cost-benefit to immunization of those groups included in the NACI recommendations. Their evidence is that the social and economic benefits of protecting these groups outweigh the costs. Article content The 'new approach' proposes to implement the campaign in four phases, beginning with seniors in group settings like nursing homes, then people compromised with some medical conditions, then all seniors, followed by all other Albertans. Alarmingly, health-care workers will not receive free COVID vaccine and are in the last group to be immunized, if vaccine is still available. Article content This 'new approach' is either a massive failure to plan or an actual plan to fail. Public health experts and common sense indicate that if you want to protect people from a killer disease for which there is a safe and effective vaccine, you should make the vaccine available, easily accessible, and affordable. The 'new approach' weaponizes a policy to do the exact opposite. Article content This 'new approach' creates obstacles to immunization against a serious vaccine-preventable disease that caused over 380 deaths last year — and unfairly disadvantages Albertans who would receive COVID shots free of charge anywhere else in the country. Article content Article content COVID vaccines, including the new non-mRNA product Novavax, are safe and effective and decrease the burden of illness and death for individuals and communities. Albertans, as with all other Canadians, deserve a fair chance to receive COVID vaccine if they want it. Article content Minister LaGrange must commit to follow national Canadian guidelines for free and timely access to COVID vaccine for all Albertans. Will the minister assure Albertans that there will be vaccine available to every Albertan who wants it? Following the 'new approach' will show that, compared to the rest of Canada, the 'Alberta Disadvantage' is real and possibly fatal. Article content Jeffrey Johnson, PhD, professor and former dean, School of Public Health, University of Alberta. Article content Dawn Friesen, MN, assistant deputy minister of Public Health and Compliance (retired). Article content Dr. Tehseen Lahda, pediatric specialist. Article content Dr. Paul Parks, emergency physician, past-president of the Alberta Medical Association. Article content John Church, PhD, professor emeritus, Department of Political Science, University of Alberta. Article content Kathleen Ness, assistant deputy minister of Health Service Delivery (retired), adjunct professor, School of Public Health, University of Alberta. Article content
Winnipeg Free Press
31-07-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta audit suggests patients paying clinic membership fees get more thorough care
EDMONTON – An audit of Alberta medical clinics charging membership fees found no significant cases of patients paying out of pocket for covered medical treatment but paying members are likely getting more thorough care. The province launched the audit in 2023 in response to concerns over a Calgary medical clinic switching to a membership model and planning to charge annual fees of about $5,000 for families and $2,000 for an adult. Ads promised patients shorter wait-times and extended appointments but experts warned membership fees would create a two-tiered health system benefiting those who can pay. Health Canada at the time said a membership system was contrary to a federal law protecting people from paying for medically necessary care, as it meant Albertans were paying for preferential access to doctors. A two-page summary of the audit, which reviewed 13 clinics, says physicians in the clinics saw substantially fewer patients than other doctors and members seemed to get longer and more comprehensive appointments than non-members. 'Membership clinics averaged 232 new patients per physician, compared to an average of 965 in public clinics,' the report says. 'Members of these clinics receive more service units per visit, suggesting longer or more comprehensive appointments than those provided to non-members.' The report, published earlier this week, says that there was 'no evidence that physicians were incentivized to prioritize members over non-members.' There was also no evidence to suggest the clinics were intentionally breaking the law by charging patients for what should be free medical care, it says. Although four of the clinics provided insured and uninsured services only to members. Uninsured services aren't covered under public health plans and include doctor's notes and forms and certain cosmetic procedures. The report doesn't say how much the clinics charged for memberships or where they're located. It says three provide primarily virtual services, 'one of which requires payment to access an online platform where both insured and uninsured services are delivered.' The report makes policy recommendations for the province to ensure clinics are more regulated and to address grey areas where patients get insured and uninsured services during the same appointment. 'Although clinics generally understand the distinction between insured and uninsured services and the importance of avoiding extra-billing, some overlap is difficult to rule out, as uninsured allied health services may be delivered during visits that also include insured services,' the report says. The office of Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange says in a statement the province is reviewing the recommendations and legislative changes are possible. 'Membership clinics operate as private businesses within Alberta's publicly funded health system, with physicians working as independent contractors under approved compensation models,' the statement reads. 'We're pleased the audit found no significant non-compliance and no evidence that anyone is being charged for insured services.' LaGrange's office didn't specify what changes are being considered. University of Calgary health law professor Lorian Hardcastle said she found the report underwhelming in detail and that it doesn't address paying for preferential access to physicians. 'Some of these clinics advertise not just that you get quicker appointments but that you can get after-hours appointments,' Hardcastle said. 'You're paying for the after-hours call, but if the thing you're calling about is … just a regular medically necessary issue, then you are getting better access to care for your medically necessary issues, which I think is problematic in terms of the legislation.' 'The government didn't seem, in the report, all that concerned about what they found.' Health Canada is responsible for enforcing compliance with the Canada Health Act, and Hardcastle said the agency needs to be 'holding the province's feet to the fire.' The act allows Ottawa to claw back funds to provinces through health transfers, if provinces allow providers to charge patients for medically necessary or covered services. Health Canada said in a statement that it has been in contact with Alberta about its audit and reiterated that patients paying membership fees to get preferential access to care raises concerns. 'Health Canada is reviewing the recently released report and will continue engaging with the province to ensure that (patients) do not face patient charges to access medically necessary services,' the statement reads. Dr. Luanne Metz, an Opposition NDP legislature member, said the report's recommendations for clearer and enhanced regulations are important, but without more details the severity of the situation is unclear. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 'This report shows you that there are things going on that need, at the minimum, monitoring. But ideally we just need to fix it so people get the public health care that they need,' she said. Metz also said the audit's findings are contradictory, as it says clinics weren't intentionally charging patients for insured care, even though it found four only provided services to members. 'It's pretty hard to reconcile that if you only can be a member to get those services,' she said. LaGrange's office said it wasn't making the full report public as it contains 'operational and proprietary information.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2025.
CTV News
30-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
COVID concerns arise as vaccine becomes unavailable for some until fall immunization program
The mother of a one-year-old is concerned there is no available COVID vaccine for her daughter. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual The mother of a one-year-old is concerned there is no available COVID vaccine for her daughter. Her baby has started daycare, increasing the risk of spread. 'They are making it very hard for parents to ensure that their children can be healthy in this province,' said Shuhiba Mohammad. 'It makes me feel a little helpless.' Health Canada has only approved the Moderna/Spikevax vaccine for children under age 12. Andrew Livingstone, director of communications for Primary and Preventative Health Services, provided CTV News with a statement: 'The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine remains available for eligible individuals 12 years of age and older until July 31, 2025. After that date, it will no longer be administered as Alberta prepares for the rollout of the new COVID-19 vaccine formulation this fall,' the statement read. 'Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is currently unavailable across Canada, as all remaining doses have expired. It is expected to be available again in the fall 2025/26 immunization program for individuals six months of age and older.' Mohammad says she really wants to avoid having a very sick child. 'I would love for her to have some immunity so that her body can fight against COVID if she happens to get it before she can get immunized in the fall,' she said. In a previous announcement, the province said it is pausing the COVID immunization program as of Aug. 1 and wants to order the vaccine that offers protection against the latest strain. Starting Aug. 11, eligible Albertans will be able to register for a dose. The next step will be to book an appointment at a health clinic. The province will also charge a fee for doses, estimated at more than $100, but that may change. Health-care workers will also have to pay. The new vaccine program will roll out in four phases. During the first, only residents in seniors' supportive living and home care will be able to get a vaccine for free. The second phase will open provincially funded COVID-19 vaccines to people with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems, people living in congregate living accommodations, people on social programs like AISH or income support or people experiencing homelessness. In the third and fourth phases, all other Albertans starting with those 65 years of age or older will be able to purchase a vaccine. The mother of a one-year-old is concerned there is no available COVID vaccine for her daughter. The mother of a one-year-old is concerned there is no available COVID vaccine for her daughter. Health law experts are concerned the new program increases health inequity. 'There's a link between health and wealth, and those who are healthiest are also often able to afford these things,' said Lorian Hardcastle, assistant professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary. Hardcastle says she's worried the new rules add barriers and confusion that will decrease vaccine uptake. 'I understand that politically, this is not a government that believes in pushing vaccines or incentivizing people to get vaccinated. But if you want medical choice and medical freedom, which this government has spoken a lot about, that should also be paying for vaccines for those who want them and want them for their children,' she said. Craig Jenne, a professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary, is also concerned about Alberta's changes to COVID vaccine rollout. 'The lack of availability of COVID vaccines for Albertans under the age of 12 is both concerning and frustrating,' he said. 'Although COVID levels are currently low in the province, the virus is still out there and infection remains a risk. Kids may have underlying conditions, have at-risk family members or may be planning travel to COVID hot spots, yet are unable to receive vaccination. 'Last year alone, about three dozen children required admission to an ICU due to COVID, so this is not a harmless infection in children.'
Calgary Herald
16-05-2025
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Premier Danielle Smith overhauls Alberta cabinet, names three new ministers
Article content Alberta Premier Danielle Smith restructured her government's cabinet on Friday for the first time since winning election in 2023, adding three new ministers, creating or re-naming seven ministries, and moving several veteran members of executive council to new roles. Article content Article content Smith announced the overhaul at the McDougall Centre in Calgary, which saw the number of ministers grow by two, up to 27. Article content Article content In a short speech after the ceremony, Smith noted her government was nearly halfway through its four-year mandate. Article content Article content 'There is much more work to do,' she said. ' Albertans are trusting us, each of us in this room, to do that critical work as a team.' Article content Among the key changes include the breaking up the health ministry role to reflect the government's four health care agencies. Article content Adriana LaGrange shifts to Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services while Matt Jones becomes Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services. LaGrange will continue to oversee the province's efforts to re-structure the health care system. Article content Rick Wilson takes over as Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, and Jason Nixon adds to his title as Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services while also dropping the 'seniors' title from his prior role. Article content Dan Williams moves from mental health and addiction to replace recently elected Speaker Ric McIver as municipal affairs minister. Article content Article content Drayton Valley-Devon MLA Andrew Boitchenko takes over as tourism and sports minister from Joseph Schow who takes on the newly-named role of minister of jobs, economy, trade and immigration. Article content Calgary-Fish Creek MLA Myles McDougall joins cabinet as minister of advanced education, replacing Rajan Sawhney who shifts to minister of indigenous relations. Article content No major names were dropped from cabinet, though Hunter takes over as chief government whip, replacing Shane Getson, and Muhammad Yaseen sees his role reduced to associate minister of multiculturalism.
