Statement from Federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh on Alberta's Third Way Announcement

Statement

2005-78
July 12, 2005
For immediate release
Statement
OTTAWA -- The Alberta Government released today its new action plan to improve access to health care in Alberta.
We will need to study the details of what Alberta is proposing. I should reinforce initially, however, that all reforms pursued by Alberta, as they develop, should respect the CHA and its core principles. No user fees and no queue jumping are the linchpins of our Medicare system. These fundamental characteristics of our system must continue to be protected for all Canadians.
I am pleased to see Alberta has reaffirmed its commitment to the Canada Health Act, and that the proposed package, in my view, indicates a generally positive step in ensuring better health care for Albertans.
The federal government and the Government of Alberta share numerous health priorities - mental health, electronic health records, and health promotion initiatives, among others. Many of these shared priorities are reflected in what was released today.
Last September, First Ministers agreed to a $41 billion, Ten Year Plan to advance health care reform and strengthen the public health system. The Plan was based on a commitment to the core principles of Medicare and access to medically necessary services based on need, not the ability to pay.
All governments are working towards establishing rigorous benchmarks and targets to reduce wait times, and all governments are working towards meeting the December 31/05 FMM deadlines to establish comparable indicators and evidence-base benchmarks. I look forward to continuing to working with Alberta - and all other provinces and territories - to meet these commitments.
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Media Inquiries:
Adèle Blanchard
Office of Minister Dosanjh
Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991

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Statement from Federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh on Alberta's Third Way Announcement

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