UCP members endorse private health-care option
A resolution supporting a private health-care system existing alongside the public system was one of 30 passed by United Conservative Party members during their annual general meeting Saturday.
The policy was endorsed by 53 per cent of 793 party members who voted, despite the resolution being criticized during a virtual debate Friday. The AGM drew 1,400 attendees.
Nate Glubish, MLA for Strathcona- Sherwood Park and minister of Service Alberta, argued that the party ran in 2019 on a promise to maintain publicly funded, universally accessible health care, and the policy could be seen to contradict that.
“I understand that the healthcare system needs significant reforms. We're working hard every day to do that,” Glubish said on Friday. “If we approve this policy, it is going to cause a ton of grief for all MLAS who are working hard to deliver you results.”
Some UCP members said Alberta residents need choice within what they called a flawed publicly-funded system, but most who spoke to the resolution opposed it.
Some argued the policy could contradict the Canada Health Act or distract from the government's efforts to get more bang for its buck in health care.
The resolution's rationale says, in part, “people using Private Tier System (allowing Private Hospital Facilities similar to Non-hospital Surgical Facilities already existing) would effectively pay a user tax (fee for service) shifting some burden from the public tax revenue to private payments.”
Critics and experts have argued the policy could lead to a costlier, less equitable system.
Party resolutions may help inform policy development for the government.
Dean Falkenberg, vice-president of policy for the Calgary Varsity constituency association, which put the policy resolution forward, said it was meant to support the ability of physicians to deliver better, cost-effective health care and give more choice to patients trying to receive care in Alberta.
“Maybe the intent of this policy has been misunderstood ... maybe this policy (and the feedback) doesn't really reflect the complexity of the solution to get that service and that access to health care,” he said, acknowledging the criticism.
Party members were given until 8 p.m. Saturday to vote on resolutions.
BALANCING ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS WITH ECONOMY
Among the other proposals approved by party members were a number that were aimed at getting leverage with the federal government, some of which Premier Jason Kenney has already signalled he would pursue.
Those include holding a referendum to renegotiate the federal equalization program, having Alberta collect all taxes instead of the federal Canada Revenue Agency, establishing a provincial police force, and withdrawing from the Canada Pension Plan and creating an Alberta Pension Plan.
Maybe the intent of this policy has been misunderstood ... maybe this policy doesn't really reflect the complexity of the solution to get that service ...
Members voted in support of making Alberta a right-to-work jurisdiction, meaning union membership and paying dues would not be required as a condition of employment in unionized workplaces.
Another resolution committed to “balancing environmental objectives with the need for economic growth, development and use of private land, and public enjoyment of public land.”
Critics worry the move could escalate harmful environmental policies.
A resolution in favour of scrapping Bill 10: the Public Health Emergency Powers Amendment Act, which Health Minister Tyler Shandro said Thursday the government would repeal in the spring, passed with 79 per cent support.
Members also voted in favour of prioritizing the “safety of local communities” during discussions of supervised consumption sites, and ensuring the quality of care for elderly people and residents of public and private continuing-care facilities with monitoring and enforcement.
The annual general meeting will continue on Oct. 24 with a program of speakers including federal Conservative Leader Erin O'toole, Kenney, former Conservative leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis, Alberta Justice Minister Kaycee Madu, and former federal conservative MP Rona Ambrose.