Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has officially announced the government’s proposal to permit physicians to practice in both the public and private healthcare sectors concurrently. The initiative, known as the “Dual Practice Surgery Model,” aims to alleviate wait times by increasing the capacity for surgeries. While the focus has been on surgical procedures, Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones revealed that the legislation could extend to include family doctors as well.
Smith highlighted that over 80,000 Albertans are currently on waitlists for elective surgeries such as hip or knee replacements. Under the proposed changes, surgeons and supporting staff would still be required to conduct a minimum number of publicly funded surgeries annually. Additionally, they would have the option to perform extra elective surgeries privately during their off hours or weekends.
The Premier emphasized that this approach would expedite the waiting process for individuals on the public waitlist, ensuring faster access to publicly insured surgeries. Smith also suggested that the policy could enhance physician retention in Alberta and attract back those who had sought more lucrative opportunities elsewhere.
Citing examples from countries like Sweden, Germany, and Australia that operate under similar dual-model systems, Smith assured that the government remains committed to ensuring that Albertans will not incur out-of-pocket expenses to consult their family doctors or receive essential treatments.
Minister Jones described the forthcoming changes as a means to provide greater flexibility for doctors interested in participating in both healthcare systems, aiming to streamline the current process of transitioning between public and private practice.
However, the Canadian Medical Association has raised concerns, cautioning that patients may face prolonged wait times and potential financial burdens under the proposed system. The Alberta Medical Association stressed the importance of evidence-based reforms that engage stakeholders and safeguard the integrity of the public healthcare system.
In response to the reforms, the Calgary Medical Students’ Association and the University of Alberta’s Medical Students’ Association expressed apprehension about potential disparities in access to care based on financial means, advocating against a two-tiered healthcare system.
The move has garnered support from Nadeem Esmail, the director of health policy at the Fraser Institute think-tank, who described it as a step towards aligning Alberta with international healthcare norms that incorporate dual healthcare systems.
While proponents believe the reforms will bring Alberta in line with global standards, critics, including Dr. Paul Parks and Jason Sutherland, warn of potential conflicts with the Canada Health Act, which prohibits charging for essential services already covered by public insurance. They caution that the proposed changes could provoke legal challenges and jeopardize federal funding under the Act.