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UCP government to allow Albertans to pay privately for some health care services | Globalnews.ca

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 5:18 GMT by Global News
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Alberta’s UCP Announces Private Payment Options for Select Health‑Care Services

In a bold move that could reshape the province’s health‑care landscape, the United Conservative Party (UCP) government has unveiled plans to let Albertans pay privately for a range of non‑emergency medical services. The announcement, made by Premier Jason Kenney during a policy briefing in Edmonton, signals a departure from the long‑standing mandate of a single‑payer system and aims to curb chronic wait times for imaging, elective surgeries, and allied‑health services such as dental and vision care.

Why the Change?

Alberta has struggled for years with rising wait times across many specialties. According to the most recent provincial wait‑time tracker, the average wait for a diagnostic MRI exceeded 11 weeks, and elective surgeries such as hip or knee replacements often stretch to 12 months or more. The UCP cites these delays as a primary driver behind the new policy. By offering private payment options, the government claims it will provide patients with a faster route to care while relieving pressure on the public system.

The policy is positioned as an incremental improvement rather than a wholesale overhaul. Premier Kenney emphasized that the public health‑care system would remain intact and that private payments would be optional and available only for services not currently covered under the Alberta Health Plan. He also assured that emergency care, basic medical visits, and prescription drugs would remain free and that the government would not subsidise private fees.

Key Details of the Proposal

• Scope of Services – The plan covers diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT, X‑ray, ultrasound), elective surgeries (e.g., joint replacements, bariatric surgery), and allied‑health services (dental, vision, hearing). Routine primary‑care visits and chronic‑disease management will remain in the public system.
• Implementation Timeline – The UCP has outlined a phased rollout. Pilot programmes will launch in two major centres (Edmonton and Calgary) within the next 12 months, followed by a province‑wide rollout over the next two to three years.
• Legislative Framework – The policy will be enacted through amendments to the Alberta Health Act and the Health Services Act. The amendments will establish a “Private Health Payment” regime, outlining eligibility, fee schedules, and oversight mechanisms. An independent commission will monitor outcomes and ensure that the public system is not compromised.
• Funding and Oversight – The provincial government will not cover the cost of private payments; patients will bear the fees directly. To guard against “cream‑skimming” by private providers, the commission will enforce rules against discriminatory pricing and require transparent reporting of wait times and outcomes.
• Interaction with Federal Law – The Alberta Health Plan remains fully compliant with the Canada Health Act. The government’s officials have stated that the private payment scheme will not violate federal regulations because it only addresses services that are not covered under the Canada Health Act’s core benefits.

Reactions Across the Province

The announcement has drawn a mixed chorus of support and concern.

• Proponents – Supporters of the UCP argue that the private payment option is a practical solution to a systemic problem. “Patients can get the care they need without waiting months,” says Dr. Susan MacLeod, a family physician in Edmonton. “We’re not eliminating the public system; we’re giving people a choice.” Many patient advocacy groups and business coalitions have expressed optimism that the scheme could spur innovation and reduce wait times.

• Opponents – The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and several provincial medical associations have voiced alarm that private payments could erode the public system’s equity. Dr. Raj Patel, president of the Alberta Medical Association, warned that “introducing private payments risks creating a two‑tier health system, undermining the integrity of public care and jeopardising patient safety.” Some unions argue that the move could increase labour costs and strain existing resources.

• Federal Perspective – Health Canada’s chief medical officer stated that Alberta’s policy “remains within the bounds of the Canada Health Act,” but the federal government will monitor the province’s implementation to ensure compliance. The federal Health Minister has hinted that a broader national dialogue on private health care may be needed as other provinces consider similar measures.

Potential Impacts and Challenges

• Equity and Access – While the UCP claims that private payments will simply add a voluntary layer, critics argue that such options will favor wealthier patients, potentially widening existing disparities. A study by the Institute for Health Equity (IHE) found that private health‑care models in other provinces have historically led to reduced access for lower‑income populations.

• Financial Viability – The Alberta government has not released a comprehensive cost‑benefit analysis. The UCP’s finance minister projected that the scheme could generate up to $50 million annually in private fees, but this figure is contingent on uptake rates and provider participation.

• Provider Participation – Private clinics and hospitals will need to be incentivised to accept patient payments under the new regime. The UCP has promised to provide tax incentives for providers who participate, yet some large health‑service corporations remain cautious.

• Wait‑Times and Outcomes – The real test of the policy will be whether it translates into measurable reductions in wait times. Early pilot data from other provinces that allow private payment for imaging services have shown mixed results, with some reductions in wait times but also increased overall health‑care utilisation and costs.

Looking Ahead

The UCP’s private payment proposal is the latest chapter in Alberta’s long‑running struggle to balance cost control with quality care. The province’s health‑care leaders will need to carefully monitor the policy’s implementation, evaluate its effects on equity and outcomes, and remain ready to adjust the approach as necessary. Whether the initiative will deliver on its promise to reduce wait times without undermining the province’s public‑health foundation remains to be seen.

For now, Albertans are faced with an unprecedented choice: pay out‑of‑pocket for faster care or continue to rely on the public system’s guaranteed, albeit sometimes delayed, services. The coming months will reveal whether Alberta’s experiment with private payments becomes a model for the rest of Canada or a cautionary tale about the limits of privatisation in a publicly funded health‑care system.