EDMONTON — The union representing thousands of Alberta health-care professionals says a new provincial policy allowing some physicians to bill patients privately for surgeries could weaken the public health-care system and worsen staffing shortages.
The Health Sciences Association of Alberta is criticizing the policy announced June 18 under Bill 11, which introduces physician dual practice.
The province has said the measure is intended to help address long surgical wait times. However, HSAA argues the approach could create a divide between privately funded and publicly funded care.
The union says Albertans who can afford to pay for surgery may gain faster access to treatment, while the public system could lose workers needed to deliver care.
HSAA President Leanne Alfaro said surgical procedures depend on a wide range of health-care professionals beyond physicians, including anesthesia assistants, surgical technologists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, laboratory professionals, diagnostic imaging technologists and rehabilitation staff.
“There is no health care without health-care professionals,” Alfaro said in a statement.
She said Alberta already faces shortages and vacancies across many health-care professions and warned the policy could draw workers away from the public system.
“We have a finite number of skilled people delivering care in Alberta today,” Alfaro said. “This policy risks pulling these essential professionals away from the public system.”
The union said increased staffing pressures could lead to cancelled surgeries and longer waits for Albertans who cannot afford to pay privately for care.
“Albertans already pay for health care, why are we being asked to pay again?” Alfaro said.
HSAA said the province should focus on strengthening the public system through recruitment, education and training, filling vacancies and reducing worker burnout.
“Albertans care deeply about our public health-care system,” Alfaro said. “This policy puts that system at risk for Albertans who depend on it every day.”
The provincial government has said physician dual practice is intended to increase access to surgical services and help reduce wait times.
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