Today our 2005 Alberta Resource Rebate arrived in the mail. It's available to all Albertans, young and old, who resided in the Province of Alberta during 2005. However if you're an adult and you did not file taxes for 2005 you're not elegible until you do. Also, if you have no decernable address the Government of Alberta is unable to mail you a rebate.
Enclosed with the cheque is a letter from Premier Ralph Klein. It says, and I qoute
"Dear Albertan: Enclosed is your Alberta 2005 Resource Rebate. This $400.00 per-person rebate is being provided by the Government of Alberta as a non-taxable, one-time bonus to all Albertans in recognition of their role in building this province. Funds for this rebate are from part of this year's provincial surplus, the rest of which will be saved or invested to build Alberta's future. For more information on the rebate, please visit www.gov.ab.ca.
Congratulations, and thank you for helping build this province.
From,
Premier Ralph Klein"
It's a great day to be Albertan.
10 comments:
Yeah...sure is, You may need that 400$ if you get sick.
Alberta reforms could violate health act: Klein
Last Updated Fri, 27 Jan 2006 07:40:03 EST
CBC News
Alberta Premier Ralph Klein says his government is ready to move forward with health-care changes that may violate the Canada Health Act.
Klein told reporters on Thursday that he has unanimous support from his Conservative caucus to introduce his so-called Third Way reforms, which would let Albertans opt to buy private insurance for non-essential procedures and allow doctors to practise in both private and public systems.
Alberta Premier Ralph Klein. (File photo)
Asked whether such changes are consistent with the act, he said: "There may – may – be violations, but we don't know yet because there are all kinds of steps to go through."
Klein said political changes in Ottawa are not going to slow him down.
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and his cabinet will be sworn in on Feb. 6. During the campaign for the general election, Paul Martin's Liberals again accused Harper of being prepared to water down Canada's system of universal, health care.
The Alberta premier kept quiet on health care during the campaign, after being criticized for foiling Harper's 2004 election bid by pledging controversial reforms.
he has now broken his silence.
Klein called it a coincidence that he's making the announcement as a Conservative government is about to take power federally for the first time since 1993.
"I would describe more as coincidental the fact that a Conservative government was elected as we're moving through these health-care reforms," he said. "But we would have moved through those reforms with or without a Conservative government."
Klein said he had a telephone conversation on Thursday with the incoming prime minister, a fellow Albertan, and the province's health-care reform plan was the main topic of discussion.
The premier said his conversation with Harper was brief.
"I advised him that we'll keep the lines of communication open and we'll advise his minister of health, whoever that might be, of the situation. His reaction was, 'Fine,' that was good."
Whether it's a public or a private facility. All Albertans will still only need to use there Alberta health care card. All medical expenses will be paid for, except for any post-surgery drugs.
Which, hoping the Conservatives keep the pharmacare plan. Unless it's already in operation, I haven't heard much about it since the liberals proposed such a thing. All drug expenses will be paid for by the federal government. So essentially health care will be paid for by Albertan and Canadian tax payers.
Also keep in mind Health care is under provincial jurisdiction. All provinces need to do what's best for their people. What works in Alberta probably won't work in Newfoundland or the maritime provinces.
Alberta spend over $200 per capita on health care then any other Canadian province. We can't just keep throwing money at it. Obviously it isn't working.
If ALberta is spending the most of any province and it's not working here. it's not working in other provinces either. It takes too long for Canadians to get medical attention plus we run into bed shortages from time to time. It's just going to get worse. This year the beginning of the baby boomers turn 60 years old. Health care facilities are going to be overrun by patients in the years to come. To say 'this is the only way.' I don't agree with that. There has to be a better way. and like Kyoto "how do we know if we don't try."
Right when the election started Klein said he wouldn't take any steps toward his third way until after the election. He even declared a Liberal minority. He wanted to see what government was in charge before he started.
Yes, a conservative government won't put too many hurdles in front of him, compared to a liberal one. but the Canadian people voted for a slight change. if the majority of Canadians support these types of changes there could be bigger changes on the way to come, Albeit slowly.
Well It's hard to be critical, because the discription is so vague. He says you will use private insurance for non essential treatments...like what exactly, we know hip replacement for sure but what else. As for doctors working Private and public, I Have no Idea how that will not translate to more hours for doctors instead of more doctors. How will this plan ease the bed shortage in hospitals? I know that both Calgary and Edmonton are having space shortage. Until this thing starts up I can't say for sure whats good and\or bad because, like I said last summer, it's a very vague nine point plan that only deals in generalities.
However For the most part almost all studies comparing private and Public care have concluded public Care is the better choice. Like Mr. Harper said in the second debate, " We will not solve the problems of the health care system by going out and deciding we'll try and ban this service and that service." However that works both ways, before Ralphie allows public money to go to private clinics, he better be damn sure which way works best.
This is a essential read on health care for Canadians from the centre for policy alternatives... check it out...( the url is broken up to fit on the damn page)
http://www.policyalternatives.ca
/documents/National_Office_Pubs/
2005/Health_Care_Waitlists.pdf
non essential surgeries = non life threatening problems. i.e. hip, knee, joint replacements. MRI's, any ligament problems, etc. I could also say eye and dental. But there are already private clinics for those things.
If specialty doctors are able to open up their own clinic. They'll be able to see more patients for their specialty. Which will, in turn, free up doctors in the hospitals. Not to mention allow for quicker service for all. Instead of waiting 18 months before you can see a specialist.
We already have a plan for more beds. Ralphie is spending $500 million to add 200 more beds to all major hospitals in Calgary and Edmonton. It's just taking time to build. Not to mention the wheels are in motion to build another south hospital in Calgary.
For sure, when you strictly compare a public system to a private system. The public system works everytime. But we're not switching to a strictly private system. It's going to combine the best of both world's. You get the quick service that you would get in a private system with it being funded with public dollars.
If all fails we can always fall back to the socialist stand by and continue to throw money at it.
Well, I read your link. it proposes the same things Ralph is proposing. Open specialty clinics to cut back on wait lists and to be more efficient, duh!
Only, it calls for public facilities instead of private. Which doesn't suprise me. Right at the top they wish to thank the BC hospital employee's union. Of course the unions don't want private clinics. it would mean less jobs for the unions. Meaning less money for the unions. It's a little biased , but anyways the ideas are good.
My only question(s) is will the public be able to supply enough specialty clinics to reduce wait times?
Also, Baby boomers turn 60 this year. Which will mean an increase of patients to come. Can these clinics be built and staffed accordingly in time?
Also, people are becoming more health conscious. Smoking is going to be outlawed in the near future. With all these public facilities around Is there going to be a need for them in the future? Or are the taxpayers going to be stuck with a bunch of clinics which which sit empty?
I guess the liberals don't know shit about health care. The report indicates the last 10 years we've been doing things all wrong.
Right, It calls for public facilities instead of private because " private facilities have the same staffing concerns other buisness have. I don't need the BC nurses union to tell me about it , my wife works at a private nursing home and a public one. Guess which one has happier patients, Happier staff, and which one had to bus sick elderly patients to the other one during a power outage because the American owner was to cheap to buy a generator.( incedently one lady died of pneumonia a week after and another man fell and broke his hip on the way to the bus).
Also my friend Rick, is a specialist surgeon, I will give you a quote from his wife cindy.
"(conservatives) had no connection to the real world at all ... put a max. wait time on health care while not talking about how (ie. adding new dr.s or new funding to the hospitals) b/c they iare more interested in the private health care option (which incidentally would benefit my pocket hugely, but will take the dr.s and OR staff from the public system and INCREASE wait-times)...
The choice is about how much money can be made from peoples illness, and a basic belief that Health care should not be for profit, because the give and take aspects of running a buisness do not apply to health care. You can't lay off nurses because the bottom line is slipping. Given the fact that Health buisness cannot compete in the knock down drag out world of corporate management they have to be protected.
That being said, of course there is a difference between Private hospitals and for-profit facilities. Mount Sinai in Toronto where Rob had his surgery is privatly owned, by a religious group, shriners hospitals are owned by the shriners, but both do not work on a profit basis. If Ralph's plan would put public funds into private shareholders pockets you better watch out, because it can have disasterous effects on our aging baby boomers and any one else.
Can the clinics be built in time? The infrastructure is fine, its the management of public care that needs to be overhauled. To solve wait times put all the names from a waiting list on a COMMON waiting list instead of each doctor having his own. Alberta already has this, however it is only for " non-essential" ( if you ask me dude, hip replacement and ACL knee surgery are pretty essential) surgeries. They have done it in Saskatoon for all emergency room patients and it cut wait times considerably. Unfortunatly in order to restructure public health there has to be a willingness on the part of government to make a commitment to the system that exists. Alberta has no such willingness. And neither does the Feds
"The Liberals didn't know shit about health care.."
Hello welcome to 'mastermind' our first contestant is Doctor Clawmonkey, his specialty the bloody obvious.
The Liberals knew what they had to say to get elected, end of story. that pool of knowledge is not very deep.
The Conservatives however also have no fucking idea either, however they are connected to think tanks and economic interests who want to reap the benifit of for profit health care. So they know less, they care less, and their agenda is already defined by the profit driven model of the US of A.
BTW I'm pretty sure the BC nurses union has considerably more knoweldge about how to save health care than you, I, or all the Conservatives in Canada. It's that whole thing about being NURSES!
But I sure Ralph Klein and his Iris Evans know better. Old Iris should know, she graduated from nursing school and never practiced, she went into politics instead.
Oh BTW
EDMONTON (CP) - The Alberta government appears determined to privatize health-care services, even if it violates the Canada Health Act and threatens millions of dollars in federal funding, the Opposition Liberals charged Tuesday.
Health critic Laurie Blakeman said the proof is in leaked documents she believes were used recently to brief members of the Tory caucus on the government's so-called Third Way for health care.
One document, a hard copy of a slide presentation, discusses ways to remove barriers to private health insurance and allow doctors to practise in both the public and private systems. It suggests the government could introduce a notwithstanding provision to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act to get around the federal requirement that doctors practise either under medicare or outside it, but not both.
"I want to be very clear here: this is a violation of the Canada Health Act," Blakeman told a news conference.
The other document, titled Third Way Progress Update, says the government plans a public awareness campaign to "shift public expectations from an 'entitlement to all' perspective to a shared responsibility perspective."
"The consequences of this to Albertans is that you will pay substantially more for way less health care," Blakeman said.
"The government is acting contrary to the public interest and what Albertans have said they want, and they are using a massive PR campaign to manipulate and convince you that you are not entitled to public health care."
Health Minister Iris Evans declined to speak personally but issued a statement saying the documents were working papers only.
"They do not represent government policy," Evans said. "They do represent some of the options this government is currently exploring."
Evans said that before any decisions are made, the options need to be discussed in detail with such groups as the Alberta Medical Association and the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
"I want to assure Albertans that when decisions are made, we will be making those decisions fully public."
Evans also defended her position that everyone needs to take more responsibility for their health rather than looking at care as simply an entitlement
Fuckin scary dude.
Oh wait you can disregard all that, a liberal brought it up, probably a union member too.
One more thing, I seriously doubt that once profit driven interests gain a foothold in the Health Care Market you will be able to simply "go Back".
Does Amy's private nursing home conduct surgeries? Or is it just a nursing home. What about the public one. Any surgeries?
I know nursing homes are a problem everywhere with horrible treatment. But if no surgeries are done how can we compare?
Great, conservatives have no connection to the real world. Well, this country's been run by liberals for the last 13 years. How come this hasn't been addressed? Or would you lump liberals and conservatives in the same mix. If that's the case how come were not electing NDP politicians. Even the maritimes are mostly liberal red.
When I think of private clinics or facilities. I'm not thinking of them being run by a corporation and traded publically on the stock exchange. I think private clinics would be owned by doctor's and nurses. When, financially, they benefit themselves. But also they would take extra care as this is their business and their reputation. If these clinics are going to be run by corporations and publically traded on the stock exchange, where stockholders are all that matters. I would definately re-think my position.
I agree hip and knee surgeries should be essential. yet they're probably one of the longest waiting lists. because they're not life threatening. A stroke or heart attack victim takes precedence over a hip or knee.
hey,i'm not saying I know more than the nurses. I'm was just referring to the union and it's support for more unions. That's all. of course doctor's and nurses know health care. Which is why they should be able to run their own facilities instead of bearucrats.
Yeah I heard about those documents. And they aren't policy. They're simply ideas or options. And about everyone taking more responsibility for their health. Is simply referring to a healthier lifestyle. Instead of believing the system will be able to save me no matter how I live.
That may seem scary to you. But it's sensible out here. That's our way of thinking. If the status quo is not working, then we have to find a solution that works. That means looking at all options. Good or bad. You can't dismiss any idea. It's not good enough to sit there any say to yourself -- 'krusty is coming, krusty is coming'.
Something has to be done sooner rather than later.
Hey you yourself said,
"The Liberals knew what they had to say to get elected, end of story. that pool of knowledge is not very deep."
Yet now your qouting a liberal who's knowledge is very deep. How can you tell the difference from a good one from a bad one.
I personally have no problem with doctor's and nurses becoming filthy rich because of the field they're in. Good for them. they deserve it. It's just funny that in this great country you can spend your money on anything except you can't spend it on yourself to improve your health. Doesn't seem right.
1. We are not comparing what they do, we are comparing how they are run. When you run anything for profit, you cut corners to save expenses, weather it's Sears, a nursing home, or a hospital.
2. I think it's rather obvious that I do lump the Conservatives and the liberals in the same mix. The are both a group of capitalist douchebags more interested in securing their own interests than serving the people they claim to represent. We ( the royal we, I do vote NDP) don't vote NDP because the Liberals, Conservatives, Privatly owned Media, and corporate interests have combined for years to scare people away from the NDP by vilifing them as spendthrifts, and Union lapdogs. ( federal report, ndp most balanced bugets... Who was goofball of the month supporting ?)they fear the NDP because they will muzzle the corporate tit (i.e. your beloved tax breaks) that industry needs to bring in bigger profits every year, (how's esso/exxon doin?)For the most part it works, because if you repeat the lie often enough it starts to sound true.
3. well if thats how you picture for profit care, you are wrong. Here's who is behind Ralph, Steve, and Pauls attemts to cash in on sick people.
M.D.S. MDS is already a leading player in Canada’s emerging private healthcare industry MDS operates Canada’s largest network of clinical laboratories and physician services. MDS now controls 55 percent of the distribution of medical supplies in Canada plus 30 percent of the Canadian laboratory market.40 percent of MDS revenues came from the public purse, MDS operates the MDS Capital
Corporation which combines seven capital funds for strategic investments in more than 120
for-profit healthcare companies. MDS also manages the Canadian Medical Discoveries Fund,
disbursing government funds to numerous companies, including MDS subsidiaries.
Influence: MDS’s political connections and lobbying have had a direct influence in shaping
healthcare policy making in Canada. In Alberta, for example, MDS owns 37 percent of the Health Resources Group, the major pusher for private hospitals in that province, while MDS board member, John Evans, is actively involved in the Alberta Premier’s Advisory Council on Health.
MDS vice president of corporate affairs and government relations, Brian Harling, is the chair of the
federal government’s advisory group on healthcare and international trade. In the 2000 federal election,
MDS contributed $12,537 to the Liberal party, $11,950 to the Canadian Alliance, and another $11,700 to the Alberta Conservative party These widely distributed contributions expose the extent to which Canadian politicians are tied to healthcare corporation interests and help explain why politicians
and governments are increasingly accepting the idea of a further privatized healthcare system.
“We see the United States...as a leading indicator of changes to healthcare in Canada”
--- Robert Brecken, MDS vice president
HCA is the largest for-profit hospital chain in the world. In its former incarnation as Columbia/HCA, this
corporation owned and operated 348 hospitals. After being
found guilty of numerous fraud charges in the U.S., the company was restructured. To raise
the cash required to pay for the settlement of its multi-million dollar lawsuits, the largest
health related lawsuits in U.S. history, HCA sold off chunks of its operations, including its
non-hospital businesses. As of 2002, HCA owns and operates 200 hospitals and other
healthcare facilities in 24 U.S. states, plus Britain and Switzerland, and employs 168,000
people. To expand their operations globally, HCA has developed joint ventures in other
countries, such as with MDS here in Canada.
HCA has a history of taking over hospitals and then closing them in
order eliminate competition and maximize its profit margin. For example, in 1995, when
Columbia/HCA took over HealthTrust Corporation, it promptly closed a 34-bed medical center
facility in Gilmer, Texas. Similarly, for profit hospitals are not inclined to serve poor communities.
In 1998, when the Alexian Brothers Hospital [which provided $10 million worth of free care
in 1997] was transferred to Columbia/HCA, the company refused to make a statement of
commitment to provide a community health fund and ensure continuing service to the poor.
In 1995, soon after meeting with Columbia/HCA President Richard Scott, Governor (at the time) George W. Bush vetoed a Texas
patient protection bill which the company had been actively opposing. The patient’s bill would have expanded the number of children and
adults covered by the state’s health insurance program for the poor.
To fuel its expansion and profit targets, HCA also has a track
record of slashing jobs. As former HCA executive and whistleblower Mark Gardiner said
about HCA’s management philosophy: “Employees are the largest operating expense. Cut
that to the bone. Cut nursing to the bone. I mean cut it to as low as your conscience will allow.”
Extendicare. A September 2001 study in the American Journal of Public Health revealed that investor owned nursing homes “provide worse care and less nursing care than non-profit and public homes”,yet private long-term care companies, whether it be nursing homes or retirement homes, are
growing in number by receiving an increasing percentage of the bed licenses given out by
provincial governments. In some cases, the corporations even receive large government
subsidies as incentive for building long-term care homes. Illustrating the continued sellout of Canadian Medicare to corporate interests, these government handouts are reflective of
government’s increasing inclination towards promoting the private health industry, even though inferior care is often the result. A quick look at the nursing home corporation Extendicare indicates that private long term care is not in Canadian’s long-term interests.
Extendicare was convicted in the largest abuse and neglect verdict in
Florida’s history (worth $20 million, with an appeal that was settled for an undisclosed amount).
The case centred on an Alzheimer’s patient at a Nursing home in Pinellas County who was not
given medication, may have been unfed for up to a month, received no treatment for a bed
sore that turned gangrenous, and later died. Extendicare withdrew all its operations in Florida
as well as Texas where other lawsuits had been put forth, and began to concentrate elsewhere,
including Canada.
Extendicare gave $37,000 to the Ontario Tories between 1995 and 1999, and was awarded the $700 million contract detailed above. Critics insist that there’s “a link between those contributions and the awarding of nursing home licenses”, as those who gave the most, Extendicare and CPL REIT, received the most beds.
Well there's three,publicly traded for profit interests who are pushing for this thing. you want more? I got more. the Profit buzzards are circling, and they'll land in Alberta first.
Doctors and Nurses will not be the ones getting rich, unless they own substantial shares in the companies they are working for.
You want to spend your money on health? well the US is what? two hours from Calgary? You want to jump a cue, you leave the country.If you feel your money should bump you up on a line there are many places that will take you.
Does the fact that a liberal exposed a conservative memo make the memo less true?
Great, you've convinced me a public system is better than a private system to a degree. but there are some things the public health system doesn't take care of. Such as dental. So when I hear 'public health care' there should be an asterisk above. Pointing out certain health care issues aren't covered.
Yes, the memo is true. I have no doubt it's 100% true. they're only options. ideas if you will. Sure some will be implemented in time. will public care disappear. No. Will private for profit clinics exist, yes. There are some already. But if all it takes is my alberta health care card to cover the costs. Then I don't really care how health care is delivered. Once I have to pay with my credit card. Then the shit will hit the fan. but it's not like it's just going to happen over one night. To say, all of a sudden the public health care system isn't going to exist is a little extreme.
We live in Canada, the public system will never disappear or dissolve. Will there be other options then the public system. Most definately. There already are.
I have no problem with people jumping que's or going to private facilities, if they can afford it. It's the world we live in. Unfortunately most people in general are greedy bastards. I'm sure our current positions would be greatly different if we each had a few extra millions in the bank. And we grew up with those millions and that lifestyle.
You can see the world is starting to adopt more socialist views. Look at latin america. they're electing mroe socially progressive parties then ever before. The US tried to sell them on capitalist/right wing ideals, and they're tired of that shit. And at some point, if the USA doesn't start to clean up their act. The world leaders are goign to boycott the US entirely. then it will be an interesting world. I believe we're starting to build a global community. It;s going to be up to the people what kind of community we live in.
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