Health unions criticize, question privatized screening plans
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Alberta's government is introducing a bill to allow for-pay medical testing, sparking criticism from health unions representing tens of thousands of workers. The unions argue that the move will draw workers away from the public system and worsen care.
Alberta's government has introduced a bill to create a framework for optional, for-pay diagnostic testing without a provider referral. The move has been criticized by health unions, including the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees and the Health Sciences Association of Alberta, which represent over 80,000 healthcare workers. The unions argue that the plan will exacerbate workforce pressures and worsen care in the public system. The government previously contracted the province's medical laboratory to a private provider in 2022, but terminated the contract due to financial and service delivery issues. The unions are calling for a coordinated, province-wide health human resources plan to address the shortage of healthcare workers. The government maintains that the bill is aimed at adding capacity and reducing wait times, but the unions remain skeptical.
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