(Consumers' Association of Canada, Alberta)

Alberta Consumers' Association

Essential Information About the Privatization of Health Care

For the story of some of the forces behind the Alberta Health Care Protection Act and current debate on implications of increasing reliance on private business and out-of-pocket charges (and ultimately private health insurance) to fund health care, the following sources are indispensable.

"Taking Stock "(1996) Armstrong, W.,  Alberta Consumers Association:  a look at the impact of  health reforms in Alberta in consumers (and their employers) which documents significant shifting of health care expenses in lieu of efficiencies and cost savings.  To order contact the Consumers' Association at 426-3270 or cacab@ecn.ab.ca

"Canada's Canary in the Mine Shaft: The Consumer Experience with Cataract Surgery and Private clinics in Alberta" (2000) Armstrong, W. , Alberta Consumers' Association.  This retrospective history of the emergence of privately controlled "hybrid" surgery clinics in the 1970s documents the impact of the growth of these clinics on the cost, quality and accessibility of cataract surgery in Alberta - as well as providing peripheral information on other services decanted from traditional acute care hospitals.  To order contact the Consumers' Association at 426-3270 or cacab@ecn.ab.ca.  Also available for $15.00 from Orlando's books in Edmonton and Annie's Book Company in Calgary.
Executive summary available on Alberta Consumers' Association Web site.
www.ecn.ab.ca/consumer/CanaryS.htm

"The Privatization and Commercialization of Public Hospital-Based Medical Services in Canada: An Economic Overview from a Public Interest Perspective". Plain, R., health economist U of A.  An insightful look at the impact of current Alberta policies and practices surrounding private surgery clinics and private pay-as-you-go MRIs. available at www/meg.ab.ca

"Private Highway, One-Way Street: The DeKlein and Fall of Canadian Medicare? "(2000) Evans, Robert et al, noted Canadian health economists and health policy analysts evaluation of current proposals in Alberta regarding contracting out for inpatient hospital care in a larger Canadian context. www. chspr.ebc.ca

"Clear Answers: The Economics and Politics of For-Profit Medicine" 2000) Taft, K. and Steward, G., Parkland Institute,  most bookstores.   A look at why markets fail in health care and the conflicts-of-interest in Alberta's restructured health care system.  $9.95

“HRG: the Calgary clinic’s corporate connections” SEE Magazine weekly paper, March 2-8, 2000 p 6-7, HRG organization-chart is available as ‘pdf’ file at  www.newdemocrats.ab.ca thanks to Rich Cairney at SEE magazine.

Other HEALTH Websites and organizations:

 Other HEALTH Articles and Information Sources:

Thanks to the following groups for compiling much of the above list.

The Parkland Institute is a non-partisan Alberta research network through the Faculty of Arts at the U of A.  It operates within the established and distinctive tradition of Canadian political economy.  Visit the website at: www.ualberta.ca/PARKLAND/

The Council of Canadians is committed to the protection of social programs (Health, Culture, Environ. etc.) by opposing corporate rule and by promoting Democracy.  It is the largest non-government organization (NGO) in Canada with over 50 chapters.  Visit their website at: www.canadians.org The Edmonton team can be contacted at 432-6642 or by email at c4peace@planet.eon.net


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