Alberta’s Prime Minister Danielle Smith says if a Calgary Medical Clinic starts charging a fee for faster access to a family doctor, it will be closed, fined or withheld medicare payments from the province.
Smith says her government is committed to the principles of the Canada Health Act that include patients who don’t pay to access government-funded services, such as doctor visits.
“We’re not going to let that happen,” Smith told reporters in Calgary on Friday.
“I have signed a protocol with the federal government for 10 years committing to the principles of the Canada Health Act. This means that you cannot pay to access the insured services.
“If that’s what they’re doing, they’ll be shut down, they’ll be fined, or we’ll keep paying for them.”
“Why are these fees being charged”: Calgary clinic to allow patients to pay to jump the queue
Marda Loop medical clinic has told patients it will start offering membership fee-based services, including faster access to its doctor, starting Tuesday.
Annual membership is set at $ 2,200 for an individual and $ 4,800 for a family.
The clinic promises to keep one day a week open for patients who have not signed up for the membership plan.
Health Canada has said the fees violate provisions of the Act, which guarantees an equal playing field for access to provided medical services paid for by the public purse.
The clinic did not respond Friday to a request for comment.
NDP charges more medical clinics for charging Alberta patient fees for service
The new program was communicated to Marda Loop patients in a recent email. There is no mention on the clinic’s website, and the provincial regulator, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, said earlier this week that it was not asked to review the new clinic fee model before implementation.
In the email to patients, clinic owner and physician Sally Talbot-Jones characterized the move as “a transformative healthcare initiative” to provide better service while reducing stress, lost time and productivity due to prolonged waits to see a doctor.
“You and your family should not sacrifice your time or finances because of inadequate access to health care,” Talbot-Jones wrote.
In an interview with CBC Neambs earlier this week, she cited financial struggles with office costs as a reason for the change.
Talbot-Jones has refused repeated requests for an interview from the Canadian Press.
Alberta groups speaking out against planned medical membership fee for Calgary clinic
Health Canada has advised Alberta there are multiple options to fix the Marda Loop situation, such as through policy or legislation, but said a failure to do so risks a reduction in federal health transfer payments to the province.
The Opposition NDP has called for a full investigation by the province, saying the problem extends beyond the Marda Loop clinic.
In a statement on Friday, Health Canada said almost $ 14 million was deducted from Alberta Health transfer payments in March due to clinics charging fees in exchange for access to government-funded MRI and CT scans.
“The (Health Canada) Act is clear: when there is evidence of patient charges, a mandatory deduction for federal health transfer payments to the province or territory must be taken,” spokeswoman Anne Genier said in an email.
Calgary Medical Clinic offers controversial’membership style’ service
In a statement on its website on Friday, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta said it goes against its standard of practice for any doctor to charge patients directly for the services provided.
The College said it would act on complaints, but added, “under the legislation, (the College) is unable to share information about specific complaints in our complaints process, including whether or not a complaint has been filed.”
She added: “the vast majority of practicing physicians in Alberta are professionals and (the College) thanks them for their continued adherence to their professional responsibilities.”
Smith made a manifesto pledge at the last election that Albertans would not pay to see a family doctor.
The NDP, along with advocacy organization Friends of Medicare, said the Marda Loop plan threatens a catastrophic domino effect for patients who can’t pay but still need primary care, and referrals for more complex tests and procedures.
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