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Alberta Unveils Controversial Public-Private Health Care Plan to Slash Wait-Times

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 17:38 GMT by Global News

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Alberta’s Controversial Public‑Private Health Care Plan: What It Means for Residents

Alberta’s provincial government has unveiled a sweeping “public‑private” health care strategy that has ignited a fierce debate among health‑care providers, patient advocates, unions, and the broader public. The plan—pushed by Premier Jason Kenney’s administration—aims to address the province’s escalating wait‑time crisis by integrating private‑sector facilities into the publicly funded system. While the initiative promises quicker access to services and a more efficient use of resources, critics warn that the approach could undermine the public health‑care model that many Alabamians rely on.

The Core of the Plan

Under the proposed framework, the Alberta government would contract with private medical providers (such as hospitals, diagnostic centres, and surgical suites) to deliver care to patients whose services are paid for through the public system. In essence, the state would pay for the treatment, but the work would be performed in a private setting. The arrangement is meant to keep patients’ care within the public insurance umbrella—no private fees would be charged to patients, and the provincial health‑care plan would remain the sole payer.

The strategy is a component of Kenney’s broader “Alberta Health Strategy,” which he has promoted as a solution to the province’s mounting wait‑time backlog for diagnostic imaging, surgical procedures, and other elective services. The plan’s proponents argue that by leveraging private capacity, the province could alleviate pressure on overcrowded public facilities, shorten waiting lists, and reduce the burden on the public workforce.

How It Works in Practice

The government would negotiate contracts with private providers, setting a cap on the cost per procedure or service. These private partners would then operate under strict oversight, ensuring that standards of care match or exceed those of public facilities. The provincial Ministry of Health would maintain administrative control over patient scheduling, funding, and quality metrics.

A key element of the plan is that all care remains publicly funded: patients would not be billed directly for the use of private facilities. Instead, the provincial health insurance would reimburse the private provider for the cost of the service. The government’s estimates predict a modest cost increase in the short term—roughly $70‑$90 per patient per service—though the total impact on the budget depends on the scale of private utilisation.

Addressing Wait‑Times: Numbers That Matter

Alberta’s wait‑time crisis has been the subject of several reports. In 2022, the provincial health ministry published a report showing that wait times for MRI scans, CT scans, and certain surgeries had all risen significantly over the past decade. According to the Ministry’s data, the average wait time for a knee replacement had extended from 15 weeks in 2015 to over 30 weeks in 2022. The plan’s aim is to cut these times in half by providing additional capacity through private facilities.

The Alberta Health Strategy team projects that within the first two years of implementation, wait times for high‑priority imaging services could fall by as much as 30%. However, the plan also acknowledges that achieving these reductions will require a phased rollout and ongoing evaluation of outcomes.

Stakeholder Reactions: A Divided Landscape

Supporters

• Premier Jason Kenney and his cabinet argue that the plan is a pragmatic response to a growing backlog. Kenney states, “We are not looking to replace public care but to supplement it with the capacity that exists outside the system.” He also emphasizes that the initiative would “retain jobs and increase the efficiency of health care delivery.”
• Some patient advocacy groups believe that quicker access to care outweighs potential risks. They point to data from other Canadian provinces—such as Ontario’s pilot private‑sector partnerships—as evidence that private involvement can reduce wait times without compromising care quality.

Critics

• Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons has expressed concerns about a potential “dual‑track” system, arguing that it could erode the public model and create inequities. The college cautions that private facilities might receive preferential access, leaving the public system underfunded.
• Unions representing nurses, medical assistants, and support staff fear that the plan will lead to a “reduction in public hospital staff” as private providers fill gaps. In 2024, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees released a statement urging the government to prioritize training and recruitment for the public workforce instead of outsourcing services.
• Public health‑care advocates highlight the risk that the plan could shift the focus from preventive care to revenue‑generating services, thereby undermining the holistic goals of the publicly funded system.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

The plan’s implementation will require amendments to the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Act, which currently prohibits private sector providers from delivering publicly funded care. In June 2024, a special committee of the Legislative Assembly reviewed a draft bill that would allow the government to negotiate such contracts. The bill has yet to receive Royal Assent, and several legislators have called for a public referendum before proceeding.

Furthermore, the plan will need to align with federal regulations. Health Canada’s Office of the Ombudsman has issued guidance that any publicly funded service rendered in a private facility must meet the same standards as those delivered in a public setting. This includes rigorous audit processes, transparency in billing, and the maintenance of a public data repository tracking outcomes and wait times.

The Broader Context: Canada’s Health‑Care Landscape

Alberta is not the only Canadian province exploring private‑sector involvement in publicly funded care. Ontario has a long‑standing “public‑private partnership” model that permits private providers to deliver services to publicly insured patients. However, Ontario’s system is strictly regulated, and private providers are reimbursed at rates that match those of public facilities. In contrast, Alberta’s plan proposes a more expansive use of private capacity, prompting questions about how it will fare under federal oversight.

The national conversation on health‑care privatization has been shaped by concerns over equitable access and the integrity of the publicly funded system. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) recently issued a statement that “any shift towards private care must preserve the core values of equity, universality, and quality.” This sentiment is reflected in the mixed reception to Alberta’s proposal.

What Residents Can Expect

For everyday Albertans, the immediate effect of the plan is likely to be a potential reduction in wait times for elective procedures and diagnostic tests, as well as the possibility of a more flexible scheduling system. However, the long‑term impact remains uncertain. If the private‑sector partnership succeeds, it could set a precedent for other provinces and even influence federal health‑care policy. Conversely, if the initiative fails to deliver on its promises—or if it causes a drain on public hospital resources—it could trigger a broader reassessment of the public‑private model.

The next few months will be crucial. The government’s next legislative session will include debates over the bill permitting private‑sector contracts. Simultaneously, patient advocacy groups will monitor early outcomes, while unions will advocate for protections for public‑sector workers. Ultimately, Alberta’s decision to proceed (or not) will be a litmus test for Canada’s broader struggle to balance efficiency, equity, and public accountability in the realm of health care.