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Albertans could be able to self-refer for diagnostic testing, bill insurance policies
Adriana LaGrange said the bill would let Albertans pay out of pocket for tests to speed diagnosis and ease pressure on the public system.
- On Monday, Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange introduced Bill 29, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, allowing Albertans to self-refer for private diagnostic tests like MRIs and CT scans without a doctor's requisition.
- Premier Danielle Smith and LaGrange previously announced this plan to "refocus" the healthcare system, intending to increase diagnostic capacity and allow patients to purchase private services directly.
- Medically necessary tests ordered by physicians will remain publicly covered and prioritized, LaGrange stated, with the government acting as the "payer of last resort" for private services billed to insurers.
- If passed, the bill allows Albertans to pay out-of-pocket for private tests later this year, though critics warn the move could exacerbate staff shortages and push the province toward a two-tiered system.
- Regulations to be crafted in the coming months will clarify which specific tests are included, as the province seeks to balance immediate access for those paying privately with maintaining the public system's integrity.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
The Toronto Star+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Alberta proposes legislation to open door to more access to private medical tests
EDMONTON - Alberta's government is laying the legislative groundwork to let more people pay in order to bypass their doctor to get faster access to everything from CT scans to
·Toronto, Canada
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The Alberta government legislates two-tier health care, again
About the author Andrew Longhurst Andrew Longhurst is a senior researcher and political economist, with a focus on health policy, at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He holds an M.A. from Simon Fraser University where he is also a doctoral candidate. His work has been published in academic journals and by research institutes, including […]
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Left
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left
L 60%
C 20%
R 20%
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