Alberta seeks to change existing drug coverage, allow physicians to work in public and private sectors

Alberta is proposing a sweeping number of changes to several pieces of health-care legislation to allow specialized physicians to provide both private and public services — but excludes family doctors.

Bill 11 — the Health Statutes Amendment Act 2025, was tabled in the legislature on Monday. The bill proposes a number of changes to existing pieces of legislation that if passed would advance the province’s refocusing of the health-care system, make the province the “payor of last resort” for drug coverage, ensure Albertans have to renew health cards, make changes to food safety, and broaden the eligibility criteria for a chief medical officer of health.

Primary and Preventative Health Services Minister Adriana LaGrange said it is time to make “bold changes” to the health-care system and s