Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government has proposed new legislation that would allow patients to pay for their medical care directly or through personal insurance. This initiative, known as Bill 11, was introduced on November 24. While it may resemble private care, the province's medical system will remain heavily regulated and centrally controlled.

Under the new bill, patients will have the option to pay for medical services themselves, and doctors will be allowed to charge for services outside the public healthcare system. Additionally, the legislation permits doctors and nurses to accept private payments in limited circumstances, but these transactions will be monitored by the government.

Critics of the plan, including advocacy groups like Friends of Medicare, have labeled it as “American-style two-tiered health care.” The Canadian Medical Association has also expressed concerns, stating, "evidence from around the world is clear: where a parallel private health system operates, both health outcomes and access to care are worse."

Supporters of the bill argue that it represents a significant step forward for healthcare in Canada, particularly in Alberta. However, many believe that the true impact on wait times and patient services remains to be seen. Colleen Flood, dean of Queen’s University’s law school and a proponent of public healthcare, previously predicted that the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2005 Chaoulli decision, which allowed private health insurance for essential services, would not drastically change the healthcare landscape. She noted that Canada employs various indirect methods to protect its public system.

Despite the concerns raised, Flood indicated that challenges to laws restricting privatization have not materialized. For instance, Ontario's Protecting the Future of Medicare Act 2004 prohibits physicians from offering medically necessary care outside the public system.

Premier Smith's proposal aims to address the ongoing issues within the healthcare system, which has been a contentious topic in Canadian politics. The government is looking to expand services and reduce wait times for patients. However, experts suggest that a fundamental shift in how patient needs are prioritized is necessary for meaningful improvements in care and costs. Currently, the system is constrained by government spending, which limits the availability of services to meet patient demands.

As the debate continues, the focus will likely remain on how this legislation will affect the quality and accessibility of healthcare in Alberta and across Canada.