Notley government puts priority on health care in legislature throne speech
EDMONTON — Premier Rachel Notley’s government is promising to continue its work protecting public health care with its signature Bill 1 in the spring sitting.
The promise was outlined in the speech from the throne, read aloud by Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell, starting the legislature session.
Health care is considered to be a key issue in the upcoming spring election, and Notley’s NDP has promised to continue funding growth in the health system, despite multibillion-dollar budget deficits and growing debt.
Bill 1, the Public Health Care Protection Act, was specifically designed to protect Albertans from two-tiered, American-style health care.
Notley says it and would prevent queue-jumping and preferential access to insured medical services available to all Albertans.
“Whether you come to a hospital with a fur coat or no coat, you deserve the same, world-class health care as everyone else. It’s a fundamental right of all Albertans.”
In the Throne Speech, the government also committed to: