March 26, 2009

Health care funding should focus on patients, not perks

Calgary – Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann is demanding an immediate end to perks for AHSB executives, noting that the money can be better used to seek out and hire more doctors and nurses and build more capacity at Alberta’s hospitals.

“Albertans learned today that Alberta Health Services Board executives are receiving raises of up to 25 percent, at a time when communities are losing obstetrics services and hospitals can’t create new beds,” says Swann. “They also receive up to $1000 per day extra up to four times a month just for attending public meetings. Most Albertans can only dream of perks like these.”

“These board members are taking home so-called honorariums that are worth more than most people make in a year at full-time jobs. And we’re asking seniors to pay more out of pocket for prescription drugs?”

The Alberta Health Services Board faces a deficit of $1.3 billion:

- $700 million for operational cost overruns

- Up to $600 million in capital cost overruns

- Nearly $6 million being spent on severance for the fired CEOs of the regional health authorities

- Consultancy fees paid to former AHSB COO Jim Saunders to the tune of $241,269.84

“Our health system is in turmoil. ER wait times are getting worse. Rural communities can no longer provide core health care services. We expand the number of beds in one unit only to shut down beds in another, with no net gain in hospital capacity. This is the Stelmach administration’s health care legacy to date, and Albertans are paying a heavy price for their shoddy work,” Swann says. 

“When it comes to talking about funding for hospitals, long term care and emergency rooms, the government says it cannot comment until the budget is released. But they feel perfectly fine releasing the fact that all the board members will receive a 20 to 25 percent raise. It’s beyond belief,” Swann says. “How can we trust them to deliver a budget that addresses the needs of the health care system when they’ve given us this kind of track record?”

“The Minister of Health failed to appear at the meeting of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Countries yesterday, much to the disappointment of reeves and mayors from across the province who had some choice words ready for the Minister. Perhaps Mr. Liepert is embarrassed at the way his government has mishandled health care.”