Albertans asked to pay thousands in 'membership fees' to keep access to family doctor at one Calgary clinic.
Alberta's NDP is crying foul after learning patients at a Calgary primary care clinic are being asked to hand over thousands of dollars in fees to keep the same access to their family doctor. This, despite repeated claims by Premier Danielle Smith that this would not happen, the NDP said in a news release.
Calgarians who see doctors at the Marda Loop Medical Clinic got an email last week announcing the beginning of “membership-based medical service” at the clinic, which promises reduced wait times, more scheduling options, longer appointments, and other services.
A two-parent family would have to pay $4,800 each year to be members, according to the email. Patients who don’t pay will be limited to booking appointments on one day each week.
“I primarily fault the provincial government for pushing these doctors into a situation where this is how they have to pay the bills and I fault the province for allowing these membership fees to be charged,” said Luanne Metz, Alberta NDP Critic for Health (Emergency and Surgical Care).
“I am very concerned that if the province approves these fees, this revenue stream will be irresistibly attractive to other clinics as well,” Metz said.
Janet Eremenko, Alberta NDP Critic for Mental Health and Addictions, said the premier has spent her public life campaigning for Albertans to pay out of pocket for healthcare. “She’s written a detailed policy paper on this for the University of Calgary. She’s gone on a speaking tour to make this argument. She eagerly told interviewers the government shouldn’t cover check-ups and that she wants to create a “payment relationship” between Albertans and their family doctor.
“During the election, Danielle Smith suddenly began claiming she would never make Albetans pay to see their family doctor. That brings us to today, with Albertans being asked to pay to see their family doctor, exactly what Smith promised wouldn’t happen."
Previous court cases in BC suggest provincial governments have the authority but not the obligation to prohibit clinic membership fees.
“Today I am calling on Danielle Smith and Adriana LaGrange to tell Albertans whether they intend to do anything to stop these fees, or whether they are quite happy to see Albertans pay out of pocket to see their family doctor,” Metz said.
