The Issue
Last week, it was revealed that the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton was unable to provide treatment to patients with advanced stages of cancer, and now the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary is doing the same. This shocking mismanagement by our Government is a direct result of the elimination of the Alberta Cancer Board and its replacement with the Alberta Health Services 'Super Board'.
Why It's Important
All Albertans deserve the best public health care sysytem available, regardless of their medical condition. We are constantly told that our health care system is among the best in the world, yet we cannot afford to care for the very sick in our society.
In April 2009, then Minister of Health Ron Liepert and AHS CEO Stephen Duckett put a freeze on hiring staff and cut budgets to operating rooms by 15%, while maintaining that these actions would only affect 'elective procedures.' Clearly, this is not the case.
While cancer patients and their families continue to wait for proper treatment, current Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky continues to believe that throwing money at the issue, rather than actually solving the problem, is the best course of action. Consider the following:
- Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) expenses for the 2009-10 fiscal year are forecasted to be $10.6 billion.
- AHS’ expenses for the 2008-09 fiscal year were $9.9 billion.
- AHS paid over $22.5 million in severance packages to former board members and health care officials when the 'Super Board' was created.
- Overall, during the last fiscal year (2009-10) AHS spent another $700 million, and is still not able to provide cancer care to patients who are in late stages of their illness.
What Should Be Done
Alberta clearly needs a more efficient and effective means of delivering cancer care. The first step in resolving this problem is to reinstate the Alberta Cancer Board.
