The NDP says Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is giving a preview of her plans to impose fees, premiums, deductibles, and other new out-of-pocket costs on Alberta families who need basic health care..On Monday, the Alberta NDP made reference to a June 2021 video, where Smith appeared as a guest on the YouTube show Business Insider to promote a policy paper she had written for the University of Calgary School of Public Policy, titled “Alberta’s Key Challenges and Opportunities.”.According to Alberta's NDP, Smith states clearly that she thinks that Albertans should have to pay to see a family doctor..“But a regular checkup to your doctor, does that really have to be something that is covered 100% by the government or should that be paid for under your health spending account?” she asked..“I think that we need to change the conversation about what we pay for through our health spending accounts and what we pay for through catastrophic government insurance and that the government pays for directly.”.The NDP claims that Smith called for the return of health care premiums saying that it was “an error” for the premiums to have been eliminated by the Stelmach government.."She also describes her vision of health care premiums as similar to auto insurance," Alberta's NDP stated..“Bring it back in the form of a genuine insurance program where you would pay some kind of deductible. Right? So you don't need any major surgery in a year. You don't pay any portion towards your cost. You do have a major surgery in your year and then you pay a portion of the cost in a deductible, just like you would if you had a claim in your car insurance or claim in your health insurance,” Smith said in the interview.."Smith went on to make health spending accounts a key plank of her UCP leadership bid. The Alberta NDP categorically rejects Smith’s scheme to force these costs onto Alberta families," the Alberta NDP stated.."Albertans should never have to pay to see their family doctor or their pediatrician,” Alberta NDP Health Critic David Shepherd said..“Smith’s health spending accounts are a scam to try and convince Albertans they should have to pay out of pocket to get the care they need, even during the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years. She’s completely wrong.".Shepherd claims an Alberta NDP government will make sure that every Alberta family can get the care they need, when they need it, in their community, regardless of how many dollars are in their bank account..The Western Standard reached out to the premier's office for comment on the NDP claims.."Premier Smith has committed to introducing Health Savings Accounts to help Albertans afford healthcare costs that are not covered by our publicly funded health system, and that they currently pay out of pocket or through private insurance," Smith's office said.."This will make health care more comprehensive and more accessible to Albertans. The government will be ensuring Albertans have access to more health services and will not be delisting any that are currently provided.".The NDP’s suggestions that Albertans will have to pay user fees on doctor’s visits or other publicly funded services is "not true," the premier's office added.."The government of Alberta is focused on making real change and supporting the hard work of our frontline workers to ensure better health outcomes for all Albertans," the premier's office said.
