Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she is happy with a tentative deal with Ottawa for healthcare funding for the province.."Alberta has offered its support in principle for the federal proposal on healthcare funding, which was announced this morning through a joint federal news release," Smith said on Monday from a news conference in Calgary.."This agreement in principle will invest $24.18 billion in federal funding over 10 years in Alberta, including $2.92 billion for a new bilateral agreement focused on healthcare priorities such as access to high-quality family health services, including in rural and remote areas and in underserved communities.".Smith said this money will support the province's health workforce to further enable them to provide high-quality, effective, and safe healthcare services..In turn, Albertans will gain access to timely, equitable, and quality mental health, substance use, and addiction services, she said..It will also help Albertans age with dignity closer to home with access to quality home care or care in safe long-term care facilities.."We are also pleased to be receiving a $233 million, one-time Canada Health Transfer top-up to address urgent needs in pediatric hospitals and emergency rooms, and long wait times for surgeries," Smith said.."While the final proposal was far less than what provinces and territories were requesting, the extra funding will be used towards health care actions already underway.".According to Smith, Alberta expects to receive over $500 million more per year over the next 10 years, including $518 million in 2023-24.."This is a productive first step and I look forward to continued discussions with the Government of Canada on how we can achieve longer-term sustainable funding," Smith said.."We are also pleased that the vast majority of federal health funding will continue to be through the Canada Health Transfer, which is delivered on an equal per capita basis.".On February 7, the Liberals announced an investment of $198.6 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding for provinces and territories to improve healthcare services for Canadians..READ MORE: Alberta agrees to deal in principle with Ottawa for healthcare payments.This funding includes an immediate, unconditional $2 billion Canada Health Transfer (CHT) top-up to address immediate pressures on the healthcare system..This will further help provide Albertans with improvements in healthcare that includes:.Access to high-quality family health services when they need them, including in rural and remote areas, and for underserved communities.A resilient and supported health workforce that provides them with high-quality, effective, and safe healthcare services.Access to timely, equitable, and quality mental health, substance use and addictions services.Access to their electronic health information that is shared between the health professionals they consult.."A digital ID is not a requirement under the new health funding agreement," the Premier's Office told the Western Standard..Smith along with Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Nick Milliken, and Minister of Health Jason Copping recently had the opportunity to highlight Alberta’s healthcare reforms, including in mental health and addictions and emergency wait times, with federal Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic Leblanc.."While important details still need to be discussed, we are confident that Alberta will be provided sufficient policy flexibility under the agreement to deliver in areas of shared interest," Smith said.."We are also glad to see that the government of Canada will work with Alberta to streamline foreign credentials recognition for internationally-educated health professionals and assist with labour mobility for health professionals.".Smith said the UCP government has a very ambitious agenda to improve healthcare outcomes in this province.."This agreement in principle will support our efforts to deliver on the priorities we are discussing today to ensure Albertans can access world-class healthcare when and where they need it," Smith said.
