ABmunis keeps its finger on pulse of healthcare
Alberta Municipalities is closely monitoring recent developments in healthcare.
We are meeting with the Nurse Practitioners Association of Alberta, Alberta Health Services (AHS), and Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health Martin Long this winter. Our aim is to explore avenues for our advocacy on behalf of our members.
The provincial government recently announced that Nurse Practitioners will be able to directly bill Alberta Health for the services they provide. This news, which may increase the accessibility of primary healthcare, especially for residents in smaller communities and rural areas, is welcomed by our members and aligns with our 2023 resolution on the Integration of Nurse Practitioners into the Alberta Healthcare System.
Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange announced major reforms to AHS aimed at improving health outcomes for Albertans and empowering health care workers on November 8. The provincial government plans to establish four provincial organizations that each focus on one aspect of healthcare: primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addiction services. One significant aspect of the reform is the creation of advisory boards to guide the transition, with the new provincial organizations expected to be in place by fall 2024. Several key stakeholders have responded to the announcement.
While we expect more announcements to come, we are keeping our finger on the pulse of healthcare. We continue to support our members and advocate on their behalf, thereby ensuring municipal voices are heard in the upcoming reorganization.
