Remember the so-called third way?
That was the notion former Alberta premier Ralph Klein trotted out way back when - and then again recently - suggeting an increase to the amount of private health care delivery could be a partial solution to the province's health care woes. (Alberta is currently one of the top spenders in the country per capita on health, but officials say there's no evidence to suggest the health care system is superior to any other jurisdiction.)
Well, advocates for such a change should probably forget about it.
Today, Alberta Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky heralded a "new era" in health care reform, but promised to "operate within the Canada Health Act."
Zwozdesky announced that consultation for a new Alberta Health Act will start immediately and reiterated a promise made in yesterday's Throne Speech to bring in new legislation this fall.
The province also said it will accept an advisory committee's recommendations, which included setting principles that the system must meet, developing a "patient charter" and asking residents for input on how to move forward.
Another report with recommendations about how to proceed will be given to the minister by Sept. 30.