REMOVE BARRIERS TO HEALTHCARE FOR ALL RESIDENTS, SAYS OPPOSITION

EDMONTON - Alberta’s NDP Opposition is calling on the provincial government to protect the health of all Albertans by explicitly providing universal access to medical care, regardless of immigration, provincial residency, or health insurance status.

This measure has already been introduced in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.

“The coronavirus does not discriminate, and our efforts to stop it must not either,” said Rachel Notley, Leader of the NDP Opposition. “Removing all barriers to healthcare is not only morally right, it is a pragmatic and sensible measure to limit the spread of the virus and save lives.”

The Opposition is urging the provincial government to mandate all clinics, hospitals and COVID-19 assessment centres to have a plain-language policy in place to treat everyone, regardless of their health insurance status, for the duration of the public health emergency. 

The government should also conduct a public advertising campaign in multiple languages to support this policy.

“It’s more important than ever for Albertans with COVID-19 symptoms and those who have come in contact with someone who is infected to self-isolate, get tested and have access to treatment,” Notley said. “Helping everyone in Alberta follow the direction of the Chief Medical Officer is the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“We urge Premier Jason Kenney to implement this policy immediately.”