Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has addressed concerns surrounding her plan to “Uber-ize” the province’s continuing care system, clarifying that the move is not a step toward privatization. Smith’s proposal, announced during a continuing care conference, aims to create a new online platform that functions similarly to Uber, allowing care providers to post vacancies and patients to easily find available spaces.
The platform is part of a larger overhaul of Alberta’s health-care system under the United Conservative Party (UCP) government. Smith emphasized that the Uber analogy should not be interpreted as a signal of further privatization in health care. The overhaul will also see continuing care responsibilities transferred from the Health Ministry to the Seniors, Community and Social Services Ministry, headed by Minister Jason Nixon.
Public health-care advocates and opposition members, including the NDP, have expressed concerns over the potential for increased privatization. Critics argue that this new platform could lead to more for-profit care services. However, Smith and Nixon both denied such claims, stating that the mix of private, non-profit, and government-run care facilities will continue to operate as they do now, without any changes to the provision model.
Smith acknowledged the current shortfall of care spaces in Alberta, with at least 3,500 spaces needed to meet growing demand. She also pointed out that many private and non-profit providers have vacant spaces, and the new platform would make it easier to ensure these are listed and accessible to the public.
While critics remain skeptical, Smith reiterated that the goal is to increase transparency and efficiency in the continuing care system without altering the current structure.
Source: Swifteradio.com
