Documents Reveal Cuts, Deregulation and Privatization of Long-Term Care
EDMONTON—Public Interest Alberta released leaked documents today that reveal significant changes are being planned for Alberta’s long-term care system.“There are many things Albertans will find shocking and ludicrous about this report and the meetings minutes,” says Noel Somerville, Chairperson of PIA Seniors’ Task Force.The report and the minutes from closed-door meetings of the Long-Term Care Accommodations Variable Fee Structure Advisory Team show that:
- The government target is to reduce long-term care beds by 80% over the next 20 years.
- Significant changes are already in process from Alberta Health for LTC policy including establishing a private long-term contacts model (P3) for building new long-term care and amending the “first available bed policy.”
- There are 800 people currently in the health system awaiting placement in a LTC bed.
- Only 54% of LTC facilities are compliant with standards even after they are given 2 – 6 months to resolve the problems.
- Industry spokespeople say they require an increase to $90 per day (up from an average of $50/day) to cover the capital costs of building new care facilities.
- All pricing models for long-term care that are being proposed will deregulate the accommodation rates, which will transfer the costs onto the frailest of seniors and their families.
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