Alberta’s Bill 11

Abstract

"I t is rare for a single piece of provincial legislation to attract as much national attention as did Alberta’s Bill 11. Proclaimed law in September 2000, the Health Care Protection Act1 permits for-profit corporations to operate facilities for “day surgery” procedures, including some that require an overnight stay. Surgeons will continue to bill the provincial health plan, with no direct charges to the patient. For-profit facilities will be reimbursed by the government, using public funds in a manner previously reserved for notfor-profit institutions. The facilities may provide “enhanced” nonmedical services for which the patient may elect to pay, but additional charges for routine care are proscribed. "