Has Alberta implemented the healthcare reforms necessary to give Albertan’s the highest quality and most cost effective health care in the country? Has Alberta provided Albertans with the highest quality and most cost-effective education system in the country, providing an adequate foundation for the knowledge economy of the future?
Speakers:
- Peter Cowley – Director of School Performance Studies, The Fraser Institute
- Nadeem Esmail – Senior Fellow, The Fraser Institute
Session summary:
Do we accept the speaker’s assessment of Alberta’s performance in this area? If not, what is our assessment?
- Agreed with “F” for health, some would go higher because outcomes and services are quite good
- Consensus with “B” for education
Do we agree with the proposed solutions and alternatives? If not, how would we alter them?
- People generally agree on more competition, though some were concerned with establishment of a parallel health system
- Patient focused system where money follows patients (activity based), more patient choice, would consider co-pays but would like to know more about the implications of such a system
- Must assess whether or not to opt out of the Canada Health Act
- Concern about the rural impact of proposed reforms
What additional ideas, solutions, and alternatives do we think would improve Alberta’s performance in this area?
Education
- Greater accountability for teachers, discussion on the role of assessment in accountability
- More emphasis on charter schools
- Curriculum review to ensure vocational / life skills are taught
- Teachers should be accredited as experts in certain fields
- Compensation incentives for teachers
- Reform education faculties at universities and ATA processes
Health
- More reporting of the costs of procedures
- Patient charter detailing rights & responsibilities
- Recognition of foreign credentials for doctors
- Greater focus on preventative measures in health care, reward healthy behaviour, pay people to take care of themselves at home post-surgery
- Initiate a dialogue with insurance companies on developing a private health system
Small Group Discussion response forms: