NDP’s Notley and local candidates slam Premier Smith’s health care remarks

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In the same video, she speaks of deductibles, adding she doesn’t think it would violate the Canada Health Act, and that it would, “connect people to the fact that health care is not free.”

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Also in June 2021, Smith penned a paper for the University of Calgary in which she says, “Once people get used to the concept of paying out of pocket for more things themselves, then we can change the conversation on health care.”

Notley, alongside 2023 election candidates for Red Deer-South and -North, Michelle Baer and Jaelene Tweedle, went on the offensive at the Baymont Inn Tuesday morning.

Notley said carefully worded tweets by Smith over the last few days which make it seem she’s backing away from her stance on these facets of health care, are part of a scam.

One tweet from Smith in particular, from 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 20, 2022 says, “I’m committed to public health care. Health spending accounts are a bonus for Albertans to pay for services not covered by AHS. @RachelNotley knows this, but she doesn’t care about the truth. She’d rather spin than give real feedback on how to improve our current system.”

Perhaps not unambiguous, but Notley says when you take into account all the other things Smith has said, on video, trusting her is hard to do.

“The ambiguity rests in a few things. First, they can change their mind about what AHS covers any day of the week. They had a plan to significantly reduce services covered by AHS before we were hit by COVID. Second, doctors’ visits are paid for by Alberta Health, not Alberta Health Services,” said Notley.

“Third, Danielle Smith has a very strong history of advocating for these other ideas, and [she only issues] a very carefully worded tweet opposed to her coming in front of Albertans, taking questions. Until all loopholes have been addressed and answered with her face on video saying it’s not going to happen, that would be the same level of detail we could put up against multiple videos and detailed writings we have of her arguing for privately funded health care.”

Notley added that Smith has made several health care-related comments over the years which contribute to why Albertans don’t trust her, in Notley’s estimation.

“I don’t trust she’s suddenly changed her mind,” she says. “It just happens to be six months before an election and she’s figured out that what she’s saying is far off from mainstream values of most Albertans.”

rdnewsNOW contacted the Premier’s Office Tuesday, to receive a statement saying Smith is committed to introducing health spending accounts to help Albertans afford health care costs not already covered by the publicly funded system as we know it.

“This will make health care more comprehensive and more accessible to Albertans. The government will be ensuring Albertans have access to more health services and will not be delisting any that are currently provided. The NDP’s suggestions that Albertans will have to pay user fees on doctor’s visits or other publicly funded services is not true,” the Premier’s Office says.

“The government of Alberta is focused on making real change and supporting the hard work of our frontline workers to ensure better health outcomes for all Albertans.”

Tweedle, who’ll take on current Education Minister Adriana LaGrange in next year’s battle for Red Deer-North, added, “My team, and Michelle Baer’s team have been talking to Red Deer residents multiple times a week for several months, and the number one issue they raise, by far, is health care. They want real action to address the health care crisis here in central Alberta, but we’re only seeing more chaos from Danielle Smith as she attempts to play games around health spending accounts, and health care premiums.”

“I constantly hear from Red Deer residents about their worries over affording their bills every month,” said Baer, who’ll look to knock off MLA Jason Stephan or his nomination opponent Adele Poratto. “I couldn’t imagine adding on the stress of having to fundraise for a health care emergency or basic care. I am proud of our public health care, and am glad that Rachel Notley and the whole Alberta NDP team recognize the chaos and concern currently here in central Alberta.”

Premier Smith’s team suggested watching the televised address tonight to find out what the province is doing to address affordability.