Alberta proposes stronger protections for patients through health legislation

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The proposed changes would maintain existing protections and appeal rights.

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The bill would also amend the Compassionate Intervention Act to strengthen application and hearing processes, improve access to information, provide greater clinical flexibility and clarify oversight.

The legislation allows family members, guardians, health-care professionals, police or peace officers to request an assessment order for someone whose severe addiction puts them or others at risk. The approach is intended as a last resort.

“We are strengthening care for Albertans struggling with severe addiction or substance use. These changes help us deliver on our promise to implement compassionate intervention, so that Albertans with the most severe addiction can receive safe, coordinated, and consistent treatment that helps them move toward recovery,” said Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.

Compassionate intervention is expected to be implemented in spring 2027.

Proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act would also improve coordination between health service sectors within approved hospitals while maintaining patient rights and safeguards.

Other changes would clarify public funding for community laboratory services, maintaining no-cost access to publicly funded community-based laboratory services for insured and physician-referred care. Private clinics would be responsible for laboratory costs associated with uninsured services.

The bill would also establish record-keeping and reporting requirements for physicians and insurers involved in self-insurance arrangements for elective care outside the public system.

“These changes put clear rules and strong safeguards in place for Albertans who choose to pay for elective care through self-insurance arrangements,” said Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services.

“They also strengthen oversight to protect our public health care system, while ensuring Albertans’ access to publicly funded care remains unchanged.”

The Government of Alberta says no Albertan would be required to carry self-insurance and access to publicly funded health care would remain unchanged.

Additional amendments would update the Public Health Act and repeal outdated amendments to support the transfer of public health inspectors from Alberta Health Services to Primary Care Alberta.