Saskatchewan’s plan to send people to Alberta for surgeries criticized as unfair

Critics say Saskatchewan’s plan to send people to Alberta for privatized surgeries if they can afford their own travel costs isn’t fair to patients who don’t have the money.

The provincial government announced the plan yesterday, saying it would free up some surgery spots in Saskatchewan.

Colleen Flood, a University of Ottawa health policy expert, says it will mean patients who can’t afford to travel to Alberta will lose out on access to timely care.

NDP Opposition Leader Carla Beck says the move will let people with money jump the line for surgery, which goes against the principles of the Canadian health-care system.