Medicine Hat residents rally as Alberta’s two-tier health-care plan takes effect

Carr said she believes the biggest problem is the potential divide between those who can afford private care and those who cannot.

“It’s going to be [that] poor people will have to wait years to get in to get anything, if they can,” Carr said.

Carr said she was encouraged by the turnout at Tuesday’s rally, as well as drivers honking in support as they passed.

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(Video Credit: Jett Schwaier/CHAT News)

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The rally comes as Alberta’s Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), formerly known as Bill 11, takes effect.

The legislation received royal assent in December 2025 and changes the rules governing physician participation in Alberta’s publicly funded health-care system.

Among the changes is a framework that lets physicians practise in both the public and private systems, which critics argue could lead to patients paying for faster access to care.

Alberta NDP’s Shadow Minister for Hospital and Surgical Facilities Sarah Hoffman said in a statement that the legislation means “those who can pay move to the front of the line, while everyone else waits even longer.”

The Alberta government says the legislation is intended to give physicians more flexibility and encourage innovation while improving access to health care.

Carr said she hopes Tuesday’s rally leads to more demonstrations before the province’s Oct. 19 referendum.

“I hope we keep going with this.”

She said she also wants to see continued action in support of public health care.

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READ: Medicine Hat among province-wide rallies calling for action on Alberta’s private health-care law

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat residents rally as Alberta’s two-tier health-care plan takes effect

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