Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange. (Government of Alberta-YouTube)

By Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press

Health Care

Alberta bill allows doctors to toggle between public and private pay for surgeries

Nov 24, 2025 | 3:28 PM

The Alberta government has tabled a bill that would open the door for surgeons to charge patients for privately-delivered procedures while keeping a foot in the public system and billing taxpayers.

Premier Danielle Smith’s government previously suggested family doctors would be eligible, but they’re not included in the proposed legislation.

Surgical Services Minister Matt Jones says the bill is about attracting doctors by offering flexibility, reducing wait times, and giving Albertans the option to pay for procedures without travelling out of province.

He says it would also help recruit and retain health workers in Alberta, countering criticism it will siphon professionals from the public system.

The bill doesn’t cap private surgical costs for procedures like hip, knee or cataract surgeries, but the government has promised guardrails to protect public health care.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: December 5-7

1h ago

WHAT'S ON

Top five things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in December

Nov 30, 2025

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: November 28-30

Nov 28, 2025

That may include requiring a minimum amount of practice in the public system from doctors before they can offer out-of-pocket private surgeries, or restricting some specialties to public practice if shortages emerge.

Naheed Nenshi, Leader of Alberta’s New Democrats, issued the following statement in response to Bill 11, the Health Statutes Amendment Act:

“The UCP’s abysmal track record on health care reform speaks for itself. After years of dismantling AHS in front of us, awarding questionable contracts, hundreds of millions of dollars lost on failed privatization efforts, and the actual health care of Albertans getting worse – how can anyone expect anything different from the UCP this time around? It has been nothing but cuts, chaos, corruption, and cruelty from this government.

“Bill 11 is all about bringing for-profit American-style health care to Alberta. It means Albertans having to pay out of pocket just to see a doctor or have health procedures done, and it won’t increase access to the care Albertans need.

“Alberta’s New Democrats oppose these measures. We believe in a strong, public health care system where you can see a doctor and get the treatment you need without having to pay out of pocket.

“This is not what Albertans asked for, and it’s certainly not what Danielle Smith promised when she was running for Premier. Albertans deserve a strong, public health care system – and Bill 11 is not it.”

“Nothing Danielle Smith’s government has done to our health care was promised in the election. Albertans didn’t vote for massive, chaotic restructuring. They didn’t vote for a two-tiered health care system, and they don’t support it,” said Chris Gallaway, Executive Director, Friends of Medicare, in a press release. “This government has no mandate to dismantle our public health care system. In fact, Bill 11 is the exact opposite of their so-called public health care guarantee during the election. This unacceptable legislation should be pulled from the order paper immediately.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 24, 2025.