Doctors, health advocates warn Alberta's budget falls short as costs rising

There are growing concerns the Alberta government's plans for health-care spending, detailed in the latest provincial budget, will do little to address front-line pressures or improve access to care.

Total health spending is expected to hit $24 billion this year, with 3.5 per cent increases planned in each of the following two years, climbing to $25.7 billion by 2027-28.

"We are really struggling in our acute care hospitals," said Dr. Paul Parks, an emergency room physician in Medicine Hat and past president of the Alberta Medical Association.

"We just did not see anything in that budget that's going to immediately tackle and deal with how difficult it is to deliver safe and timely care in our hospitals."

Jennifer Zwicker, the director of health and social policy at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, said the budget reflects the government's previously stated priorities and restructuring push.

However, she said details about how progress can be measured were limited.  

"An increase of this magnitude probably just doesn't even keep up with population growth and inflation considerations," she said.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange acknowledged on Monday the budget was tabled during a time of uncertainty.

"It is a tough budget all around," she said at a news conference in Red Deer.

According to LaGrange, the province budgeted a 5.3 per cent increase overall in health-care spending.

"It really does look at making sure that we are resourcing our health-care system to meet the demands that we have."

Spending on health administration is rising. The province estimates it will hit $544 million this year with increases to $573 million next year and $604 million in 2027-28.

That comes as no surprise, according to Parks, given the government's health system overhaul and creation of four new agencies to oversee acute care, primary care, mental health and addictions as well as continuing care.

Acute Care Alberta and Primary Care Alberta fall under the health portfolio.