Alberta Politics & Government Thread 3.0

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Izzle

Haha... Alberta gonna Alberta

https://globalnews.ca/news/10316372/...armacare-plan/

If Alberta asks for the per capita funding in cash, I hope the federal govt tells them to shove it.

I dont understand. The Feds are offering free money and Alberta intends to say 'no?'

For why?

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont understand. The Feds are offering free money and Alberta intends to say 'no?'

For why?

Because they'd rather fight with the feds than provide services for Albertans.

[Whynotnow]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

Because they'd rather fight with the feds than provide services for Albertans.

They are similar to us republicans. In the us the republicans are blocking everything even if it makes sense because they don’t want Biden to get any wins. The UCP has torn a page out of that, even if it does make sense and might be good policy they just fight it out of principle of opposing the liberals and the big bad federal government.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

Because they'd rather fight with the feds than provide services for Albertans.

They also know that the worse things get, the more their base will support them because their base is stupid and gullible and will blame all their problems on immigrants, the Liberals, liberals and the NDP.

[Ozy_Flame]

Albertans should be pissed. They're going to pay into the program and not get anything back for it if the UCP has their way. Then they'll demonize the feds over it.

I'm sure with the current state of affordability, this would probably help out a few families who need that medical assistance with no insurance.

And if they actually did get per capita funding, they'd just keep it, not spend it, or give it away to their friends and allies.

Worst government in Canadian history.

[bizaro86]

I'm pretty sure they'll get the per capita funding for opting out, because the precedent has been set by Quebec for a variety of other things.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I'm pretty sure they'll get the per capita funding for opting out, because the precedent has been set by Quebec for a variety of other things.

They caved on daycare,

They will cave here even if they get per capita funding. Once other provinces have free birth control it will poll very well in Calgary and that will matter.

[calgarygeologist]

Not that I want to defend the statement or decision and I definitely don't know much about the existing program but Alberta already provides coverage for people without workplace benefits via Blue Cross. It could be possible that instead of implementing/joining a new national program it is just easier to continue to offer Blue Cross. The per capital funding request could potentially be used to boost the benefits available under Blue Cross or reduce/offset the premiums for the program.

[Harry Lime]

Where I work has blue cross coverage, of which they pay half of premiums, and there is no opting out. Against the backdrop of poor wages, the 50% payment is already restrictive and doesn't pay for full coverage of pharmaceutical, only partial.

[calf]

So, if I'm a business owner in Alberta, my cost of employee benefits are going to be higher than in other provinces, since I'd have to keep paying for these coverages in my benefits plan...do I have that right?

Also, it always makes me smh when I see issues around funding women's birth control (which is more than just preventing pregnancies), but vasectomies are covered by AHS

[Canadianman]

Originally Posted by Izzle

Haha... Alberta gonna Alberta

https://globalnews.ca/news/10316372/...armacare-plan/

If Alberta asks for the per capita funding in cash, I hope the federal govt tells them to shove it.

Typical cowardly decision made by a government filled with right-wing, religious ideologues.


Maybe we will wise up in time for the next election?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Canadianman

Typical cowardly decision made by a government filled with right-wing, religious ideologues.


Maybe we will wise up in time for the next election?

LOL. Uh huh.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Canadianman

Typical cowardly decision made by a government filled with right-wing, religious ideologues.


Maybe we will wise up in time for the next election?

No. We're ####ed!

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Not that I want to defend the statement or decision and I definitely don't know much about the existing program but Alberta already provides coverage for people without workplace benefits via Blue Cross. It could be possible that instead of implementing/joining a new national program it is just easier to continue to offer Blue Cross. The per capital funding request could potentially be used to boost the benefits available under Blue Cross or reduce/offset the premiums for the program.

Kind of yes and no. Not only continue to offer blue cross but make it more expensive. The ultimate goal of this government is privatized healthcare, even if it takes baby steps.

Sure they can opt-in to daycare but pharmacare and dentalcare is a bridge too far.

Cecil is right, when all fails, they'll blame it on the poor and lazy people always getting handouts.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Not that I want to defend the statement or decision and I definitely don't know much about the existing program but Alberta already provides coverage for people without workplace benefits via Blue Cross. It could be possible that instead of implementing/joining a new national program it is just easier to continue to offer Blue Cross. The per capital funding request could potentially be used to boost the benefits available under Blue Cross or reduce/offset the premiums for the program.

Have you ever looked at Blue Cross coverage? It's horse ####, and not worth paying for if you have any health issues at all. $1500 yearly drug limit and $25 co-pays per prescription for $118 a month premiums for 2 people. There is a reason people are clamoring for a national Pharmacare plan, and it sure isn't because Blue Cross is awesome.


EDITED to correct monthly cost.

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Have you ever looked at Blue Cross coverage? It's horse ####, and not worth paying for if you have any health issues at all. $1500 yearly drug limit and $25 co-pays per prescription for $350 a month premiums for 2 people. There is a reason people are clamoring for a national Pharmacare plan, and it sure isn't because Blue Cross is awesome.

And this also goes back to a point made about how Quebec gets per capita funding for some programs. Usually in those cases Quebec already has a program in place that is at least equal to if not better than what the Federal plan is. Daycare is a prime example where Quebec already offered sub $10/day daycare.

If Alberta wants to opt out AND get the funding, they need to show how the PEOPLE of Alberta are already getting a better deal... and as you just showed, we are not.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Have you ever looked at Blue Cross coverage? It's horse ####, and not worth paying for if you have any health issues at all. $1500 yearly drug limit and $25 co-pays per prescription for $350 a month premiums for 2 people. There is a reason people are clamoring for a national Pharmacare plan, and it sure isn't because Blue Cross is awesome.

This says it is $63.50 per month or $118 for a family which seems pretty reasonable to me.
https://www.alberta.ca/non-group-cov...nthly-premiums

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

This says it is $63.50 per month or $118 for a family which seems pretty reasonable to me.
https://www.alberta.ca/non-group-cov...nthly-premiums

Sorry, you are correct, I was looking at the 3 month statement. But the coverage is not very good, which is why it is so cheap.

[Fuzz]

And seriously, this is the government who #### away $100 million on their last pharmaceutical purchase. These ####ing idiots? Ya, hey, that'll work out just fine.

[Ozy_Flame]

Spend $70 million + on dicey Turkish Tylenol that no one ended up using. Say no to formalized national pharmacare plan for contraception and diabetes drugs that could help thousands of Albertans - especially without insurance - because it is a lefty idea.

Winning must be so tiring.