With 2014 now underway, Alberta's newly appointed health advocate is on the job following her appointment by the Redford government last month.
Mary A. Marshall is the first-ever advocate appointed under the province's new Alberta Health Act, which came into effect on Jan. 1.
With health care being the province's largest department, as well as its most expensive, the work of the new health advocate has the potential to impact each and every citizen, including the rural residents of West Central Alberta.
As such, the success or failure of this new advocate initiative is of interest to people of all ages, both in the short and long term.
Marshall's first job is to set up the health advocate's office, which is mandated to help Albertans navigate the health-care system.
The new act sets out ìclear principles to guide decision making in the health system and to reinforce the government's commitment to the principles of the Canada Health Act,î said Premier Alison Redford.
As well, the health advocate will ìreceive and refer complaints and request investigations through appropriate channelsî and ìrequest inspections, investigations, quality and safety assessments related to care provided in seniors' facilities.î
Premier Redford says the new advocate will play a key role in health care going forward, and in particular when it comes to patients getting the information they need.
ìHaving made significant investments to advance all areas of health care, we are making it easier for Albertans to understand what services are available and how to access them,î she said.
Wildrose seniors critic Kerry Towle, who is the MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, says the fact the new advocate is not independent, but rather reports to the government, compromises the position.
ì(The Redford government has) created what essentially amounts to a ministerial employee who will be on the beck and call for the minister of health, and will not be looking out for the interests of Alberta's seniors, nor investigating systemic issues that arise, nor holding the government accountable for the services it provides,î said Towle.
Although Towle had put forward a private member's bill that would have created an independent advocate, one who would have answered to the legislature and not the government, the Redford Tories decided to allow that bill to die rather than see it come to a final vote.
And while it is the prerogative of government with a majority to ëkill' opposition private member's bills if and when it so chooses, it is ultimately up to voters to decide if such decisions are for the public good.
Residents will be watching very closely to see if this new non-independent health advocate serves the public good ñ or the government's interest.
