Province looks to introduce private health screening
By Lethbridge Herald on October 24, 2025.
Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Alberta government has announced new reforms for Albertans to receive preventative screening and elective testing to help patients take charge of their health concerns.
Adriana LeGrange, minister of Primary and Preventative Health, says early detection was the sole reason her own eye cancer was able to be treated, and she wants all Albertans to have the same opportunity.
“Having had cancer myself, my eye cancer was caught very early on and we were able to treat it before it became a life threatening illness, so I want to make sure everyone has access to that same type of ability to catch things early.”
LeGrange says the government is hoping to align with other high performing world-class health systems such as Japan, Switzerland and Germany, where there is strong public health care supported by a private preventative model.
These tests would enable patients to get a blood test, CT scan, MRI and full-body scans as a preventative measure, not ordered by a physician.
She adds that while these tests would cost the patients up front, if there was something of a “serious nature” -w hich has yet to be defined – the province would reimburse the cost of the test.
Sarah Hoffman, NDP shadow minister for Health, said in a statement that a private-pay option would create a two-tiered system which will ultimately lead to longer wait times.
LeGrange, however, believes people want to take control of their health which, when given the opportunity, will create growth within the health care system.
“That will create a market that will bring in more capacity, more facilities, more up to date diagnostic tools and then, consequently, the workforces that goes along with it to enable these preventative private clinics to exist, and therefore, will expand capacity, not just in our urban centres but also to our rural centres.”
She emphasizes that preventative private clinics will work alongside the public health system but will also give patients the opportunity to take advantage of the most up to date technologies.
“We are going to continue (to) make sure we have a very strong public health system and this is just an enhancement at that public health system.”
LeGrange says many Albertans either don’t go see their doctor or are unable to see their doctor until they have a very serious issue, whereas if people are able to monitor their own health, they won’t have to wait.
She adds that no one will be forced to go to the preventative clinics, but they would give the opportunity for the patient to receive care before the health concern becomes serious and that whatever the patient is charged is comparable to what the government is paying.
The government will be in engagement with healthcare providers and partners such as Alberta Medical Association, radiologist and the acute care system to bring forward a new policy come next spring.
16-15
Key word from lagrange: “market“. In Alberta, healthcare has become a commodity. Shame on the UCP. Shame.
A human rights based approachTaking a human rights-based approach means that when planning to secure the right to health for all, we consider the PANEL principles. These make our work person-focused, and also ensure support is targeted at the people who need the most help.
https://publichealthscotland.scot/population-health/social-and-economic-impacts-on-health/equity-and-justice/the-right-to-health/a-human-rights-based-approach/
right – there is a problem with health care, but that is because our govt ensure that there is a problem with public health care.
curious how private for profit serves a province better than public for health would. of course, if audits were simply able to hold govt to account, and if govt responded responsibly to the findings of audits.
put another way, if there is room for exploitative profiteers to make a good buck, there is plenty of room for a public health system to be run sustainably. on that account, govts should be held accountable by the voting public, and be turfed if they fail to ensure public health is as viable as private for profit shows us it is.