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M.D. asks government for fair deal on STARS funding
Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
The Alberta government and the M.D. of Big Lakes are agreeing to disagree.
The problem is the war of words is costing M.D. taxpayers money.
During the last several months, the M.D. has lobbied the Alberta government for equitable funding regarding STARS air ambulance service. The M.D. has provided money for the service, based from Grande Prairie, while Calgary and Edmonton are subsidized by Alberta taxpayers. The point has been a sore spot with the M.D.
Reeve Alvin Billings wrote Alberta Health Services Minister Ron Liepert with his concerns to which he responded June 9.
“To date, neither my department nor Alberta Heath Services has seen significant patient care evidence which would support the significant expense of a permanent additional base in Grande Prairie,” writes Liepert. “No new funding is available to support additional helicopter base locations.”
Billings again wrote Liepert July 9 stating the M.D.’s case.
“STARS is currently funded by most, if not all, the rural municipalities in northern Alberta,” writes Billings. “It is not an industry funded operation as indicated in your letter (June 9).”
The M.D. is very concerned about the statement Liepert made regarding not enough “sufficient patient care” existed to support the expense of a permanent additional base in Grande Prairie.
“This statement begs the question of what is meant, specifically, by sufficient patient care evidence,” writes Billings. “It would certainly assist us in understanding your government’s position if you could provide us with the specific statistics to justify STARS presence.”
Billings offered Liepert a solution. Since the government already pays for the service in Edmonton and Calgary, why not split the costs three ways so Edmonton and Calgary would also have to raise money for the service, much the same as Grande Prairie does.
“If this inequity of funding is not corrected it will stand as yet another example of how northern Albertans are second-class citizens in the eyes of your government when it comes to healthcare services,” concluded Billings.
And, the M.D. council wonders, how many lives will be lost if the government does not pay for the service properly.
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