In the Fall of 2009, the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Health consulted with stakeholders and the public regarding Alberta’s health legislation. In January 2010, the Committee released A Foundation for Alberta's Health System, reporting on what it heard from Albertans and stakeholders, recommending that Alberta establish a single piece of legislation – the Alberta Health Act – to set the overall direction for the province's publicly-funded health system. The new legislation is intended to help shape the health system, moving it from an overemphasis on the needs of institutions and providers to one that better recognizes and responds to those needing health services and reflects their values and principles. 

For more information on the Alberta Health Act, please visit the following Government of Alberta webpages:

Your Alberta Health Act - Why It's Needed

Your Alberta Health Act  - Share Your Views

Your Alberta Health Act - More Information

To view a video of Fred Horne, MLA and Chair of the Minister's Advisory Committee on Health, discussing the new Alberta Health Act on Alberta Prime Time, please click here.

Public Consultation Process

In the Summer of 2010, the Government of Alberta engaged in a public consultation process, asking Albertans about core components of a proposed Alberta Health Act, and what that Act should do for the publicly-funded health system. Specifically, they sought views on the following questions:

• What do you believe is working well in their health system today, and where do you think improvements or changes should be made?
• What principles for our health system would be right in the Act?
• What do you think about having an Alberta patient charter that outlines clearly what Albertans can expect from their health system – and what responsibilities we have when using the system?
• How you would like to be informed and engaged about future policy questions or new laws and regulations?
• What are your priorities in terms of what new approaches should be encouraged and what key elements should be protected as we improve the health system to meet current and future needs?