Commentary
Albertans re-elected Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party with a majority on May 29. Smith now offers a chance to change how we think about health care—a radically conservative vision. What might that include?
Many conservatives trumpet out-of-pocket payments as the embodiment of conservative health-care policy. Danielle Smith’s critics inflamed fears of patient payment central in their campaign attacks.
One month before the election, Smith took out-of-pocket payments off her campaign table.
“I believe actions speak louder than anything,” said Smith. “One of the first things I’ve done as premier is sign a 10-year, $24-billion health-care agreement with the federal government, where we jointly agree to uphold the principles of the Canada Health Act….