Alberta could soon let people pay for private medical tests without needing a doctor’s referral.
If passed, Bill 29 would allow residents to book tests like MRIs or bloodwork on their own at private clinics. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange says the goal is to give people more control over their health and help catch illnesses earlier, while easing pressure on the public system.
Details about which tests will be included are expected later this year. The plan was also part of Premier Danielle Smith’s earlier health-care agenda.
Some experts and critics are concerned. NDP health critic Sharif Haji says the change could create a two-tier system, where people who can pay get faster access. Brian Wirzba warned that more testing could lead to false alarms and extra strain on the health system.
The bill would also make it easier for doctors and nurse practitioners to provide certain addiction treatment medications directly, especially in rural and Indigenous communities.
