Alberta auditor general investigating Smith's Health Ministry

[chuckChuck]

Alberta auditor general investigating health care procurements after report alleges political interference

[url]https://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/alberta-auditor-general-investigating-health-care-procurements-after-report-alleges-political-interference[/url]

? Alberta’s auditor general is investigating procurement practices in the province’s health ministry after the Globe and Mail reported the government had interfered in those processes, something that if proven true should prompt Premier Danielle Smith to resign, says the NDP Opposition.

Late Wednesday, the newspaper reported that Alberta Health Services (AHS) chief executive Athana Mentzelopoulos was fired on Jan. 8 two days before she was to meet with auditor general Doug Wylie to discuss the findings of her investigation into procurement at AHS and Alberta Health (AH).

The report cites a letter from Mentzelopoulos to AHS lawyers that claims the since-ousted AHS board had recommended she take her findings to the RCMP, and that Smith’s then-chief of staff Marshall Smith had pressured her to approve more chartered surgical facilities, including those operated by the Alberta Surgical Group (ASG).

Mentzelopoulos was concerned about the proposed rates included in contracts with ASG, the report states, and had also been looking into the relationship betweeen AHS and MHCare, the company that imported children’s pain medication from Turkey

Smith must step aside: Nenshi
On Thursday, Wylie announced he had launched an investigation into procurement at Alberta Health and AHS, noting it pertained to chartered surgical facilities, medication, and COVID-19 personal protection equipment, some of which had also been supplied by MHCare.

Speaking with reporters Thursday, Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi called on the premier to address the allegations immediately.?

[chuckChuck]

So Smith fired the CEO of AHS on Jan. 8 two days before she was to meet with auditor general?! It looks bad Danny!

She also fired the board again for a second time in just a few months!

Sounds like a cover up of corruption at the highest level in Smith's government right out of her office. And the RCMP have been asked to investigate.

What did you expect from Smith and the UCP who are busy helping their friends profit from the restructuring of healthcare?

[Hamloc]

Your a little behind Chuck2. On Saturday the Premier said she would write the auditor general and ask for a quick investigation. She also said she would tell officials to respond to any request for information on a “fully transparent and expedited basis.” From Don Braids latest in the Calgary Herald:”Smith denies wrongdoing in health contract charges, Nenshi cries cover-up.”

All across Canada the biggest challenge for Provincial governments has been health care delivery, Alberta is no different. I fully expect there to be growing pains as the UCP attempts to improve access. Personally, I have been getting PRP and Hyaluronic acid shots in my knees. Service has been amazing, in and out in less than an hour, no waiting. I think we need a set up like Australia where one can purchase additional health insurance which expedites access to care. What is being done in Canada for the most part where millions don’t have a family physician isn’t working. Rationing healthcare as it is being done now is leading to many unnecessary deaths.

[chuckChuck]

Of Course Smith says she did nothing wrong!

But the repeated board firings and the CEO firing 2 days before the meeting with the auditor tells a different story.

There hopefully will be a criminal investigation.

Another Conservative UCP scandal from the government that is trying to break up Alberta Health with crazy disorganization that no other province is using!

[AlbertaFarmer5]

There have been countless Liberal scandals lately. All of which have been obstructed by the Liberals, to the point that parliament is now prorogued to avoid investigations.
You didn't indicate any concern about any of those, but Alberta openly and willingly investigating AHS, and firing those involved is suddenly a concern of yours?

[fjlip]

"There have been countless Liberal scandals lately. All of which have been obstructed by the Liberals,"

Hypocrite to the MAX!

[WiltonRanch]

I haven’t looked into why healthcare delivery has become shit as of late here in Saskatchewan other than a few experiences in the past couple of years and what impression I have gotten is there has definitely been some government bungling but down the chain in healthcare management at the regional levels is where I’d like to take a chainsaw to first. Too much power given at that level which really renders local hospitals underfunded and non functional. Stupid bullshit protocols installed at the regional levels by power hungry middle management akin to ndp hacks that don’t know how to f*ck off and die!

[chuckChuck]

Wilton, the Sask Party is running health care in Saskatchewan with chronic underfunding so they are to blame for the poor outcomes.

It's time to take the chainsaw to Scott Moe's government!

[RD414]

40% of every Sask. tax dollar in Sask. goes to health care. Time for a change, not just more money.

[chuckChuck]

I agree its time to get rid of the Sask party's mismanagement of Healthcare!

[AllisWD45]

Do you believe health care problems in canada are confined only to Saskatchewan?

[Hamloc]

40% of every Sask. tax dollar in Sask. goes to health care. Time for a change, not just more money.

True enough. Over the years every province in Canada has thrown more and more money at healthcare. Yet in every province more and more people are without a family physician. Waiting times continue to increase. Yes we need fundamental change!