Edmonton: If the province is determined to follow through on the premier's controversial proposal to remove the daily cap on the cost of long-term seniors accommodation, it's not likely to happen before the election - and perhaps not even this year.
Health Minister Fred Horne said this week the governing Conservatives had no plans to remove the maximum amount that seniors can be charged for long-term care, but clarified his comments Friday, telling the Herald the issue is not off the table.
"I'm sure we will have the policy discussion, but we're not there yet," he said in an interview. "I am not ruling anything in or out."
Premier Alison Redford proposed the change during her leadership campaign, saying lifting the cap would spur privatesector investment in creating the 1,000 new continuing care beds promised by her predecessor Ed Stelmach.
The Tory government promised in its February Throne Speech to create at least 5,300 continuing care spaces by 2015. But Horne said there's been no discussion of removing the cap.
"We haven't had it yet," he said. "I am sure that we will. I don't know the timeline."
Seniors Minister George VanderBurg said Friday he hasn't had sufficient time to address the issue. "I would say that I'm going to have that discussion with my ministry staff and my colleagues over the next year.
"It's one of those pieces on the continuing care model that we're moving forward with," he said.
"But I can tell you one thing: to create 1,000 new spaces, I have to partner with foundations, with communities, with the private sector, with anybody that I can create a partnership with to create new models of care."
Horne stressed that if the governing Tories remove the cap, they will provide the necessary financial support to help low-income seniors. "We have to build continuing care spaces that are going to be affordable to people who need them."
Alberta seniors who require continuing health care usually pay a maximum of about $1,700 a month for accommodation, or about $56 dollars a day.
NDP Leader Brian Mason said it is difficult to believe cabinet hasn't already made a decision on the cap, but have likely put off making any announcements because so many Albertans oppose the idea.
Seniors are outraged by the plan to entice the private sector to build long-term care facilities, he said.
"Their scheme to increase seniors accommodation is based on a privatized health-care model that requires seniors to pay more, so that private companies can make a profit," Mason said.
"As long as they are pursuing a private health-care model for seniors' care, price increases are inevitable."
Wildrose health critic Heather Forsyth said raising the cap will have a major impact on the most vulnerable Albertans, putting more seniors in hospital because many won't be able to afford higher fees.
Forsyth urged the Redford government to come clean with Albertans about its plans. Albertans are tired of the flipflopping, she added.
"They are raising the cap. No, they are not raising the cap. They are thinking about raising it. They are not thinking about it. Why don't you tell Albertans what you are going to do before the election. Are you going to raise the cap or not?"
Liberal Leader Raj Sherman said raising the amount seniors pay for long-term care is "despicable."
"My view is we have to stop nickel-and-diming seniors who have built this great province," he said.
"It's inhumane and it is unAlbertan and frankly seniors and all Albertans should be disturbed."
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