Health spending
The province will add $735 million to the Health and Wellness budget for 2006-07, a
7.7 per cent increase over last year, to continue making improvements to the health care system.
The increase will bring the Ministry's total 2006-07 budget to $10.3 billion.
Health capital
$748 million will be spent on health capital in 2006-07 (more information).
Physician services
$1.88 billion will be provided for physician services, including:
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$75 million for alternate payment plans to allow academic physicians to focus more time on research, education and delivering specialty care to Albertans.
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$70 million for primary care initiatives.
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$21 million for the Physician Office System Program to expand the Electronic Health Record to physician offices.
Alberta Cancer Prevention Legacy Fund
$25 million will be drawn each year from the $500 million Alberta Cancer Prevention Legacy Fund for initiatives such as the:
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expansion of cancer screening programs
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development of a virtual cancer research institute to co-ordinate cancer research
Related story: Alberta to become a leading centre for cancer expertise in North America (February 22, 2006)
Drug benefits
Non-group health benefits will rise to $690 million, an increase of $91 million, or 15 per cent over 2005-06.
Health care insurance premiums
The income thresholds at which low-income families and individuals begin to pay partial premiums are being raised by $5,000 effective April 1, 2006 (more information).
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