Alberta's ombudsman says thousands of low-income residents and families seeking benefits to cover off health-care costs face unfair barriers.
A doctor wears a lab coat and stethoscope in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023.
Systemic issues were uncovered within the Alberta Adult Health Benefit program and Alberta Child Health Benefit program, operated jointly byKevin Brezinski, in a report issued Wednesday, said these programs are hindered by serious systemic problems, starting with an antiquated 30-year-old computer system.
“There are a number of glitches that take place that impact thousands of Albertans,” Brezinski said in an interview.Brezinski said affected clients lost benefits and had to pay out of pocket for things like medication until the issues were rectified. In some cases, he said, they weren’t reimbursed.He said programs are split between two ministries, leading to confusion about who is responsible for what, including which department should pay for computer system updates.
During the investigation by Brezinski’s office, it received 11 specific complaints from Albertans, but more were logged by the government. He said the report probably reflects “a fraction of the people who are frustrated by this process.”
Alberta Adult Health Benefit Alberta Child Health Benefit Kevin Brezinski Health Politics
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