ALBERTA — The Alberta government announced a plan to allow approved doctors to work in both the public and private health care systems in the province starting in the fall. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange unveiled the "dual practice model" on Thursday.

LaGrange stated that the status quo is not working because too many Albertans are waiting too long for surgery. The new model will include procedures such as hip and knee replacements, orthopedic procedures, cataract surgery, select ear, nose and throat surgeries, dermatology, plastic surgery and gynecological surgeries. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 64 per cent of hip and knee replacements are done within the six-month target time.

University of Calgary researcher Babatope Adebiyii stated that the claim that the new system will reduce wait times might not be true. Adebiyii published a paper last month in the medical journal The Lancet, which found that in countries like Ireland, Australia, the U.K., Brazil and Chile, when surgeons worked in both public and private health systems, wait times increased for people in the public system and decreased for those able to pay. Details of the plan that remain unrevealed include the minimum hours a doctor must work in the public system before working in the private system.

The Alberta NDP stated that under the government's plan, an individual's income will determine how quickly they can receive non-emergency medical care. The party described the plan as ushering in "American-style for-profit health care" and called it "unacceptable." The Alberta NDP called on Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Health Minister to enforce the Canada Health Act. The federal government stated it is reviewing Alberta's plans carefully and will ensure the Canada Health Act is upheld before the plans are fully implemented.