According to an announcement Thursday by the Smith government, starting in September some physicians in Alberta will be allowed to treat patients in both the public health-care system and on a privately-paid basis. Opponents of this reform will erroneously proclaim the demise of the province’s universal health-care system and a shift towards ‘American-style two-tiered’ health care.

But in reality, this policy emulates the approaches of other more successful universal health-care countries. In fact, the Smith government is being overcautious, choosing a more regulated approach, which will limit the benefits of competition for patients.

ESMAIL, MOIR: More choice means better health care for Albertans Back to video

Let’s start with the basics of why this reform matters.

Currently, the government system limits the ability of physicians in Alberta to care for patients by restricting access to operating time and hospital beds. By allowing Albertans to pay privately and access previously unavailable........

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