| Mar 2010 | |||
| MLA Legislature Report Alana DeLong, MLA
New Cabinet Team Will Ensure Alberta is Stronger Than Ever:
Our Premier, Ed Stelmach, recently named a new cabinet team, which
will focus on four goals that will bring Alberta out of the recession
and into a stronger position than ever before. Premier Stelmach
promised Alberta’s new cabinet will be focused on ensuring
Alberta has the strongest financial position of all provinces coming
out of the recession; the most innovative and competitive economy
in North America, creating jobs and attracting investment in traditional
and emerging sectors; the best performing public health care system
in Canada; and the most advanced infrastructure built in North America.
Our government remains steadfast in our commitment to lead Alberta
to economic recovery and getting our budget back in the black in
three years. The new cabinet, along with our strong caucus, will
tackle Alberta’s fiscal challenges with determination. Alberta
is in a strong fiscal position thanks to our financial planning.
Since the last recession, our government paid off a $23 billion
dollar debt and saved another $25 billion dollars for times like
these. Together, our government will take the necessary steps to
ensure we emerge from this economic downturn in a position to prosper
when economic growth returns. Our long term economic plan will guide
Alberta to recovery while making the necessary investments in our
province and our people. Alberta’s future is bright, and our
best days are yet to come. Albertans to Benefit from Reduced Prices for Existing Generic Drugs: The Government has taken another step to reduce generic drug costs. Effective April 1, the price of currently available or existing generic drugs will be reduced from 75% to 56% of the price of comparable brand name drugs. Existing generic drugs are generic drugs already included on our Alberta Drug Benefit List as of Oct. 1, 2009. Reducing generic drug prices is part of phase two of the Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy (APS), which was announced in October 2009. At that time, the price of new generic drugs was reduced from 75% to 45% of the price of comparable brand name drugs. A new generic drug is any generic drug added to the Alberta Drug Benefit List after Oct. 1, 2009. Phase two of the APS also includes additional compensation for pharmacists to perform expanded services such as patient consultations, medication reviews and immunizations. This will allow pharmacists to better meet the needs of their patients. In addition, phase two enables Alberta to negotiate contracts with brand name drug manufacturers to reduce costs through volume discounts, provide faster access to new, innovative drugs and help fund health research.
Minister Jablonski Reinforces Government Support for Adults with Developmental Disabilities: Hon. Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports made the following statement in response to Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program. “I want to reassure Albertans with developmental disabilities and their families that they are and will remain a high priority for me and this government. I am saddened that some are making these individuals and others across the province worried about possible changes to the supports provided by the PDD program. The health and safety of those supported by the PDD program has remained paramount—even while we looked for savings. It is important to find savings and efficiencies where we can, including to help sustain programs like PDD over the longer term, but it won’t be done at the cost of health and safety. The PDD Community Boards will continue to work with agencies to find savings where feasible. The health and safety of individuals will not be put at risk. If a family feels this is the case, I strongly encourage them to contact their local PDD region to find a solution. I also want to alleviate fears by stressing the size of this government’s commitment to adults with developmental disabilities. Even with in-year savings, the budget for the PDD program for this year is almost $600 million, an increase of more than $20 million over the previous year. This works out to more than $60,000 on average for each of the 9,200 Albertans supported by the program.”
A special thanks all my constituents who have taken the time to call, write and meet with me over the past several years. Your many well thought out comments and advice has been of immeasurable value to our Government and to all the people of Alberta. As always , my staff and I are available to answer any questions and/or concerns that you may have. Public Consultations Please visit http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/Index.cfm?Page=625
and provide your input to matters that affect Albertans.
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