Health funding allocations for 2013–2014

Funding the health system

Funding for Alberta Health is budgeted at $17.1 billion, an increase of almost $500 million or 3% from 2012–13.
Every hour, we will spend $1.9 million – about $47 million per day – to maintain and improve Alberta’s health care system.
Total Health spending will account for 45% of Alberta government operational spending in 2013–14.
Health care allocations are contained in the provincial government budget which is approved each year by the Alberta Legislature.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) will receive $10.5 billion in base operating funding – an increase of $307 million or 3% from 2012–13 for the delivery of health services across the province.
Approximately 62% of the Health budget will be provided to AHS as base operating funding.
In addition, AHS will receive $393 million in 2013–14 to support operations care capacity at the South Calgary Health Campus and Kaye Edmonton Clinic.

$3.4 billion – a decrease of $73 million or 2.1% from 2012–13 has been allocated for physician compensation and benefit programs.

$1.1 billion – a decrease of $56 million, or 4.7% from 2012–13 as a result of savings from the reduction in generic drug pricing and savings from the implementation of the PharmaCare program. The $1.1 billion has been allocated for prescription drugs, ambulance services, Alberta Aids to Daily Living and other health benefits for Albertans. Also included are outpatient cancer therapy drugs and specialized high cost drugs.
A PharmaCare program will be introduced in the last quarter of 2013–14, to provide access to comprehensive drug and supplementary health benefit coverage for all Albertans.
All generic drug prices will be reduced from 35% to 18% of brand name prices.

$262 million – an increase of $44 million, or 20.2% from 2012–13 for Primary health care / addictions and mental Health.
Funds will go toward Primary Care Networks, Family Care Clinics, addiction and mental health services, and other primary health care initiatives.

$358 million – an increase of $22 million, or 6.4% per cent from 2012–13 has been allocated for the Alberta Seniors Benefit.
Alberta Seniors Benefit is the highest of any province or territory in Canada.
Changes are being made to the program to harmonize it with the federal programs it supplements. These changes include:
- Eliminating exemptions for workers compensation benefits, alimony payments and CPP disability payments (harmonizing it with Guaranteed Income Supplement); and
- Seniors residing in Canada for less than 10 years will no longer be eligible (harmonizing it with the Old Age Security).

$927 million – an increase of $46 million, or 5.2% from 2012–13 has been allocated for programs including seniors services, Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions, enhanced home care and rehabilitation, and services provided by health professionals, such as oral surgeons, optometrists and podiatrists, as well as vaccination programs, tissue and blood services and health services in correctional facilities.
The Seniors School Property Tax Assistance program will be income-tested effective 2013, and the program will end in 2014. The new Seniors Property Tax Deferral program will allow seniors to defer all or part of their property taxes through a low-interest home equity loan with the provincial government.

$73 million – a decrease of $3 million, or 3.4% from 2012–13 for Ministry Support Services.

Of every dollar in health funding:

62 cents is provided to Alberta Health Services for the delivery of health services as well as 2 cents to support operations care capacity at the South Calgary Health Campus and Kaye Edmonton Clinic;
20 cents is provided for physician services;
7 cents is provided for drugs and supplemental health benefits;
9 cents is provided for other health spending.

Figures as of March 7, 2013