NDP calls for probe into how many medical clinics are charging 'member' fees in Alberta

Alberta's New Democrats are calling for a province-wide probe to identify how many medical clinics could be charging membership fees, following a Health Canada notice this week that one Calgary clinic's plans to charge such fees ran afoul of the Canada Health Act.

But the governing United Conservative Party, which on Tuesday ordered an investigation into plans at the Marda Loop Medical Clinic in the city, says it is not aware of any other clinics offering services for membership fees that don't align with current legislation.

"If any other clinics begin to offer similar services for a membership fee, as Marda Loop has done, Alberta Health will undertake similar action," said Scott Johnston, a spokesperson for Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, in a statement to CBC News.

Last week, the Marda Loop Medical Clinic, located in southwest Calgary, sent a message to clients stating that it would be moving to a membership system, charging costs up to $4,800 for families.

That provoked pushback from Health Canada, and a subsequent joint statement from Premier Danielle Smith and LaGrange, who said they had directed Alberta Health to investigate the clinic to ensure compliance with all legislation.

Speaking at a press conference Wednesday, David Shepherd, the NDP's critic for health, said the UCP's plan didn't go far enough. 

"We believe there's evidence that members-only medicine is being offered in several clinics in Alberta, and we've only begun to dig into this issue," Shepherd said.

"The investigation into Marda Loop Medical Clinic is welcome. But we need a system-wide investigation — today."

During the press conference, the NDP mentioned a second Calgary clinic, located in the city's southwest, they said was offering a first-year cost for a "premier service" for $5,200, which included access to an onsite laboratory with "no-cost, expedited MRI and CT imaging when medically necessary."

CBC News has reached out to the clinic for comment. CBC has not confirmed such a fee structure exists at the clinic. 

A spokesperson with the provincial health ministry said the minister's office hadn't yet been briefed on that clinic, but added it was seeking more information.

Clinics offering private "concierge" services date back as far as 2006, including during the NDP's time in power. 

The party did introduce legislation during that period of time that was intended to halt such fees. But that was in mid-March 2019, when polls suggested they were just weeks away from defeat at the hands of Jason Kenney's United Conservatives.

When asked by reporters why the NDP didn't target these types of arrangements earlier in their term, Shepherd said when the NDP came into government they initiated an investigation to look into the issue.