How province kept rein on health contracting, despite what Danielle Smith says

Alberta’s private surgical contracting practices has come under intense scrutiny in recent months as documents obtained by CBC News reveal direct interventions by the provincial government in the contracting-out of private surgeries through Alberta Health Services (AHS). Despite repeated comments by Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange that any potential issues with procurement are AHS’s responsibility, evidence suggests otherwise.

Multiple documents show the involvement of Alberta’s health minister in AHS contracting matters, as well as the establishment of entities specifically designed to give the health ministry more oversight and influence in dealing with private contractors. This comes in the wake of investigations launched by the RCMP, auditor general, and the government itself following allegations made by former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos.

The premier and health minister have maintained that any improper procurement decisions regarding chartered surgical facilities would fall to AHS instead of the government. However, documents obtained by CBC News paint a different picture. A ministerial directive issued by LaGrange last fall specifically ordered AHS to extend a contract with an Edmonton private surgery clinic, outlining surgery volumes and prices per procedure.

Furthermore, the establishment of a Procurement and Systems Optimization Secretariat by LaGrange signals a move towards more government control over AHS procurement. This secretariat, along with previous entities like the Health Contracting Secretariat established under former health minister Tyler Shandro, illustrates a pattern of government intervention in AHS contracting practices over the years.

Former AHS executive Braden Manns, who served on the Health Contracting Secretariat’s steering committee, has criticized the government’s involvement in the contracting-out process, calling Premier Smith’s assertion that procurement is solely internal to AHS “absolutely false.” Manns highlights the extensive role played by the government in managing and increasing surgical contracting to for-profit surgical facilities.

Despite the government’s insistence that any issues with procurement are AHS’s responsibility, documents reveal ministerial directives and interventions in AHS contracting matters dating back several years. The ongoing investigations into AHS contracting practices will shed light on the extent of government involvement and potential breaches of procurement protocols.

Premier Smith and Health Minister LaGrange have both expressed a desire for the investigations to uncover any wrongdoing in AHS procurement practices. As the investigations continue, the government’s role in AHS contracting practices remains a focal point of scrutiny and debate in Alberta’s healthcare system.