Premier Ralph Klein
Launch of the Alberta Bone & Joint Health Institute
Friday, March 26, 2004 - CALGARY, AB
I am pleased to be here today for the launch of the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute, which is a very positive and ground-breaking project for health care in Alberta.
Today, Dr. Frank and Dr. Dick shared what they believe could be the perfect health care story for the future.
I've said publicly many, many times that maintaining the status quo of our current health care system is not an option.
Maintaining the status quo means increases to the health budget of eight to ten per cent - annually. That's simply not sustainable. Without reforming the system, the only other options are taking funding from other areas of government spending or increasing taxes.
What we need to do is build a better public health care system that focuses on patients' needs now and in the future.
Today's initiative supports that goal.
The Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute represents a better way of meeting Albertans' health care needs.
The model it is based on will benefit Albertans on many fronts by offering a better delivery system of secondary care along with a greater emphasis on wellness.
And if this model works for bone and joint health, then I suspect it can transfer to other health care areas.
This Institute is the vision of many health care professionals, institutes and organizations.
But, as you know, it is also the vision of an individual Alberta citizen, who stepped forward as a participant in the renewal of health care in Alberta.
Bud McCaig is making a remarkable contribution to his city and province. I am truly sorry that Mr. McCaig could not be here today to be part of this announcement.
Mr. McCaig is a true champion of health care renewal in Alberta. His personal and financial support of projects such as the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute have been driven by his own passion to see a sustainable health care system for all Albertans.
Mr. McCaig's contributions are many, including guiding the city's health care system through a challenging period of restructuring during his tenure as chairman of the Calgary Regional Health Authority.
Together with his wife Ann, he is also a generous benefactor of the University of Calgary, where the McCaigs launched a number of important health and research initiatives.
On behalf of all Albertans, I'd like to thank the McCaigs for their many contributions to health care in Alberta and, in particular, for their commitment to the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute.
I'd also like to offer sincere thanks to everyone involved in the Institute. I wish you every possible success.