Midwives in Alberta play a crucial role in improving health outcomes for women, newborns, and families by bringing maternal care closer to home.
Since 2020, there has been a 26 per cent increase in the number of midwives in Alberta, bringing their numbers to 181 as of January of this year.
Midwifery services are in high demand across the province, and our provincial government recognizes the need to expand options and improve access to maternal care. I am delighted to let you know that we are investing $10 million over three years to implement the Alberta Midwifery Strategy. This strategy is designed to attract more midwives and improve access to maternal health services, with a focus on rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
The funding will support engagement with Indigenous communities and birth workers, pilot innovative projects, address data gaps, attract and retain internationally educated midwives, and promote the integration of midwifery practice into team-based primary care.
Midwifery is a publicly funded service in Alberta. Midwives are regulated by the College of Midwives of Alberta under the Health Professions Act. They provide comprehensive care to individuals with low-risk pregnancies from early pregnancy through labour and birth, continuing to support the health of mothers and babies until six weeks after birth.
There has been some buzz recently about changes to optometric benefits provided by the province. First of all, I want to clarify those things that have remained the same. Children and seniors are still covered for one complete routine eye examination each year, and medically necessary eye care continues to be provided for all Albertans. Medically necessary eye care includes initial and follow-up visits when referred by a physician or nurse practitioner. For example, children and seniors are still covered when referred to an optometrist for specific illnesses and conditions, such as diabetes, retinal disorders, cataracts, glaucoma, or physical trauma. Further, treatment continues to be covered for Albertans prescribed certain drugs, as the standard care is to regularly monitor the patient for ocular side effects.
Medically necessary initial visits include an optometric evaluation of a patient, diagnostic tests and procedures, advice to the patient, and prescriptions if required. Medically necessary follow-up visits provide services included in an initial visit that are related to the presenting problem. Additionally, the Optical Assistance for Seniors Program (OASP) continues. This program provides eligible seniors with basic optical services that help preserve or maintain a reasonable level of optical health. The OASP provides financial assistance for the purchase of prescription eyeglasses, including lenses and frames, up to a maximum of $230 per person for prescription eyeglasses every three years. Eye exams are not an allowable expense under the OASP. For further information, please contact the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992.
Some services not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, or a private insurer may be included when calculating medical tax credits on a federal income tax return.
Now, for those things that have changed. As of Feb. 1, 2025, annual partial eye exams for children and seniors are no longer covered free-of-charge, and there are reductions in the rates optometrists are paid by the province for certain services they provide. As well, routine eye examinations and medically necessary visits can no longer be billed by optometrists on the same day, for the same patient.
It turns out that Alberta’s spending on optometry is the highest in Canada. In an effort to bring our service coverage into alignment with other provinces, and to ensure that health funding in this province is being used where it is most needed, some changes were necessary.
It’s no secret that I think the Reynolds Museum here in Wetaskiwin is a real gem! The various contributions made to this museum by members of the Reynolds family over the years are mind boggling, and acknowledge the value of preserving and showcasing the history of transportation and industry for Albertans.
Have you heard that the Reynolds Museum collection has an amazing new addition? The 1939 McLaughlin Buick Royal Tour car! It’s a custom-made stretch convertible that has carried every British monarch in their respective tours of Canada since the late 1930s. Built on a Buick limousine chassis, it includes a four-door convertible body, custom wood-grain dash and interior veneered moldings, tall canvas convertible top to accommodate ceremonial headgear, an electrically operated divider window, a dictograph with dash and signal light so riders in back and front can communicate, the Royal Crest, Shield and Standard, and a sterling silver vanity kit with coordinated umbrellas.
This vehicle was one of two built by General Motors in Ontario for use by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II as they toured Canada in 1939. It was used by Prince Charles and Princess Diana for the opening of Expo ’86 in Vancouver and by Queen Elizabeth II for the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Victoria in 1994.
This regal ride was donated to the museum by our very own Byron Reynolds. Significant donations like this one, with such historical and monetary value, enrich and expand Alberta’s museum collections and help draw new visitors to our museums by highlighting the special and important artifacts that we’re so lucky to have here in our province.
Feb. 27 brings the start of the new spring legislative session, and the release of Budget 2025. Budget 2025 will address the challenges created by the strain of unprecedented population growth while helping plan for the future.
Constituency Week is coming up, too, and I am looking forward to spending some dedicated time in Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin. If you have an event I should attend between March 3 to 7, or if you’d like to discuss an issue, please reach out to my constituency staff.
Rick Wilson is the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin. His constituency office can be reached by email at Maskwacis.wetaskiwin@assembly.ab.ca, or by phone at 780-360-8003.
