MLA for Banff-Kananaskis
503C Legislature Building
10800-97 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
November 21, 2019
Ms Rosin,
You are my MLA and I would to take this opportunity to express how I feel about Bill 207.
The private members bill (207) is both unnecessary and harmful. Health care professionals in Alberta already have the right to refuse to perform procedures or prescribe treatments they object to on the basis of conscience. But they must refer the patient to another practitioner who will fulfill their patient's health care needs.
The private members bill (207) is both unnecessary and harmful. Health care professionals in Alberta already have the right to refuse to perform procedures or prescribe treatments they object to on the basis of conscience. But they must refer the patient to another practitioner who will fulfill their patient's health care needs.
Bill 207 absolves them of this responsibility. That is called patient abandonment.
It may not be such a big deal in an larger urban centre, but this could have disastrous effects for people who live in small or remote communities where the nearest next choice doctor is several hours' drive away. A referral would, at least, allow a person in such a situation to know before embarking on a journey, that they will be able to receive the care they need when they get there.
The basic conscience elements of this bill are already covered by the various professional governing bodies that regulate health care in Alberta. The removal of a requirement to refer seems purely ideological and, frankly, vindictive.
UCP leader, Jason Kenney, and many UCP MLAs have expressed their pro-life/anti-choice stances. They oppose MAID, presumably believing that people should not have the choice to end their own suffering when it becomes unbearable. The UCP has shown nothing but antipathy for the LGBTQ2+ community. And we all realise that many of you received campaign support from various pro-life organisations and this bill seems to be a gesture towards repayment.
However, as an elected official in this province, you work for ALL Albertans, not just the ones who voted for you. Therefore, as a constituent, I urge you to vote against Bill 207 at every reading.
The basic conscience elements of this bill are already covered by the various professional governing bodies that regulate health care in Alberta. The removal of a requirement to refer seems purely ideological and, frankly, vindictive.
UCP leader, Jason Kenney, and many UCP MLAs have expressed their pro-life/anti-choice stances. They oppose MAID, presumably believing that people should not have the choice to end their own suffering when it becomes unbearable. The UCP has shown nothing but antipathy for the LGBTQ2+ community. And we all realise that many of you received campaign support from various pro-life organisations and this bill seems to be a gesture towards repayment.
However, as an elected official in this province, you work for ALL Albertans, not just the ones who voted for you. Therefore, as a constituent, I urge you to vote against Bill 207 at every reading.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Norlaine Thomas
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