Alberta governments usually apply surgical measures to improve health care.

Now, they’re taking an orthopedic mallet to the whole system.

It’s doubtful that any Alberta government since the 1960s — when universal health care took hold — has made such radical changes in one go.

The new legislation introduced Monday is fundamental, monumental, and could directly affect how much patients pay.

Many doctors will be able to switch back and forth from private to public systems. There will be more onus on private payers to cover drug and other medical costs.

Everyone will have to reapply for their health card, the one Premier Danielle Smith pledged is the only card we’d ever need.

Often, the motive is not so much better service as catching out shady players in health care.

Since 2020, offi

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