Committee Purpose

The purpose of the Committee is to provide input and recommendations to the Minister of Health and Wellness on legislative reforms necessary and advisable to update current health legislation in a manner that will facilitate current and future health system initiatives. The Committee shall be supported administratively and coordinate its work through Alberta Health and Wellness staff.

The Committee shall consider the following principles when considering recommendations for legislative reform:

• The public health system will serve the interests of all Albertans regardless of their ability to pay; and
• Access to publicly funded health care services will be fair and effective.

Key Goals

1. Review concepts and limitations inherent in existing health legislation and provide advice about:
   • Options for building a more effective legislative framework for the health system;
   • A new way to define publicly funded health services as guided by the Canada Health Act;
   • Options to broaden patient access to health services, and recommending what health service providers and facilities should be part of the publicly funded system.
   • How to enhance accountability for the provision of publicly funded services by providing options for a more consistent and transparent decision-making process; and
   • Public health spending that will ultimately improve the health of Albertans.
2. Recommendations for legislative reform should focus on:
   • Removing barriers to accessing health care;
   • Promoting wellness;
   • Promoting ambulatory and community-based care;
   • Enabling the public health system to respond to emerging issues on a timely basis;
   • Encouraging evidence-informed innovation; and
   • Establishing clear lines of accountability.

Term of Office

Unless extended or terminated earlier by the Minister, the term of each member and of the Committee shall end on November 30, 2009.

Reporting Structure

The Committee will report to the Minister of Health and Wellness.

Meetings

The Committee will meet at the direction of the Co-chairs and may adopt its own meeting and notice processes. The Committee may establish subcommittees to work on specific policy issues identified by the Minister.

Committee Management Support

The Committee will be supported by Alberta Health and Wellness staff designated from time to time by the Deputy Minister. The Committee may request input from Alberta Health and Wellness? Health Technologies Assessment process and such other stakeholders, experts and members of the public as it deems advisable to fulfil the Committee's mandate.

Deliverables

The Committee Co-chairs will meet with the Minister on or before November 15, 2009 to provide the Minister with the Committee's recommendations on legislative reform and the Co-chairs shall, if requested by the Minister prepare a written report detailing the recommendations.

Documents and Confidentiality

The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice to the Minister. Documents and information provided to the Committee for its consideration by Alberta Health and Wellness shall be treated as confidential and shall be returned to Alberta Health and Wellness by each upon expiry of his or her term. Reports and other materials prepared by the Committee shall be considered confidential and shall be delivered to Alberta Health and Wellness by the Co-Chairs upon completion of the Committee's work.

Remuneration

The MLA, Co-Chair is entitled to be paid remuneration in accordance with section 3(2) of the MLA Remuneration Order 240/2008.

Members are entitled to be paid remuneration at rates specified in Schedule 1, Part A of the Committee Remuneration Order #466/2007, unless they are employees of the government or Alberta Health Services.

In accordance with O.C. #240/2008 and O.C. #466/2007, members are also entitled to be paid travelling and living expenses in accordance with the Subsistence, Travel and Moving Expenses regulation made under the Public Service Act, as though they were employees of the Government.

Membership

The membership of the Committee shall consist of no more than 17 members and its Co-Chairs. Membership is at the pleasure of the Minister of Health and Wellness and members may be added or removed at any time at the discretion of the Minister.