Health Care

Under the Canada Health Act, all Albertans are guaranteed access to medically necessary health care.

All Alberta residents must pay a fee to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan to access healthcare services. The basic rate for coverage is $44 per month for individuals, or $88 per month for families. For qualified applicants, premiums are reduced or waived according to their income.

An Alberta Health Care card gives you access to the public health care system including medical checkups and hospital visits. Private clinics exist, but are permitted to perform only elective services not included as part of the primary care available through our health care system.

The health care system in southeast Alberta and area is administered by Palliser Health, which operates public health clinics and hospitals in the region.

The County of Newell is covered by the Palliser Health Authority. The County of Newell is served by two hospitals: the Bassano Health Centre and the Brooks Health Centre.

The City of Brooks is served by a full scale hospital facility and emergency ward. A total of 4 ambulances staffed by both Paramedics and EMT’s operate from the Brooks Health Centre. The Brooks Health Centre also has a helipad for take off and landings of the STARS Air Ambulance for swift transfer of patients needing emergency critical care that is not available at the Health Centre.

The Town of Bassano recently had their hospital facility renovated. In addition, a helipad was added and improvements made to the extended care facilities at the hospital. The Town of Bassano operates an ambulance service that serves residents in the Bassano area.

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For more information:

• Alberta Health Care Insurance - Alberta’s Health and Wellness' page with information on Alberta’s health care system including the forms needed to get signed up.
• Alberta Health and Wellness - The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and medical services. AHCIP forms, information on premium and drug assistance, answers to common questions and more are available.
• Palliser Health Region - A valuable resource, with comprehensive information about all of the health services available in County of Newell and the Palliser region.
• Health Canada - The Health Canada site focuses on providing immigrants with information about health care coverage. It also contains good links to other helpful information on employment, health promotion, and more.

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