Premier Scott Moe's recent comments on pursuing "innovative" models for delivering health care in Saskatchewan have ignited a fierce political battle, with the Opposition NDP accusing the government of laying the groundwork for American-style privatization.
The Premier's Provocative Interview
The controversy stems from an interview Premier Moe gave to Rebel News in December 2025. In it, Moe identified health-care access as the paramount issue facing the province. He hinted at significant forthcoming changes, stating Saskatchewan residents would see "a very open discussion about delivering health care in a very innovative way" in the coming months and into the next year.
"You’re seeing some of it in Alberta recently, too," Moe added, directly referencing the policy direction of Premier Danielle Smith's government to the west.
NDP Sounds the Alarm on Privatization
The Saskatchewan NDP responded forcefully with a news release on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The party interpreted Moe's words as a clear signal of intent to follow Alberta's lead toward a privatized, two-tier system.
The Opposition's release asserts that Moe plans to "move to privatize healthcare, dismantling public delivery for those who can’t afford to pay tens of thousands." They framed Alberta's moves as a shift toward "American-style, two-tier healthcare" that could introduce private health insurance and private payment for medically necessary care.
Government Fires Back, Defends Innovation
Later that same Tuesday, the Saskatchewan government issued a sharp rebuttal. It labeled the NDP as "lost and reckless," accusing them of hypocrisy for saying new ideas are needed while rejecting them.
"Our government will continue to pursue innovative approaches to ensure Saskatchewan families can access high-quality healthcare close to home," the statement read. It pointed to existing policies like publicly-funded, privately-delivered health services and the virtual physician program as examples of the innovation it supports.
The government warned that the NDP, who have committed to eliminating the virtual care program, would cause the cancellation of thousands of annual surgeries and diagnostics, drastically increasing wait times.
The exchange underscores a deepening ideological divide over the future of health care in Saskatchewan, setting the stage for a heated political debate throughout 2026. The premier's allusion to Alberta's reforms suggests this provincial conflict is part of a broader national conversation on health system restructuring.
