Read on Twitter
The UCP are taking away presumptive PTSD coverage from most #Alberta workers. During a pandemic...
As of Friday, it will be harder for the frontline heroes carrying our province through COVID-19 to get support. Support they unquestionably deserve.
A thread:
#ableg #Bill47
/1
As of Friday, it will be harder for the frontline heroes carrying our province through COVID-19 to get support. Support they unquestionably deserve.
A thread:
#ableg #Bill47
/1
When announcing this change the UCP said it will save $230 million over the next three years. (page 3 of WCB fact sheet)
https://www.alberta.ca/assets/agency-disclosure/li-workers-compensation-fact-sheet.pdf
/2
https://www.alberta.ca/assets/agency-disclosure/li-workers-compensation-fact-sheet.pdf
/2
Before this Friday's change, in order for an #Alberta worker to qualify for presumptive coverage they needed to have 
a traumatic workplace event and 
a diagnosis.
WCB Worker Fact sheet on psychological injuries:
https://www.wcb.ab.ca/assets/pdfs/workers/WFS_Psychological_injuries.pdf
/3
a traumatic workplace event and a diagnosis.WCB Worker Fact sheet on psychological injuries:
https://www.wcb.ab.ca/assets/pdfs/workers/WFS_Psychological_injuries.pdf
/3
Workers who didn't have a diagnosis, or who haven't been through a traumatic event, did not get presumptive coverage.
When both diagnosis & trauma are there, WCB staff
were ensuring there was a reasonable cause & effect relationship between diagnosis & the work event(s).
/4
When both diagnosis & trauma are there, WCB staff
were ensuring there was a reasonable cause & effect relationship between diagnosis & the work event(s).
/4
So that $230 Million in savings the #UCP proudly published?
It will come from denying #Alberta workers who have had a traumatic event their presumptive coverage.
The savings literally comes from making it harder for injured workers to get vital mental health supports.
/5
It will come from denying #Alberta workers who have had a traumatic event their presumptive coverage.
The savings literally comes from making it harder for injured workers to get vital mental health supports.
/5
We are in the middle of a pandemic.
Now more than ever we are recognizing the importance of mental health.
Now more than ever we see how critical our essential workers are.
Now more than ever we need to help injured #Alberta workers get the supports they need.
/6
Now more than ever we are recognizing the importance of mental health.
Now more than ever we see how critical our essential workers are.
Now more than ever we need to help injured #Alberta workers get the supports they need.
/6
Tragically, in a bill called "Ensuring Safety & Cutting Red Tape Act, 2020" the UCP are adding new red tape barriers for traumatized workers trying to access vital supports.
Navigating this new & unnecessary bureaucratic maze will reinjure some and leave many stranded.
Navigating this new & unnecessary bureaucratic maze will reinjure some and leave many stranded.
We know #Alberta workers are experiencing unprecedented situations in continuing care homes, in our hospitals, in our communities.
Some are witnessing increased illnesses and deaths.
Trying to save money by denying injured workers their mental health supports is atrocious.
/8
Some are witnessing increased illnesses and deaths.
Trying to save money by denying injured workers their mental health supports is atrocious.
/8
