HEAL releases report to encourage public discussion about the role  of the federal government in health and health care

OTTAWA, March 31, 2014 – Canada’s 2004 Health Accord expires today.  With no new agreement in its place, the Health Action Lobby (HEAL), who represent more than half a million front line providers and consumers of health care, is very concerned about the future of health and health care in Canada.  It is a future whose success depends on the leadership and engagement of the federal government.

The 2004 Health Accord – a ten-year framework that provided the provinces and territories with $41.3 Billion – was a milestone agreement that identified national priorities to advance the health of Canadians and improve health system performance.  It also identified a clear leadership role for the federal government to work collaboratively with the provinces and territories.

“Some progress has been made under the 2004 Health Accord.  However, more needs to be done and it is essential that the federal government work to develop and implement a shared plan of action to advance the health of Canadians”, said, Mr. Glenn Brimacombe, Co-Chair of HEAL.

“Health care remains a top priority for Canadians.  While the federal government is a leader in many areas in the health system, they must play a more meaningful role with the provinces and territories, providers and other partners.” said Dr. Karen Cohen, Co-Chair of HEAL.  Partnerships will accelerate health innovation and improve the performance of the health system.

Canadians want better access to effective health services.  To advance that access, HEAL believes that the federal government needs to be a meaningful and engaged partner in health care.   To encourage public discussion, HEAL is releasing a report “Reframing the Federal Role in Health and Health Care”, which can be accessed on the HEAL web-site (www.healthactionlobby.ca).  This report will inform HEAL’s recommendations on the role of the federal government in health and health care, which will be released later this year.

With a federal election likely in 2015, HEAL hopes that the report will stimulate public conversation and encourage each federal political party to let Canadians know how their policies, programs and investments would improve health system performance and advance the health of Canadians.

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HEAL is a coalition of 41 national health and consumer associations and organizations dedicated to protecting and strengthening Canada's health system. It represents more than half a million providers and consumers of health care. HEAL was formed in 1991 out of concern over the erosion of the federal government's role in supporting a national health care system. For more information, please visit our web-site at www.healthactionlobby.ca.

For more information:

Media Contact:

Mr. Glenn Brimacombe, Co-Chair, HEAL (CEO, Canadian Psychiatric Association)Telephone: (613) 234-2815, Extension 236Cell Phone: (613) 866-3613Fax: (613) 234-9857E-mail: gbrimacombe@cpa-apc.org Dr. Karen Cohen, Co-Chair, HEAL(CEO, Canadian Psychological Association)Telephone: (613) 237-2144, Extension 344Cell Phone: (613) 799-0532 Fax: (613) 237-1674 E-mail: kcohen@cpa.ca

 

HEAL Members

Alzheimer Society of Canada Arthritis Society Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations – Canadian Healthcare Association Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada Canadian AIDS Society Canadian Association of Community Health Centres Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists Canadian Association of Midwives Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Canadian Association of Optometrists Canadian Association of Physician Assistants Canadian Association of Radiologists Canadian Association of Social Workers Canadian Chiropractic Association Canadian College of Health Leaders Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Canadian Dental Association Canadian Dental Hygienists Association Canadian Dermatology Association Canadian Home Care Association Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association Canadian Medical Association Canadian Mental Health Association Canadian Nurses Association Canadian Ophthalmological Association Canadian Orthopaedic Association Canadian Pharmacists Association Canadian Physiotherapy Association Canadian Podiatric Medical Association Canadian Psychological Association Canadian Psychiatric Association Canadian Public Health Association Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science Canadian Society of Nutrition Management Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists Catholic Health Alliance of Canada College of Family Physicians of Canada Dietitians of Canada Paramedic Association of CanadaRoyal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Speech-Language & Audiology Canada