July 20, 2016 (Ottawa) – As the premiers across Canada prepare to meet for the Council of the Federation in Whitehorse, HealthCareCAN hopes that the issue of a new Health Accord will be put at the top of the agenda.
“The discussions between the provinces and the federal government on the Health Accord should focus on health first, not on another chequebook accord. Past Health Accords put dollars ahead of health and what we have to show for it is poorer healthcare performance and increased health disparities,” says Bill Tholl, President and CEO of HealthCareCAN.
Tholl, who is in Whitehorse during the premiers’ annual summer meeting, suggests the Accord should set out a vision which would include federal leadership paired with secure base funding, along with strategic investments that would address provincial priorities. Such investments could include a demographic top-up, funding for scaling up healthcare innovation and conditional performance funding for the provinces.
“Three priority issues should be addressed in the Health Accord discussions : seniors care, mental health and Indigenous health,” adds Mr. Tholl.
“Healthcare providers on the ground can provide a unique and valuable perspective. Engaging them early in the discussions is essential to a successful iteration of the next Health Accord, one that truly buys change,” concluded Mr. Tholl.
HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations and hospitals across Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare. We act with others to enhance the health of the people of Canada; to build the capability for high quality care; and to help ensure value for money in publicly financed, healthcare programs.
Learn more about our organization at www.healthcarecan.ca. Follow us on Twitter: @HealthCareCAN or Facebook: healthcarecan.soinssantecan.
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Media contact:
Lucie Boileau, Director of Communications, Marketing and Government Relations
lboileau@healthcarecan.ca
855-236-0213/613-241-8005 x 205
Cell: 613-462-5604