HEAL News Releases

HEAL has released a number of News Releases commenting on a number of public policy issues from a health pespective. Should you wish for HEAL to comment on an issue, please contact the HEAL Co-Chairs.

The Health Action Lobby, Canadian Healthcare Association, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Nurses Association and the Canadian Pharmacists Association have released a joint vision statement on the future of the health care system entitled: Meeting the health care needs of Canadians. This statement is designed for Canadian voters as they prepare to cast their ballot on January 23, 2006.

An Ipsos-Reid poll conducted for the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) shows that while Canadians believe the September 2004 First Ministers Health Plan can help rebuild the health care system, many fear governments will not meet their deadlines for action.

The Health Action Lobby (HEAL) applauds the budget's reaffirmation of the 10-year First Ministers' 2004 Health Accord as well as the focus on several major public health issues. For example, the budget's specific promise of $75 million over five years to facilitate the evaluation and integration of internationally educated health care professionals with the view to ensuring "improved and more timely access to care" for Canadians is a welcome acknowledgement of a critically important issue.  

In responding to Tuesday’s federal budget, members of the Health Action Lobby (HEAL) were pleased with the federal government’s intent, in principle, to focus on “predictable” and “sustainable” funding for health, as well as its commitment to an accountable health system. For many years, HEAL has been urging governments to respond to its call for an Accountable health system, that has Sustainable, Adequate and Predictable funding - an “A.S.A.P.” approach – across the continuum of care. HEAL welcomes the modest steps towards this end that are evidenced in today’s budget.

An Open Letter to

The Honourable Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
Government of Canada
Minister’s Office – Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Bldg.
Tunney’s Pasture
P.L. 0906C
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Fax: (613) 952-1154

 The Honourable Jane Purves
Minister of Health
Province of Nova Scotia
Department of Health
4th Floor, Joseph Howe Bldg
1690 Hollis Street
PO Box 488
Halifax, NS B3J 2R8
Fax: (902) 424-0559

The Health Action Lobby (HEAL) is looking forward to the establishment of the National Health Council, which will ensure accountability and sustainability of the health system in Canada.

 

In responding to today’s federal budget, members of the Health Action Lobby (HEAL) welcomed the federal government’s investment in health care to address the sustainability of our health system, supported by long-term fiscal commitments. “This increased funding will help to address some of the severe difficulties Canadians are experiencing in accessing the health system,” says Pamela Fralick, HEAL Co-Chair. “Further this health care system of the future must respond to the needs of Canadians, providing a seamless continuum of care.”

  1. Health Accord 2003, A Start
  2. First Ministers Meeting