Formed in 1991, the Health Action Lobby (known as HEAL) is a coalition of 35 national health organizations that represents a broad cross-section of health providers, health regions, institutions and facilities.  HEAL represents more than half-a-million providers and consumers of health care.

HEAL was created out of concern over the erosion of the federal government’s role in supporting a national health system.  Through its history, HEAL has met with representatives of the federal government, presented Briefs to Standing Committees, and released background a series of policy papers covering a range of health policy issues, including:  the role of the federal government in funding health care; health human resources; entry-to-practice issues; and the Canada Health Act.

As part of HEAL's strategic plan, there are a number of initiatives that we are involved in which include:

OTTAWA – The Health Action Lobby (HEAL) is very concerned by the federal government’s recent decision to withdraw funding for the Health Council of Canada.  “This decision is a signal to Canadians that the future of health and health care is not a priority.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Public opinion polls consistently rank the future of health care in Canada as one of the most important public policy priorities,” said Mr. Glenn Brimacombe, HEAL Co-Chair.  “What message is the federal government sending to Canadians about its commitment and role when it comes to health?”

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As co-Chairs of HEAL, Mr. Glenn Brimacombe and Dr. Karen Cohen, along with representatives from the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nurses Association, met with Premier Brad Wall (Saskatchewan) and Premier Robert Ghiz (Prince Edward Island) and the Provincial & Territorial Ministers of Health to discuss the progress to-date of the Health Care Innovation Working Group. HEAL looks forward to continuing to participate in the working group process to accelerate the adoption of applied health innovations across the country.

Given the role and contributions that HEAL has made to the Council of the Federation process to-date and the work of the Health Care Innovation Working Group (HCIWG), we have developed a backgrounder entitled “Contributing to the Council of the Federation’s Health Care Innovation Working Groups…Some Health Providers ABCs”.  The document speaks to the important impact that providers can have on the process, both at the national, and provincial and territorial level.

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HEAL was very pleased to meet with The Honourable Fred Horne, Minister of Alberta Health & Wellness.  The meeting allowed for a dialogue that covered recent innovations be considered in Alberta, the Council of the Federation Health Care Innovation Working Group (HCIWG) process, and where there may be possible opportunities for the federal government to contribute to advancing health innovation.  HEAL looks forward to continuing to dialogue with the Minister and his colleagues as the HCIWG continues its work.

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The Health Action Lobby (HEAL) welcomes the report of the Health Care Innovation Working Group (HCIWG) of the Council of the Federation. The HCIWG was launched by Canada’s Premiers in January 2012 to look at how the provinces and territories can improve the quality of care that Canadians receive and overall system performance through shared innovations in service delivery that provide better health, better care and better value.

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