Formed in 1991, the Health Action Lobby (known as HEAL) is a coalition of 42 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.