Insights, Health Care System in Canada, Santis Health care consultants

The Santis team shares its insights on the key sectors and factors driving decisions and change in the health care and life sciences sector across Canada.

Santis’ Take on a National Pharmacare Commitment

November 30, 2023- In 2022, as part of the Liberal-NDP Supply and Confidence Agreement, the federal government committed to “continuing progress towards” a universal national pharmacare program and passing a Canada Pharmacare Act by 2023. The Parliamentary Budget Officer released new estimates in October showing total spending on prescription drugs under a single-payer universal drug plan would be cost $33.2 billion in 2024-25, rising to $38.9 billion in 2027-28. Despite this commitment, there are divisions between the NDP and Liberals, with the former insisting on a single-payer public pharmacare system.

Rapid Recap: Federal Fall Economic Statement 2023

November 21, 2023- With the Liberal Party low in the polls, today’s federal Fall Economic Statement (FES) comes at a time when the government needs to show meaningful progress on top of mind issues, noticeably, affordability. With billions in health funding already provided in the previous budget and the vast majority tied up in bilateral health agreements that are not yet in place with provinces, this FES is not focused on health care. Additionally, the federal government has turned its attention to cost containment and deficit reduction, something provinces and territories are also grappling with.

Santis Health Welcomes Nancy Dale as Senior Vice President, Communications

Toronto, ON - November 14, 2023 - Nancy Dale has joined Santis Health as Senior Vice President, Communications. Over her 20 years of experience in health care, when organizations have big news or a significant challenge, they turned to Nancy to expertly lead the communications strategy.

Rapid Recap: Alberta Health Services Restructure

November 8, 2023- The Alberta government announced today a major restructuring of the province's health care system, which will see the responsibilities of Alberta Health Services (AHS) spread among four organizations. The government will introduce legislation in the spring to implement these changes, with a transition that is anticipated to take 18 to 24 months at an expected cost of $85 million.

Rapid Recap: 2023 Ontario Fall Economic Statement

November 2, 2023- This afternoon, Ontario's Finance Minister, Peter Bethlenfalvy, presented the 2023 Fall Economic Statement. The Minister emphasized a responsible and targeted approach to ensure a stable financial future for Ontario while also promising a balanced budget by 2025-2026. The statement, however, does not mention affordability nor contain any new measures to help Ontarians struggling with high inflation beyond the gas tax extension.

Rapid Recap: 2023 Health Ministers’ Meeting

Thursday, October 12, 2023- Federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) health ministers concluded their two-day meeting in P.E.I today. Yesterday’s agenda consisted of meetings between just the provinces and territories, followed by a second day of meetings that included participation from the federal Minister of Health, Mark Holland, and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Ya’ara Saks.

Rapid Recap: B.C. Becomes the First Province to Sign Health Funding Agreement with the Federal Government

Monday, October 10, 2023- Today the Governments of British Columbia and Canada announced they signed a tailored funding agreement worth $1.2 billion over three years. This makes British Columbia the first province to sign an agreement with the federal government as part of the $196-billion health investment the prime minister offered provinces earlier this year. So far, all provinces and territories have agreed to the deal in principle, except Quebec.

Rapid Recap: Minister's Update on Accelerating Ontario Health Teams

Wednesday, September 27, 2023- Last November, the Ministry of Health released Ontario Health Teams: The Path Forward outlining a “new direction for Ontario Health Teams to support their progress towards maturity”. Most notably, the November announcement outlined the requirement for Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) to adopt a common governance structure (as a not-for-profit corporation), while also signaling OHTs could expect additional guidance and support from the Ministry to this end.

Rapid Recap: Unpacking a Week of Transitions Within the Ontario Government

Friday, September 22, 2023- Today, Premier Ford announced changes to his Cabinet following the resignations of Monte McNaughton and Kaleed Rasheed. This is the second cabinet shuffle in two weeks for the Ford Government. On September 4, following Steve Clark’s resignation as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Paul Calandra stepped into the role of Housing Minister while Stan Cho succeeded him as Minister of Long-Term Care.

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