What CHSRF is doing
CHSRF is undertaking research and analyses in the following three key areas of healthcare financing, innovation and transformation, as well as hosting exchanges and dialogues.
Health-system Innovation and Transformation
Over the past four decades, Canadian healthcare has undergone a series of major reforms – some of these reforms have been lasting (for example, the introduction of the provincial and territorial health insurance programs for all “medically necessary” hospital and physician services), while others have undergone continuous cycles (for example, from centralized to more decentralized models of delivery and vice versa). All of these reform efforts provide an opportunity for learning. In the same way, assessing current transformation challenges, strategies and achievements is helpful for providing healthcare managers and policy-makers with a vision and the tools for health system transformation. Engaging the public in this dialogue is essential, as is paying particular attention to primary healthcare renewal and health systems planning for the aging population.
Analyses, syntheses, briefs and reports
Exchanges and dialogues
- Engaging the public around issues of health-system transformation, through focus groups and online opportunities, will identify public expectations for the health system and priorities for its transformation.
- Forums and products on emerging health-system innovations will address important issues common to health systems in Canada and explore opportunities to spread these innovations into new jurisdictions.
- Policy roundtables will identify priorities for health-systems transformation, and the support and infrastructure needed to help move toward transformative change.
Cost-Drivers and Health System Efficiency
A comprehensive understanding of the factors that bring about increased spending in healthcare is essential to productive dialogue about the financial sustainability of Canada’s healthcare system and to inform what policies may be implemented to manage rising healthcare expenditures and improve health system efficiency. As hospital and physician services account for significant shares of public healthcare spending, there is a desire across jurisdictions to implement payment mechanisms that can address and improve efficiency and quality of care in these service areas. In the same way, with drug spending on the rise, policy recommendations are needed to help governments weigh options for managing public sector drug plans and identify the most clinically beneficial and cost-effective technologies from a constantly expanding array of drugs and sophisticated medical equipment. This dialogue is particularly needed in the context of value-for-money, which is about more than performance (are we achieving value?); it’s also about relevance (are we providing the right service?).
Analyses, syntheses, briefs and reports
Exchanges and dialogues
Monthly policy presentations on health-system financing will highlight the findings of recent research syntheses on cost drivers and financing options, and offer reflections from a variety of perspectives.
Financing Models
There is considerable interest in Canada to explore financing models that can modernize the coverage of publicly funded healthcare. Healthcare has changed dramatically since the Canada Health Act (CHA) was adopted. As a result of medical advancements and technological innovation, medically necessary care is no longer provided solely in hospitals or acute care settings, and is now provided in the home, community or other settings. Thus, changing the location of the treatment or expanding the use of allied health professionals may deprive people of coverage. The existing insurance gaps – such as the exclusion of prescription drug coverage and long-term care – raise a number of equity concerns and continued questions about how to reform current financing models and modernize healthcare coverage so as to reduce inequities and improve access to a broader spectrum of medically necessary care. There is a need to consider strategies for increasing existing and exploring alternative sources of revenues for healthcare.
Analyses, syntheses, briefs and reports
Exchanges and dialogues
Monthly policy presentations on health-system financing will highlight the findings of recent research syntheses on cost drivers and financing options, and offer reflections from a variety of perspectives.
CHSRF contact:
Gillian Mulvale
Director, Healthcare Financing and Transformation
Tel. (613) 728-2238 ext. 249
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