Strengthening Canada’s Healthcare.
Smart Health Benefits Coalition brings an important perspective towards long term, sustainable solutions to address the gaps in prescription drug coverage.
Enhancing the Health and Well-Being of Canadians and their families.
The Smart Health Benefits Coalition will propose and champion smart solutions that address the critical gaps and shortfalls, particularly for the 2.8% of Canadians that today do not have access to benefits from a provincial drug program or through an employer sponsored plan.
Our Purpose.
The Smart Health Benefits Coalition (SHBC) – a new group made up of members who provide on-the-ground support and service to over 10 million Canadians with their insurance plans – is joining the discussion to help drive positive change for uninsured and underinsured Canadians. Their mission is to enhance the health and well-being of Canadians and their families, while strengthening the healthcare system and addressing longstanding gaps in care. The SHBC will propose and champion smart solutions that address the critical gaps and shortfalls, particularly for the 2.8% of Canadians that today do not have access to benefits from a provincial drug program or through an employer sponsored plan.
SHBC members have a strong presence in all regions of Canada as the on the ground, day to day support network that helps employers, employees and benefit plan members with their healthcare journey through the public and employer paid plan experience. Their network spans more than 65,000 employers across every province, including over 4,800 union plans. Together, they support robust benefit plans for 10 million Canadians and their families.
The SHBC believes that both employers and the public sector should play a pivotal role in ensuring comprehensive healthcare for all Canadians. To that effect, the Coalition will advocate for a hybrid approach to coverage delivery and remains committed to advancing the cause of accessible and sustainable healthcare. Over 27 million Canadians currently have comprehensive coverage through employer-sponsored plans which have considerable value for coverage and care, and keeping this in place allows for a greater dedication of resources towards those without insurance or who are underinsured. As on the ground advisors right across the country, the SHBC brings an important perspective and can work together with government and all stakeholders to arrive at long term, sustainable solutions.
Carolyne Eagan, principal spokesperson for SHBC and President of Benefits Alliance, an SHBC member.
Join the Discussion.
It is time to develop swift and effective solutions that gets coverage to everyone in need. Proposed solutions must be focused on enhancing the health and affordable access of Canadians to necessary medicines, but also protect households and governments from new extraordinary costs.
Latest Works.
National Pharmacare Discussion
Our recommendation for National Pharmacare. We support a hybrid model of coverage delivery where the private and public sector each play a role.
Learn more by downloading the infographic below
New Coalition Advocates For Comprehensive Healthcare Solutions
Stakeholders forming coalition to minimize impact of pharmacare on employer-sponsored benefits plans
Strengthening Canada’s Healthcare:
A Case for Maintaining Employer-Sponsored Drug Plans
SHBC Statement on Legislation. February 29, 2024
Experts question if Canada’s pharmacare plan is the best approach for all Canadians
Smart Health Benefits Coalition Grows With CALU
Who We Are.
