Myths and Realities 50 Years In
34th Annual Health Policy Conference | March 31 & April 1, 2022
It’s the 50th anniversary of medicare in 2022 and a good time to look back and plan for the future. Looking back is imperative, as we remind ourselves about the roots of medicare, the values and design principles that underpinned the establishment of medicare, and the heroic people who really made a difference in getting those foundations in place. It is equally – in fact more – important to plan for the future, as we recognize the challenges that existed prior to the pandemic, and the new ones that have emerged since. We need to confirm the values and objectives that guide us. Aligning with those, we need to determine what should stay the same and what we need to do differently over the next 50 years.
The 2022 conference brought together research and policy experts, students, patients, and care practitioners from across the health care system. Our speakers appeared virtually, but the conference supported both in-person and virtual attendance for participants.
Download the conference summary report.
Program
Day 1: Thursday, March 31
12:30 pm | Welcome Remarks
Jason Sutherland, UBC Centre for Health Services and Policy Research
Musqueam Elder Larry Grant, UBC First Nations House of Learning
Kim McGrail, UBC Centre for Health Services and Policy Research
1:00 pm | Origin Stories
The public health care systems we have now evolved over decades. By 1972 all jurisdictions in Canada had public insurance for hospital and physician services, following principles of “equal terms and conditions” articulated by the Hall Commission. As we mark a half century of medicare, it is useful to revisit the roots of medicare and the rationale and vision for health care systems in Canada.
Chair: Kim McGrail, UBC Centre for Health Services and Policy Research
The emergence of medicare in Canada: Principles and promise
Gregory Marchildon, University of Toronto
Compromises, challenges, and the need for innovation
David Naylor, Covid-19 Immunity Task Force and University of Toronto
2:45 pm | The Reality of Where We Are Now
Our health care systems are described as forming an important piece of our national identity. The principles of medicare, including equity, are held as critical. The system has functioned well in some ways, but falls short in others. Understanding both the successes and failures is an important part of contemplating how we approach the next fifty years.
Chair: Michael Law, UBC Centre for Health Services and Policy Research
The promise of medicare and the reality of our experience
Danielle Martin, University of Toronto [Slides]
Perspectives on long-term care
Amy Hsu, Bruyère Research Institute and University of Ottawa [Slides]
4:15 pm | Summary
Ruth Lavergne, Dalhousie University
4:30 pm | Poster Session and Reception
Day 2: Friday, April 1
8:30 am | Welcome Remarks
Kim McGrail, UBC Centre for Health Services and Policy Research
Aslam Anis, UBC School of Population and Public Health
Rick Glazier, CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research
8:45 am | Green Shoots in the Current System
There are some promising developments in health care systems in Canada. These are bringing in new perspectives, new partnerships, and are challenging existing structures. There are likely lessons we can learn and apply in other places.
Chair: Sabrina Wong, UBC Centre for Health Services and Policy Research
A new take on primary care reform, including Indigenous primary health care and policy research
Stephanie Montesanti, University of Alberta and Pamela Roach, University of Calgary [Slides]
Putting people first: Health and social services transformation in Yukon
Stephen Samis, formerly with Government of Yukon [Slides]
10:30 am | Rooting our Values in Post-Pandemic Health Systems
All health systems are now facing choices, both about how to address long-standing issues and how to recover from the broad effects of the pandemic. The desire for different outcomes will require different choices, and challenging the status quo.
Chair: Rick Glazier, CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research
Responsible innovation in health and lessons for sustainable health systems
Pascale Lehoux, Université de Montréal [Slides]
Taking equity seriously in health system planning
Kwame McKenzie, Wellesley Institute [Slides]
12:15 pm | Summary and Closing
Ruth Lavergne, Dalhousie University
Kim McGrail, UBC Centre for Health Services and Policy Research