Health

The United Church supports five principles of medicare: universality, accessibility, comprehensiveness, portability, and public administration, as described in the Health Care policy. We also call for reforms that will create a more holistic, community-based, and prevention-oriented health care system.

Information and Action

• Brief Submitted in 2002 to the Commission on the Future of Health Care [PDF: 3 pp/47 KB]
  The United Church affirms its support for the five basic principles of health care as well as the values of solidarity, community, and compassion which underlie them.
• Call to Care (2012)
  The United Church, with over 200 other Canadian organizations, has endorsed this “Call to Care,” naming health care as a basic right that must be protected for all.
• Canadian Health Coalition
  Through representation on the CHC Board, the United Church continues to support and advocate for universal access to health care, fair pricing and access to prescription drugs, and effective continuing care for all.

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Related Partners and Programs

The United Church works in partnership with organizations in Canada and around the world to address health care issues, including the following:

• The Church of North India
  The Church of North India promotes and provides medical services and training, community health work, health education, and AIDS awareness programs.
• The National Council of Churches of Kenya
  The national council engages in a number of initiatives aimed at facilitating accessible, affordable, and quality health care for all Kenyans through its Community Health Project.

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Conference Connections

United Church communities work on health care issues through a variety of initiatives at the local and regional level, including the following:

• Parish Nursing and Health Ministries
  Church is a place to foster wholeness and healing of the body, mind, and spirit. Over 75 United Church congregations are involved in parish nursing initiatives.
• Saskatchewan Conference
  The Conference has presented briefs to the provincial government regarding rural health care.

For more information on initiatives in your local area, please contact your local Conference office.

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Background, Resources, and Links

• Canadian Women's Health Network
  A voluntary national organization aiming to improve the health and lives of girls and women through addressing issues such as education, housing, environment, and gender, which all impact on health.
• Health Council of Canada
  The Health Council of Canada, established by Canada's First Ministers in 2003, works toward health care reform for the Canadian public, with particular attention to accountability and transparency.
• National Network on Environment and Women's Health
  This research network examines the social, economic, and physical environments that affect women's health, including water quality and chemical exposure.

For more information, contact:

• Barbara Lloyd
  Program Coordinator, Public Witness
  The United Church of Canada
  Tel: 416-231-7680 or 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4196
  E-mail: Barbara Lloyd