Communiqué from Regional Chief Stan Beardy – Non-Insured Health Benefits Joint Review

The Assembly of First Nations issues regular updates on work underway at the national office.
More information can be found at www.afn.ca.

One of my tasks as the portfolio holder for health on the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Executive Committee is to maintain communication with leadership and communities on the AFN’s work related to health. After the Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Halifax, which saw significant attention paid to health topics, the fall is proving to be busier than ever.

Non-Insured Health Benefits Joint Review

The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program continues to play a central role in the health and wellbeing of First Nations people. As such, with direction from Chiefs in Assembly, the Chiefs Committee on Health (CCOH) and the National First Nations Health Technicians Network (NFNHTN), the AFN has undertaken a renewed campaign demanding fundamental and systemic changes to the NIHB program.

These efforts have been met with challenges and frustrations, but also with some notable successes. In March 2014 the AFN secured agreement from federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose to conduct, in full partnership with the AFN, a comprehensive Joint Review of the NIHB program aimed at identifying inefficiencies in the administration of the program, identifying service barriers and inequitable policies and identifying potential solutions to these challenges.

The NIHB Joint Review is directed by a Steering Committee comprised of equal representation of First Nations and First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) staff. First Nations representatives were identified through the same governance process that guides AFN health work. The Steering Committee includes Chiefs from CCOH, members of the NFNHTN, regional NIHB Navigators and the Associate Director of Health at the AFN. Significantly, the FNIHB representatives include those in positions that make decisions regarding the program, including Assistant Deputy Ministers. In addition, the group is collectively guided by an Elder.

The inaugural meeting of the NIHB Joint Review Steering Committee, co-chaired by CCOH member Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee and FNIHB Assistant Deputy Minister Sony Perron, took place in Ottawa on October 7, 2014. A frank and productive conversation resulted in the development of three sub-committees with clear and specific tasks to move the Joint Review forward.

The first sub-committee is tasked with finalizing a Terms of Reference for final approval by the Steering Committee. The second sub-committee is tasked with identifying a number of quick wins that will have an immediate impact on the ground. The Steering Committee articulated a need for these quick wins because First Nations have demanded immediate changes alongside the work of the NIHB Joint Review, which will necessarily be a lengthier process. The third sub-committee will develop a Critical Path document that will articulate the work of the Steering Committee, specifically identifying goals and actions required to reach these goals. The work of these three sub-committees is well underway and will be tabled at the next face-to-face meeting of the Steering Committee in January 2015.

This is certainly an exciting and pivotal development that has the potential to profoundly impact the health and wellbeing of our people. Given its importance, I will continue to utilize these communiqués to maintain regular communication on the progress of the Steering Committee and the Joint Review.

Meegwetch,
Regional Chief Stan Beardy