Briefing Note 7.5
DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR AN “H10” AND POSSIBLE LOBBY DAY
PURPOSE
This briefing note proposes the formation of a stepped-up political presence of academic health science
centre (AHSC) CEOs in Ottawa, under the auspices of HealthCareCAN.
BACKGROUND
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For some time, there have been calls for an increased healthcare/ASHC CEO presence in Ottawa.
The need for this forum has recently been heightened due to the following:
o The “time-out” on additional funding to the federal granting councils in the April 21, Federal
Budget which may affect healthcare organizations significantly
o The impending release of the Federal Innovation Advisory Panel report to which academic
health science centres should be prepared to respond.
o Poor understanding of the national role of academic health science centres in the federal
innovation ecosystem.
o Increasing confusion in Ottawa around the respective roles and responsibilities of academic
health sciences centres (AHSCs) and the universities
o The election platforms released by the political parties signal a heightened need for
advocacy capacity as it pertains to health and health research issues.
A model for consideration is the lobby of the research intensive universities (U15) which has
secured research resources for all areas of universities. It includes:
o (1) direct political relationships between the university presidents and government both as
individuals and under the U15 banner;
o (2) deliberate, streamlined, limited and consistent messages carried by the university
presidents - both as individuals and under the U-15 banner
CONSIDERATIONS
Proposed mandate:
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To raise the political ante, primarily for members’ research and innovation needs, by providing a
high-profile political presence of healthcare CEOs in Ottawa.
This will be part of an integrated political campaign that would begin after the June National Health
Leadership Conference in Prince Edward Island, through the October election, to the Spring 2016
Federal Budget and beyond.
Proposed goals and objectives:
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H10/20 would champion the health research and innovation agenda of academic health science
centres (AHSCs) in Canada as well as direction for a sector fund.
The goal of H10/20 is to provide a strong political voice in Ottawa for academic health sciences
centres that will result in more favourable health research policy and funding.
VPR Meeting October 22, 2015 – H-10 and Possible Lobby Day
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The objective is to convert the health research and innovation imperative in healthcare
organizations, into a compelling policy plank en route to being included in the next Speech from the
Throne and Federal Budget 2016.
A second objective is to create a community of practice to educate political audiences on the need
for AHSCs/research in patient care settings, today and into the future.
Over-arching messages of the H10/20:
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The overarching ask of the H10/20 will relate to HealthCareCAN’s calls for national recognition of
academic centres and increased funding for CIHR, message include:
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AHSCs are “nationally significant” and bring benefit to all of Canada.
Funding for health research must increase to remain internationally competitive.
Infrastructure for health research must be supported with favourable policy.
The “framing” and “supporting materials” of these asks will be determined based on the intelligence
and advice receive on the exact nature of the political context to emerge.
The asks will be first brought forward at the AHSN Lobby Day (see BN 9.2)
Criteria for membership:
The H10 must consist of CEOs able, willing, and interested in participating personally in this forum.
Ideally, the criteria for membership would include:
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National representation through the CEOs of the largest national health research performers in
each of the largest Canadian cities are presented across each region;
HealthCareCAN Board members with advanced research standing and/or interests;
Given the unique nature of this activity, participants may be asked for an additional outlay of $5K-$10K
to cover additional marketing, communications, GR or campaign costs.
Suggested modus operandi:
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The formation of H10 will be overseen by a small steering group of CEOs coming out of the 2015
AHSN Symposium. Its name and number is TBD.
The H10 would be a strategic and political group of CEOs. Their role is to carry the research and
innovation torch for academic health sciences and all members.
H10 will be modelled in consideration of the lessons learned in the formation of U15. For example,
U15 had to evolve its size and membership to be truly national.
H10 would seek to work in collaboration with the Universities, U15 and the faculties of medicine
(AFMC).
To ensure there are benefits to the H10 CEOs and their organizations agreeing to partake, the H10
will use the same modus operandi as U15, which is as follows: political opportunities will be
arranged for each member of the H10 wearing his or her own organization’s hat and bearing his or
her organizations requests. However, the first ask must be the agreed upon ask and presentation of
the full H10 group.
The President & CEO of HealthCareCAN, experienced staff, and consultants in communications,
marketing and government relations will support H10/20.
The H10 may be funded with an annual budget of $50K-$75K to support additional for government
relations, marketing, communications and campaign support. Each H10 member must be willing to
make an additional outlay of 5K-10K as necessary.
VPR Meeting October 22, 2015 – H-10 and Possible Lobby Day
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To succeed, the H10 must maintain the support of the membership. Consider that at face value, the
AUCC and U15 (a subset of AUCC members) are allies not competitors.
H10 is in essence an experiment that we will monitor carefully. We will attempt to do in a very short
period of time what the universities have done over several years.
We will evaluate the process as we go along and annually and readjust as needed.
Proposed collaboration:
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The proposed H10 would work alongside the VPRs table at HealthCareCAN, and under the
auspices of the HealthCareCAN Board and all other members.
HealthCareCAN will also continue to work in collaboration with Research Canada, which will be
encouraged to step up its lobbying efforts in concert with H10.
HealthCareCAN will also continue to work in collaboration with the conference of Western CEOs,
CAHO, the emerging Atlantic G-4 group, AFMC and others.
DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION
Board direction and discussion are requested on the following:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Are the concept and motivation clear and appropriate?
Does this proposal have elements that could be improved or that cause concern?
Are the mandate, criteria for membership and modus operandi reasonable?
Is the Board comfortable with us working towards an AHSN Lobby Day?
Prepared by:
Bill Tholl, President & CEO, HealthCareCAN
Tina Saryeddine, Executive Director Research & Innovation,
HealthCareCAN in consultation with representatives from the VPR
Roundtable.
Date: October 26, 2015
VPR Meeting October 22, 2015 – H-10 and Possible Lobby Day
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