On September 29th, 2010, senior officials from Health Canada, BC Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport and the First Nations Health Council, will be presenting the recently initialed Basis for a Framework Agreement through videoconference to First Nations.
The Basis for a Framework Agreement on First Nations Health Governance is the first step in BC First Nations taking greater control over health programs and services. BC First Nations are the first in Canada to have reached such an agreement with both Federal and Provincial Governments.
The Basis for a Framework Agreement on First Nations Health Governance is a non-binding political agreement that sets the agenda for the negotiation of a legal agreement. The legal agreement will enable a new First Nations Health Authority to take over programs, services, functions and activities of First Nations and Inuit Health BC region, and some FNIH Branch and headquarters roles, activities, and functions. The legal agreement will also describe what current provincial health services may be assumed by a First Nations Health Authority. The legal agreement is expected to be concluded by June 2012.
In undertaking this important work, what are the unique questions and concerns of health directors? The video-conference presentation on September 29th, 2010 offers First Nations Health Directors and their staff the opportunity to speak directly with senior officials about the Basis Agreement. Please join us for this important dialogue on September 29th, 2010.
Poster: Sept 29 UBC Learning Circle – Basis for a Framework Agreement Presentation
POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS
Grand Chief Doug Kelly, First Nations Health Council: Presentation The Basis Agreement – Learning Circles – Sept 2010
Ian Potter, Health Canada: UBC LearningCircle_Sept29
Dr. Shannon MacDonald, BC Healthy Living and Sport: UBC_Learning_Circle_Sep_29
KEY POINTS OF THE BASIS AGREEMENT FINAL DRAFT
- Envisioned that the new health governance structure described in the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan (TFNHP) will have four components: a First Nations Health Council, a First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), a Provincial Committee on First Nations Health, and a First Nations Health Directors Association.
- FNHA will be incorporated as a legal entity under Canada Corporations Act or any successor legislation.
- FNHA initial role: take over programs, services, functions, and activities of FNIH BC, and some FNIH Branch and headquarters roles, activities, and functions.
- FNHA will continue providing programs currently provided by FNIH BC, and in long term work with communities to transform programs to better meet needs.
- FNHA will provide direct support and service delivery for FN health and wellness at population health level, and other areas as agreed.
- FNHA will work with BCFN at regional level to establish a collaborative health table, forum or institution to reflect their collective authority and enter into agreements and partnerships with Health Authorities (p.14).
- FEDERAL PROGRAMS TO BE TRANSFERRED
- Children and youth programs (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, Aboriginal Head Start on Reserve, Maternal and Child Health);
- Mental Health and Addictions Programs (Building Healthy Communities, Brighter Futures, National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Youth Solvent Abuse Program, National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Program, Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support);
- Chronic Disease Programs and Injury Prevention (Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative, Injury Prevention);
- Primary Care (Community Primary Health Care and Nursing Services, Oral Health Care, First Nations Home and Community Care);
- Communicable disease control programs (Vaccine Preventable Diseases (Immunization), Blood Borne Disease and Sexually Transmitted Infections (HIV/AIDS), Respiratory Infections (Tuberculosis, Pandemic Influenza);
- Environmental Health and Research Programs;
- Health Governance/Infrastructure Support (E-health solutions, Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative, Aboriginal Health Integration Fund, Health Careers Program);
- Non Insured Health Benefits Program; and
- Health Facilities and Capital Maintenance.
- Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
- NIHB will be transferred to control of FNHA at time mutually agreed upon [in the future] and subject to detailed transfer agreement negotiated by Implementation Committee.
- BCFN agree that on accepting transfer of NIHB, will be responsible for provision of services to all First Nations residents of BC.