Plan sponsors and members finally have collective voice at policy tables.
The Smart Health Benefits Association (SHBA), Canada’s first not-for-profit advocacy body for private health and retirement benefits, officially launched on October 1.
SHBA’s top advocacy areas include national pharmacare, virtual care, the Medical Expense Tax Credit, national dental coverage, CAPSA guidelines and national insurance pooling.
“Big issues can come up very quickly and have a dramatic impact on plan sponsors and their employees. SHBA ensures we’re always in a state of readiness and are proactive,” says Todd Stephen, Vice Chair of the Board and Vice President, Employee Benefits & Pension, Selectpath Benefits & Financial, a member firm of Benefits Alliance.
The SHBA already represents 10 million plan members and 65,000 plan sponsors through its five founding members: Benefits Alliance, GroupHEALTH Benefit Solutions, HUB, Navacord and People Corporation. At this time, membership remains focussed on benefits advisory firms to quickly build critical mass and gain the attention of policymakers and regulators.
“We’re calling on all benefits advisors to be part of an unprecedented collaboration to improve not only private plans but also access to healthcare for all Canadians, including those who are uninsured or underinsured,” says Gary Walters, Chair of the SHBA Board and Chief Actuary, GroupHEALTH. “Advisors are uniquely positioned to explain the plan-member and plan-sponsor experience.”
Adds Stephen: “We have set the stage for better collaboration and the likelihood that when decision makers are debating internally about health options, they’ll be better positioned to land on better policy.”