Since its inception in 1924, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) has influenced and helped shape health care policy in Ontario, leading the way through changes, innovations, challenges and opportunities.
Today, most Ontarians take publicly funded, universal health care for granted. Yet many years before the Canada Health Act was passed, the OHA recognized the need for affordable health care in Ontario and introduced Ontario Blue Cross.
In 1957, using staff from the OHA, the Ontario government created the Ontario Hospitals Services Commission to administer the provincial health insurance plan. This ultimately became the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). From that came the Department of Health and then subsequently, the Ministry of Health.
The very roots of Ontario’s health care system can be found in the OHA.
Right now, representing 154 public hospitals, we are assuming a leadership role safeguarding patients and ensuring a results-oriented system through services delivered by our members.
As a major public voice in health care, the OHA advocates on behalf of members for a sustainable system that meets patient care needs; provides leadership through health system research and development, as well as education that serves to help shape the future of health care; and provides services to members that support integration and contribute to the overall quality and efficiency of the health care system.