What is Get Well Canada?

A new approach to health and well-being in B.C.

B.C. has invested heavily in medical care for decades, yet many residents still struggle to access timely treatment. At the same time, the province faces rising living costs, housing challenges and income inequality, factors that significantly impact health outcomes. The Get Well Canada initiative offers a fresh approach to tackling these issues by shifting focus from treating illness to preventing it in the first place.

Get Well Canada is a Generation Squeeze initiative, supported by The Federation. Together, we are working to reshape public policy by prioritizing investments in the social conditions that keep people healthy, such as housing, child care, education and income security, rather than relying solely on medical interventions.

The problem: a health system under pressure

B.C.'s health system is facing increasing strain. Emergency rooms are overcrowded, family doctors are in short supply and wait times for essential services continue to grow. While expanding medical care is often seen as the solution, research tells us otherwise. B.C. already has more doctors per capita than at any point in its history, yet access to care remains a challenge. This raises a crucial question: why are there so many patients in the first place?

The answer lies in the social determinants of health, the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. Studies show that social investments in areas like housing, wages and child care have a greater impact on overall health than medical care alone. When people can afford stable housing, access quality child care and earn a living wage, they are far less likely to develop health issues that require medical attention.

However, B.C.'s spending patterns have not reflected this reality. Since 1976, the province has shifted its priorities, steadily increasing medical spending while allowing social investments to fall behind. The result? A growing number of people living in B.C. face preventable health challenges that further strain the medical system.

The solution: balancing social and medical spending

Get Well Canada promotes an evidence-based approach to budgeting that rebalances investments between medical care and the social determinants of health. A key tool in this effort is the social-medical spending ratio (SE/M ratio), which tracks government spending on social supports and education relative to medical care. This metric serves as a "north star" for guiding fiscal decisions that align with health science.

Historically, B.C.'s SE/M ratio was above 1.22 in 1976, meaning the province spent 22 per cent more on social services and education than on medical care. However, by 2023, this ratio had dropped to 0.92, with medical spending outpacing social investments by eight per cent. If current trends continue, the SE/M ratio is projected to fall to 0.87 by 2026, one of the lowest levels in recent history. This trend is unsustainable, both for the health system and for taxpayers.

By tracking the SE/M ratio and prioritizing upstream investment in health and well-being, Get Well Canada advocates for a smarter, more efficient approach to public spending. The goal is simple: prevent illness before it starts by addressing the root causes of poor health rather than spending billions on medical treatments after the fact.

Why this matters for the Federation's members

The Federation represents more than 155 organizations providing essential frontline services across the province. These organizations work directly with individuals and families experiencing housing instability, income insecurity and lack of access to child care, all of which contribute to poor health outcomes.

Social service providers play a crucial role in preventing health crises before they reach hospitals and clinics. However, they often operate with limited resources, while medical services receive the bulk of new government funding. Get Well Canada seeks to change this dynamic by ensuring that community services are recognized and funded as core components of the health system.

By advocating for a more balanced approach to public investment, The Federation and its members can help create a system that values health promotion and illness prevention just as much as medical treatment. This shift not only benefits the individuals and families they serve but also reduces pressure on hospitals, emergency rooms and other high-cost health-care services.

Looking ahead: a vision for a healthier B.C.

Get Well Canada is more than just a policy initiative; it is a movement to redefine how we think about health and well-being. By making affordable housing, child care, education and wages a central part of B.C.'s health strategy, we can build a future where fewer people need medical care because they are healthier to begin with.

The Federation, alongside Generation Squeeze, is committed to driving this change. By tracking the SE/M ratio, engaging with policymakers and raising awareness through initiatives like Get Well Canada, we aim to ensure that B.C.'s spending aligns with the best evidence on what truly makes people healthy.

For social service providers, policymakers and everyday people living in B.C., the message is clear: investing in social supports is not just about fairness, it is about building a healthier, more sustainable future for all.