Allan Katz
@allankatz.bsky.social
Bilingual health system executive, strategist, and planner
Exécutif, stratège, et planificateur du système de santé bilingue
katzhealth.ca | Kingston, Ontario
Exécutif, stratège, et planificateur du système de santé bilingue
katzhealth.ca | Kingston, Ontario
Une agence provinciale doit nécessairement faire quelque chose d'incroyablement et délibérément malveillant lorsque 𝗹'𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 recommande d'ajouter plus de contenu en anglais à son site Web !
bit.ly/4aPTo28
bit.ly/4aPTo28
Santé Québec defends mostly French website despite anglo concerns
Still, the agency is in talks with the Office québécois de la langue française and the Ministry of the French Language about the possibility of adding some English.
bit.ly
December 15, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Une agence provinciale doit nécessairement faire quelque chose d'incroyablement et délibérément malveillant lorsque 𝗹'𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 recommande d'ajouter plus de contenu en anglais à son site Web !
bit.ly/4aPTo28
bit.ly/4aPTo28
Tomorrow is White Ribbon Day. It has been 36 years.
Demain, c'est la Journée du Ruban Blanc. Ça fait 36 ans.
Demain, c'est la Journée du Ruban Blanc. Ça fait 36 ans.
December 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Tomorrow is White Ribbon Day. It has been 36 years.
Demain, c'est la Journée du Ruban Blanc. Ça fait 36 ans.
Demain, c'est la Journée du Ruban Blanc. Ça fait 36 ans.
43% of #physicians in #Canada surveyed do not feel #trusted or #respected by #government, according to AbacusData. I reckon a similar result would likely be obtained if repeated with other health care professions.
How can anyone expect success from this low trust environment?
How can anyone expect success from this low trust environment?
Canadian Physicians say Bill 26 and Bill 2 are Undermining Healthcare in Canada. - Abacus Data
%
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
43% of #physicians in #Canada surveyed do not feel #trusted or #respected by #government, according to AbacusData. I reckon a similar result would likely be obtained if repeated with other health care professions.
How can anyone expect success from this low trust environment?
How can anyone expect success from this low trust environment?
(Fierce) Excellent piece on rural health by Ayla Ellison. In large swaths of America, #hospitalclosures, #servicecuts and #fragilefinances are creating #rural #healthcare deserts or #survivalbysubtraction. Beyond intermittent #EDclosures, this is happening across #Canada without much discussion.
When the hospital leaves town
There are two kinds of Americans: those who live 12 minutes from an emergency department and those who live 72. | In large swaths of rural America, the basic expectation that an ambulance will reach a...
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
(Fierce) Excellent piece on rural health by Ayla Ellison. In large swaths of America, #hospitalclosures, #servicecuts and #fragilefinances are creating #rural #healthcare deserts or #survivalbysubtraction. Beyond intermittent #EDclosures, this is happening across #Canada without much discussion.
Since 2020, 116 #ruralhospitals in the US have closed their labor & delivery #LD units. Presently, 950 of the 2,396 rural hospitals offer #LD. Of the remaining hospitals, 127 are at risk of ending #LD. Is anyone collecting and publicly sharing similar Canadian information at the F/P/T levels?
ruralhospitals.chqpr.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Since 2020, 116 #ruralhospitals in the US have closed their labor & delivery #LD units. Presently, 950 of the 2,396 rural hospitals offer #LD. Of the remaining hospitals, 127 are at risk of ending #LD. Is anyone collecting and publicly sharing similar Canadian information at the F/P/T levels?
Interesting article reviews #access to #primarycare for ~10M urban and suburban Ontarians and recommends prioritization of access to care close to home. Unfortunately, the study excluded the rural population which merits a similar exploration: 30 km travel for rural residents? A walk in the park!
These patients have a family doctor, but they’re hours away. The hidden health-care struggle for thousands in Ontario
A study published Monday measured how geographical distance between family doctors and their patients might affect quality of care.
bit.ly
November 3, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Interesting article reviews #access to #primarycare for ~10M urban and suburban Ontarians and recommends prioritization of access to care close to home. Unfortunately, the study excluded the rural population which merits a similar exploration: 30 km travel for rural residents? A walk in the park!
Given existing and projected workforce shortages, this letter studied rates of #poverty, #foodinsecurity, and #housinginstability among #healthcareworkers in the US. Direct care/support workers reported the highest rates of hardship. Should we track this in Canada? #canaryinthecoalmine
Poverty, Food Insecurity, and Housing Instability Among US Health Care Workers
This study examines rates of poverty, food insecurity, and housing instability among US health care workers.
bit.ly
October 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Given existing and projected workforce shortages, this letter studied rates of #poverty, #foodinsecurity, and #housinginstability among #healthcareworkers in the US. Direct care/support workers reported the highest rates of hardship. Should we track this in Canada? #canaryinthecoalmine
(@IEDM_montreal) While #nursing vacancies have tripled in just five years across Canada, jumping from 13,178 in 2018 to 41,716 in 2023, Emmanuelle B. Faubert's report saw only BC and Québec saw improvements in #nurse #retention rates (inflow/outflow) since 2014.
Quebec: 37 nurses below the age of 35 left the workforce for every 100 new nurses that started in 2023, finds new MEI report | Montreal Economic Institute
Canada is burning through its young nurses at an alarming rate as healthcare systems across the country struggle to retain them, reveals a new publication released this morning by the MEI.
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
(@IEDM_montreal) While #nursing vacancies have tripled in just five years across Canada, jumping from 13,178 in 2018 to 41,716 in 2023, Emmanuelle B. Faubert's report saw only BC and Québec saw improvements in #nurse #retention rates (inflow/outflow) since 2014.
Congratulations to Sunnybrook and its partners for launching 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 - where patients with cancer and their families receive continuous support between appointments and after hospital stays. Where feasible and safe, this should be the #strategicdirection for all care.
Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Program launches Cancer Care at Home
Sunnybrook is launching Cancer Care at Home, an integrated model that brings more care into the home so patients with cancer and their families receive continuous support between appointments and after hospital stays. Enabled by an impactful donation
bit.ly
October 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Congratulations to Sunnybrook and its partners for launching 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 - where patients with cancer and their families receive continuous support between appointments and after hospital stays. Where feasible and safe, this should be the #strategicdirection for all care.
#IMGs will have to have at least 2 years of high school in Ontario - the only province in the country with such a requirement. Given the current status of physician vacancies across the country (i.e., desperate need), there will be nothing but negative consequences from this.
Story → bit.ly/3WGthm0
Story → bit.ly/3WGthm0
October 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
#IMGs will have to have at least 2 years of high school in Ontario - the only province in the country with such a requirement. Given the current status of physician vacancies across the country (i.e., desperate need), there will be nothing but negative consequences from this.
Story → bit.ly/3WGthm0
Story → bit.ly/3WGthm0
Toronto's Dunn House needs to be celebrated and spread. Congratulations to to Andrew Boozary and the teams at University Health Network, @FredVictorTO, and others for their commitment and perseverance. Politicians, public and private sector leadership must support this incredible transformation.
Jason Miles’ addiction cost $260,000 in emergency room, shelter and jail stays. A Toronto hospital’s radical solution: just give him a home
Jason Miles’ addiction cost $260,000 in emergency room, shelter and jail stays. A Toronto hospital’s radical solution: just give him a home
bit.ly
October 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Toronto's Dunn House needs to be celebrated and spread. Congratulations to to Andrew Boozary and the teams at University Health Network, @FredVictorTO, and others for their commitment and perseverance. Politicians, public and private sector leadership must support this incredible transformation.
(CBC) Apologies for being late to comment on #TylenolAutism, but I definitely think the #SaganStandard applies here : "𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲".
And we have yet to see the latter.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
And we have yet to see the latter.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
September 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM
(CBC) Apologies for being late to comment on #TylenolAutism, but I definitely think the #SaganStandard applies here : "𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲".
And we have yet to see the latter.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
And we have yet to see the latter.
www.cbc.ca/news/health/...
(JAMA) While @samhhsagov data does not precisely mirror Canadian experience, the information presented here suggests that people with #mentalhealth conditions are at increased risk of developing #substanceuse disorders because they may #selfmedicate with #drugs or #alcohol.
September 26, 2025 at 4:56 PM
(JAMA) While @samhhsagov data does not precisely mirror Canadian experience, the information presented here suggests that people with #mentalhealth conditions are at increased risk of developing #substanceuse disorders because they may #selfmedicate with #drugs or #alcohol.
Study indicates considerable variation in price markup exists across US hospitals and that high markups demonstrated 𝚋̲𝚘̲𝚝̲𝚑̲ 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝚊̲𝚗̲𝚍̲ 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲. These findings underscore that key initial policy targets for #pricingregulation, #transparency, and #qualityimprovement should take precedence.
Hospital Price Markup and Outcomes of Major Elective Operations
This cross-sectional study characterizes US national variation in the hospital price markup for 4 major elective operations and assesses the association of markup with perioperative outcomes and overa...
jamanetwork.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Study indicates considerable variation in price markup exists across US hospitals and that high markups demonstrated 𝚋̲𝚘̲𝚝̲𝚑̲ 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝚊̲𝚗̲𝚍̲ 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲. These findings underscore that key initial policy targets for #pricingregulation, #transparency, and #qualityimprovement should take precedence.
In 2025, the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag is celebrated today, a powerful symbol of language, culture, and resilience. For five decades, this green and white flag has flown as a sign of unity and belonging for Ontario’s Francophones.
September 25, 2025 at 1:28 PM
In 2025, the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag is celebrated today, a powerful symbol of language, culture, and resilience. For five decades, this green and white flag has flown as a sign of unity and belonging for Ontario’s Francophones.
En 2025, le 50ᵉ anniversaire du drapeau franco-ontarien est célébré aujourd'hui, un puissant symbole de langue, de culture et de résilience. Depuis cinq décennies, ce drapeau vert et blanc flotte comme un signe d’unité et d’appartenance pour les francophones de l’Ontario.
September 25, 2025 at 1:27 PM
En 2025, le 50ᵉ anniversaire du drapeau franco-ontarien est célébré aujourd'hui, un puissant symbole de langue, de culture et de résilience. Depuis cinq décennies, ce drapeau vert et blanc flotte comme un signe d’unité et d’appartenance pour les francophones de l’Ontario.
@niageing's newest report underscores the urgent need for more coordinated, comprehensive strategies to tackle #dementia - one of Canada’s fastest-growing health challenges, including three policy recommendations (see infographic).
Full report available at tinyurl.com/357bcmyj
Full report available at tinyurl.com/357bcmyj
September 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
@niageing's newest report underscores the urgent need for more coordinated, comprehensive strategies to tackle #dementia - one of Canada’s fastest-growing health challenges, including three policy recommendations (see infographic).
Full report available at tinyurl.com/357bcmyj
Full report available at tinyurl.com/357bcmyj
(CMAJ) While #virtual care may have improved access and convenience for some patients, on the whole, the increased availability of virtual care did not meaningfully increase its use for patients living far from #specialists, especially for #rural residents.
Changes in driving distance to specialist physicians in the era of virtual care: a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada
Background: Whether virtual health care has changed access to services for patients living far from a specialist physician is unknown. We aimed to determine whether driving distances between patients ...
www.cmaj.ca
September 23, 2025 at 1:27 PM
(CMAJ) While #virtual care may have improved access and convenience for some patients, on the whole, the increased availability of virtual care did not meaningfully increase its use for patients living far from #specialists, especially for #rural residents.
(Toronto Star) I don't post on Sundays, but I'll make an exception. Set aside the artificial points program and fast track permanent residency for Dr. Antil and the other 2,436 #GPs, 170 #surgeons and 519 #specialists in the talent pool ASAP! Read the room @CitImmCanada - this is a no-brainer!
This American family doctor in Toronto is trying to get permanent residence. Canada’s new immigration rule has thrown him a curveball
Age, lack of French and a rule change are obstacles for the U.S. family doctor, who has practised in Toronto for two years.
tinyurl.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:32 PM
(Toronto Star) I don't post on Sundays, but I'll make an exception. Set aside the artificial points program and fast track permanent residency for Dr. Antil and the other 2,436 #GPs, 170 #surgeons and 519 #specialists in the talent pool ASAP! Read the room @CitImmCanada - this is a no-brainer!
(@IEDM_Montréal) The number of patients leaving ERs #LWBS before receiving treatment is underscoring ongoing concerns about Canadian hospitals. In Québec, 11% leave without being been but 18% of those return within 48 hours. Only 50% of LWBS are CTAS level 4 (semi-urgent) level 5 (non-urgent).
Too Many Canadians Are Leaving Emergency Rooms Untreated | Montreal Economic Institute
The number of patients leaving Quebec’s emergency rooms without being treated is rising, reveals this MEI report. “These patients are not leaving because they feel better, but because the system is fa...
bit.ly
September 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
(@IEDM_Montréal) The number of patients leaving ERs #LWBS before receiving treatment is underscoring ongoing concerns about Canadian hospitals. In Québec, 11% leave without being been but 18% of those return within 48 hours. Only 50% of LWBS are CTAS level 4 (semi-urgent) level 5 (non-urgent).
(The Lancet) In 2023, 44% of people over 15 years of age with #diabetes were #undiagnosed. People under 35 years were much less likely to be diagnosed. Implications on access to #healthpromotion, #preventative and #primarycare to avoid co-morbid conditions are incredibly significant.
bit.ly/3K87gK0
bit.ly/3K87gK0
Global, regional, and national cascades of diabetes care, 2000–23: a systematic review and modelling analysis using findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study
Despite improvements over the past two decades, underdiagnosis and suboptimal glycaemic
management of diabetes remain major challenges globally, particularly in low-income
and middle-income countries....
bit.ly
September 18, 2025 at 8:17 PM
(The Lancet) In 2023, 44% of people over 15 years of age with #diabetes were #undiagnosed. People under 35 years were much less likely to be diagnosed. Implications on access to #healthpromotion, #preventative and #primarycare to avoid co-morbid conditions are incredibly significant.
bit.ly/3K87gK0
bit.ly/3K87gK0
With the coverage of beloved children's author Robert Munsch's decision on a medically assisted death after being diagnosed with #dementia and #Parkinson's disease, this piece on #MAID in Quebec by Aaron Derfel on the number of advanced requests there is timely.
bit.ly/46DuO25
bit.ly/46DuO25
Quebec expanded MAID to dementia last year. The province has since approved more than 1,400 requests
But it’s not known yet how many people with Alzheimer’s disease have ended their lives as a result of medically assisted dying.
bit.ly
September 17, 2025 at 8:28 PM
With the coverage of beloved children's author Robert Munsch's decision on a medically assisted death after being diagnosed with #dementia and #Parkinson's disease, this piece on #MAID in Quebec by Aaron Derfel on the number of advanced requests there is timely.
bit.ly/46DuO25
bit.ly/46DuO25
(US) CMS has opened up state applications for the five-year, $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program intended to address upcoming cuts to hospitals’ Medicaid funding.
I suggest a similar F/P/T fund to stimulate #rural #health #innovation and #transformation. #RuralHealthisNationBuilding
I suggest a similar F/P/T fund to stimulate #rural #health #innovation and #transformation. #RuralHealthisNationBuilding
Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program | CMS
Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program
bit.ly
September 16, 2025 at 2:21 PM
(US) CMS has opened up state applications for the five-year, $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program intended to address upcoming cuts to hospitals’ Medicaid funding.
I suggest a similar F/P/T fund to stimulate #rural #health #innovation and #transformation. #RuralHealthisNationBuilding
I suggest a similar F/P/T fund to stimulate #rural #health #innovation and #transformation. #RuralHealthisNationBuilding
(KFF) Independent US rural hospitals are joining clinically integrated networks to save money and improve patient care. Some also invest in broadband, housing, and other community projects that can help people stay healthy and access care.
#ruralhealth #innovation #accesstocare
bit.ly/4mYOO53
#ruralhealth #innovation #accesstocare
bit.ly/4mYOO53
Instead of Selling, Some Rural Hospitals Band Together To Survive - KFF Health News
Independent and rural hospitals are collaborating with their neighbors to shore up their finances instead of joining larger health systems to stay afloat.
bit.ly
September 15, 2025 at 2:10 PM
(KFF) Independent US rural hospitals are joining clinically integrated networks to save money and improve patient care. Some also invest in broadband, housing, and other community projects that can help people stay healthy and access care.
#ruralhealth #innovation #accesstocare
bit.ly/4mYOO53
#ruralhealth #innovation #accesstocare
bit.ly/4mYOO53
(MedicalDaily/WHO) 1 in 6 adults 60+ experienced #abuse in #community settings in 2024, while a staggering 2 of 3 #nursing-home staff admitted to committing abuse within the same period. Under-reporting compounds the crisis.
(WHO link in comments) bit.ly/45fA0aA
(WHO link in comments) bit.ly/45fA0aA
Silent Harm: Recognizing Early Medical Signs of Nursing-Home Abuse
Abuse of older people is far more common than most families realize. A recent World Health Organization fact sheet reports that one in six adults over 60 experienced abuse in community settings last y...
bit.ly
August 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
(MedicalDaily/WHO) 1 in 6 adults 60+ experienced #abuse in #community settings in 2024, while a staggering 2 of 3 #nursing-home staff admitted to committing abuse within the same period. Under-reporting compounds the crisis.
(WHO link in comments) bit.ly/45fA0aA
(WHO link in comments) bit.ly/45fA0aA