NHPC's Proposed $1500 Holistic Health & Fitness Tax Credit Warmly Received – Now is The Time

On January 12, 2012, representatives from Natural Health Practitioners of Canada met with the Honourable Fred Horne, Alberta's Minister of Health and Wellness. The intent of the meeting was to gauge the Minister's views on an NHPC proposed $1500 Holistic Health & Fitness Tax Credit.

We are pleased to report that Minister Horne responded warmly to the concept and is looking forward to pursuing a relationship with the NHPC on this and other issues.

More research is required into the costs and benefits of a $1500 Holistic Health & Fitness Tax Credit and NHPC has asked the Alberta Government to partner with the NHPC on the development and execution of this research.

NHPC has begun the research process and is working on completion of a Literature Review on the cost and treatment effectiveness of natural health modalities. NHPC's practitioner and patient surveys are also a part of this research that will help move the Tax Credit forward .

The Honourable Fred Horne stated that the Holistic Health & Fitness Tax Credit is "a brilliant idea". The Tax Credit is a way to encourage and enable people to take responsibility for their wellness and reduce government costs related to illness remedies and treatment.

NHPC believes that improving access to natural health modalities will improve wellness and decrease cost pressures on healthcare systems. Alberta's implemention of NHPC's proposed $1500 Holistic Health & Fitness Tax Credit could set the precedent for other provinces in Canada.

With this in mind, representatives from NHPC will be meeting with other provincial Health Ministers to demonstrate how natural health practices complete wellness initiatives and to advocate for a $1500 Holistic Health & Fitness Tax Credit in all Canadian jurisdictions.

Imagine if all Canadians had improved access to natural healthcare. As an NHPC member, how would your experience change if a substantial financial barrier to accessing natural health practices were removed for your clients?

What would be the impact if Canadians were not reliant on health benefits insurance to dictate their health and wellness planning? Consider how much more likely people would be to explore natural healthcare if the financial barriers were lessened.

The Natural Health Practitioners of Canada believes that now is the time to remove the barriers to accessing natural healthcare and to support Canadians in their pursuit of health and wellness.

The far-reaching economic/cost benefit research has yet to be completed but NHPC is well on its way to facilitating a Holistic Health & Fitness Tax Credit, which would create the very circumstances we have all imagined.

NHPC will continue to update you on this important NHPC initiative. Read the follow-up letter sent to the Alberta's Minister of Health and Wellness.