Latest news with #ZahidSalman
Associated Press
26-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
GreenShield Expands Essential Medicines Program Across Canada to Bridge Gaps in Drug Coverage for Underserved Canadians
TORONTO, June 26, 2025 /CNW/ - GreenShield, Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, is proud to announce the expansion of its Essential Medicines program (EMP) to Nova Scotia and Alberta. This milestone reinforces GreenShield's commitment to bridging the health equity gap by supporting underserved Canadians. With over one million Canadians lacking prescription drug coverage, this expansion builds on the success of the program's 2023 launch in Ontario and reflects GreenShield's vision for a scalable, community-driven model that delivers universal drug coverage where it is needed most. GreenShield's Essential Medicines program provides 12 months of access to essential prescription medications - up to a value of $1,000 - at no cost to eligible individuals without private or public drug coverage. Medications are dispensed, shipped, and supported through GreenShield's pharmacy, ensuring a seamless and dignified experience for those who need it most. 'Our Essential Medicines program is rooted in our founding purpose,' said Zahid Salman, President & CEO of GreenShield. 'Nearly 70 years ago, our journey began in a Windsor pharmacy, where a mother faced an impossible choice between her health and her child's. That moment inspired our founder to create North America's first prepaid drug plan. Today, that same belief drives us: no Canadian should have to choose between health and affordability. This program shows how public-private partnerships can create lasting, scalable solutions to Canada's healthcare challenges.' Tailored Regional Delivery GreenShield's Essential Medicines program is delivered through customized, community-based partnerships that reflect the unique needs of each region. This approach enables GreenShield to reach those most in need. In Nova Scotia, for example, GreenShield works through a referral-based partnership model with IONS (Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia), connecting with local organizations whose staff and clients require access to essential medicines. One participant, Emily McCallum, a part-time student and nanny managing a fibromyalgia diagnosis, shared: 'It definitely took a large chunk of stress out of things. Even if a doctor changes my medication, I don't have to panic about whether I can afford it. There's at least one consistent thing in my healthcare now—and that gives me more space to focus on school.' In Alberta, the program is being piloted in partnership with The Alex Community Health Centre in Calgary, which has served the city's most vulnerable residents for over 50 years. Bethan Simms, Director of Primary Care at The Alex, noted: 'We see people delay or abandon treatment because they simply can't afford it. GreenShield's partnership has been essential for creating a responsive and supportive environment for our team's needs.' A Scalable Model for National Impact GreenShield's Essential Medicines program is more than a short-term solution—it's a proven, scalable, and sustainable blueprint for equitable access to prescription drug coverage in Canada. As a purpose-driven, non-profit health and benefits company, GreenShield reinvests its services and excess earnings to improve the health and well-being of underserved populations. The organization focuses its efforts where it has the expertise to make the greatest impact—specifically in the areas of mental health, essential medicines, and chronic disease management. The Essential Medicines program is one of several signature initiatives under the GreenShield Cares social impact platform. It is designed to fill critical gaps in the current system by supporting individuals who lack drug coverage, without reducing access for those with employer-sponsored plans or shifting the funding burden to taxpayers. By working with trusted community partners, the program is tailored to local needs while complementing existing public and private systems. 'As we expand to more provinces, the impact of our Essential Medicines program will grow—not just in prescriptions filled, but in lives impacted,' said Mandy Mail, Executive Vice President, GreenShield Cares. 'This is what it looks like when a purpose-driven non-profit organization works hand-in-hand with community partners to deliver meaningful, measurable change. It's not just about access—it's about dignity, equity, and building a healthier future for all.' This program builds on GreenShield's long-standing commitment to addressing Canada's most pressing health challenges through data-informed, community-based solutions. As outlined in its 2024 Impact Report, GreenShield has invested over $59 million and positively impacted nearly 750,000 lives, and is on track to reach its goal of investing $75 million to improve the lives of at least one million Canadians by the end of 2025. Read GreenShield's full Impact Report here: SOURCE GreenShield
Cision Canada
26-06-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
GreenShield Expands Essential Medicines Program Across Canada to Bridge Gaps in Drug Coverage for Underserved Canadians Français
TORONTO, June 26, 2025 /CNW/ - GreenShield, Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, is proud to announce the expansion of its Essential Medicines program (EMP) to Nova Scotia and Alberta. This milestone reinforces GreenShield's commitment to bridging the health equity gap by supporting underserved Canadians. With over one million Canadians lacking prescription drug coverage, this expansion builds on the success of the program's 2023 launch in Ontario and reflects GreenShield's vision for a scalable, community-driven model that delivers universal drug coverage where it is needed most. GreenShield's Essential Medicines program provides 12 months of access to essential prescription medications - up to a value of $1,000 - at no cost to eligible individuals without private or public drug coverage. Medications are dispensed, shipped, and supported through GreenShield's pharmacy, ensuring a seamless and dignified experience for those who need it most. "Our Essential Medicines program is rooted in our founding purpose," said Zahid Salman, President & CEO of GreenShield. "Nearly 70 years ago, our journey began in a Windsor pharmacy, where a mother faced an impossible choice between her health and her child's. That moment inspired our founder to create North America's first prepaid drug plan. Today, that same belief drives us: no Canadian should have to choose between health and affordability. This program shows how public-private partnerships can create lasting, scalable solutions to Canada's healthcare challenges." Tailored Regional Delivery GreenShield's Essential Medicines program is delivered through customized, community-based partnerships that reflect the unique needs of each region. This approach enables GreenShield to reach those most in need. In Nova Scotia, for example, GreenShield works through a referral-based partnership model with IONS (Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia), connecting with local organizations whose staff and clients require access to essential medicines. One participant, Emily McCallum, a part-time student and nanny managing a fibromyalgia diagnosis, shared: "It definitely took a large chunk of stress out of things. Even if a doctor changes my medication, I don't have to panic about whether I can afford it. There's at least one consistent thing in my healthcare now—and that gives me more space to focus on school." In Alberta, the program is being piloted in partnership with The Alex Community Health Centre in Calgary, which has served the city's most vulnerable residents for over 50 years. Bethan Simms, Director of Primary Care at The Alex, noted: "We see people delay or abandon treatment because they simply can't afford it. GreenShield's partnership has been essential for creating a responsive and supportive environment for our team's needs." A Scalable Model for National Impact GreenShield's Essential Medicines program is more than a short-term solution—it's a proven, scalable, and sustainable blueprint for equitable access to prescription drug coverage in Canada. As a purpose-driven, non-profit health and benefits company, GreenShield reinvests its services and excess earnings to improve the health and well-being of underserved populations. The organization focuses its efforts where it has the expertise to make the greatest impact—specifically in the areas of mental health, essential medicines, and chronic disease management. The Essential Medicines program is one of several signature initiatives under the GreenShield Cares social impact platform. It is designed to fill critical gaps in the current system by supporting individuals who lack drug coverage, without reducing access for those with employer-sponsored plans or shifting the funding burden to taxpayers. By working with trusted community partners, the program is tailored to local needs while complementing existing public and private systems. "As we expand to more provinces, the impact of our Essential Medicines program will grow—not just in prescriptions filled, but in lives impacted," said Mandy Mail, Executive Vice President, GreenShield Cares. "This is what it looks like when a purpose-driven non-profit organization works hand-in-hand with community partners to deliver meaningful, measurable change. It's not just about access—it's about dignity, equity, and building a healthier future for all." This program builds on GreenShield's long-standing commitment to addressing Canada's most pressing health challenges through data-informed, community-based solutions. As outlined in its 2024 Impact Report, GreenShield has invested over $59 million and positively impacted nearly 750,000 lives, and is on track to reach its goal of investing $75 million to improve the lives of at least one million Canadians by the end of 2025.
Cision Canada
29-04-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
New Report: Integrating health coverage and care supports a strong, resilient Canada in challenging times Français
TORONTO, April 29, 2025 /CNW/ - GreenShield is proud to release its latest Health Outcomes Report, Measuring Better Health for All, offering timely insights into how integrating coverage and care is supporting Canadians as they navigate new political and economic uncertainty. Amidst a quickly evolving economic landscape, the report reveals how the company's innovative, integrated health and benefits model is enhancing healthcare access, equity, and outcomes for Canadians. Drawing on data from the seven and a half million Canadians that GreenShield supports, the report provides actionable insights into improving access to health care services, mental health support, chronic disease management solutions, and pharmacy care at a time when it's needed most. "With trade tensions and cost of living pressures rising, Canadians are facing new obstacles to accessing the care they deserve. As Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, we are committed to reducing systemic barriers to care and supporting overall health and well-being across the country," said Zahid Salman, President and CEO of GreenShield. "Our latest Health Outcomes Report reveals how our payer-provider model is revolutionizing the health and benefits experience by putting Canadians at the centre. By combining coverage and care into one seamless platform, we are improving health care access, equity and outcomes – reinforcing our mission of Better Health for All." Key insights from the report: Improving mental health during times of uncertainty: Since January, GreenShield has delivered over 27,000 hours of counselling sessions with therapists matched to the personal lived experience of each user. Online appointments were available in less than 24 hours on average and users reported a 21 per cent reduction in symptoms from the first session. Enhancing access to health services: Today, more than one in five Canadians don't have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Of those who do, 40 per cent will wait four days or more, simply to address minor health concerns. This is leading to declining health outcomes and increased visits to emergency rooms. GreenShield is helping with our telemedicine solution. In the first quarter of 2025, 77 percent of appointments made through GreenShield mitigated the need for an in-person visit to an emergency department, family doctor, or walk-in clinic. Integrating pharmacy for better medication adherence: Over 40 per cent of Canadians experience chronic illness, and 20 per cent of them take five or more medications. Medication adherence plays a crucial role in improving health outcomes, particularly for individuals dealing with chronic health conditions. GreenShield Pharmacy is transforming medication management by making it easier for Canadians to access and manage their medications. In the first quarter of 2025, GreenShield Pharmacy delivered 9 percent higher rates of high-medication adherence compared to industry averages, with a 91 percent adherence rate for cardiovascular medication and 85 percent adherence for diabetes drugs. Coverage and care, all in one place With Canadians spending 2.5 times more time navigating healthcare and benefits than actually accessing care, simplifying the health and benefits experience is needed for unlocking better health outcomes in our communities and in our workplaces. GreenShield+ is a first-of-its-kind digital health and benefits ecosystem that offers unprecedented levels of integration between health services – including telemedicine, pharmacy, chronic disease management and mental health services – and benefits plans. With GreenShield+, users can check their coverage, access their benefits, connect with health care providers and get reimbursed for their claim all in one easy-to-use platform. By integrating coverage and care into one seamless solution, GreenShield+ is helping Canadians spend less time navigating the healthcare system and more time taking care of their health. Coverage and care, built around all Canadians As a proud Canadian non-profit, GreenShield operates without short-term profit-driven shareholders, enabling the company to prioritize longer term people and purpose over profits. GreenShield is committed to reinvesting its excess earnings to directly support the health and well-being of underserved communities. Through GreenShield Cares, the company has committed $75 million to improve the health of over one million Canadians by the end of 2025, with a focus on mental health, essential medicines, and chronic disease management. To read GreenShield's latest Health Outcomes Report, visit: About GreenShield As Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, GreenShield believes health care is a right, not a privilege. We're dedicated to improving health outcomes, driving systemic change, and building a future where every Canadian can reach their full health and well-being potential. We are revolutionizing the health and benefits experience with coverage and care in one place. Through our unique integrated payer-provider ("payvider") model, we offer insurance, administer benefits and pay claims as a 'payer' while offering health services such as mental health, pharmacy, telemedicine and chronic disease management as a 'provider'. As a non-profit social enterprise, we don't have shareholders, which allows us to prioritize and reinvest our excess earnings to directly support underserved communities. Through GreenShield Cares, we've committed $75 million to improve the health of over one million Canadians by the end of 2025, focusing on mental health, essential medicines, and chronic disease management. Our scalable initiatives deliver meaningful change in pursuit of Better Health for All. GreenShield is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures, a leading Imagine Canada Caring Company, and named on the Fortune's Change the World list.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Introducing Canada's Most Comprehensive Resource to Aggregate Data on the Diverse Mental Health Needs of Youth Coast to Coast
GreenShield and Mental Health Research Canada are launching the Youth Mental Health Data Hub, delivering unparalleled insights into youth mental health. The publicly available dashboard centralizes data from leading youth organizations to analyze key social and demographic factors and identify trends shaping the lives of young Canadians. TORONTO, April 9, 2025 /CNW/ - With social and economic stressors on the rise, Canada's youth require tailored mental health solutions now more than ever. Yet, for too long youth have primarily been treated as a monolithic group, rather than a diverse population with a complex set of needs. Despite the availability of services, 73% of youth who access mental health supports report that their needs are not fully met. It is with the distinct goal of improving the mental wellbeing of young Canadians, that GreenShield, Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, is partnering with Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) to launch the Youth Mental Health Data Hub (The Data Hub). The Data Hub is the first resource to unite Canada's leading youth mental health datasets, offering a first-of-its-kind dashboard that provides a national snapshot of youth mental health. Updated on a quarterly basis and uniquely informed by young people themselves, the dashboard highlights their biggest challenges and connects to partner databases for deeper insights into the issues they face and the services they use. The Data That's Changing the Conversation The Data Hub's interactive dashboard harnesses robust insights from over 25,000 Canadians to provide a holistic view of youth mental health. This data dashboard reveals critical gaps in navigation, access, and affordability across diverse sociodemographic youth groups, including: 29% of youth do not access support they need because they are unsure sure how to 18% of racialized youth struggle to find culturally sensitive care 30% of students cannot afford mental health support "As a non-profit, GreenShield is committed to tackling Canada's most pressing health challenges with data-driven solutions that advance our mission of Better Health for All. As a purpose-driven company, we have a responsibility to close the gaps in youth mental healthcare, and that starts with data," said Zahid Salman, President & CEO, GreenShield. "Our Youth Mental Health initiative is built on a foundation of evidence, ensuring scalable, sustainable solutions that drive real impact. The Youth Mental Health Data Hub is a critical first step—helping us better understand young people's needs so we can connect them to the right care, at the right time." The Data Hub is a publicly available resource designed to: Provide insights into key subgroups: Including youth of colour, LGBTQ2S+ youth, students, and household income, helping identify barriers to care. Highlight critical gaps: Addressing the urgent need for better navigation, access, and affordability in youth mental health care. Find solutions for long term change: Spotlight gaps in youth mental health services to drive effective solutions that can be scaled over time. "This Data Hub is a unique and powerful resource that will allow stakeholders to better understand the mental health needs of Canada's youth. By having access to current research data from many leading, credible organizations as well as information from youth themselves – organizations, governments and other stakeholders will be empowered to gain deeper insight into supporting the mental health of young Canadians. We celebrate the leadership of GreenShield in their collaborative approach to making data easily accessible to support evidence-based decision making for youth mental health," said Akela Peoples, CEO, MHRC. Not only will The Data Hub be a publicly available resource to policy makers, researchers and educators, it will inform GreenShield's Youth Mental Health initiative to expand access, integrate innovative care solutions, and ensure Canadians between the ages of 15 and 29 receive timely, culturally appropriate support. In collaboration with leading youth mental health organizations, GreenShield will make mental health support more accessible and equitable for youth. "By bringing together like-minded partners, GreenShield is spearheading a collective effort to transform the mental health landscape—ensuring that all youth, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the support they need to thrive," said Mandy Mail, Executive Vice President, Head of GreenShield Cares. "Addressing youth mental health is critical because the formative years are when lifelong habits and coping mechanisms are developed. Providing timely, effective, and culturally appropriate support can prevent long-term mental health challenges and empower young Canadians to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives." The Data Hub is a crucial first step in GreenShield's Youth Mental Health Signature Initiative, to inform the solutions that enable Canadians to receive the right mental health support at the right time. Further announcements will be shared later this year as GreenShield expands its initiative to drive impact nationwide. About GreenShield As Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, GreenShield believes health care is a right, not a privilege. We're dedicated to improving health outcomes, driving systemic change, and building a future where every Canadian can reach their full health and well-being potential. We are revolutionizing the health and benefits experience with coverage and care in one place. Through our unique integrated payer-provider ("payvider") model, offering insurance, administering benefits and paying claims as a 'payer' while offering health services such as mental health, pharmacy, telemedicine and chronic disease management as a 'provider'. As a non-profit social enterprise without shareholders, we prioritize and reinvest our excess earnings to directly support underserved communities. Through GreenShield Cares, we've committed $75 million to improve the health of over one million Canadians by the end of 2025, focusing on mental health, essential medicines, and chronic disease management. Our scalable initiatives deliver meaningful change in pursuit of Better Health for All. GreenShield is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures, a leading Imagine Canada Caring Company, and named on the Fortune's Change the World list. About Mental Health Research Canada Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) is a national charity dedicated to improving mental health in Canada. Mental health systems and services cannot improve without research - it is essential to understand needs and create real solutions. MHRC prioritizes meaningful engagement with communities and Canadians with lived experience to ensure research reflects real needs and leads to impactful solutions. We advance mental health through collaborative partnerships, studentships, seed funding, and data collection and analysis. MHRC monitors the mental health of Canadians and reports on it to governments and stakeholders nationally to support data-informed decision-making on what people need and how Canada's services are performing. Visit for useful data and insights. SOURCE GreenShield Holdings Inc. View original content to download multimedia:
Associated Press
09-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Introducing Canada's Most Comprehensive Resource to Aggregate Data on the Diverse Mental Health Needs of Youth Coast to Coast
GreenShield and Mental Health Research Canada are launching the Youth Mental Health Data Hub, delivering unparalleled insights into youth mental health. The publicly available dashboard centralizes data from leading youth organizations to analyze key social and demographic factors and identify trends shaping the lives of young Canadians. TORONTO, April 9, 2025 /CNW/ - With social and economic stressors on the rise, Canada's youth require tailored mental health solutions now more than ever. Yet, for too long youth have primarily been treated as a monolithic group, rather than a diverse population with a complex set of needs. Despite the availability of services, 73% of youth who access mental health supports report that their needs are not fully met. It is with the distinct goal of improving the mental wellbeing of young Canadians, that GreenShield, Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, is partnering with Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) to launch the Youth Mental Health Data Hub (The Data Hub). The Data Hub is the first resource to unite Canada's leading youth mental health datasets, offering a first-of-its-kind dashboard that provides a national snapshot of youth mental health. Updated on a quarterly basis and uniquely informed by young people themselves, the dashboard highlights their biggest challenges and connects to partner databases for deeper insights into the issues they face and the services they use. The Data That's Changing the Conversation The Data Hub's interactive dashboard harnesses robust insights from over 25,000 Canadians to provide a holistic view of youth mental health. This data dashboard reveals critical gaps in navigation, access, and affordability across diverse sociodemographic youth groups, including: 29% of youth do not access support they need because they are unsure sure how to 18% of racialized youth struggle to find culturally sensitive care 30% of students cannot afford mental health support 'As a non-profit, GreenShield is committed to tackling Canada's most pressing health challenges with data-driven solutions that advance our mission of Better Health for All. As a purpose-driven company, we have a responsibility to close the gaps in youth mental healthcare, and that starts with data,' said Zahid Salman, President & CEO, GreenShield. 'Our Youth Mental Health initiative is built on a foundation of evidence, ensuring scalable, sustainable solutions that drive real impact. The Youth Mental Health Data Hub is a critical first step—helping us better understand young people's needs so we can connect them to the right care, at the right time.' The Data Hub is a publicly available resource designed to: Provide insights into key subgroups: Including youth of colour, LGBTQ2S+ youth, students, and household income, helping identify barriers to care. Highlight critical gaps: Addressing the urgent need for better navigation, access, and affordability in youth mental health care. Find solutions for long term change: Spotlight gaps in youth mental health services to drive effective solutions that can be scaled over time. 'This Data Hub is a unique and powerful resource that will allow stakeholders to better understand the mental health needs of Canada's youth. By having access to current research data from many leading, credible organizations as well as information from youth themselves – organizations, governments and other stakeholders will be empowered to gain deeper insight into supporting the mental health of young Canadians. We celebrate the leadership of GreenShield in their collaborative approach to making data easily accessible to support evidence-based decision making for youth mental health,' said Akela Peoples, CEO, MHRC. Not only will The Data Hub be a publicly available resource to policy makers, researchers and educators, it will inform GreenShield's Youth Mental Health initiative to expand access, integrate innovative care solutions, and ensure Canadians between the ages of 15 and 29 receive timely, culturally appropriate support. In collaboration with leading youth mental health organizations, GreenShield will make mental health support more accessible and equitable for youth. 'By bringing together like-minded partners, GreenShield is spearheading a collective effort to transform the mental health landscape—ensuring that all youth, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the support they need to thrive,' said Mandy Mail, Executive Vice President, Head of GreenShield Cares. 'Addressing youth mental health is critical because the formative years are when lifelong habits and coping mechanisms are developed. Providing timely, effective, and culturally appropriate support can prevent long-term mental health challenges and empower young Canadians to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.' The Data Hub is a crucial first step in GreenShield's Youth Mental Health Signature Initiative, to inform the solutions that enable Canadians to receive the right mental health support at the right time. Further announcements will be shared later this year as GreenShield expands its initiative to drive impact nationwide. About GreenShield As Canada's only national non-profit health and benefits company, GreenShield believes health care is a right, not a privilege. We're dedicated to improving health outcomes, driving systemic change, and building a future where every Canadian can reach their full health and well-being potential. We are revolutionizing the health and benefits experience with coverage and care in one place. Through our unique integrated payer-provider ('payvider') model, offering insurance, administering benefits and paying claims as a 'payer' while offering health services such as mental health, pharmacy, telemedicine and chronic disease management as a 'provider'. As a non-profit social enterprise without shareholders, we prioritize and reinvest our excess earnings to directly support underserved communities. Through GreenShield Cares, we've committed $75 million to improve the health of over one million Canadians by the end of 2025, focusing on mental health, essential medicines, and chronic disease management. Our scalable initiatives deliver meaningful change in pursuit of Better Health for All. GreenShield is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures, a leading Imagine Canada Caring Company, and named on the Fortune's Change the World list. About Mental Health Research Canada Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) is a national charity dedicated to improving mental health in Canada. Mental health systems and services cannot improve without research - it is essential to understand needs and create real solutions. MHRC prioritizes meaningful engagement with communities and Canadians with lived experience to ensure research reflects real needs and leads to impactful solutions. We advance mental health through collaborative partnerships, studentships, seed funding, and data collection and analysis. MHRC monitors the mental health of Canadians and reports on it to governments and stakeholders nationally to support data-informed decision-making on what people need and how Canada's services are performing. Visit for useful data and insights.
