Cooperative Definition

A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations throu gh a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.

Cooperative Principles

Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others. The cooperative principles are guidelines by which cooperatives put their values into practice: 1. Voluntary and Open Membership; 2. Democratic Member Control (one member, one vote); 3. Member Economic Participation; 4. Autonomy and Independence; 5. Education, Training and Information; 6. Co-operation Among Cooperatives; and 7. Concern for Community.

Health Cooperatives

Based on coop principles and values, people create different forms/models of health care cooperatives. One of the most known cooperative models is the user/client-owned model. User or client-owned health cooperatives are set up by individuals in the same community to help them meet their own health care needs. Members of the coop determine goals and practices, thereby enabling ordinary citizens to empower themselves with respect to health care. Members-owners each contribute shares of capital and subsequently contribute to operating costs, usually by prepaid premiums and appoint managers to negotiate contracts with health insurance and health care providers. Often these cooperatives purchase and operate hospitals and other facilities, and hire professional and other staff. Services range from simple preventive care and basic insurance to advanced curative and rehabilitative interventions. There are also cooperatives owned by health professionals and pharmacy coops. In fact, cooperatives are being used as the model in the social economy and the delivery of a wide range of social services around the world.

Community Health Centers that follow the cooperative model are non-profit organizations, owned and operated by the members who use their services. Members elect a board of directors who govern the center. Each member has one vote, regardless of the number of shares held by the member. Members and users are involved in defining the centre’s mission, mandates, goals, and the types of services offered. With the cooperative model, community participation can be facilitated through Board representation, committees of the Board, development of needs assessment, satisfaction surveys, fundraising, volunteer involvement etc. Community Health Centers that are not cooperatives provide similar programs and services as a cooperative, but the level of community membership and control is not as extensive.