A regional health authority (RHA) is a provincial organization responsible for planning and delivering healthcare services across a defined geographic area. RHAs operate hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community health services within their regions. They allocate healthcare resources, manage budgets, and coordinate services to meet population health needs. Provinces have restructured health authorities repeatedly—some have consolidated into fewer, larger authorities while others have returned to more regional models. RHAs work with municipalities on issues like emergency medical services, public health, and facility planning. Healthcare governance structures vary significantly across provinces, with some having eliminated regional authorities entirely.