North Island – Powell River MP Rachel Blaney calls pharmacare legislation introduced by the federal government as a momentous step forward.
A media release from the federal NDP indicates that the party delivered a framework for the next steps of universal pharmacare for Canadians. As a first step, the NDP forced the government to cover contraception and diabetes medications and devices free of charge for everyone who needs them, the release stated.
These measures can save women around $200 a year for contraception and around $1,500 per year for those impacted by diabetes.
“Everyone should have access to the medication they need with their health card, not their credit card,” stated Blaney. “New Democrats are fighting to put Canadians first, while Liberals stand idly by, and Conservatives continue to protect the profits of big pharma.
“Canadians who need it will now have access to free contraception and diabetes medication because of this legislation. This is huge for so many people in my riding, and across the country. This is a momentous step forward and sets the stage for next steps toward universal, single-payer Pharmacare.”
The release stated that the Liberals have been promising to act on pharmacare since 1997, but until now, no progress has been made to deliver the medication people need free of charge. Canada is the only G7 country in the world with a universal health care system that doesn’t include a pharmacare program, the release stated. The NDP have been pushing the government through the supply and confidence agreement with the Liberals to deliver a framework for pharmacare to save Canadians and the health care system money.
“No one in our community should have to pick between putting food on the table or paying for their medication, but unfortunately, that’s the reality for many,” stated Courtenay -- Alberni MP Gord Johns. “For people with diabetes, covering the cost of insulin and the medical devices they need can costs hundreds of dollars each month – its unaffordable. That’s why New Democrats fought to get this essential health coverage by forcing the government to act after 30 years of Liberal broken promises. All while the Conservatives avoided pharmacare altogether because they were too busy listening to their friends in big pharma.”
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