EDMONTON — Yesterday, the Senate passed Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare, without amendments. This is a major step forward for drug coverage in Canada, laying the groundwork for what would be the most significant expansion to our public health care system since the creation of national Medicare over sixty years ago. The legislation sets up a framework for universal, single-payer, first-dollar drug coverage for all Canadians, beginning with coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medication and equipment.
“The Senate passing a national Pharmacare Act is a big deal! This victory could only have been achieved with the hard work of so many Canadians and Albertans who have never stopped fighting for universal Pharmacare,” said Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare. “It’s thanks in large part to the tens of thousands of Albertans who signed Friends of Medicare’s postcards and letters, sent emails to their MPs and Senators, lobbied, rallied, attended townhalls, and so much more. This is a historic program that will be crucial to the health and wellbeing of so many families in Alberta and across the country.”
The next step is the federal government negotiating with provincial governments to get the program in place. Unfortunately, the Alberta government has previously stated they intend to opt out of any national Pharmacare program. This decision was made even before any details of the program or legislation had been publicly announced.
“We currently pay some of the highest drug costs in the world, and far too many people are struggling to afford the medications they need. Study after study has reiterated that moving to a public, universal, single-payer Pharmacare plan would save governments, employers, Albertans, and our provincial health care systems billions of dollars per year, and countless lives. And Albertans have repeatedly made clear that this is a program they want to be a part of,” said Gallaway. “Now that we’re finally seeing this legislation and program set to move forward, we hope that the Alberta government will reconsider their previous stance, and join onto what would be a moneysaving and lifesaving program for so many Albertans.”
Friends of Medicare asks Albertans to join us in letting the provincial government know that we deserve Pharmacare: friendsofmedicare.org/abpharmacare
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