EDMONTON — Every year, November 14 is recognized as World Diabetes Day. This year’s theme is 'Diabetes and well-being,' a reminder that our province has a long way to go to ensure those living with diabetes in Alberta have access to the care they need to live a healthy life.

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. 

EDMONTON — Every year, September 26th marks World Contraception Day, raising awareness about the importance of contraception and reproductive health care. As we recognize the day this year, Bill 6-64:An Act Representing Pharmacare, is being studied by a Senate committee, and still waiting to be passed into law. Bill C-64 would ensure universal coverage of diabetes and contraceptive medications.

This Op-Ed by Friends of Medicare's executive director, Chris Gallaway, was originally published in the Edmonton Journal on July 18, 2024.

I was disappointed to read Health Minister Adriana LaGrange’s recent op-ed article, “Why Alberta is opting out of the federal dental care plan,” in which she continues to spread misinformation on dental care in Alberta, while attempting to justify the premier’s recent announcement that their government intends to try to take the new Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) away from Albertans.

EDMONTON — As Canada’s premiers meet in Halifax this week for the annual Council of Federation, health care is once again one of the key agenda items. New Environics Research polling released by the Canadian Health Coalition today shows that people across Canada overwhelmingly support initiatives to support and expand public health care. 

EDMONTON — Friends of Medicare is calling on members of the Senate to support the timely passing of Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare before the summer break, so that the government may quickly move forward with implementation of a national Pharmacare plan, which will include universal, single-payer coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medication and equipment.

OTTAWA — Passing and implementing Bill C-64: An Act Respecting Pharmacare, will lay the groundwork for the most significant expansion to our public health care system since the creation of national Medicare over fifty 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. 

This afternoon, the federal government tabled their 2024-2025 budget. Included is funding for the continued expansion of national dental care coverage, and crucial funding for the roll out of universal, single-payer Pharmacare — both key commitments in the Confidence and Supply Agreement between the NDP and the Liberals.

EDMONTON -- On Friday, it was announced that the federal NDP and Liberals had reached a deal on Pharmacare that would include single-payer coverage of contraceptives and diabetes medication and equipment, with full details and draft legislation to be revealed this week. Yesterday, Alberta Health Minister Adrianne LaGrange’s office released a statement stating they already intend to opt out of the coming national Pharmacare plan, even before the details have been publicly announced.