HALIFAX – A new Liberal government will invest $900 million to create a new plan for catastrophic drug coverage that would ensure Canadians living with serious illnesses - such as cancer, diabetes, and arthritis - can focus on their health instead of worrying about their finances, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion announced today.
“We believe that no Canadian should have to choose between taking a drug they need, and paying for their other basic needs,” said Mr. Dion. “Unfortunately this is too often the case today, especially in the Atlantic provinces.”“Some Canadians with debilitating, chronic illnesses face very high prescription drug costs, which can lead to a catastrophic financial burden for individuals and families,” he said. “The new drug plan will ensure all Canadians access to much-needed drugs no matter where they live.”
“Canadians should not be faced with catastrophic costs that force you to choose between financial solvency and your health,” said Mr. Dion.A new Liberal government will work with the provincial and territorial governments to determine the level of catastrophic drug coverage that should be provided as a national minimum. As well, we will directly compensate those provinces that are already providing that level of coverage.Spending on prescription drugs is growing faster than any other category of health expenditures.
With these increasing costs, provincial health spending is even further stretched and other health programs may suffer. A new Liberal government will assist the provinces to ensure Canadians across the country have access to drug therapies for serious illnesses. “It was a Liberal government that introduced universally-accessible health care more than 40 years ago and introduced the Canada Health Act 25 years ago. It will be a Liberal government that will ensure the system is healthy and accessible to all Canadians now and into the future,” said Mr. Dion.
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