The national pharmacare plan is implemented under the framework provided by legislation.
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On Thursday, Bill C-64, a piece of legislation that was first presented as part of the last supply and confidence agreement between the Liberals and NDP, was granted royal assent.
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With provinces that enter into agreements with the federal government, it will first cover some diabetes drugs and contraceptives (British Columbia was the first province to do so). According to statements made by the federal government, further prescription drug coverage will eventually be added.
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland stated on Friday that he thought it "absolutely is possible" for the federal government to reach pharmacare agreements with every province by the spring, despite the fact that it won't be simple.
By spring, the health minister anticipates signing pharmacare agreements with the provinces.
In her remarks, LaGrange made reference toWith over 5,000 medications covered, the province's drug programs are regarded as "some of the most comprehensive" in the nation.
LaGrange wrote, "We intend to maintain our current benefit offerings."
"The federal government can help us improve what we currently offer by avoiding the addition of redundant programs or the creation of needless, expensive administrative burdens."
"Without meaningful consultation and true collaboration, Alberta will continue to call on the federal government to provide predictable, sustainable and unconditional health funding that aligns with provincial and territorial priorities, and respects our exclusive jurisdiction over the planning, organization and management of our health-care systems."
It follows a similar strategy to Alberta's implementation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which covers individuals without dental care and with household incomes under $90,000. Phased openings are the current plan.
The provincial government has proposed that dental care be covered by the province and that Alberta can use additional federal cash to meet the requirements of its own citizens.
Conversely, Holland has stated that the springtime deadline for pharmacare negotiations is realistic due to his collaborative partnerships with provincial counterparts.
Albertan drug plans
According to Fiona Clement, a professor in the department of community health sciences at the University of Calgary, implementing the pharmacare plan will be difficult in Alberta in a manner that it might not be in other provinces.
In British Columbia, for example,a plan where all residents are included and receive different levels of public coverage depending on their income.
The president of the Alberta Medical Association, Dr. Shelley Duggan, stated that she thought the federal program was "a great start."
"There's so many patients that simply cannot afford medications, and it certainly impacts their health," Duggan stated.
"Because they have to pay for rent, food, and other expenses, people without insurance are 2.5 times [more likely] to forgo their prescriptions. This is an excellent start, in my opinion.
If elected, Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party, has stated he will oppose the single-payer plan because he believes it would eliminate private prescription insurance.
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