Canada needs pharmacare now

Canada is the closest it’s ever been to securing single-payer, universal pharmacare. Millions of people in this country currently don’t have access to the vital medications they need, and the clock is ticking. As the Senate continues to hear from expert witnesses ahead of its October vote on Bill C-64, An Act Respecting Pharmacare, unions and health groups are working together to ensure this important legislation is passed without amendments, and without further delay. Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Introduced earlier this year, Bill C-64 promises coverage for crucial prescriptions, including birth control, and diabetes medications and devices. The legislation has widespread support from health-care professionals, patient groups, and unions, to name just a few. For nearly nine million people of reproductive age and four million people with diabetes, universal coverage of their prescriptions is a necessary step toward living healthier lives and gaining some relief from the high cost of living. The importance of this legislation cannot be overstated. But delays continue to threaten its passage, leaving millions of Canadians without the prescription coverage they urgently need. Despite the clear need, opponents of the bill continue to obstruct progress. These delays could have far-reaching consequences: if Bill C-64 is sent back to the House of Commons with amendments, we risk not only further postponement, but also jeopardizing the entire legislation. The end of the supply-and-confidence agreement between the Liberals and NDP has made this current minority government more vulnerable to a non-confidence vote and a snap election. This precarity throws a new wrench in getting pharmacare passed. If the government falls and an election is called, pharmacare in Canada could die. Jason MacLean is chair of the Canadian Health Coalition. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade Budget 2024 included $1.5-billion over five years in funding for pharmacare. This is a historic commitment, and Health Minister Mark Holland has been clear that he is eager for this legislation to pass so he can begin negotiating agreements with the provinces. In the meantime, that money is sitting idle while people continue to suffer without access to their necessary medications. Earlier this month, British Columbia signed a memorandum of understanding with the federal government, adding a third type of medication to the list, and demonstrating how easy it will be to help even more people once Bill C-64 is passed. The stakes couldn’t be higher. One in five Canadians—roughly 7.5 million people—have no insurance, and pay out-of-pocket for their medications if they can afford it. Canada’s patchwork system of public and private insurance plans creates major variations in accessibility, eligibility, affordability, and coverage. We’ve heard from so many people across the country who struggle with deciding between affording their medication, or putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their family’s head. Nearly one-quarter of Canadians have reported splitting pills, skipping doses, or not filling or renewing prescriptions due to cost. No one should ever have to make these choices. Doug Roth is CEO of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada. Photograph courtesy of Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada Additionally, a national publicly funded pharmacare program covering essential drugs will contain drug costs and lead to savings in healthcare costs by preventing unexpected visits to emergency rooms. A recent study conducted in Ontario showed that a pharmacare program covering essential medicines could save our health-care system $1,488 per patient per year, thus reducing government health spending. The Senate has a clear choice: act now, and help millions of Canadians waiting for pharmacare, or continue to delay, and risk undermining this once-in-a-generation opportunity, leaving millions to suffer. We urge the Senate to pass Bill C-64—without amendments and without further delay—so we can finally be one step closer to making universal public pharmacare a reality for all Canadians. Bea Bruske is president of the Canadian Labour Congress. Jason MacLean is chair of the Canadian Health Coalition. Doug Roth is CEO of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada. The Hill Times

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Canada needs pharmacare now

Delays continue to threaten Bill C-64’s passage, leaving millions of Canadians without the prescription coverage they urgently need.

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