Harper Government 3: Health talks with provinces coming

Vote splitting between Canada’s political parties resulted in the Conservatives gaining a comfortable majority on May 2nd with 40% of voter support.

The Harper majority government will now have to renegotiate the Health Accord – a massive health-care deal with the provincial governments and a major opportunity to move forward on the much needed national catastrophic drug coverage (CDC) program.

During the federal election, C2CC volunteer Mike Kennedy led the twitter campaign which asked every candidate what they would do to advance CDC. He found that all the major federal parties were ready to make specific commitments to ensuring national drug insurance coverage…

Except the Conservatives.

The Tories continued to push the problem back onto the provinces.

Harper Conservatives said only that they will continue to support a publically funded healthcare system through transfer payments to the provinces of 6% annually.

So while Harper has said he foresees a collaborative approach to coming up with a new health deal with the provinces, at least two of the provinces have signaled that a national catastrophic drug coverage program will be on the agenda for the September meeting of federal/provincial/territorial ministers of health.

On January 18th, 2011, Ontario Minister of Health Deb Matthews wrote to the C2CC in follow-up to the Nov. 3rd provincial Cancer Day of Action and said – “I wholeheartedly agree that many Canadians and in particular the subset of Canadians you have identified – seniors, the self-employed, people working in part-time or seasonal jobs and the unemployed remain vulnerable to drug costs. As such, I am committed to raising the issue of a national catastrophic drug coverage program at the next federal provincial territorial meeting of the Ministers of Health and have asked my ministry officials to work with the other jurisdictions to ensure this item is added to our agenda.”

In Nova Scotia, Maureen MacDonald – Minister of Health and Wellness – told her provincial colleagues on Nov. 4th 2010 – “I want to tell all members of the house that as we go forward working with our federal, provincial and territorial colleagues across the country to get a catastrophic drug coverage program in place, this government will not be sitting idle waiting for something that is going to occur in the future. We will continue to work on the national level while delivering better health care to Nova Scotians here at home.”

There is an unacceptable double standard of care that allows the government of Canada to act fairly as an employer and provider of care – including to the Prime Minister and his colleagues in the House of Commons – while prolonging the injustice for many Canadians.

C2CC, in partnership with other leading cancer and healthcare NGOs will continue to meet with provincial and federal officials from all parties to advance CDC at the upcoming meeting of federal, provincial and territorial healthcare decision-makers in September 2011.

I urge you to continue to connect with your new or re-elected MP to share your stories on this issue either in person, by phone, email or mail. Your voice is essential in driving change on an issue on which the Federal Conservatives can no longer be allowed to remain silent on.

It’s time for the new Harper government to join with the majority of everyday Canadians and make drug insurance fair treatment for all.

Pat Kelly
CEO, Campaign to Control Cancer

Click below to read previous blog postings
Too many drug plans – not enough political leadership>/a>
As the election approaches, Canadians can now make a choice on a National Catastrophic Drug Coverage plan
Election 2011 – will we vote?
Mike Kennedy’s 2011 Federal Election Blog – Part 7: The Candidates Speak-Up
Mike Kennedy’s 2011 Federal Election Blog – Part 6
Mike Kennedy’s 2011 Federal Election Blog – Part 5
Mike Kennedy’s 2011 Federal Election Blog – Part 4
Leaders Debate Special
Mike Kennedy’s 2011 Federal Election Blog – Part 3
Mike Kennedy’s 2011 Federal Election Blog – Part 2
Have your say in next week’s federal election leaders’ debates
Mike Kennedy’s 2011 Federal Election Blog – Part 1
Cancer and the Federal Election: