Mike Kennedy’s 2011 Federal Election Blog – Part 5
Conservative platform fails to address national approach to catastrophic drug coverage
Dear One & All,
The Conservative Party platform, entitled Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Economic Growth, falls well short on a national catastrophic drug coverage plan, failing to even mention the increasing burden the cost of drugs can place on families.
The Tory’s appear to have abandoned the promise they made in September 2008 at the annual meeting of the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health. At that time, a public statement was issued saying they held a "common view that Catastrophic Drug Coverage is as essential to Canadians as physician and hospital coverage” and that the “federal government has a funding responsibility to establish a minimum standard of drug coverage for all Canadians".
In both their platform and in a number of comments made by candidates on the election trail, it is clear that the Tories have failed to make good on their commitment and are ignoring growing public opinion and media attention – they are content to leave provinces to their own devices when it comes to addressing rising drug costs:
"Drug care is a provincial jurisdiction (issue) but we are strong supporters of health care which allows provinces to do more" – David Morse, Conservative Candidate for Kings South via Twitter
"In the spirit of open federalism, when renewing the Health Accord we will respect the fact that health care is an area of provincial jurisdiction and respect limits on the federal spending power." – Page 30 of the Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Economic Growth.
"Health-care delivery is a provincial matter," said North Vancouver Conservative MP Andrew Saxton, North Shore News, April 8th, 2011
The Tories have completely missed the boat on this issue. While delivery of health care occurs at a provincial level, only the federal government can bring together programs that leverage the collective leadership and vision of a nation and ensure consistency of access to treatment across the country.
The federal government provides catastrophic drug coverage to all elected officials, government employees, Aboriginal and First Nations people as well as armed forces personnel and their families and inmates in federal prisons. Clearly drug care is NOT just a provincial jurisdiction
What do you think about the Conservative Party’s platform (or lack thereof) as it relates to catastrophic drug coverage? Tell us via Twitter or Facebook.
Click below to read previous blog postings
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:
