The right prescription

One more from the "stories which deserved more attention this week" file, as the NDP called on the Cons to both publicly acknowledge a report on how to make prescription drugs affordable across Canada, and work toward making that plan a reality:

“Canadians are getting sick and can’t afford to get better,” said Layton. “They are left with the choice of staying sick or going broke. Today’s families expect reliable health care for everyone, not just those who can afford to buy it.”

Layton says he hears about the prescription problem in every single province he visits. Between 1992 and 2002, household spending on prescription drugs jumped by more than 70%. Over the same period, spending on food, clothing and shelter increased by only 11%.

Layton said nearly 20% of Canadians do not have adequate drug coverage and if they find themselves in a situation where they cannot afford the medication they need, they would be forced to choose between medications or mortgage payments. Layton says access to medication should be based on need and that it should not depend on where you live or how much money you make.

“No family should face the burden of overwhelming drug costs alone,” said Layton. “Canada must provide working families with assurances that financial hardship won’t be a barrier to getting the prescription drugs they need. Canadians want to know that if they get sick and can’t afford the drugs they need to survive – the federal government will step in to help.”

“This isn't the universal health care Canadians expect from the system they cherish,” said NDP Health Critic Penny Priddy. “Health care in Canada shouldn't cost this much.”...

The Conservatives have been sitting on a report for months that outlines a federal / provincial agreement for a national pharmaceutical plan that recommends a limit that Canadians should have to pay out of pocket for drugs. “We cannot wait any longer for the Conservatives to act. We need leadership on this issue now,” concluded Layton.

The message makes for an effective counter to the Cons on two fronts. Not only does it remind Canadians about the Cons' continued habit of suppressing anything that doesn't suit their political purposes, but it more importantly also highlights an example of the type of necessary (and likely popular) social program which could easily be put into place if the Cons weren't so obsessed with arbitrary tax credits and vote-buying instead. And it shouldn't be hard to make the case that the cost of making prescriptions affordable will be more than recouped in better health outcomes.

Of course, it's anybody's guess whether the other self-proclaimed progressive parties are interested in helping to make that argument. But there's at least one party still working to point out the value of a socially-responsible government - and the NDP's emphasis on policy figures to look better and better if that remains in stark contrast to their competitors.