The local chapter of the Council of Canadians is working to raise awareness about universal pharmacare.
The show:
The full interview with bonus material:
According to the federal government, one in five Canadians struggle to pay for prescription medicines. Three million people don’t fill prescriptions because they cannot afford it. One million Canadians will cut the amount they spend on essentials like food or heat to afford medicine.
In the next few weeks, the federal government hopes to introduce a plan to cover the cost of prescriptions. Many, including the NDP, want to see a universal Pharmacare plan. In fact, the NDP threatened to withdraw their support of the Liberals if that did not happen. Potentially, it could force an election. The program could cost more than $11 million in its first year.
A local chapter of the Council of Canadians, a national social justice group, is trying to raise awareness nationwide of the importance of a universal Pharmacare program. You will hear why the local group feels it is crucial. And you will hear how they answer critics of the proposal.
Originally aired: Nov. 10, 2023
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