Calvert's Mixed Up Prescription
Calvert and crew seem to think that the biggest issue facing our ailing health care system is the fact that not everyone in the province can get prescription drugs for $15 a pop. How out of touch is this tired, old Calvert regime? We need to be recruiting more health professionals, training more physicians, and improving working conditions for these people, not handing out cheap drugs to everyone whether they can afford the full cost or not.
I don't have the statistic for Saskatchewan specifically, but for Canada only 10-12% of people do not have their prescription drug costs covered because it is covered through one form or another. People are usually covered because they receive health benefits through work, but the federal government provides insurance to aboriginal peoples through the Non-insured Benefits Program, to war veterans through Veteran Affairs Canada, to the Canadians Forces and to the RCMP (and of course any dependents of these people). People on social assistance also receive prescription drug coverage. And, thanks to Lorne our seniors are already receiving $15 prescriptions whether they are multimillionaires or not.
Given these facts, wouldn't a plan that directly targets those that do not have prescription drug coverage be more of a feasible option? No, Calvert will just give everyone $15 drugs. After all, I've learned from talking to physicians that most of the drugs that Calvert will cover for seniors at only $15 a piece are those that can be received rather cheaply because they are on the provincial formulary.
The NDP says this will cost about $150 million a year, not because they've priced it out in detail but because they guess it's about in that ballpark. What they've failed to mention is that drug costs in Canada are soaring out of control. In the past decade, prescription drug costs per capita in Canada have increased by more than 50%. Indeed, pharmaceuticals are currently the most rapidly growing component of health care costs. Given THESE statistics, shouldn't there be a more coordinated approach to making sure that particular facets of society don't fall vulnerable rather than providing blanket coverage that will surely break the province as the baby boomers age? Why didn't Lorne look to BC where the deductible that patients must pay is a progressive cost based on three to four percent of a family's income?
It just really makes me wonder how much thought and research Calvert and crew put into their policies. Why haven't they thought to learn from best practices? If this is the best they can do to address the issues facing our health care system, the people of Saskatchewan should be very worried about the future of health care in this province.
I don't have the statistic for Saskatchewan specifically, but for Canada only 10-12% of people do not have their prescription drug costs covered because it is covered through one form or another. People are usually covered because they receive health benefits through work, but the federal government provides insurance to aboriginal peoples through the Non-insured Benefits Program, to war veterans through Veteran Affairs Canada, to the Canadians Forces and to the RCMP (and of course any dependents of these people). People on social assistance also receive prescription drug coverage. And, thanks to Lorne our seniors are already receiving $15 prescriptions whether they are multimillionaires or not.
Given these facts, wouldn't a plan that directly targets those that do not have prescription drug coverage be more of a feasible option? No, Calvert will just give everyone $15 drugs. After all, I've learned from talking to physicians that most of the drugs that Calvert will cover for seniors at only $15 a piece are those that can be received rather cheaply because they are on the provincial formulary.
The NDP says this will cost about $150 million a year, not because they've priced it out in detail but because they guess it's about in that ballpark. What they've failed to mention is that drug costs in Canada are soaring out of control. In the past decade, prescription drug costs per capita in Canada have increased by more than 50%. Indeed, pharmaceuticals are currently the most rapidly growing component of health care costs. Given THESE statistics, shouldn't there be a more coordinated approach to making sure that particular facets of society don't fall vulnerable rather than providing blanket coverage that will surely break the province as the baby boomers age? Why didn't Lorne look to BC where the deductible that patients must pay is a progressive cost based on three to four percent of a family's income?
It just really makes me wonder how much thought and research Calvert and crew put into their policies. Why haven't they thought to learn from best practices? If this is the best they can do to address the issues facing our health care system, the people of Saskatchewan should be very worried about the future of health care in this province.
posted by Saskatory at
9:51 PM
6 Comments:
Are you so anti-business that you don't want to help them out?
Canada already has a competitive advantage in the fact that employers do not have to supply health insurance, now they won't have to pay for prescription drug insurance, or less from a reduced claim rate and $. Meaning increased profits, more money from capital investments, higher wages or more employees.
What do you have against someone making a little bit of money?
By
Anonymous, at 12:15 AM
Some now you're a comedian, are you? I'm pointing out the fundamental flaw in Calvert's plan, which is that it doesn't address a particular need, nor does it address one of the larger problems facing health care in Saskatchewan.
To finance this program, tax dollars will eventually have to be funnelled into this program from another or increased by raising the burden placed on businesses and individuals. I'm sure at that time the business community won't be in favour of such a measure.
By
Saskatory, at 12:19 AM
So now your presuppose a possible future scenario and how people could possibly react to a possible situation.
Your arms must be tired from grasping at straws.
Why do you want to keep Saskatchewan uncompetitive?
Do you not value private investment?
By
Anonymous, at 1:50 AM
Who will be paying the taxes that funds this program and how will that be good for business?
By
Louise, at 3:00 AM
Precisely Louise,
Quimby is being facetious. He and his socialist buddies couldn’t care less about Saskatchewan businesses.
Quimby, it is only prudent to look at the long-term trends. Prescription drug costs are increasing each year and will continue to do so. Looking to the future is not grasping at straws. It is call responsible governance, something you and Lorne know little about.
By
Saskatory, at 8:30 AM
This is a quote from former NDP Finance Minister Janice McKinnon re: the NDP's drug plan:
“This promise is very, very expensive in the long-term. I think it’s one of those promises that you could see some future government when there is a downturn in the economy either having to curtail this program or raise taxes or curtail some other spending in order to fund it.”
Sound familiar, Quimby? How dare McKinnon presuppose a future scenario!
By
Saskatory, at 1:40 AM
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