Commit to lowering Family Pharmacare expenses - QP
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : My question is for the Premier. Since this government was elected, the price of almost everything has been climbing, but family budgets have not. Under the Family Pharmacare Program, a family making $30,000 a year with one dependent could still have to pay over $1,000 out of pocket before they would see any savings from the program.
I am sure the Premier can see that this math simply doesn't add up. For so many people who need access to live-saving drugs, they have a choice of whether to pay for food or to pay for medicine. Mr. Speaker, will the Premier lower Family Pharmacare expenses so that families can afford their medications?
THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for the important question. The cost of living is up for sure, record inflation across the country, across the province, and certainly across the world. We are very conscious of the fact of the impact that this is having on Nova Scotians.
In terms of the specific question about access to drugs, I'll remind the members that we fully committed to increase the presumptive coverage for volunteer firefighters. We made cystic fibrosis drugs more widely available. We will continue to work on access to drugs.
In terms of the very specific question about Family Pharmacare, I'm happy to take that away and see what's possible in that program as well to expand coverage.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Regardless of what's available, the co-pays still come out of people's pockets. Older people are particularly vulnerable to the rising cost of living. The average senior in Canada is prescribed seven different drugs. The Seniors Care Grant doesn't cover medication costs.
Under the Seniors' Pharmacare Program, a single person with an income of $35,000 a year would pay a premium of $424 and would have to pay a co-payment of 30 per cent of each prescription, up to $382. In other words, a senior would pay over $800 before they saw any savings to the program - $800 that many don't have. Nova Scotians are good at scrimping and saving, but medication can't be scrimped.
Will the Premier take real action to help ensure that seniors don't skip vital medications because they can't afford them, and lower co-payments and charges for Seniors' Pharmacare?
THE PREMIER « » : Of course, we understand the pressure that the cost of living situation has on all Nova Scotians, particularly seniors as well.
Just a point of clarification: the Seniors' Care Grant does apply for medications. That is a valid use for that. As the member would know, we are continuing to look at how to improve that Seniors' Care Grant situation. Just last week we made some improvements to that program, and we'll continue to do that.
The member raises a serious question, and we'll take it very seriously as well.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : We've learned in the past week that the Premier won't provide paid sick days, won't implement an immediate $15 an hour minimum wage, won't raise income assistance rates, and won't offer direct support to people.
The NDP has spent the last week proposing a series of things that the government could do - that list among them - and here is another one. I want to ask the Premier one more time: Will he lower Seniors Pharmacare and Family Pharmacare payments so that families struggling to pay the cost of groceries, rent, and medication can have a shot at affording one of them?
THE PREMIER « » : We'll certainly take that away and look at it and see what's possible, but what Nova Scotians also know is that the NDP for a week has been very busy in this Chamber taking personal attacks at those who step up to support Nova Scotians. We know that the NDP had a lot to say on a number of issues in this Chamber. Nova Scotians noted that very well.
What I would say to the member is now that they've gotten around to asking serious questions that impact Nova Scotians every single day, we'll certainly take that away. We understand the pressure on Nova Scotians across the province. We'll do anything we can to help them, including looking at what the member has suggested.