Hi All,

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=1845&e=10&u=/cpress/20040803/ca_pr_on_na/pharmacare_mcguinty


Canada - Canadian Press 
 
Provinces asked Ottawa for more pharmacare than promised, McGuinty admits

Tue Aug 3, 3:57 PM ET  

KEITH LESLIE 

TORONTO (CP) - The national pharmacare program Canada's premiers are urging
on Ottawa goes beyond what the federal Liberals promised during the recent
election campaign, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty conceded Tuesday. 

"I think in fairness to them, they did not commit to a full scope,
national pharmacare program of the scope that we have proposed as
premiers," McGuinty said. "But they certainly took a very big
step in that direction." 

During the June campaign, Martin proposed to work with the provinces and
territories on a national drug program, but did not suggest the federal
government would pick up the tab alone. 

The premiers and territorial leaders dropped a bombshell on Martin last
Friday as they wrapped up their annual meeting by demanding a national drug
plan that would cost more than $7 billion annually. 

But they got a lukewarm response from federal Health Minister Ujjal
Dosanjh, who said Ottawa is keen on a more limited program that would cover
so-called catastrophic drug costs, those which could bankrupt a patient. 

"This is a bit of an extension beyond the original commitment they
made in their platform," McGuinty admitted Tuesday. 

"But we think this is the best thing we could possibly do . . .as the
next step in the evolution of Canadian health care." 

The premiers want Ottawa to pay all costs for a full-fledged drug program
to replace all provincial drug plans except Quebec's. That province would
maintain its program but wants funds to cover its costs. 

They say all consumers would benefit from cheaper prescription drugs if the
federal government negotiated their purchase on behalf of all Canadians
instead of having 13 governments negotiate individual deals. 

"The drug companies pick us off one-by-one," McGuinty said as he
insisted it makes perfect sense for Ottawa to pay for, and administer, a
national pharmacare program. 

"They regulate, they have control over the Patent Act, they approve
the drugs." 

The Premiers also pushed the federal government to bring its level of
health-care funding up to 25 per cent of overall health spending, which
would likely take another $2 billion to $3 billion annually. 

Martin is scheduled to meet with the provincial and territorial leaders
Sept. 13 to hammer out a new health care agreement. 


From the desk of...


   Michael
... When I would get worried is when the Americans do become interested in
us. And I think of the countries they have become interested in, I think of
Chile, I think of Iran, I think of Vietnam, It think of Grenada, I think of
Nicaragua, and I think of Libya, so I say, Let's keep that ignorance
flying.
- Allan Fotheringham, Columnist and author, address, Empire Club of Canada,
Toronto 16 Oct 1986



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--- Devil's Point System 6.66