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Ball says prescription drug program expansion good first step, but clarity needed April 24, 2007
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Dwight Ball, Opposition Health and Community Services Critic and MHA for the District of Humber Valley, is congratulating government on finally acting on the issue of expanded prescription drug coverage, but is seeking clarification on several aspects of the program. AWhile on first glance there seems to be several positive initiatives in yesterday=s prescription drug announcement, there are still elements that need clarification,@ said Mr. Ball. AI have dealt with health care issues first hand and know the hardships it can create for individuals and families. There are still some uncertainty regarding which drugs will be placed on the benefits list and whether medications that require special authorization will be approved under this plan. AI am also questioning whether government is considering the inclusion of other health care necessities such as insulin pump supplies and non-prescription ostomy supplies. These items can cost hundreds of dollars per month and are a direct out of pocket expense for most people. The minister should certainly give some thought to investing in this area to alleviate the expense to patients. AThere is also an issue surrounding the indexing of this program. For a working individual or family that is close to any of the established salary thresholds, a small raise could bump them into another qualification category and result in significantly higher drug costs. Indexing this program would ensure that nobody would be negatively impacted as a result of inflation. AI also feel the minister should make this program retroactive to April 1st, 2007. Instead of launching the start of this program in October, the same month as the provincial election, government should remove any optics of politics and make this program effective to the beginning of this fiscal year. It may take a few months to get everything in place, but there is nothing stopping government from providing benefits to those affected for the full fiscal year. AThis announcement is a good start, but there are many other things to consider. I encourage the minister to look into these issues and integrate improvements as they are identified.@
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