Pharmacare for All

Universal Pharmacare Update March 2024

The federal government introduced pharmacare legislation that lays the foundation for a universal, single-payer system that will begin by covering contraception and diabetes medications. This is a tremendous victory for the Council of Canadians’ extensive campaign. Thousands of people across Canada advocated for it.

Bill C-64 was introduced and had its first reading on February 29, 2024 in the House of Commons. The legislation includes a commitment to first launch diabetes medication and contraceptives coverage for Canadians, contingent on provincial and territorial agreement.

“Big pharma” has been lobbying intensely against it.

While the pharmacare bill is an incredible step forward, it’s a very fragile victory. We know that until people start experiencing the benefits of universal pharmacare immediately, pharmacare runs the risk of becoming just another good idea.

Please take action: TELL THE TRUDEAU GOVERNMENT: PHARMACARE CAN’T WAIT!

Passing Bill C-64 must be a top priority for parliamentarians as they resume sitting after the spring break. The faster pharmacare legislation gets through parliament, the sooner millions of people across the country will be able to access diabetes medications and contraceptives using their health card, rather than their credit card.

Write to Yukon’s MP Brendan Hanley (brendan.hanley@parl.gc.ca) and to Prime Minister Trudeau  justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca
 

Background information: Nik Barry-Shaw, the Council of Canadians campaigner for Pharmacare, has written this analysis: https://canadians.org/analysis/weve-got-pharmacare-legislation

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Completed actions!

Thanks to all those who helped with:

November 10, 2023 meeting with MP Hanley on Pharmacare (listen to Yukoner Sasha Dyck here)

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Be part of our monthly Chapter meetings!

First Saturday morning of each month on Zoom.

Email us to find out more at cofcyukon@gmail.com 

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