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Layton Announces NDP National Prescription Drug Plan |
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Written by NDP
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Wednesday, 04 January 2006 |
NDP Leader Jack Layton today released the NDP plan for a National Prescription Drug Plan to help seniors and families facing catastrophic drug costs.
“We should be making sure that seniors and all Canadians have equitable access to medically necessary prescription drugs, regardless of where they live or how much money they’ve made,” Layton said. “We can’t fix all the issues with prescription drugs all at once. But we can take some practical first steps and get moving in the right direction.”
The NDP National Prescription Drug Plan will cover 50% of medically necessary prescription drug costs above $1,500 per year per person. The program will be delivered through a transfer to provinces and territories, and it is hoped this transfer will allow provinces to reduce their own deductibles, expand access to prescription drugs, and extend coverage.
“The goal of this plan is to provide Canadians with a safety net so that they won’t be bankrupted by prescription drug costs,” Layton said. “It will give every Canadian – wherever they live, whatever they earn or have saved – a basic guarantee and a basic level of help and financial security.”
The National Prescription Drug Plan is in addition to NDP commitments to help provinces and territories create up to 10,000 new long-term care spaces every year for the next four years, and an investment in home care to help seniors stay independent as long as possible. |
