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Minister Mislead Seniors on Pharmacare |
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Written by Staff/Wire Services
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Wednesday, 15 March 2006 |
Liberal Health Critic Dave Wilson is calling on the minister of health to tell seniors that Pharmacare premiums have increased and apologize for misleading them last week.
Wilson discovered the Pharmacare premium increase buried in an Order in Council dated March 6, 2006. The minister was asked on March 10 to respond to Wilson's concern over the department's silence on the premium because the deadline had passed. At the time, the minister told reporters that his department will tell seniors before April.
Wilson wants to know why the minister isn't telling seniors about the increase when the decision has already been made.
"I want the minister to tell seniors in this province why he misled them," says Wilson. "It is clear from the OIC that the decision had already been made."
The NS health department announced earlier today that as of April 1, the annual premium will be increased by an additional $10, bringing the cost up from $390 to $400.
Seniors are currently required to pay a co-payment of 33% for each prescription to a maximum of $30 per prescription with an annual cap of $350. The cap will be increased by $10, up to $360.
Wilson says that this is not the time to be gouging seniors who are facing increased energy costs.
"Seniors are facing higher energy bills and gas pump costs, and now the government is putting it to them with Pharmacare premiums," says Wilson. "Seniors can't afford this increase right now."
"What I find most offensive, however, is the government's lack of respect for seniors." |
