The Impact of Politics on Health Care: Exploring the Pharmacare Deal
Commentary
A national pharmacare deal has been reached and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is proclaiming it to be a huge win for his party. However, amidst the celebrations and self-congratulatory statements, Mr. Singh and his MPs seem oblivious to the potential consequences that this deal could have on Canadian health care.
Primarily, the plan is financially irresponsible. With health care already costing the federal government over $300 billion per year, recent additions like a $13 billion annual dental plan and now a pharmacare bureaucracy costing billions more annually raise concerns about sustainability.
While exact funding costs for pharmacare are not disclosed by the government, the Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates a yearly cost of nearly $40 billion for a single-payer program covering all medications. This expensive addition to the existing strained system lacks the necessary cash and innovation for long-term viability.
If the current $300 billion budget is insufficient for the current health-care system, it is perplexing how the government plans to afford Mr. Singh’s proposed pharmacare without significant changes. Without innovation, a universal, single-payer health-care system may never be financially viable, as evident by the changing landscape of health care delivery.
Despite government claims that the pharmacare deal will not impact the federal financial situation, the reality of billions in additional spending implies inevitable higher taxes, program cuts in other areas, or increased national debt. Canadians will ultimately bear the cost of this so-called free pharmacare.
Ironically, national pharmacare seems to be a low priority for many Canadians.
In December, a Leger survey revealed that only 18 percent of Canadians considered a national pharmacare program a priority, with other health care issues like reducing surgical wait times, long-term care, and mental health services ranking higher.
A government research study confirmed these findings, indicating that Canadians are more concerned about various health care challenges like long wait times, healthcare professionals’ burnout, and mental health services.
Overall, a national pharmacare program does not appear to be a significant concern for most Canadians.
Statistics show that 79 percent of Canadians already have some form of prescription drug coverage, making drugs accessible for the majority. While gaps exist, most Canadians have affordable prescription drug options.
If the majority of Canadians are already covered and not particularly interested in a national pharmacare program, the motivation behind the government’s actions raises questions. It appears that these decisions are more driven by political considerations than genuine public demand.
This scenario exemplifies the consequences when health care is used as a political tool rather than addressing actual needs. The government’s focus on maintaining power through backroom deals neglects the critical issues faced by Canadians and our struggling health-care system.
While the views expressed are the author’s opinions and not necessarily representative of The Epoch Times, it is essential to recognize the disconnect between government actions and the realities of Canadian life.
