‘Baby-steps’ pharmacare a test of our humanity and of our political leaders

If the proposals survive, this national pharmacare intro-package should fill open gaps for many insulin-dependent diabetics, especially those with Type 1 diabetes. But there is scant hope of a full-fledged pharmacare program anytime soon.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. The final argument against what's otherwise a compassionate and affordable initiative from a reluctant federal government is that paying for medication for diabetics could be a slippery slope. But isn't that a slope we want to be on, asks Susan Riley.The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY SUSAN RILEY

March 11, 2024

CHELSEA, QUE.—The recent announcement of the first baby steps towards a national pharmacare program was met with disdainful sniffs from some premiers, self-satisfied bromides from federal Liberals and the NDP, grumbles from the private insurance sector, and an ominous sile...

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