Results: The Canadian government pharma care program. A pill worth taking?
Published on 07/16/2019
The Canadian government is considering launching a national pharma care program, just in time for the fall election. This program will cost an initial $15 billion and will supposedly cover or bring down the cost of prescription drugs by using the purchasing power of the Federal government. Does this seem to be a good idea?
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Comments
1.
1.
Employers know that, as the population ages and newer illnesses are identified, there will be a growing need for specialized and expensive medications and they will be more than pleased if they can transfer the cost of these medications to the Federal government. Do you think this is a good idea? If it brings down the cost of these drugs, of course it's a good idea.
40%
869 votes
When government gets involved the costs typically go up, not down - so I don't think it's a good idea.
14%
308 votes
I am young enough and/or healthy enough and don't need these medications, but I will be paying for them anyway through my taxes - so I don't think it's a good idea.
4%
91 votes
Right now a high percentage of my prescription costs is covered by my employee benefit plan and the part that is left is tax deductible. If this government plan goes ahead I will lose this tax deduction - so I don't think this is a good idea.
5%
117 votes
Anywhere else a plan like this has been introduced the government has a list of medications that are covered and they are typically older medications that have been around for years. Newer medications typically are not covered. A government scheme will be less flexible than one run by a company on behalf of employees - so I don't think this is a good idea
9%
185 votes
To administer a plan of this type the government will have to add at least one more department at a huge cost to taxpayers. These government employees get paid more and have a better benefit program than I have so the cost to the taxpayer will skyrocket - so I don't think this is a good idea.
8%
174 votes
This plan is typical of election promises where the government in power uses tax dollars to introduce a Cadillac program to get more votes and basically is using tax revenue to cover the cost of their re-election. My vote is not so easily bought - so no way do I think this is a good idea.
11%
227 votes
Based on what has happened historically, once the government launches a program like this there is no going back to the way it was before. Employers and their insurers will dismantle their prescription coverage as the government builds its own bureaucracy and if the National Pharma-care program collapses under its own weight we will end up with a system no ordinary Canadian can afford. I am an ordinary Canadian and I do not think this is a good idea.
11%
243 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
18 votes
Not Applicable
34%
737 votes
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