The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network is once again asking questions of the parties and candidates during the 2016 Manitoba election campaign; their responses can be found in this section.
We hope that this information will help you when you direct your concerns to your provincial representatives.
To become involved in CCSN’s political advocacy campaigns, please contact jmanthorne@survivornet.ca
Questions:
Over 197,000 Canadians are diagnosed with cancer every year, including 6,700 people in Manitoba, with approximately 2,800 dying of cancer each year. Clearly, this life-threatening illness affects entire communities, especially families, friends and co-workers.
The government of Manitoba has an important role to play in making sure that everyone diagnosed with cancer has timely access to cancer care and essential medical services as well as access to emergency rooms and the treatment and medications they need. Healthcare is important to Manitobans; indeed, the first Vote Compass results suggest healthcare and the environment trail closely behind taxation.
We invite you to respond to the following questions related to cancer care and healthcare in Manitoba. Your responses will be circulated to cancer patients and survivors in Manitoba and posted on our website, www.survivornet.ca and on our social media.
Question 1
The Canadian Medical Association Journal published research in 2012 that showed one in ten Canadians report they skip doses or decide not to fill prescriptions because of cost.[i]
If elected to government, what will your party do to make prescription medications more affordable?
Question 2
A key element of ensuring timely treatment for a cancer patient is ensuring they have access to the medications they need at the time they need them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in Manitoba.
If elected to government, will you commit to ensuring that all cancer patients in Manitoba receive timely access to medications at the time they need it?
Question 3
A new study[ii] released in July 2015 makes a compelling case for expanding our universal public health care system to include the cost of prescription medicines. In addition, a recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute[iii] found that more than 90 per cent of Canadians back the concept of pharmacare.
a) What is your party’s position on the creation of a national pharmacare program?
b) How will your party ensure that a national pharmacare program will not reduce the number of prescription medicines available to patients?
c) Will your party support a new federal equalization payment for national pharmacare so that all provinces are able to cover the same comprehensive range of prescription drugs, with timely new additions on a regular basis?
We thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Yours sincerely,
Jackie Manthorne
President and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Cancer Survivor Network
[iii] Prescription drug access and affordability an issue for nearly a quarter of all Canadian households, http://angusreid.org/prescription-drugs-canada/
Green Party of Manitoba Response
Question 1 response:
The Green Party of Manitoba (GPM) will work to make prescription medications covered by Medicare.
Question 2 response:
The GPM will work to ensure this.
Question 3 response:
The GPM is committed to the creation of a national pharmacare program and will work to ensure that the coverage remains the same as now. The GPM is committed to working towards the creation of a federal equalization payment for the national pharmacare program created.
New Democratic Party of Manitoba Response
Dear Ms. Manthorne:
Manitoba has one of the most robust Pharmacare programs in the country, and we are consistently adding additional drugs to the program so that Manitobans can save more on the medications they need. We are committed to finding ways to provide a better, less expensive plan for Manitobans through initiatives like our generic drugs policy which has saved millions and our Home Cancer Drug program - which is only available in Manitoba - to relieve the financial burden of illness. The Manitoba NDP covers 100% of the cost of approved cancer drugs so more patients can stay at home with their families, and we are bringing more CancerCare services closer to home for rural families. Over the last 16 years, approximately 4,800 new drugs, including those that treat cancer have been added to Manitoba's Pharmacare program.
Instead of making the kind of reckless cuts the Conservatives are pushing for - which would mean laying off nurses and cancelling new clinics - we're investing to make Manitoba one of the strongest cancer care hubs in the world. Brian Pallister has a record on privatizing front-line services. He tried to sell home care and introduced home care user fees. He was part of the Filmon government that fired 1,000 nurses. Now, he has promised to bring in American-style, two-tier health care system that would hurt families.
As one of the few provinces with a truly universal Pharmacare program, we want to see substantial federal support so we can continue to improve services. The NDP is committed to a national Pharmacare program. It's the right program for Canadians and the right program to support Manitobans struggling with the cost of prescription drugs. While we again called on the federal government to implement a National Pharmacare program in January 2016, we are not waiting. We will continue to expand prescription drug coverage under Manitoba's Pharmacare program.
Sincerely,
Keith Bellamy
Provincial Secretary
Liberal Party of Manitoba Response
Question 1 response:
This is a huge concern for us, and we do need to work with all parties to tackle this issue. Many drugs are covered for low-income Manitobans, but many are not and we need to ensure cost is not a barrier to access to medication. Along with our mental health issues crisis is the biggest issue facing our medical system today.
Question 2 response:
Timely access to care and medications. Those that do not have a strong advocate are left to fend for themselves and this during the most stressful time in their life. We must strengthen the system to ensure people are getting access as quickly as possible.
Question 3 response:
a) We agree and it now becomes a case of political will. We must of course engage the federal government to ensure they are coming to the table. Provincial budgets are stretched, in part because the federal government retains the lions-share of tax dollars.
b) How will your party ensure that a national pharmacare program will not reduce the number of prescription medicines available to patients?
We cannot move backwards and must add not subtract from the medications available
c) Will your party support a new federal equalization payment for national pharmacare so that all provinces are able to cover the same comprehensive range of prescription drugs, with timely new additions on a regular basis?
Absolutely, and to that end we are the only party in Manitoba with a true working relationship with the Trudeau government.
Mike Brown
Director of Communications
Manitoba Liberal Party
204.558.1313