Ontario Liberals to expand free Pharmacare to seniors

[mentalfloss]

Oh wait, Dog Ford still doesn't have a plan lol


Wynne to expand free pharmacare program to seniors

Premier Kathleen Wynne is hoping an expansion of the free pharmacare program to seniors will be the prescription for what ails her Liberal government.

In a campaign-style announcement Tuesday at Leaside Curling Club in her Don Valley West riding, Wynne said OHIP+ would be expanded to include everyone 65 and over.

“We all want to do best for our parents and grandparents and I believe government needs to do more,” the 64-year-old premier told reporters after curling for the media cameras.

In next week’s provincial budget, Finance Minister Charles Sousa will announce the prescription drug plan available to those 24 and under will be extended to seniors.

“Everybody in the province, no matter their age, deserves the chance to lead healthy, happy lives,” said Health Minister Helena Jaczek.

While seniors are already eligible for coverage through the Ontario Drug Benefit, they must pay deductibles and co-payments based on their income.

The change, which would take effect on Aug. 1, 2019, will save seniors an average of $240 a year in medication costs.

Wynne said boosting OHIP+ will ultimately cost $575 million per year by 2020-21.

But the Liberals can implement the measure only if they are re-elected on June 7.

Public opinion polls suggest Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford is poised to win that election.

Ford has promised billions in unspecified cuts if he becomes premier.

As seniors are a reliable voting block, Wynne is banking on the change proving popular with the electorate.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has also promised a free pharmacare program for all age groups, but it only covers 125 of the most popular medications.

The existing OHIP+ system covers 4,400 different drugs.

https://www.thestar.com/news/queens...xpand-free-pharmacare-program-to-seniors.html

 

[Hoid]

A much needed reform.

Hopefully some (or all) level of government makes this happen. It is disgraceful how much money old people are being forced to shell out.

 

[mentalfloss]

They'll vote Ford in and continue to shell out more.

Fine with me though. :lol:

 

[Walter]

Seniors already have free pharmacare in ON as is mentioned in the article.

 

[Hoid]

I watched an old woman pay over $700 at the pharmacy the last time I was there.

 

[mentalfloss]

Walnut is an American so he doesn't get it.

 

[Murphy]

Waldo claims to be in BC, but as we know, he's in Ontario. He claims to have seen a woman pay $700 last time he was here. You mean the other week, at the Ontario drug store you frequent. :lol:

 

[DaSleeper]

Seniors already have free pharmacare in ON as is mentioned in the article.

Just goes to show that Mental flush doesn't know what the he's talking about
Since I turned 65, starting in August, my deductible is $100. and until july 31st the next year I pay only a 4 dollar dispensing fee!
Wynne had nothing to do with that, that came into effect long before she became premier!
Leave it to dingbat to credit the Liberals for that

 

[Cannuck]

Seniors sure do love the trough

 

[Danbones]

Hope you enjoy paying into something that likely will be gone when YOU get there.

Robots won't pay for your retirement they will just use your parts to make new tires.
(live rubber is best!)

 

[mentalfloss]

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Another promise to buy votes with tax dollars. If this was such a great idea why wait until 2 months before an election to announce it?

But I see the brain dead Lieberal supporters are behind it.

 

[mentalfloss]

So you're just angry that it is a campaign promise then.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

So you're just angry that it is a campaign promise then.

I'm not angry but I am not falling for it. My decision not to vote Liberal will be based upon their dismal record and record of lies, broken promises and mis-managment.

I think the NDP platform covers free dental and pharma for all so if you are looking at the user side of it, that is a much better plan.

 

[Jinentonix]

Fifteen years in power and the only reason the Libtards start doing anything that even remotely resembles something good for Ontarians is when they're circling the drain.
Being desperate is not a great time to suddenly remember what you're supposed to be in office for. Intelligent people can smell the bullshit a mile away.
Of course, it's not enough to simply make the promises, you need to keep those promises. And of course people will have to be stupid enough to believe that this time, the Wynned Bag isn't being a duplicitous sack of shit for once.

 

[Cannuck]

Trumpites believe expanding the trough for seniors is good. They do so love their gubmint programs.

 

[mentalfloss]

That's because they love taxes.

 

[Murphy]

:laughing3:

Watch Flossy self destruct!

 

[mentalfloss]

Thankstrom.

 

[Murphy]

:laughing3:

He's going into meltdown! :lol: