New Brunswick was already at a tipping point with healthcare. What’s next on the federal Pharmacare Act? The provincial government is still deciding how to position itself on this new Act. As approximately 150,000 residents, or 20% of the province’s population, lack any prescription drug coverage, stakeholders are intensifying discussions about the feasibility and implications of adopting a universal pharmacare system.
At present, New Brunswick offers patchy drug coverage on a means-tested basis with multiple premiums and co-payment. Critics have rightly zeroed in on this outdated architecture. This, they contend, doesn’t come close to addressing the overwhelming needs of those without coverage. Now, the federal Pharmacare Act aims to establish a universal pharmacare program. Only four jurisdictions—British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Yukon—have agreed to join so far.
The private health insurance industry in New Brunswick has stepped up its lobbying against universal pharmacare. They are responding to the alarm bells sounded by the provincial government that people will lose their private coverage. Tyler Campbell, previously communications director for the provincial government, is now Government Relations Lead for Porter O’Brien. He has been registered to lobby on behalf of the CLHIA. This group has really increased its footprint across New Brunswick. At present, there are only seven lobbyists registered—and actively registered—in the province.
New Brunswick’s Health Minister has expressed very particular fears about the ramifications of a national pharmacare program. “Ottawa should build on the strengths of the existing system,” he stated, emphasizing that a “one-size-fits-all model” could create a multi-million dollar gap in coverage. The Minister’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among some provincial leaders who worry about the potential repercussions of integrating into a federal pharmacare model.
“We meet with governments on a wide range of issues from pensions to insurance legislation reform and healthcare — these are all issues that we have discussed with the government in New Brunswick.” – Karen Leiva, AVP, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs.
The CLHIA continues to argue that around 27 million Canadians already have access to needed medications through employer-sponsored health benefits. Speaking as part of a panel on industry collaboration, Karen Leiva, AVP of Strategic Communications & Public Affairs for the CLHIA, asserted, “That’s a collaboration we need to safeguard.” She expressed concerns about the potential impact on existing coverage plans and advocated for preserving these plans while ensuring that new government coverage is directed toward those who currently lack access.
Advocates for pharmacare have argued that New Brunswick has the fiscal capacity to opt into the program. They remind folks that this initiative will save lives. They push back against exaggerated claims spread by industry lobbyists about job losses or coverage reductions that would result from pharmacare implementation. Nikolas Barry-Shaw, a lead campaigner for pharmacare with the Council of Canadians, slammed the tactics as cowardly. He described them as “scare tactics” designed to confuse New Yorkers.
“There are no stories coming out saying, ‘Oh my God, I lost my workplace insurance because the government created this program’… I think it’s completely empty, scaremongering.” – Nikolas Barry-Shaw, lead campaigner on pharmacare for the Council of Canadians.
Barry-Shaw made the case that the more public plans there are, the less people will need private coverage and therefore incur lower premiums. He asserted that the fear of losing existing coverage is unfounded and called for a focus on equitable access to medications for all Canadians.
The current debate reflects an ongoing discussion in Canada about making healthcare more accessible. Instead, advocates support universal drug coverage to ensure families can all afford the medicines they need. At the same time, opponents fear that this all-payer approach would erode private insurance.
“Every Canadian, regardless of income or employment, should be able to get the medications they need.” – Karen Leiva, AVP, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs.
