The NDP leader Jagmeet Singh confirmed on Friday that his party wants the federal government to fund national contraception coverage as part of the pharmacare deal that they are negotiating. Singh said that covering the cost of birth control would benefit women, families, and the health care system.
Contraception coverage: A matter of fairness and choice
Singh said that contraception coverage is a matter of fairness and choice for women, who often bear the burden of paying for birth control methods, such as pills, patches, injections, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). He said that contraception coverage would help women prevent unwanted pregnancies, plan their families, and pursue their education and careers.
Singh also said that contraception coverage is a matter of public health, as it would reduce the rates of abortion, teen pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. He cited a study by Options for Sexual Health, which estimated that providing universal contraception coverage in Canada would save $320 million per year in direct health care costs.
Singh pointed out that some provinces, such as British Columbia and Quebec, already offer some form of contraception coverage, and that it is time for the federal government to step up and ensure that all women across the country have access to affordable and effective birth control.
Pharmacare deal: A matter of urgency and commitment
Singh said that contraception coverage is one of the elements that the NDP wants to include in the pharmacare deal that they are negotiating with the Liberals. The NDP has been pushing for a universal, single-payer pharmacare system that would cover the cost of prescription drugs for all Canadians, as part of their confidence and supply agreement with the minority government.
Singh said that the NDP is close to presenting their final offer on pharmacare to the Liberals, and that they expect them to honour their promise and deliver on this issue. He said that the deadline for reaching a deal is March 1, 2024, and that if the Liberals fail to meet it, they will lose the NDP’s support on key votes in Parliament.
Singh said that pharmacare is a matter of urgency and commitment for the NDP, as it would improve the health and well-being of millions of Canadians who struggle to afford their medication. He said that pharmacare is also a matter of fiscal responsibility, as it would save billions of dollars in health care spending and boost the economy.
The bottom line
The NDP leader Jagmeet Singh confirmed on Friday that his party wants the federal government to fund national contraception coverage as part of the pharmacare deal that they are negotiating. Singh said that contraception coverage would benefit women, families, and the health care system, and that pharmacare would benefit all Canadians who need prescription drugs. Singh said that the NDP is close to presenting their final offer on pharmacare to the Liberals, and that they expect them to honour their promise and deliver on this issue by March 1, 2024.