The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) is again sounding the alarm about Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare, saying the government should take the time to get the bill right or risk disrupting Canadians’ access to their prescription medications.

In particular, the CLHIA published a statement taking issue with federal Health Minister, Mark Holland’s recent comments in a letter to the Senate. In the letter, Holland reportedly states that Canada’s pharmacare plan would be paid for and administered exclusively through a public plan, rather than through a mix of public and private payers.

“The Minister’s latest comments directly contradict his testimony before both the House of Commons and Senate committees where the Minister went so far as to call concerns that Bill C-64 would eliminate private coverage ‘misinformation,’” the CLHIA’s president and CEO, Stephen Frank said in a statement. “The Minister’s testimony and latest comments reinforce the need for the bill to be clarified and amended.” 

In particular, the industry has noted that although the Minister has promised in the past that Canadians will still be able to use their benefits coverage to pay for their prescriptions, this is not how the bill is actually written. 

“The full impact of Bill C-64 remains unknown and 27 million working Canadians cannot afford for games to be played with the benefits that they rely on to keep their families healthy,” Frank adds. “The CLHIA believes that all Canadians should have access to the drugs which they have been prescribed. The government should take the time needed to get Bill C-64 right.” 

Related: 

Pharmacare concerns persist 

Pharmacare Act passes third reading in House of Commons 

Pharmacare legislation lacks transparency and risks Canadians’ coverage says association