Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath (BlackburnNews.com photo)Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath (BlackburnNews.com photo)
Windsor

Horwath Promises Ontarians Universal PharmaCare

Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath is vowing to ensure all Ontarians can pay for their medications.

Horwath announced that she will create the province's first universal PharmaCare Plan.  The initial announcement was given Saturday at the Ontario NDP's convention in Toronto.  A more detailed plan is expected to be revealed on Monday.

Over two million Ontarians have no prescription drug coverage and one-in-four fail to take medication they might need because it costs too much, something Horwath says she wants to change.

“You shouldn’t have to empty your wallet to get the medicine you need,” says Horwath. “No family should have to rack up credit card debt to treat an illness. And no one should ever go without the treatment they need because of cost.”

The cost of medication can be daunting for people who have trouble finding employment with benefits, and can be a challenge for a growing number of Ontarians who work in non-traditional, temporary or otherwise unstable jobs.

“Imagine if everyone could take their medication without the barrier of cost. We can help people live healthier, less stressful lives," said Horwath. We can make their month a little more affordable. And by preventing emergency room trips, we can improve people’s lives, and also relieve the strain on our overcrowded hospitals.”

As the NDP's leader in Ontario, Horwath's health care announcement comes as part of her keynote address to convention delegates.  Also on the convention agenda are panel discussions and workshops, with one geared toward candidates preparing for the 2018 provincial election campaign.

The convention runs through Sunday.  The complete agenda can be found at http://www.ontariondp.ca/convention2017.

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