Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange slammed the federal government’s proposed national pharmacare plan, stating the province’s intention to opt-out and put the funding towards their own plan that’s already in place.
LaGrange’s announcement comes days after the federal NDP, in collaboration with the Liberal government, announced a pharmacare deal focusing on free diabetes medication and birth control.
“I have to wonder if this is actually universal health care when in fact they’re just providing in two specific areas … diabetes and birth control? My understanding of pharmacare and universal health care encompasses all medications,” she said.
LaGrange further stated that the United Conservative Party was not consulted by the feds before the deal was announced.
The Health Minister highlighted Alberta’s existing drug plans that offer extensive coverage for over 5,000 Health Canada-approved drugs, including treatments for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and asthma.
“The province is willing to work and discuss ways that the federal government can invest in Alberta’s pharmacare program to enhance the existing program that is comprehensive and currently available to Albertans,” LaGrange said, adding, “We would be absolutely willing to enhance those programs. All we need is the federal government to provide those dollars to us and we will make sure we will enhance the programs.”
Federal Health Minister Mark Holland urged for patience, noting that the details of the legislation are yet to be unveiled and discussions with provincial and territorial leaders are forthcoming.
Nonetheless, LaGrange’s call for fiscal independence underscores Alberta’s broader push for autonomy in managing its own affairs.
Last year, the UCP celebrated after Canada’s Supreme Court ruled against one of Justin Trudeau’s keystone environmental laws — Bill C-69 — dealing a blow to federal efforts to regulate Alberta’s oil and gas projects.
Many accused the Trudeau Government of designing the act specifically impede Alberta’s oil and gas sector.
