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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2014-05-07, Page 5Wednesday, May 7, 2014 • News Record 5 T www.clintonnewsrecord.com letters to the editor Despite political differences, reader respects Jim Flaherty To the Editor; While us Canadians, and Newfound- landers & Labradoreans have various politi- cal points of view on any given subject, and we all belong to a political party or none at all, like many of you I was both shocked and Saddened about the former Conservative Finance Minister James Flaherty's death. While I differed with James Flaherty and the rest of the Harper Conservative Government on a number of important national issues, including the National Pharmaceutical Strat- egy & National Pharmacare, I respected him and appreciated the fact, he responded to one of my letters to him and other federal and provincial parliamentarians about the urgent need for a National Pharmacare Pro- gram in 2009! Here is a copy of My Letter to the then Finance Minister: PHARMACARE UPDATE - AUSTRALIA ":..Australia's 21,714,000 residents, living in New South Wales, Queensland, South Aus- tralia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Terri- tory (Canberra), Christmas Island, Coco's (Keeling) Islands, Ashmore & Cartier Islands, Coral Sea Islands, and Heard & McDonald Islands, are entitled to Australia's State or Publicly administered Medicare and PBS (Prescription Benefits Scheme) coverage. According to the Australian Government, or more specifically, the Department of Health and Ageing, the Prescription Benefit Scheme "is a universal pharmaceutical subsidy sys- tem." PBS provides affordable medicines for all Australians. Since 1990, Australia's pharmaceutical pol- icy requires that all Australians who fill PBS approved Prescriptions make a "co -payment" towards the cost of their drugs. There is two levels of PBS assistance; General and Conces- sional. A Australian Government agency, Cen- trelink assists people to become more inde- pendent or self-sufficient and supports those in need. In general terms, Australians who receive General coverage, have to pay the first $32.90 per prescription with the national government (or PBS) paying the remaining costs. And, for those residents who receive Concessional Coverage, have to pay the first $5.30 per medi- cation with the government covering the rest of the costs. Those groups who are eligible for Conces- sional Benefit include: Seniors, Working Poor, Persons with Disabilities (including Citizens with mental Illness), Unemployed, and Veter- ans (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - RPBS) through Australia's Depart- ment of Veterans Affairs (DVA). The National Health Act (1953) enables cer- tain Australians to receive "the PBS Safety Net" - their medications at a reduced rate or free once they reached a certain threshold amount on their PBS medicines. Australians may also be eligible for "The Pharmaceutical Allowance of $156.00 per year toward their medication costs... Within PBS program, there are special cov- erage for those Residents requiring Optical or Vision Care and Dentacare. And there is also special coverage for Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples... Australians receive Prescription Drug Assistance from just one National Government, based in Canberra, whereas, us Canadians may or may not be eligible for Full or Partial Public Drug Coverage from any of one of the 14 Federal, Provincial or Territorial Governments! When our Federal Parliamen- tarians are considering the need for a National Pharmacare Program, in and outside the National Pharmaceutical Strategy hearings, all they have to do is look at Great Britain, Ire- land, Belgium and Australia! Edward Sawdon St. John's, NL Now here is the then Federal Finance Min- ister, James Flaherty's Response: "Dear Mr. Sawdon: Thank you for your correspondence of August 7, 2009 in which you provided infor- mation on Australia's pharmaceutical policy. The roles and responsibilities for Canada's health care system are shared between the federal, provincial and territorial govern- ments. Under the Canada Health Act, the Government of Canada's health insurance legislation, criteria and conditions specify that they must be satisfied by the provincial and territorial health care insurance plans in order for them to qualify for their full share of the federal cash contribution, available under the Canada Health Transfer. The provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the management, organization and delivery of health services for their residents. Under the Canda Health Act, all necessary drug therapy administered within a Canadian hospital setting is insured and publicly funded. Outside of the hospital setting, pro- vincial and territorial governments are responsible for the administration of their own publicly funded prescription drug bene- fit programs. Most Canadians have access to insurance coverage for prescription medi- cines through public and/or private insurance plans. The federal, provincial and territorial governments offer varying levels of coverage, with different eligiibility requirements, premi- ums and deductibles. The publicly -funded programs generally provide insurance cover- age for those most in need, based on age, income, and medical condition. Since this matter falls more directly within the jurisdiction of the Minister of Health, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, I have for- warded a copy of your correspondence to her. Thank you communicating your concerns Sincerely James M. Flaherty While James Flaherty and I had two dia- metrically opposite opinions on Canada's National Pharmacare proposal, I do appreci- ate the fact he took time to read my August 7, 2009 letter in regards to my concerns, and he, in fact, responded by explaining his and the Harper Government's policy of preserving the current system of one 13 different Provin- cial/Territorial Drug Plans. I noticed he did not mention the Federal Drug Plans for Can- ada's First Nations & Inuit; Veterans; Cana- dian Military; RCMP and Corrections Canada? Regardless of our Political Stripes, May James Flaherty R.I.P! Edward Sawdon St. John's, NL" Central Huron to benefit from $415,870 in United Way campaign dollars Generous donors gave a total of $1,133,506 to the United Way Perth -Huron (UWPH) last year, confident those funds would be distributed where most needed across both Huron and Perth counties. Supporting nearly 50 agencies, projects and programs in the region, UWPH cam- paign dollars will make a lasting impact for thousands of people. According to a press release, Fund -allo- cations decisions are made by the Program Review & Allocations Committee (PRAC), a diverse group of seven community volun- teers, including a youth advisor and six members of the United Way's board of governors. "Members of PRAC serve from all over Perth and Huron Counties, and have worked hard to make sure all residents ben- efit from the generosity of our donors," says Matt Orchard, PRAC chair said in the press release. This year, residents of Central Huron, whose joint share of the 2013 campaign allocations totals $415,870 will benefit from services provided by the following: • Big Brothers Big Sisters North Huron • CNIB • Emily Murphy Centre • Family Services Perth -Huron • Huron County Food Distribution Centre • Huron Hospice Volunteer Services • Huron Safe Homes for Youth • Huron Women's Shelter • John Howard Society of London & District • ONE Care Home and Community Support Services • Partners in Employment • Stratford/Perth Shelterlink Grant Recipients • YMCA Huron County In addition to agency allocations, United Way officials said residents of Goderich will benefit from services pro- vided by these United Way - supported projects and programs totalling $221,918 including: . 211 is a 24-hour helpline and online database of Ontario's community and social services answered by highly trained referral specialists. • Multicultural Association of Perth -Huron facilitates the full participation of all Perth -Huron residents in the life of their communities and foster the cultural diversity, which exists within these communities. • Social research and planning council is dedicated to the collection, analysis and distribution of information relating to social trends and issues in Perth and Huron Counties. The most recent report was on volunteerism. • Transportation task force is a commu- nity conversation, led by UWPH to improve transportation opportunities in Huron and Perth counties. • Volunteer Portal connects interested people to volunteer opportunities in the community. • Winter Warmth is designed for low- income families and individuals liv- ing at, or below, the poverty line who have exhausted all other sources of financial support. Approved house- holds may receive one grant (up to $500 maximum) each year. Over and above these local investments donors chose to designate $28,177 to charities of their choice. Ryan Erb, executive director said, "This is a time of celebration for us. After a sea- son fundraising, we are now able to ensure support is given to so many wor- thy programs in our community. The investment that we are making this year will help many thousands of people in every corner of Perth and Huron." United E Perth -Hu n