With clock ticking, future of Liberals' dental and pharmacare programs uncertain

The Liberals' dental and drug plans are in limbo
The majority of the dental plan has not yet been implemented and an agreement has not been made to cover drugs

As Canada's federal election approaches, the future of two of the Liberal government's most important social programs — the dental and drug plans — remains uncertain.

Currently, only one-third of Canadians who are supposed to be covered by the National Dental Insurance Program are eligible. In addition, the federal government has yet to sign an agreement with the provinces and territories to cover the cost of contraceptives and diabetes.

Health Minister Mark Holland acknowledged last week: "There are no guarantees. "We are in an unstable situation." He added: "I assure with all my strength that we will finish this work. "We don't need much time, just a little more."

But time is quickly running out for Holland. The three main opposition parties have vowed to topple the Liberal government with a no-confidence vote, possibly as soon as March, when a federal election could be held.

Canadian Dental Plan

Currently, Canada's new dental care program pays for dental services for three million people, including seniors, children and those receiving the Disability Tax Credit. The program was supposed to be expanded to 19-64-year-olds earlier this year and cover an additional six million people, but it has not yet been implemented and the Ministry of Health has not provided information about it.

"I want it done," Mark Holland said.


Drug program

Legislation for the drug program, passed last fall, set the stage to begin covering the costs of birth control and diabetes medications. Holland said negotiations with the provinces and territories to sign agreements are going "very well," but so far only one has been signed with British Columbia and no other formal agreements have been reached.

He added: "I am very excited and confident that we can do this. "Then it will be a choice for Parliament: do we need a little more time to complete the pharmaceutical agreements?"


New Democratic Party: "There is no need for more time"

New Democrat health critic Peter Julian said his party would not give the Liberals more time.

"This Liberal government has all the tools at its disposal to take immediate action and we say there is no excuse for delay," he said.


Worry about the future

Dr. Brandon Duse, a dentist from Nova Scotia who has long campaigned for public and national dental insurance, is concerned about the future of the dental program. "If the program is not implemented for all 9 million eligible Canadians by the time of the election, there is a possibility that it will be canceled," he said.

He added: "Taking away dental insurance from people who desperately need it would be cruel."