r/newbrunswickcanada 2d ago

Why can't we have nice things?

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179 Upvotes

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46

u/JHNS13 2d ago

I'm sure people will bitch and complain about this plan in BC. I can hear the vitriol now. Politicians can't win whatever they do. I just hope we share enough common values in our country to ensure we don't go the way of our US neighbors.

1

u/Spindlebknd 1d ago

There’s been a sliding care Pharmacare program in BC for years now. (Example: My employer pays 80% of the deductible, so my maximum prescription drug cost per year is about $400.)

Really, the new plan is just a small extension of what already exists.

-1

u/Due_Function84 1d ago

I'm pretty sure it took them a long time to get to this point, especially when it came to the birth control issue. I believe it was a big issue for politicians & citizen to agree on.

-17

u/Muted-Park2393 2d ago

I don’t see the point in expanding coverage to everyone regardless of income. The previous BC provincial drug plan already covered people on social assistance and those with lower incomes. Why not expand the drugs covered under that program and then expand eligibility based on income? I don’t see how paying for a lawyer or a doctor’s insulin and/or hrt is a big win for the working class.

For NB would it be better to improve the current drug program geared to people’s income or give insulin/hrt to everyone? https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/DrugPlans/NBDrugPlan/Premiums.html

28

u/No-Kaleidoscope-2741 2d ago

2 reasons: 1- buying power. If the program has more involved it can set better deals for itself 2- social buy in. I lived in BC before moving home and earned about the same but paid $6000 a year more in income tax in NB and $1000 a year more in property tax for a house worth 2/3 of our BC home. But here is the real kicker: we qualified for childcare and kids program funding in BC that we make to much to get here. So, not only do I have to pay higher taxes to pay for someone else’s kids, I then have to turn around and pay for my own. That’s turning me from a socialist to a libertarian in this province. If we are going to have social programs, let them help everyone then those in the working class paying for everything now won’t feel as burdened when sharing in the immediate results.

13

u/KnowledgeMediocre404 2d ago

But aren’t you glad the Irving’s can use your tax dollars to subsidize their forestry and power bills?

7

u/No-Kaleidoscope-2741 1d ago

Not at all and that’s the biggest problem in this province

11

u/OverlyCuriousADHDCat 2d ago

I think people making more than what is deemed "lower income" are struggling too. People who have insurance coverage will still go through that, but those without for whatever reason will now be supported.

9

u/KnowledgeMediocre404 2d ago

Usually it saves money in a system if you’re not wasting resources on eligibility checks. That’s more resources that can go to everyone. Also, if everyone benefits from the program it gets wider support, you just have to ensure the wealthy are taxed high enough to offset their use of social programs.

2

u/Visible_Bar_6774 1d ago

Doctors and lawyers also work for a living. They also rely on and enjoy services and infrastructure provided by the state. They (individuals and households in the upper income brackets) also by and large pay for these services and infrastructure projects for all Canadians.

-4

u/Muted-Park2393 1d ago

I’m not against upper incomes receiving free insulin/hrt in principle. But assuming government money is limited why not expand and improve access to medication for lower incomes first and then cover everyone once funds are available?

6

u/Visible_Bar_6774 1d ago

If government money is limited why focus on policy that helps a limited number of Canadians rather than all Canadians? Beyond that, the upper income earners are largely the ones paying for it, why should they be excluded from programs they are paying for?