2023-08-24 22:39:07
Thousands of Canadians are demanding free prescription contraceptives across the country in a petition, an idea that receives a lot of support in Quebec to avoid unwanted pregnancies in this period of inflation.
“It’s music to our ears, we completely agree, reacts the president of the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Quebec (AOGQ), Dr.r Elio Dario Garcia. This would be an extremely beneficial measure for all women in Quebec.”
Launched by a doctor from Calgary, Alberta, the petition has garnered more than 9,000 signatures since the end of July. That’s way more than the goal of 5,000 names by the deadline, which is this Saturday. The missive proposes the creation of a federal policy that would ensure free prescription contraceptives (birth control pills, IUDs, etc.) across Canada. Over-the-counter contraceptives, such as condoms, would be excluded.
“Extremely Beneficial”
“We would like that so much, admits Jess Legault, general coordinator of the Quebec Federation for Planned Births (FQPN), who has been campaigning for free access for 50 years. It allows autonomy in the face of one’s body and sexuality, and to have children at the chosen time.
Jess Legault, general coordinator of the Quebec Federation for Planned Births (FQPN)
Courtesy (FQPN)
In the federal petition, it is pointed out that studies have shown that each dollar invested in universal access to contraception generates up to nine dollars in savings.
Above all, this measure would reduce the number of abortions. Each year, more than 20,000 Quebec women terminate a pregnancy, a service covered by the public plan. According to the FQPN, regarding half of pregnancies are unplanned each year.
Moreover, in this period of inflation, many women find it difficult to afford contraception each month, which can cost up to $15 despite the insurance coverage.
“The price can be a barrier for some people, who will take inadequate contraception,” says Ms.me Legault.
“Prevention is the best treatment. In the long term, it is a very profitable investment”, underlines the Dr Garcia.
Last spring, British Columbia became the first-ever Canadian province to make prescription birth control free. In Quebec, the plan allows for reimbursement of 80%, which is better than what we see in other provinces.
While abortion rights are in major decline in the United States, this universal policy would be a symbolic first step towards a national pharmacare plan in Canada, the petition states.
A bill of $48 million
The issue of free admission in Quebec has been the subject of discussion in recent years. The AOGQ even says that it raised the subject last year with Minister Lionel Carmant, delegate to the Ministry of Health. The proposal, however, did not yield any results.
Last March, Québec solidaire asked the Legault government to follow in British Columbia’s footsteps. Last year, the political party estimated the cost of public coverage at $48 million per year and annual savings of $71 million.
Led by Calgary Liberal MP George Chahal, the petition calls on the government to commit to adopting a universal coverage policy by September 26, World Contraception Day.
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