For immediate release
OTTAWA – Federal Health Minister Petitpas Taylor agrees that it is Canada’s role to ensure universal abortion care for all people in Canada. Petitpas Taylor will be having conversations with her departmental officials, as well as her provincial and territorial partners, to address two-tiered cost-coverage for the abortion medication Mifegymiso, across Canada. Her comments come following a joint media event held last week at the Health Ministers’ Summit which featured representatives from Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, the Canadian Pharmacists Association, the Canadian Nurses Association and the Canadian Health Coalition. These advocates and practitioners joined forces to demand that all federal, provincial and territorial governments commit immediately to universal cost-coverage for Mifegymiso.
With some provinces already covering the full cost of medical abortions, and some continuing to ignore the issue or refuse to provide coverage, a two-tiered access to a medically necessary health service is in effect. “This is a violation of the Canada Health Act, of individual’s right to health and of international law, which protects reproductive rights” says Action Canada’s Executive Director, Sandeep Prasad. Adding that “The Health Ministers Summit event was a historic moment. Together, Canada’s Nurses, Pharmacists, and health and rights advocates stood together to demand abortion access.”
“CPhA strongly supports expanding cost coverage of Mifegymiso for all people in Canada,” says Christine Hrudka, Vice-Chair of the Canadian Pharmacists Association. “We are also urging Health Canada to remove the added barrier of physician dispensing to allow direct-to-patient dispensing by pharmacists across Canada.”
Adrienne Silnicki, co-national director of The Canadian Health Coalition commented: “The Canada Health Act must be upheld and enforced by the federal government to ensure equal access to health care for all, regardless of where in Canada people live or their ability to pay.”
It is the federal government’s responsibility to ensure that essential health care is universal, accessible and free among all provinces and territories. Action Canada will continue to support and encourage Minister Petitpas Taylor as she fulfills her stated commitments.
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Media Contact
Darrah Teitel
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
613-241-4474 ext. 5
darrah@sexualhealthandrights.ca
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- Mr. Prasad is available for media interviews.
- More information about the abortion pill and Action Canada’s campaign are available at www.mifegymiso.com
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ACTION CANADA FOR SEXUAL HEALTH & RIGHTS is a progressive, pro-choice charitable organization committed to advancing and upholding sexual and reproductive health in Canada and globally.