Suite 100, 550 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5Z 4P2 Tel. 604-871-2260 Toll free: 1-877-683-2243 The BCRTA office is located on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples – sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel�íl�witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations By Email: soci@sen.parl.gc.ca September 24, 2024 Dear Sir/Madam: On behalf of more than 17,500 members of the BC Retired Teachers’ Association, I am writing to Senators, and particularly those from British Columbia, to encourage your support of the passage of Bill C-64,

an Act Respecting Pharmacare. Bill C-64 is a major step towards a universal, publicly funded and delivered drug coverage program that will save lives and dollars in our public health care system. Canadians, particularly seniors, who have invested in Public Medicare for decades, are an at-risk group for medical care, and deserve sustainable, fair and equitable access to prescription medicines based on need, and not the ability to pay. Public Medicare does not cover the cost of prescription medicines, leaving many patients out- of-pocket for necessary drugs unless they are hospitalized.

The issue is exacerbated for senior Canadians, many of whom are single women, with low income, and increasing need of medications. The lack of access to affordable medication leads to increased pressure on our medical system, with increased doctor and hospital visits, and worsening conditions that have gone untreated. The federal government’s Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare, led by Dr.

Eric Hoskins, recommended: “the federal government work with provincial and territorial governments and stakeholders to establish universal, single-payer, public Pharmacare in Canada” (Health Canada, 2019). We are now urging you to support the passage of Bill C-64 in the Senate, without amendment and /or further delays. Thank you for your attention to the concerns of retired pensioners, Arnie Lambert, President BC Retired Teachers’ Association, arnie.lambert@bcrta.ca