- © 2007 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
Low-income families are not flocking to sign up for Nova Scotia's new Low Income Pharmacare for Children program. To date, approximately 6500 families out of a potentially eligible 35 000 have registered for the program, which was launched Oct. 1, 2006.
However, the small numbers are not necessarily a concern, says Linda Laffin, spokesperson for the Community Services department that oversees the program.
First, she notes, it's unclear exactly how many families actually qualify for the program, which requires participants to pay only $5 per prescription. This uncertainty stems from the fact that eligible families must meet 3 criteria: they must have children under 18 years of age; an annual household income below $20 921; and be in receipt of the Nova Scotia Child Benefit. However, the latter is administered by the federal government, which does not release its mailing list. It did, however, send a notice about the program to all Nova Scotia families on that list.
In addition, low-income families who are covered under a drug program through work are ineligible while those on social assistance are already covered. These numbers are also not known.
As well, “People may not apply until they need it,” Laffin says, noting that the number of applicants doubled in the first 2 months of 2007.
The slow growth means additional revenue for the province. It had committed $1 million for the last 6 months of this fiscal year, but had only spent $113 000 by the end of January.
The province is now planning to send a second letter to child benefit recipients and is exploring other options, including more advertising, for getting the word out.