SASKATOON June 18, 2016
Seniors across Saskatchewan continue to be the losers with the Government’s 2016 Budget . The latest budget decision will have serious impacts on seniors in the province.
The amount to be paid out-of-pocket per prescription is increasing by $5 (to a maximum of $25) under Seniors’ Drug Plan, to offset costs the government says have grown by an average of $10 million each year since 2012-13. The government estimates the change will affect 120,000 seniors by an average of $80 per year. This assumes that a senior would require only one prescription per month while in reality some have over ten!
GLOBAL NEWS
Losers: Drug plan users. Effective immediately, the cost of the Children and Seniors Drug Plan is rising by $5 a prescription to $25. The province says it should save $6.75 million this year and $9 million annually.
CBC NEWS
The government says the real work begins now on what it’s calling “transformational change” to get the books balanced by next year’s budget. It says everything is on the table in that discussion. Doherty says the Saskatchewan Party campaigned on no tax increases, which is a promise it kept in this budget.
SASKATCHEWAN SENIORS’ FINANCIAL HISTORY
PRIOR TO THE PRESCRIPTION FEE INCREASE IN 2016 BUDGET
A high percentage of seniors are attempting to carry a lifestyle at an income level which is below the poverty level of Saskatchewanians and Canadians.
The CCP increase for senior this year is 1.2% and the OAS increase is 0.1% for the first quarter of 2016.
The Saskatchewan Government has approved a Saskpower utility increase of 10% over two phase in periods – 5% increase effective July 1, 2016 and 5% increase effective January 1, 2017. This follows five per cent rate increase (system-wide average) for 2015.
The Saskatchewan Government, Effective 1 July 2015, reduced the income threshold above which individuals are not eligible to participate in the Seniors’ Drug Plan to $65,515 from its current level of $80,255. The reduction in the income threshold is expected to remove 6,000 seniors in Saskatchewan from the Seniors’ Drug Plan and result in a savings to the province of $3 million in the 2015/2016 fiscal year.
AND NOW . . . The Saskatchewan Government, in its 2016 budget decided to increase the per prescription fee by $5 (to a maximum of $25) under Seniors’ Drug Plan. This change will affect 120,000 seniors by an average of $80 per year – minimum. The no tax increase method will cost many seniors an extra $600 per year!
SSAI JUNE 8/2016 – At the Saskatchewan Seniors Association Inc convention, senior groups from across Saskatchewan joined to release an open letter calling on the Saskatchewan Government and Premier to immediately introduce legislation to amend the budget to eliminate the proposed increase in the per prescription fee of $5.00
QUOTE:
“The seniors state of health and finances is under severe threat with the latest budget decision! “
– Pat Trask, Saskatchewan Seniors Association Inc. President
As baby boomers age, communities have an opportunity to benefit from a highly-skilled cohort of seniors looking for new and meaningful ways to contribute to their communities. Seniors are significant contributors to the not-for-profit sector. Through their volunteer efforts communities benefit from seniors to who share their knowledge, skills and experiences with others. However, financially, seniors are now being asked to sacrifice their quality of life and life savings to subsidize government budgetary spending.
PA NOW NEWS
Wall receives about $37,000 top up salary from the Saskatchewan Party each year for business outside of his legislative duties.
QUOTE:
“Seniors in Saskatchewan know what it takes to get by in retirement and are finding that each year the financial challenge is growing as a result of increased costs for medical services .”
– Lorna Weldon – 1st VP, Saskatchewan Seniors Association Inc
More than one in seven Canadians are over the age of 65, and in 25 years, nearly one in four Canadians will be a senior. As baby boomers age, communities have an opportunity to benefit from a highly-skilled cohort of seniors looking for new and meaningful ways to contribute to their communities.
QUOTE:
“The higher goal of government should be the enactment of programs which enable seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experience in their home communities. This could and should be done in a manner which affords them the dignity of being a senior and provides access to all required medical services.”
– Mike Kaminski – 2nd VP, Saskatchewan Seniors Association Inc
All seniors at all income levels deserve to be able to finish their golden years in the community of their choice, and be able to live with dignity and quality of life. Government programs need to be supportive of seniors to enable them to access required health care services without being forced into decision making which places shelter, food and clothing choices against health care, medication, and transportation to access services.
QUOTE:
“ The seniors of Saskatchewan need to unite and speak up against government decisions which undermine their ability to live life to the fullest with dignity and quality”
– Jane Uchacz – Ituna Senior Citizens Club
The Saskatchewan Seniors Association Incorporated is working for seniors to bring seniors together in one strong, non-partisan, non-racial, non-sectarian organization that will work for the welfare of all seniors in Saskatchewan. It is the sincere wish that the Seniors’ Voice in Saskatchewan strong be heard by the elected members of government and that Planning for Seniors be done with Seniors for Seniors for the betterment of all.
For more information, please contact:
Pat Trask
President, Saskatchewan Seniors Association Inc.
(306)922-8236
pattrask @sasktel.net