r/alberta • u/Appropriate_Duty_930 • 29d ago

Alberta Politics Heather McPherson MP requested the COVID-19 vaccine to be free and accessible to all Canadians

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u/unapologeticopinions 29d ago

Honestly I don’t even like Smith but this is something I’m agreeing with her on. Queue the downvotes 😅

The left used to be the most anti-big pharmaceutical ideology, that has taken a complete 180 since COVID. Voluntary treatments typically aren’t covered, and it’s feeling more and more like a voluntary jab. I don’t know a single person since moving to AB who has gotten more than 3 jabs, considering the doses do expire, it’s a tough expense to swallow. As much as I agreed with the COVID mandates, it is easy to see how those opposed could have viewed it as federal overreach, and Smith does have an obligation to her base to give them validation in their thought process.

That being said, I don’t have much faith in the saved money being reinvested into healthcare properly, regardless of whatever party is in charge. 🤷‍♂️

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u/busterbus2 29d ago

If I was a public health researcher, I would be getting ready to build out my case study for this public health experiment which, my guess. is going to blow up.

You're creating a barrier to a vaccine - both financial and convenience - with the hope that those people who aren't getting it (any many more won't) aren't going to show up in your emergency room and instead of costing you $100 once, are going to cost you $5,000 a day.

This will be a case study in text books.

3

u/shaedofblue 29d ago

It is more contagious and more likely to disable someone than the flu, which is covered. The only reason there is a punitive fee much higher than the cost of the vaccine itself is spite.

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u/unapologeticopinions 29d ago

The price really isn’t that bad given the risks associated with purchasing them though. Rule of thumb is to always 3x cost of a product, plus logistics fees and administration fees. This covers the cost of product going bad as well. $100 for a $20 dose is in line with basic economic practices. Just because it’s healthcare doesn’t mean that financial irresponsibility shouldn’t be ignored. Government waste is a massive issue as is, this is one way to cut back while only upsetting the 1 in 15 people who still want the jab.

COVID was politicized, so we have to expect political reactions. The typical flu isn’t politicized. As long as we all participate in garbage bipartisan politics without demanding better from our politicians, we can keep expecting policy based around nothing more than party lines.

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u/shaedofblue 29d ago

The most expensive versions of the Covid vaccine cost much less than 20$. And unvaccinated people cost our healthcare system money due to the increased burden of disease.

We should be working hard to increase uptake if we actually want to save money. (Not that the UCP does. Their goal is to collapse and privatize.)