Stephen McNeil says fixing seniors' pharmacare plan possible

The Nova Scotiagovernment is looking at fixing changes to the seniors' pharmacare plan that had "unintended consequences," Premier Stephen McNeilsaid Thursday.

"Instead of solving the problem, we actually shifted it to another group of seniors who were just over the income threshold," McNeil told CBC.

"Having that been brought to our attention, we obviously have a responsibility to make sure that we do fair by all of them."

McNeil madea state of the province address Thursday to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. There hediscussed the Liberal's plan to revamp pharmacare for seniors, which resulted in backlash from some seniors.

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Not too 'stubborn' to change plan

McNeil said he's received many thoughtful comments, both positive and negative, about the proposed changes.

Some, hesaid, thought the jump in premiums was too much at once, part of the reason the province is considering making adjustments.

"We're in the process of going through a number of options we have before us," McNeil said.

"We have responsibility that, when we see that happening, to respond and not be stubborn enough to stay in aposition simply because it was a policy decision that we made."

'Trying to solve a problem'

McNeil said they're planning to consult with seniors again and will relay any changes once those are decided. He said they want seniors to be able to pay for prescriptions and basic necessities.

"The intent was never to make it more difficult for others," McNeil said.

"We were trying to solve a problem, not create one for someone else, and having it pointed out, we'll address it."