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In my new essay for CreakyJoints Canada, I talk about why and how to make issues like mask mandates, pharmacare programs, and affordable accessible housing front and center during this year’s Ontario and Québec polls:

“All over Canada, mask mandates, capacity limits, and all other protective measures have been lifted as the country collectively hit overwhelming pandemic fatigue. This despite COIVD continuing to churn out new and more contagious variance on a regular basis. For many who live with chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), this felt like another example of not considering our needs in public-policy making. Of course, this isn’t a new thing, but the pandemic has made it that much more obvious.  

Clearly, something needs to change to bring the issues of the chronic illness and disabled communities to the forefront and to improve overall quality of life. With both Ontario and Québec going to the polls in 2022, there is no better time to talk about how to make our concerns an election issue this year and in future elections. 

Chronic Illness Issues Are Everyone’s Issues

Canada is a wonderful place to live and our universal health care system is a big plus when you’re a frequent flyer in the health care system due to autoimmune arthritis. Even so, it could be better. Although the provinces do offer medication support programs, applying can take a long time and not everyone qualifies. In 2004, I experienced this first-hand when waiting for funding for my biologic to be approved, an eight-month process during which an out-of-control RA flare caused permanent damage, leaving me more disabled than I was before. Imagine if our ability to access medication was based on need instead of whether we have benefits at work or the money to afford a biologic treatment. A universal pharmacare program to supplement our universal health care is closer than it’s ever been, but not here yet.  

That’s just one example. If governments prioritized our concerns, we could have better (and more accessible) public transit, more widespread flexible work policies, and more sick time. We might see an end to the shortage in rheumatologists that’s contributing to delay of diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune arthritis, better community resources and support for people living with chronic illness and pain, a strengthening of accessibility laws, more accessible (and affordable) housing, better funding for arthritis research, insurance programs to cover repair of mobility aids, and so much more. “

Read my essay on making chronic illness and disability concerns important election issues on CreakyJoints Canada.