SENIORS BENEFITS CHANGE HAS ROUGHLY 46,000 ALBERTANS SEEKING NEW DRUG PLAN The Alberta government is set to make changes to its drug programs starting March 1st, ending coverage for dependents under the Alberta Seniors Benefit Drug Program. Alberta seniors enrolled in the program have received premium-free coverage for prescriptions and other health-related services for themselves, their spouses and dependents. Starting March 1st, that coverage will be limited to those over age 65. Thus, seniors’ spouses and dependents, under the age of 65, will have to seek other insurance plans to cover those medical expenses. The provincial government is suggesting those affected turn to Alberta Blue Cross’s non-group plan, with some health critics saying that this is just another money grab for those in the province as part of the 2019 Alberta budget.
JUUL TEMPORARILY HALTING PRODUCTION OF FRUITY NICOTINE VAPING PRODUCTS IN CANADA Juul announced that it would temporarily halt pro- duction of its fruity nicotine vaping products in Canada. Mango, cucumber, fruit, and vanilla flavors will no longer be available. The company had already halted the sale of its flavors in the U.S. inNovember, excluding menthol, Virginia tobacco and classic tobacco, amid scrutiny over a surge in teen use. The change comes as Juul faces mounting litiga- tion and scrutiny over a surge in teen vaping.
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2020
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