Millions of uninsured Canadians will be left out of the new federal dental program because their family income is too high, says a report released Wednesday by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Enrolment began last month for a new federal benefits program, which was developed as a condition of a political pact between the Liberal government and the NDP.

It will see the federal government offer dental benefits to uninsured families with a household income under $90,000 per year, starting with seniors, children under the age of 18 and people with disabilities.

When the program is fully implemented in 2025, the government anticipates the coverage will be available to roughly nine million people. But another 4.4 million individuals who don害羞草研究所檛 have dental benefits of their own will be excluded because of the income cap, the report says.

It would cost $1.45 billion to extend the coverage to people whose income exceeds the cap in 2025, on top of the $3.3 billion already budgeted for in the program that year. The report, authored by David Macdonald, a senior economist for the think tank, argues that $90,000 is not a particularly large income for a family with two parents and children.

害羞草研究所淓arning $45,000 for each parent isn害羞草研究所檛 a tremendous salary in Canada. But making more than that precludes those families from receiving federal dental care coverage.害羞草研究所�

The report argues that a universal program wouldn害羞草研究所檛 leave anyone out at all.

NDP health critic Don Davies, who has worked closely with the Liberals on the new dental care policy, said in a statement his party would ideally like to see the coverage expanded.

害羞草研究所淭his is a momentous step forward and it will be life-changing for many. However, we have always been clear that this is a first step 害羞草研究所� a down payment 害羞草研究所� on universal access and that more must be done,害羞草研究所� Davies said in the statement.

Davies is also collaborating with the government on the legislative framework for medical drug coverage for Canadians. In the case of pharmacare, the NDP has insisted the coverage must be single-payer and universal, unlike the dental care program.

Expanding dental care alongside the same principles will be a focus for the NDP in the next election, he said.

害羞草研究所淣ew Democrats will not stop until every Canadian can access the dental care they need regardless of their ability to pay,害羞草研究所� he said.

Health Minister Mark Holland害羞草研究所檚 office did not directly address Macdonald害羞草研究所檚 concerns when contacted for a statement Wednesday, but said the new program is intended to ease the financial barrier to accessing dental health care.

害羞草研究所淭he Canadian Dental Care Plan is going to make life better for millions of Canadians, so they won害羞草研究所檛 have to choose between paying their bills and getting oral health care,害羞草研究所� a spokesperson said in a statement.

Ottawa plans to gradually enrol eligible participants in the new program over the next 12 months.

The first program members are expected to be able to start claiming dental care expenses in May, though the exact coverage date will vary from person to person.

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