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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-01-29, Page 5Opinion Doctor"see only one viewo Dear Editor, The various articles pertaining to the pro- posed legislation banning extra billing in the Goderich Signal -Star of January 15, 1986 were blatantly biased expressing the opi- nions of physicians opposed to the ban on ex- tra billing.. I was very pleased to read Elsa - Haydon's insightful rebuttal clarifying the important issues. Perhaps, Murray Elston, the Minister of Health, ean be interviewed to present the government position to the public. I agree that if the physicians are concern- ed about the quality and accessibility of the health care system they would be in favour ,of banning extra billing to allow the pro- vince to obtain the $50 million being withheld by the federal government because Ontario allows extra billing. If physicians wish to be independent pro- fessionals instead of civil servants let them opt out of .OHIP instead of using the plan to L RS SOMA collect their fees. Presently the doctors who extra bill have it both ways. They get paid the OIJP rate by the government then extra bill their patients. Perhaps the issue is that the doctors do not wish to be governed by a fee schedule negotiated with the province. 'A car with identifying doctor's license plates pulled into a gas station. The driver asked for $15.00 worth of gas and paid with a $20.00 bill. To the chagrin of the driver, he only received $4.00 .change. When asked why, the attendant replied, `that's my fee for pumping gas' " I fully support a ban on extra billing. In- cidentally, Premier Peterson, although still in favour of banning extra billing is willing to discuss other aspects of the proposed legislation with the Ontario Medical Association. If Ontario doctors are truly "concerned about the quality of health care, they will not let this opportunity pass. And by ending extra billing, the doctors will demonstrate leadership in financial restraint. Sincerely, M. Cicchini, Goderich Editor's note: The Signal -Star attempted to reach Health Minister Murray Elston to in- terview him on the extra -billing issue. He was not available. The Signal -Star will at- tempt to present another view by interview- ing the public for their comments. Signal - Star readers are encouraged to write Let- ters to the Editor as jVlr. Cicchini has done or phone the Signal -Star editorial depart- ment with their comments. The issue of extra -billing is not economic says Dr. Thomson Dear Editor: Do you remember five or six years ago when Ow bureaucrats of the Ministry of Health Wanted to close 25 beds in our hospital? We tried working through the channels to convince them how mistaken they were. The effect was nil. It was an, in- dependent medical profession that convinc- ed the board, and together enlisted the sup- port of the public, which turned around that 'decision. If we had not, those beds would have closed, and the type of care that we are able to deliver to you would have changed considerably. Do you remember after that, the decision to close the Goderich Psychiatric Hospital, and severely limit the other psychiatric hospitals in at least St. Thomas and Queen St. in Toronto, without providing ap- propriate alternative care? At least we all were able to salvage enough funds to pro- duce the third floor on our hospital, but the profession was not nearly as independent in those situations, and the result wasn't near- ly as effective, especially in the other cen- tres. Do you recall the need,of an intensive care unit in this area, and the denial of that from Toronto? Again an independent profession, in. team with the, board, resulted in the . massive community involvement producing the ICU. Any of you who have had friends, or have been yourself; involved with the Inten- sive Care Unit, would know how much dif- ference it has made to the care, of the people here. We would be muzzled by this act. Almost ninety per cent of doctors are • opted in and have no desire to change that. This issue, for us, then, is not an economic one. We have nothing to gain. The reason that the vast majority is fighting, is to main- tain our effectiveness in such issues as the local ones I have already mentioned. There is no, and there never will be, denial of access to the health care system. Opting Want smoking banned. at arena out does produce some problems, some more serious than others, and these should be resolved as much as possible, but unop- posed, bureaucratic control of this system is going to cause you people far, far more trou- ble, some of it very dangerous. If you find that hard to believe, simply conceive the type of people that gave you the post office, taking over without opposition, the health care system. If you think they can save money, buy a stamp or a litre of gas. Please, for your sake, not for my sake, act to protect your health care system. Let Mr. Peterson, Mr. Riddell, Mr. Elston, and Mr. Grossman know how you feel. Respectfully submitted. Yours truly, Bruce Thomson M.D. GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, JA Have You Noticed Most of them say WE NEED NEW LISTINGS! Call 5242667 Get our proposal "How to Sell your property" No obligation Our Yard Sigs? RIDAL 'SHOW Sunday, March 9th 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Brides to be, attend a bridal information show. Displays of all your wedding needs: f, ) the latest in wedding dresses, tuxedos, flowers, photography, wedding cakes and much, more. At The LIVERY THEATRE in Goderich For complimentary tickets call Audrey at 524-2881 Y 29, 1986—PAGE 5 Have you tF ken advantage of our F EE D . ER offer yet? Better hurry — ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT IN OUR 6th ANNIVERSARY SALE (Ends Saturday, Feb. 1) Complete details at — NORHOLME DECORATING CENTRE 54 King Street, Clinton (opposite the Post Office) 482-3528 Open Letter to Mayor Eileen Palmer Dear Mayor Palmer, We wish to bring to your attention a very serious problem we feel should no longer be tolerated — that is smoking in our arena. In almost every newspaper and magazine today, the facts are being presented that smoking is the leading cause of cancer of the lung, heart disease and chest disease. Fur- thermore sidestream smoke is equally if pot more injurious to health. • Many communities are taking leadership in this regard by passing by-laws banning cigarette smoking . in public areas. We strongly recommend that Goderich do the same. It is particularly important to have a by-law to ban smoking in all areas of the Goderich Arena for the following reasons. A. One of the main functions of the arena is to promote physical fitness. Therefore to allow smoking in any area of the arena is in- consistent with this objective. B. A large number of the occupants of the arena are children. These young healthy bodies are being subjected to a risk, they are being injured by the smoke in the arena. The children are in no position to stand up for themselves. Simeone has to protect them. It is ironic that we spend hundreds of dollars on equipment to protect them from injury but send them out to play while filling their bloodstreams with carbon monoxide from side -stream smoke. Of course adultp are injured just as much by cigarette smoke as children. ' • C. Children look up to adults for example especially coaches and people associated with a sport they idolize. To allow smoking in the arena (a sports facility) is a poor ex- ample. D. Smoking in the arena is a fire -hazard! There are at present, 'no -smoking' signs in the arena which are violated continuous- ly. This is the result of an inconsistent message (smoking is allowed in the vestibule, but not near ice -surface); lack of sufficient signs denoting that smoking will not be allowed because it is injurious to . health; and finally an inadelguate means of enforcing this regulation. Therefore we pro- . pose a ban of smoking in all areas of the arena; adequate signs posted to this effect . incorporating, the health reasons for this rule; and finally a by-Iavj► to enforce this regulation. , ours truly, Lorraillte Cauchi, It.N. • 1ViariolVit. 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