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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-03-19, Page 14News People should have right to purchase hea1t7: care outside medicare system BY SHARON DIETZ The reason almost all opted in doctors are vehemently opposed to the ban on extra - billing is that it will prevent patients from opting out of the medicare System, says Goderich doctor, Bruce Thomson, "..as long as the patients and the doctors each have .the right to opt out to a private system, then the government ,will have a fair competitor and will be forced to main- tain the standards," Dr. Thomson told the March 11 meeting of the Goderich Rotary Club. "The most significant thing that peo- ple haven't yet realized and they won't until it happens, is that there are patients that wish to opt out as well." There are people that even now are dissatisfied with the opted irl situation. Dr. Thomson said he believes if the government takes control of the health care system, standards will slide. "At that point, you, you people will want the option to say this is not good enough for me and you will want the right to move. This bill removes your right to do that." Dr. Thomson told the Rotary. The ban on extra -billing makes it illegal for a patient to decide he doesn't want to wait for service. He cannot decide to opt out of the medicare system and pay directly for the service, said Dr. Thomson. "The government is rationing your acc- cess to health care. So just who is this bill discriminating against.." asked Dr. Thom son. The shining example of why the public shouldn't go to a state medicine program is history, said Dr. Thomson. "When state medicine comes in, no matter how well in- tentioned it is, a combination of excessive bureaucracy and the whims and caprices of politicians cause medical standards to deteriorate terribly." • Thomson pointed to the example of the health care system in Quebec and the, classic example of the two •tier system in Britain. Britain -had one of the finest health systems before they brought in the national health service, commented Dr. Thomson. Gradually • standards deteriorated to an almost unbelievable extent. There are in- numerable horrifying examples, said Dr. Thomson who went on to describe the ex- periences of a Goderich resident who formerly lived in Britain. • He had a problem with the aligrunent of his eyes which could cause blindness. His appointment for surgery was five' years from the discovery of the problem. His father had a duodenal ulcer the size of an old English penny. His operation was scheduled two • years hence, but eventually he deteriorated to the point that he hemorrhag- ed and then of course, his surgical date was moved up and he was operated on im- mediately. That complication was unnecessary, said Dr. Thomson but unfortunately it is the direction our health care system is headed in Ontario, as patients wait longer and longer ,for treatment 'while the government tries to control costs."I am accused of being an alarmist," said Dr. Thomson, '-'but 1 am not kidding you." "You are put on the list for cardio- vascular surgery or CT scan and you wait many months unless something very nasty happens first. That is not the way to practice rnedicine;"observed Dr. Thomson. "People die under those circumstances." You should be aware that no developed, country .in the world has a total state system, Dr. Thomson told the Rotarians. Patients everywhere else including all of the eastern block countries have a right to seek care outside of the state system if they wish, he said. "This is the most repressive such legislation in the world.`' Dr. Thomson said no patient who suddenly faces surgery should find himself facing an extra bill. There are certain groups that GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 190—PAGE 13 should not face such fees, he said. The OMA is prepared too sit down and negotiate a solu- tion to such problems but Health Minister Murray Elston will unly talk about varia- tions to put an end to extra -billing. He said the doctors have good legal advice which tells thein that the charter of rights does not allow the banning of extra -billing. If the bill becomes law, the doctors will challenge it in the courts. "We would be both irresponsible to our pa- tients and rather stupid in a legal position to sit down to discuss the ending of extra- -billing." stated Dr. Thomson. This confrontation between the medical profession and the government is silly and urunecessary, he added. He attempted to clarify the decision of the federal government to hold back $50 million in transfer payments until extra -billing is banned in Ontario. Dr. Thomson said it is likely illegal for Ottawa to do this and the Canadian Medical Association is challeng- ing it in the courts, He also pointed out that Premier David Peterson has offered to buy off the doctors by increasing doctors fees. Even if .this is on- ly three per cent as it was in Nova Scotia, it will cost the province $56 million, said Dr. Thomson. If the province closes the gap between OMA rates and OHIP rates entire- ly, it would be $660 million: Furthermore if the government decides>to close the gap on dentists fees for hospital services, it will cost Ontario $13.5 million an- nually and will produce 'an open ended system, said Dr. Thomson. If the ,govern- ment brings the dentists into OHIP and pays them 70 per cent of their fees as they do with doctors, it will cost another $7 million and . that is before service increases, he added. "The $50 million that they claim they will •spend in various places thorughout Ontario does not exist," he said. Turn to page 18 • Dungannon people have visitors Word has been 'received of .the death on. Mar. 3 of Gordon Glenn of St. Diego Califor- nia at the age of 84. He was the youngest son of the late John Glenn and Margaret Smith and lived in Dungannon most of his younger years. He served with the American Army in the Philippines. He is survived by .one brother Frank, of Lucknow and one sister Alberta Bridges of Ridgetown, '5as well as several nieces and nephews. Burial was in, California. Michael Cere of St. Helens visited for the winter break with Brad Park and his family., Jennifer, Meagan and .Tim Eedy of Mississauga and Andrew Ott of Kitchener ,,, visited through the winter break with their grandparents Irvine and Colleen Eedy. Ken Eggleston of Port Elgin Visited for the past week with his grandparents Nels and Gloria Parson on Sunday, his mother , Fay and his great grandmother Pearl Con - gram also visited at the Pearsons. Fay and DUNGANNON DOINGS •Marie Park, 529-7719 Ken returned to Port Elgin Sunday evening. There were ,17 tables of euchre at the• seniors' weekly cards. High man was Herb Finnigan, low man was Gordon Pollock, high lady was Ruth Alton, and low lady was Deloris Culbert. • • • Company on Sunday with Gord and Mary Schultz were Dave • and Mildred Hardy of Kitchener and John and Bonnie Gibbings, Michael and Ashley of Clinton. Jack and Marion Smith accompanied LINKLATER FURNITURE MATTRESS SALE IN KINCARDINE 726 Queen St. °396-2182 March 20 to April 12 Some specials limited quantity. FAMOUS BRANDS Simmons . Serta - Bay Rest King Koil All Mattresses on Sale At Fantastic Values like this one: SERTA TRANQUILITY listed at $120000 for Queen size unit '695°0 only • SAVE °5O5°.° Nathan and Patti Smith and children, of Goderich to Strathroy Sunday where they visited Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Smith and family. A very successful St, Patricks tea and bake sale was held by the seniors at the cen- tre on Saturday afternoon. The cash prize winners on the tickets sold recently were - first,. Jim Errington; second, Irene Markham and third, Isabel Kilpatrick. Many friends and relatives gathered at Jim and Margaret Errington's on Sunday to help Margaret celebrate her birthday, which ,Was actually on Mar. 15. Sandra Rivett has returned from a one week stay in Holguin Cuba where she and { Bev Shepherd of C;uclerch, soaked, up the warm sun. . Best Wishes to the following who celebte March birthdays. Marty Rivett, Lee Sketler, Bill Park, Margaret Errington, Sarah Dauphin, Jack' Chisholm „Catharine Wilkins and Margaret Mole. tweiami:1 r �. d 4.x,04 T7 E HAI PORT Styling By David PERMANENT WAVE BREAKTHROUGH•.. Plus A Very Special Bonus! Schwartzkopf brings you "Control Curl" Individually patterned for style and hair texture - Entirely Predictable - Perm Perfect! Arid for A Lit ited Tire... 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Main Entrees Include: Top Sirloin Roast Beef Baked Ham Seafood Newburg And To Finish: A Selection from our own homemade Dessert Table as well as Beverage. DON'T FORGET OUR SUNDAY LUNCHEON SPECIALS Served after Church Come and enjoy Pancakes, Eggs or a Salad Plate Treat Yourself To Something Special... SATURDAY N IGHT DINNER Prime Rill of Beef served with Yorkshire Pudding, French Onion Souk or Caesar Salad, Potatoes and Vegetables. SER- 45 2 VED SATURDAY, MARCH 29th...5 P.M. to 9 P.M. i g for onl . Plus: 25 ONLY Black Fores e and your favorite Parfait only 81 GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 28 "We Guarantee Your Satisfaction" For Your Weekend Pleasure; APRIL'S 'airra% ENTERTAINMENT *April 4th & 5th THE COUNTRY COMPANIONS •Aprll'i 1th,& 12th THE SINGING D.J. •April 25th & 28th P.R.S. D.J. .4_103-141EIGIGio The RESTAIiRANIC4. & TAVERN Please Phone...524-7711 For Reservations lettOMML