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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-03-19, Page 2Elluron o itor °gig SINCE 1860, SERVING THE COMMUNITY FIRST BLUE RIBBON. AWARD 1985 Incorporating Bru ' els Poet 10 Main Street 527-0240 Published In SEAFORTH, ONTARIO Every Wednesday morning ED BYRSKI, General Manager HEATHER McILWRAITH, Editor The Expositor Is brought to you each week by the efforts of: Pat Armes, Bessie Broome, Marlene Charters, Joan Guichelaar, Anne Hull, Joanne Jewitt, Stephanie Levesque, Dianne McGrath, Lola McLiwaln, Bob McMillan, Cathy Malady and Patrick Bettis, Member Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc. Ontario Community Newspaper Association Ontario Press Council Commonwealth Press Union International Press Institute Subscription rates: Canada $20.00 a year, In advance Outside Canada $60.00 a year, In advance Single Copies - 50 cents each SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986 Second class mail registration Number 0696 TO THE EDITOR No to double standard in health Dear Editor: The fundamental question on. the issue of extra billing is "Are we prepared to accept a health care system that provides one standard of care for the rich and another for the poor?" The answer is a resounding "no." The liberal Government in Ontario is 'undamentally opposed to the idea that some people, because of their financial good fortune, should have access to special treatment by paying extra fees. This week, in an open letter, my colleague, Health Minister Murray Elston said, "Can- ada has a unique health care system. Medical attention is provided to everyone regardless of financial means. I want to preserve that system." Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of Mr. Elston' and the Liberal Government, Dr. Earl Myers of the Ontario Medical Association has repeatedly refused to negotiate the ban on extra billing. On December 19, 1985, Mr. Elston introduced the Health Care Accessibility Act, which will prohibit all physicians, including those who are opted out of the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and who bill their patients directly, from charging more than OHIP rates. In addition, the ban on extra billing will extend to all insured dentistry services performed in hospitals and all insured optometry services. Furthermore, by ending extra billing in Ontario and thereby complying with the federal legislation, this province will be permitted to recover the transfer funds for health care which have been held back since 1984. To date, the province has lost $88 million in federal transfer payments because of extra billing. The liberal Government, led by Premier David Peterson, has taken this action because it firmly believes that extra billing represents a serious threat to the publicly financed administered health care system of this province. As Mr. Elston said only last week, "Our health system rests on the fundamental principle that no one will be deterred from receiving needed care because of financial status or inability to pay." Also, Mr. Elston pointed out that extra billing represents a genuine barrier to health can for many people, and it threatens to destroy the very foundation of our medicare plan by fostering a two-tiered system of medidne. In this country, we are fortunate to have a medicare system which is unique in the world. Our health system is different from that in Britain as well as the system in the United States. It is worth fighting for; It must be preserved. It is the goal of the Liberal Government of Ontario to help preserve the Canadian way of providing health care. Despite what some critics have suggested, a ban on extra billing does not create civil service medicine. in Ontario, the vast majority of doctors are already practicing medicine on an opted -in -basis, and they are entirely free to treat their patients as they see fit. The liberal Government of Premier David Peterson is not in the business of making medical judgements. As Health Minister Murray Elston has said, "The only change resulting from the ban will be a requirement that physicians charge no more than the fees agreed upon after negotiation between their professional representatives and the pro- vince." Extra billing has nothing to do with a doctor's experience or skill. Physicians themselves decide whether to opt -out. Any doctor, however junior, can extra bill. And no one, -- not even the proponents of extra billing -- argues that the care provided by opted -in doctors is inferior in quality to that provided by those who are opted out. Mr. Elston, on behalf of the liberal Government, has repeatedly indicated that both he and the Government are willing to deal sensitively and in good faith with physicians to ensure that they receive fair and reasonable compensation. But it is also this Government's responsi- bility to ensure that all patients have access to the physicians of their choice, that they are able to seek necessary health care free from any financial constraints, and that they are fully covered by their health insurance plan and do not have to pay extra for these services in Ontario. As Mr. Elston said, "This is a commitment that has been made, and it is a promise that we will keep." Yours sincerely, JalckRiddell, M.P.P. Huron -Middlesex Ministerof Agriculture and Food OPINION Stereo theft a growing racket COLUMNIST'S NOTE: 1 would Like to address this column to the social misfit who ripped -off my car stereo last week. I really hope you enjoy whatever small quantity of booze or drugs you are able to purchase with the proceeds from the sale of the stereo equipment you saw fit to take from my automobile recently. I mean this sincere- ly, as.' I expect a wimpy petty thief like yourself must derive small pleasure from your inconsequential e,dstence. I can sympathize, to a certain extent,with the plight which has driven you to steafrom me, as you have no doubt stolen from others in the past, for I too have been low on cash on occasion. However, I cannot condone your chosen method for rectifying your financial problems and I hope you will not be offended if I offer you some well-meaning advice. GET A JOB! I am sure you are probably disappointed upon returning to your hideout, when you discovered the relatively low quality and probably resale value of my former equip- ment. I am sorry, but it was the best I could afford. You no doubt make some efforts to soothe your conscience by telling, yourself your victims are insured against the activities of unscrupulous types like you. Perhaps you'd be interested to know that after subtracting a hefty amount of deductable and a percentage for depreciation of older equipment, your average victim probably receives only a fraction of the replacement value. In addition, it seems neither the tapes, nor the FROM THIS ANGLE by Patrick Raftis case they were in are covered for theft under the comprehensive section of tnost auto policies. Also, Iwould have preferred you had taken the time to unscrew the bolts fastening my stereo to my car, rather than simply busting away a large portion of the underside of my dashboard. However, I can understand the need for haste in your line of work. A word of warning. While I understand the apprehension rate on crimes of this kind isnot very high, you should be aware the police have been kept apprised of your activities and they have formulated some theories on your possible identity. Note, I said activities, plural, because the theft from my vehicle has not been an isolated incident, according to local authorities. This is particularly unfortunate, because my own experience with you left me with a less -favorable impression of this community than Ihad when I was first transplanted here. I am sure the other people who were unfortunate enough to have parked their cars within your area of operation have similar feelings. You have done your town a disservice. Perhaps I have been remiss, in using the phrase "your town," because it is evident from your behavior you do not belong here. Nor are you likely to become an accepted member of this community unless you cease your criminal activity. Surely the pocket change you receive in your role as proprietor of "Midnight Discount Stereo Suppliers," is hardly worth living with the knowledge that you are a social aberration. Does yourmotherknowyou are doing this? Would she not be shocked -- appalled -- by your lack of respect for the property of others. Surely she taught you better than that. It is probably futile to appeal to the better nature of a thief, so I won't bother. However, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, would you mind gathering up the papers and documents contained in the tape case you stole from me and sticking them in an envelope. You could probably contrive to drop them unnoticed into the mail slot at The Expositor. Do it late at night -- you'll probably be going out around then anyway. If you do this, it won't be enough to make me forgive you, but I may reconsider my plans to hire The A Team to hunt you down. Have a nice day. w Reader incensed by stinky socks Dear Stinky Sods I hope your confidence and appetite haven't been shaken from watdting your scarabs) play this week. It must have been as you say, traumatic seeing your Oanadiens play this past week. I saw they were harpooned bythe Hartford Whalers, burst by the Calgary Flames, and yes even the Bruins pulled off a mirade, bruising the Canadiens. For someone who worries about snide remake, yon remind me of a tea pot spouting off. Take a look in the mirror, m you're the poor, misguided one iLL er Moil - wraith. B. Coleman SWEATSOCKS Spring stream by Heather Mcllwraith Guys should share by Heather Mcllwraith Destined to drudgery gift of a picture, cut from the London Nice Press, and showing Bob Gamey being "checked out" by Charlie Simmer during the most upsetting 3-2 loss by the Canadians to Boston. You'll never know how much that dipping, complete with a pencilled in comment and underlined notation of the score, made my day. Tire generosity you exhibited, first, by purchasing the paper, then by paying the necessary postage to mail it to me, was most heartwarming, and ill treasure the dipping fora long time. In fact I think 1 -might even put it where I put all my treasures - somewhere safe - and certainly where no one would ever think to look. But on a more serious side - I quite honestly say 1 never expected to get the response 1 did getfrom Inst weeks column. When I was writing it 1 thought I was writing more about the bet, and, the desperation to win it instills in a person; the infatiguable angtusit it generates in a person, and the ultimate relief that person feels when they realize the bet is won (that is, if the bet is won). I'm admittedly a Montreal fan, but em not a die-hard by any means. It doesn't upset me When my teats loses a hockey game, since I figure losing is as much a part of the sport as wnming, and because i feel there is oftentimes more to hockey than shooting and passing•a puck rip and down the ice, with the ultimate intention of getting it into one of two nets set up at either end of the ice surface. Maybe that s whylwas somewhat Shocked when I realized some people had been offended bylast week's colrlmn. Some of my best friends are Brum fans, and as far as I know are still talking to me. hi fact they're not only falling to me now that Tee managed to insert both feet in my mouth. they'r'e taking pleasure in telling me itlooks goodon'rne. I suppose it does; but the season isn't over yet I was looking forward to dressing up and sitting down to a very sumptuous and very elegant dinner at the restaurant of my choosing. Now, although rm still relishing the thought, rve been forced to resign myself to the fact that the bet that won me that dinner, also fostered a second bet, which is going to cost me dearly, since it is going to force me to do something I rarely do - cook. The tables have been turned, and now em going to be forced into a day of domestic duty, a day of drudgery - namely slaving over a hot stove, for what could be hours, in an attempt to reproduce a menu as submitted to me by the winner of this latest bet. (I've also been told that unless the food is up to par with some of the best restaurants the entire meal could be forfeited and I' l be forced to start again - some terms. You'd think the king was Doming to dinner or something. Oh, well. This has definitely been a lesson in humility. Now lknow whet itfeels like to be ferried eaeat crow. Those snide remarks I was so glad Ididn't have to hear beet week, when Montreal beat Boston m hockey, rm hearing this week, because as most of"ou probably know Boston beat Montreal /n fact, mypoor Cana'dieiis had a dismal showing last week, losing almost every game they played. (How unfortunate something like that should happen after Mycamments of last week. Had I only known, I might have kept my mouth shut, and saved myself a lot of embana"ss- menta) It's also fortunate 1 suppose that this area fosters so many Boston fans, fans that are revelling in the opportunity of remi'n'ding mIe Of myteam'slateat defeat, and who I'll wager Will continue to harangue me for • the remainder o'f the 1985;86 hockey season. One of those fans is the mystery macer And I suppose this it as ail appropriate tune as anyto thank humher for his=her thoughtful • From the old "I enjoy being a girl" routine to the "You've came a long way baby", cliche, the role of women in our society has certainly changed in recent years. However, the double standard, so often battled against in the past, is still alive and well. Nowhere was the old double standard more evident than at Seaforth District High School on Monday afternoon. While about two- thirds of the school's population (composed entirely of girls), sat in the high school auditorium learning about the decision �process as it relates to human ty, the other one-third of the student enrolment (composed entirely of boys), went to play hockey on the nearby ice rink. It may be tithe but I always thought it "took two to tango." It was pretty ironic that all the young men were not exposed to something as significant as a discussion on sexuality. Probably the most difficult part of growing into adulthood is learning to make sensible decisions about the way we will live our lives. t'n order to make the most beneficial decisions, we must learn how to gather information, evaluate theinfornu<tion gather- ed, and then make the best choice for tis as individualsit was not always possible for women to take control of their lives and make decisions but now the information necessary is readily available, and the freedom to make dioice8 is enjoyed. However, no matter how free we may be, the old saying that "to man is an island" has muds truth to it. The dedsions we make the paths we follow, and the choices offered, are often influenced and sometimes dependent upon other people....our peers, our parents, our mates, our deldren, and others. It is important those people involved in the final decision making princess be included in the information gathering and evaluation stages. ondering An interesting phenomenon has developed during the last few years regarding the sport world. What is that immediate obJect of perception you ask Withant tio1? Why, it is the quasi -sport of the hockey pool, of course. I don't know who IS responsible for the invention of the pool but theft is no denying the idea has mushroomed to omnipresent proportions. It has. lielped many of us get through this sunless, boring catastrophic winter. How does it work? Well,: first of all you need about 10 hockey Mad fellow jocks who are allwilling to risk their shinny reputations, Second, a quiet secluded spot, possibly hotel, Where your cerebral self Feu :quietly contemplate that draft dtoice Thirdly, you will need that nectar of the hockey Gods, beer. And last but certainly not least; you must be endowed (many jocks are) with, and be prepared to use; that divine gift of being able to shovel more bull manure than your average conservative poGhoian.• The next step in this less than complicated MM."- isto draw a number out of a hat. 'That number will deterfnrne your order of pick. Dependingon howled decide to set up the draft, the persons that ire .lucky enough "tb responsibility HERE'S THE BEEF by Carolanne Doig if not, they will have a difficult time the benefits of the double standard. If the understanding and accepting some of the numbers were too big, split the groups upend decisions that are made. get extra speakers, or stage the seminar on When talking about sexuality and the different days. If the boys want to make a joke dsoices available to men and women and the about it, fine, let them. They will soon learn decisions that they will be expected to make that sexuality is no laughing matter. Ninety during their teenage and adult life, it seems per cent of the snickering and laughter is to rather shortsighted and old fashioned to cover up the feelings of embarrassment and include only one gender in the discussion. the realization of lack of knowledge. The Following the brief forum, the floor was mystery that is created by the "just for girls" opened for questions. The first question attitude is half the problem. Perhaps some of asked by one of the young ladies was, "Why the gn is would be hesitant about asking are the boys not here today?" The reasoning questions when the boys are present, but was pretty sketchy to say the least. First of all after the presentation, groups could be the numbers would have been too high with formed for question period and these groups then over 300 people in the gym. Not only that could be all girls, all boys, or co-ed depending the boys would have ninde a joke about any on thestudent's acceptability. Some students sexually related subjects. The fellows were might be more comfortable asking questions perceived as viewing the entire seminar as el an all girt scenario. Young women will be one of those ''women's lib" things. So while influenced and intimidated by men for the the young women of the school were learning rest of their lives if they dont learn to put to be responsible adults the young men were their own interests first. If a girl can't speak off playing Canada's favorite sport. Flom up in a gym full of fellow students how will some statistics available ell wager that one of she be able to cope in a one to one situation their other favorite sports also includes body with a teenage fellow pursuing his own sexual contact, but of a different type. Another interests? problem that just might have occurred if the Much of the discussion centred on fellows bad been present could have been gathering and evaluating information and that the young women would be afraid to ask then choosing the proper route for you as an any questions. It was felt the girls migbt be individual. Sexuality may be an individual intimidated by the boys presence. concern, but it is only individual to a certain Frankly, 1 think the boys should be extent, thus it seems not only logical but inducted in anything as critical as this necessary to have both males and females subject. For too many years (not to mention exposed to the various stages of the decision centuries) the male gender has been enjoying Continued on page Ail pool choices perilous CORNUCOPIA i by Dave Broome draft third, fourth or fifth should get the best teams. Afteryourgroupof Sam Pollodrs have chosen their respeehve squads the fun really begins. It Can be a long, unpleasant time for the poor soul Who sits dead last in your pool. Such comments as, "he Would be a prime candidate to manage the Leafs" or "let's all pitch in and get him one of those horses' patent trophies' are among Borne of the jabs your cellar dweller Must and Will endure, T9he leader of the pair s vill often get, the silent treatment and comments directed his way that cannot be repeated in a family paper. However, theo! rerunner With his obvious superior drafting ability_has earned bragging rights, It is a lot of fun getting under the Akins of thee less talented thanyou in the universally recognized art of drafting a hockeyu can say things like, team. Yo,.. "howbe I' give you"five players and that Way you can be close." Remember to MOW the cardinal rule, however. Always make sure you are way, way out in front and never say anything to the person who holds the money. Drafting your team does take a great deal of skill. After considering a mountain of data you choose the players for your teat& The only luct that is involved is bad luck, such as an injury to a key player or a guy who has a bad year. Idon't know about the grey area regarding the legality of the pools but the gambling aspect of this newest craze pales by comparison to the lottery draws where your chances of winning are not as good as dying twice. 11re regular N.H.L season isost over and the jock squad is anxiously gearing up for the playoff pool. It will be a chance foe the also-rans to even the score. bet's see now, how about Gretzky's assure or ICunis' goals or Bossy, hmmm......., 1