The Wingham Advance-Times, 1979-03-21, Page 159
!ADVAnCE-TirrEs
o apathy here
There Is one sure-fire formula for shak-
ing off the apathy of Wingham and area resi-
dents — just threaten the Wingham and Dis-
trict Hospital. People around here don't get
over -excited a5out nomination meetings but
when the future of THEIR hospital is at
4iiaR6.thc r zipQa&FJ 15 iim„w.;ioit= ami oyy� tra
sive.
Three hundred angry citizens poured
Into the public school auditorium Tuesday
evening of last week and not only demanded
explanations but sat down to write letters to
all the provincial officials who could Influ-
ence the outcome of the health ministry's
announcement of bed closings. They earn-
estly believe that this community and the
surrounding area it serves need every one of
the 85 beds presently operated and they do
not agree that switching active treatment
beds to chronic patient use is an acceptable
answer.
It was apparent that the members of the
audience faulted the board of the hospital for
Its failure to oppose the ministry's order to
reduce active treatment beds by 14.
However, as evidence of public pressure, the
board of directors agreed at a meeting the
following evening to forward Its objections to
Queen's Park. That meeting was followed by
another on Thursday evening. An "action
committee" of board members and interest-
ed members of the public named John Mann,
principal of the Wingham Public School, as
Its chairman. That committee is preparing a
brief and will seek an appointment with the
minister of health to present their objections
in person.
No one denies the government's need to
cut back on spending before taxes go right
through the roof, but, as usual, the first cut-
backs always slice Into the services which
affect people individually. The ministry of
health was provided with ample evidence of
the place hospitals occupy in the thinking of
rural people when an attempt was made
.0
three years ago to close some small and
"Inefficient" hospitals. Government was
defeated. The hospitals were not closed.
Public opinion was too strong.
The ministry might as well face facts.
When people are sick enough to need hospital
6 ii 116%J46 LM NIuvlc U. our society has
progressed too far to let people die because
the government Is saving money. Given the
fact that our harsh winters Inevitably bring
on a rash of illnesses, If the sick cannot re-
ceive care here they will have to be moved.
on to the larger city hospitals — where the
cost per day Is three times the Wingham rate
and the personal interest in the patient Is
zero.
If It is a fact that some clWofs admit
patients who are not actually In need of hos-
pital care, then by all means the ministry
should come down hard on those doctors.
Obviously hospital care Is too expensive to
be wasted on those who don't need it simply
for the convenience of the doctor.
The. people of this community rightly
feel that the hospital is not the property of
the ministry of health. Its original facilities
were provided 100 per cent by the people of
this area; its later additions were made pos-
sible by personal contributions along with
grants from the province and Its health
Insurance corporation. Grants, however, are
not paid by picking dollars from a magic
money tree; they are paid "out of tax funds
provided for our use by ourselves. It Is our
hospital and our money.
A ministry official Is quoted in Satur-
day's London Free Press as saying that If we
want to keep all the beds In operation we can
do so at our own expense. Judging from the
mood of Tuesday's meeting we would guess
that if necessary that is what the people of
this area are prepared to do.
One item of information would be most
interesting: a list of the bed closures right
across the province and the provincial
constituencies in which they are located.
Is the plan failing?
One aspect of the universal health care
plan which is cause for Increasing distur-
bance Is the number of.' doctors who are
"opting out" of their co-operation with OHIP
(Ontario Health Insurance Plan).
Half of the doctors in Peterborough have
pulled out; all of the medics in Wallaceburg
have done the same and we understand that
all of the Listowel doctors are out.
Under the original concept of OHIP
coverage the people of the province pay a
fairly stiff premium which is supposed to
cover all their doctor's charges and all care
when hospitalization is necessary. In addi-
tion eye examinations are covered (not the
charge for lenses or frames) and a certain
portion of a chiropractor's fees up to an an-
nual limit. Unfortunately when the act was
drawn up provision was made for the with-
drawal of any doctor who did not want to ac-
cept the fees set out by OHIP, which are
roughly 90 per cent of the doctor's normal
charges. The 10 per cent reduction was ac-
cepted by most doctors as a fair settlement
because there would no longer be worries
about non-paying patients.
When a doctor withdraws from the plan
he bills his patients directly at whatever rate
he chooses. The patient pays the bill and
sends his charges in to OHIP which then
reimburses the patient for the amount it
would normally have paid the doctor for his
work.
The question is, however, whether or not
we do have a viable health care plan as the
doctors opt out. Is it really fair that the
patients of Listowel doctors, who pay the
same OHIP premiums as all the rest of us,
must fork over an additional 10, 15 or 20 per
cent, while patients In Wingham or Mount
Forest get the same service without an extra
charge? OHIP premiums do not, of course
pay nearly all the health care costs, the
balance being met from taxation — levied
from Listowel people as well as all others.
Federal Health Minister Monique Begin
has spoken out on the subject. She says that
it is possible those provinces which are
allowing doctors to withdraw from their
health insurance plans will find themselves
without federal assistance funds. The On-
tario Federation of Labor has added its
voice, demanding that the provinces legis-
late the doctors back into the insurance plan
at once.
Personally we do not feel that our doc-
tors are overpaid. In the first place candi-
dates for our medical schools must be the
cream of the high school crop to gain admis-
sion to a pre-med course. In the second place
their education is long and costly and thirdly
most doctors lead a rough and hard-working
life. The conscientious ones are on call 24
hours a day, seven days a week. Despite
places where they pool their hours in a clinic
setup and take turns with emergencies, a
great many doctors still see their own ..
patients as needed.
However, if the doctors feel they are in-
adequately paid, opting out of O,H I P is an
unfair approach to the problem. They should
settle their differences by joint approach to
the OHIP authorities, speak with a united
voice for their rights ...and continue to treat
the patients who provide them with a liveli-
hood in a just and fair fashion.
Discrimination by sex
A young London father who is a single
eral income tax regulations still forbid a
parent raising his sons without the aid of the
single father from using his payments to a
children's mother, Is trying to get mother's
housekeeper as a legitimate tax deductible
allowance payments. He says that he has to
expense. Certainly that was the case a few
work all day and needs help to look after his
years ago. Reason, of course, is that domes -
family. If he was a single parent mother
tic help is not a tax deductible expense. it's
there would be no problem.
supposed to be a luxury.
This Is a situation which Is long overdue
We recall the case of a young widower
for rectification. A single father who is try-
who, with three children under the age of
ing to keep his family together faces just as
twelve, was forced to employ a full-time
distressing problems as a single mother.
housekeeper and found It very difficult to
There is no reason to justify the discrimin-
feed and clothe his family on the wages he
ation. In fact such sex discrimination is now
was making. Yet no allowance could be
supposed to be Qeflnitely and plainly against
made on his income tax bill for his circum -
the law.
stances. .
In this same regard, we believe that fed-
It's fime for some changes.
Town and Country Homemakers
has been cycling to work (on a
WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES
I am very disappointed with
Gaunt and I did not press the
Published at Wingham,
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A page of editorial opinion
Wedneldoy, Mach 21
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Letters to the Editor
mandate in Ontario they would
be of no cost whatsoever to the
effort to report for the game in
a special exhibit to com-
Vset over Cuts
preturn
to the hatchet work of
taxpayer.
top physical condition.
memorate this anniversary and
health
eliminating small hospitals. The
From an article in the
Ken Hodgkinson is jogging
needs help in locating any pic-
in care
Tory opposition in that campaign
newspaper it appears that a
daily (because of weather con-
tures, newspaper clippings, old
said that this was a thing of the
decision has been made to
ditions this has been confined to
Prize lists and any material that
Wingham Advance -Times
past and would not happen again.
combine the committee with the
his living room) ; Gord Cerson
may be pertinent to the Howick
Dear Sir: ,.,
Trusting his word both Murray
Town and Country Homemakers
has been cycling to work (on a
Fall Fair or the. School Fairs of
I am very disappointed with
Gaunt and I did not press the
to attempt to provide this ser-
moped); Jim Bain has fired his
the past.
the Conservative government's
issue. However this word was
vice.
stock clerk and is lugging the
Any material that anyone
response to cutting health care
designed as a vote -catching
Please join in supporting a
produce himself; Bill Lockridge
wishes to keep we will have
costs•
strategy.
volunteer, non-profit program
is lifting weights (his body);
photocopied and the origloal
In Wingham we have a corn-
I am enclosing some press
'
devoted to helping the people who
Murray Gerrie is walking to work
material vU_t be yetwr : iDo the
donor. It oil ma6er'isit,
munity hospital which boasts a 76
releases re: medicare that might
have lived and worked and are
(one and a half blocks downhill,
to 78 per cent occupancy rate and
interest you and you are welcome
part of this community.
but takes a cab home) ; Ken Wood
You may call Mrs. Norman
an average length of stay of 7.2
to print them in total or partially .Doug
Fortune
has got training wheels fitted to
Fairies at 335-3926 or Mrs.
days. A significant number of our
P.S. The Tory statement re:
RR 1, Wingham
his skates; Johnny Brent is
George Hamilton at 335-3830 and
residents are over 60 years of
hospital cutbacks was made at
racing with his horse (he rides
it will be picked up personally
age. It must also be remembered
all -candidate meetings in Port
it); Jack Pym will be using
and returned to you, if you're in
that Wingham is a relatively
Elgin and Wingham in 1977.
Information on
bobskates and Doug Murray has
doubt about its safety. We ap-
isolated community, both in
Dave Zyluk
been running with his dog (a 12-
preciate all the help we can get.
terms of geographic location and
Call -a -ride service
year-old dachshund).
Eileen M. Hamilton
in terms of the severe winter
0-0-0
vi
Lad
The three goalster
0-0-0
storms wee experience.
xPeT
Dear Editor,
n
Purolo, Bob Sangster and Ted
I submit that if special con-
I would like to thank Mrs.
Parker, have been watching NHL
sideration is not given to
Misunderstandin 9
George Merkley for her letter of
Showdown and figure they can
Opposes
Wingham's unique situation a
March 14 expressing her con-
now out -manoeuvre any of the
valuable and viable health
on Call -a -ride
cern as a taxpayer about Call -a-
Jokers. They have been warned
fees
service will be destroyed by the
ride. As a member of the com-
that all three cannot play at
registration
provincial Conservative
mittee of Wingham and area
once!
government.
Dear Sir,
residents trying to find solutions
Murray Stainton was seen out
Dear Editor,
Hopefully, all areas, including
There appears to be some
to transportation problems I
on the flats skating on a pond in
I have just been home on a visit
rural areas, will share in On-
misunderstanding concerning
would like to offer the following
full gear. He is quoted as saying :
and find that the Wingham
tario's prosperity.
the `Call -a -ride' service and the
information.
"It's `hard-waring' it!"
Centennial Committee has
Marc Forrest
Transportation Committee.
The service we are talking
The Joker camp reports all is
motioned that people pay a
RR 3, Wingham
Perhaps this letter will clear up a
about and trying to support is
going well and all the originals
registration fee.
few points.
offered by the Town and Country
will be returning for the game
I find this hard to believe! How
0-0-0
As a councillor I am a member
Homemakers of Huron County
with the exception of Pete Car-
can the Wingham Centennial
of the Huron Committee of the
mainly as a friendly assist in
michael, who will be holidaying
Committee charge for people
Bed
Rural Development Outreach
Project. I am not, nor is any
shopping, visiting the doctor or
transporting
in the sunny south. We've made a
visiting their home town during
Centennial? You don't
cuts need
a patient who needs
few additions to the team,
expect
other council member, a member
assistance home from the
namely Don `Max' Mahood, Jack
people to travel for miles,
closer look
of the Transportation Committee
hospital when no one else is
'Wiggy' Hotchkiss, Wayne
spending their own money, and
Wingham Advance Times
which has suggested a call -a -ride
available. The service is for
'Butch' Brown, Jim `Sid' Wild,
then have to spend for
Dear Sir:
service for the elderly. In-
senior citizens and handicapped
PPS
Bob `Rocky' Middleton and Roily
registration. It's not a matter of
g
No one should fault the
cidentally, I have collected no
persons who have difficulty
`Crash' Kaufman.
money, just principle. Surely this
Honorable Dennis Timbrell and
per diem or mileage from the
getting around by themselves.
We are still looking for
expense can be absorbed by the
his ministry of health for its
township for serving on the
Donations are accepted by the
someone to run our bench. We
centennial committee or the
desire to reduce abuses of the
RDOP, nor have any of the
TCH; the drivers involved are
were negotiating with Roger
town. Do they really want this to
Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan
people from the University of
volunteers who are reimbursed
Neilson but, because of Ballard's
be a flop?
and to practise restraint in
Guelph, other than direct RDOP
for their car mileage.
change of heart, calks have
I do hope this motion has not
hospital funding. However ap-
staff, collected from anyone.
Perhaps you know someone
broken off.
been passed. It would be a shame
parent failure to assess and
It was a privilege to be able to
who would like to participate in
All the Jokers are to report the
to discourage people from
consider fully the uniqueness of
chair the meeting Jan. 20 at
this program either as a driver or
progress they're making in
returning for a visit with friends
this area and its health needs
which the Transportation
P
a rider. Please have them con-
regard to conditioning and I'll
g g
and for a reunion.
defies logic and, at the least, is
Committee was organized. A
tact the Town and Country
drop you a line when all reports
Dorothy Leona Butler
most questionable.
privilege because it was very
Homemakers at 357-3222.
are in.
Toronto
It is to be hoped that the
heartening and encouraging to
g g g
Inge Wraith
Until then, `Think Sports'.
government of this province will
see so many people there,
A. Joker
demonstrs,nos responsibility to
ran in from teenagers to
ging
0-- 0-0
all citizens, no matter where they
seniors, who were concerned, not
r
0-0-0
Dividend
may reside, by ensuring ready
for their own problems but for the
Players
access to health care. A step in
this
problems of others. All too few
PSP le today are willing to take
g
getting
Congratulations on
g
.rl o k l d
direction would be for the
Y
the time and effort to help others,
ready for the
u �
ministry of health to take a closer
The le to
c. -
Howick Super Series
TORONTO—At the annual
look our area before leaping
peoplewho volunteered
ry
into proposed bed reductions.
r
serve ,committee should
big ahOWdOWn
Dear Editor,
meeting of the Standard Trust
John M. Kopas
be commended and thanked for
We would like to both thank and
Company held March 7 the
their willingness to serve.
Dear Editor,
congratulate John Armstrong
president and chief executive
0 -0-0
An RDOP survey on Iran
Further to the letter of Feb. 28
and the other responsible le
PSP
officer, Brian O'Malley, an -
nounced that in 1979 the dividend
sportation needs in North Huron
and as promised our scouts have
of Howick for the Great job that
'79
payment to common
done last summer demonstrated
been nosing around the Stainton
was done on Super Series at
shareholders will be doubled to 80
•
Candidate
that there Is a need for trap-
Spitfire camp. We've learned
the Howick Arena.
A great many young players
cents from 30 cents per share.
.
predicted
p
sportation for those unable to31,
that in order to insert some
and fans had a lot of fun and
For the year ended Dec.
•
hospital
drive, whether because of age,
youth' into their linen the
P
entertainment
1978, the company's net
p Cutbacks
disabilityor other reasons. There
Spitfires have called up some
Paul McKee
operating income increased by 42
is a particular need for persons in
players from their farm club, the
behalf the
per cent to $747,000 and net
Dear Editor,
villages and hamlets to Ret to
Crawford Dodgers. The writer
on of
and coaches
operating income per share in -
Members of the New
larger centres outside this im-
spoke with Murray Stainton and
players
of the Belgrave hockey team
creased by 12 per cent to two
Democratic Party in Huron-
mediate area, such as cities, for
inquired about any conditioning
dollars. In view of a further net
Biuce Provincial Riding wish to
many reasons, including
program his players were
0-0-0
operating income increase an -
let the people of Wingham know
specialists, hospital visits, family
following. Murray claimed histicipated
in 1979 of 40-45 per cent,
that we are firmly opposed to the
visits, etc. Many people feel,
fellows have "never been out of
Howick fall fair
ie
15-20 per cent on a per share
threatened bed cutbacks at the
probably incorrectly, that if they
shape'' : (I think Murray
a
basis, the directors decided to
Wingham hospital.
ask friends or neighbors for a
misunderstood the question.)'
'
wants memorabilia
take this steptoward their ob-
Hospital closures and cutbacks
ride they are making a nuisance
we spoke to a member of the
jective of increasing the dividend
were part of my platform In the
of themselves, but they would be
Spitfire squad, who did not want
Dear %hlitor,
payout to a level consistent with
17n election and I warned this
'willing to use a service such as
his name divulged. He claimed
This is9the. 120th year of the
that M the trust industry, wtdcb
riding that if the Conservatives
that suggested. This service
that each of the players is em-
Howick Agricultural Society's
is 40-45 per cent of net operating
would receive a majority
would be by volunteers and would
ploying various methods in an
Fall Fair. The society is planning
income