OT: medicare/health insurance question

Physio is covered here - if ordered by the doctor. If you decide you would like some physio (and there are some who do when they have muscle aches from sports etc) then you pay for it, likewise I believe you pay for chiropractors.

In NS I feel very well covered.

Her try was a good idea, but very disorganized. The issue with the early Clinton apptmts - so many not looking into the information that the experienced had on hand - just plunging in with I'm so smart I'll do whatever. And her panel had more issues than just the insurance companies. If you can't at least know the system, find its flaws and work to deal with them - just ignoring it won't work - you're stuck. Plus, remember her mandate, so to speak, was her DH the president giving her a special role - without confirmation, with no particular experience that lent to this. She was a corporate lawyer, with some (some) background in children's rights. No great healthcare experience. That whole situation was doomed as a fiasco of 2 years of work yielding nothing.

Ellice

Wrong, Vic. The Whitewater "scandal" ended up with the former close friends and law partners of Hillary in jail. It had to do with real estate and S&Ls, money manipulation, in Arkansas, etc. And is thought to be the reason that Vince Foster killed himself at an overlook on the GW Parkway. As in he knew the inner details and there was no way he could testify, keep Hillary clear, and not be perjuring himself. Those who followed that investigation, seem to all be of the opinion that Hillary Clinton as a minimum at least was aware of the illegal activites when they happened, and more likely profited and was involved in the shady business dealings.

Try again.

The health care job was an appointed position, and probably compensated, as govt apptmts are, but I'm not sure of the compensation details. None of us should do "work" for free. Though, I will say, that like many federal employees, who reach a certain grade, there is plenty of free work - in that OT would be at much less than our normal hourly salary, so you take "comp" time, that never gets to actually happen.

Ellice

Keep reading, if you care. At the time, there was considerable circumstance and information linking Hillary Clinton, and he would've had to be an idiot not to have known. But, there was quite a lot of controversy with Susan McDougal's conviction, confession, what was made public, what sealed, and the decision not to charge Hillary. I have little doubt that had they been less "prominent" - she would've been charged and convicted as well. Smart person who knows how to work the system and not take the fall.

Ellice

Not having a debate. This came from some earlier conversation about Senator Clinton.

Well, OTOH, there are those, like yourself evidently, who find the Clintons, and their "mob" completely not responsible for anything that is less than positive. Personally - my politics are pretty close to Senator Clinton's. But that doesn't mean I idolize her, or former President Clinton to the point of finding them infallible, and all errors of judgment, behaviour, ethics, etc completely excusable or as if they didn't happen. It's sort of like Reagon earning the teflon president nickname, as nothing stuck - and that came to a new level with the Clintons. I'm not saying they aren't both intellectually gifted, or as most politicians, convinced they should have power 'cause they know best, and may have great ideals. Just that this assumption if perfect innocence - aside from a sexual indiscretion - isn't really warranted.

In America, as in the rest of the world, guilt of wrong doing in real life doesn't mean that you are found legally guilty in court. And, you're a naïve fool if you think that high political connections, etc won't keep you protected - despite any inquisition. We have a friend, former teammmate of DH's, who was part of the lobbying scandal and is finishing serving his sentence. Deals get made all the time - his wife - who mysteriously had much money in accounts - supposedly business - of her name - was allowed to not serve any time, given probation - he went to jail and I'm sure gave much closed door information - as their deal in order for her to be able to be home with the kids. Guess what - the amazing junkets, etc - were happening during the Clinton administration, too - that was a hey day of good ole boy fun. What amazed us - knowing this guy for a long time - would be the discussions in the locker room - of some golf trip to Scotland, and who paid. He was a Chief of Staff in the senate before becoming a lobbyist. Amazing. Democrats included. Not just the Repbulicans.

The inquisition about Whitewater came as part of the S&L scandal, and there were innocent people that were bilked out of money, property, etc. Do you really believe that when the Chief of Staff, and the law partners are involved that the others so closely allied didn't know at the least, and weren't involved? WRT the McDougals, there was much interviewing, especially with Susan, at the time, and she was very unhappy that her friend, the First Lady, had information that would have aided her defense, but chose not to come forth with it. And the reason that people believe there was a cover-up, well - ummm, that's what the information out there points to.

Things are bad, they cycle from good to bad to middle of the road all the time in history. Now we're all going to spend much time with the poor new President inheriting the mess of the prior - yet the converse - of Pres Clinton inheriting the positive economics of his predecessor is ignored. Can't have it all both ways.

ellice

If you want to see some comparing of systems, watch the movie Sicko.

I was bored a few months back and let myself have a look at it. I was surprised at some of the things they pointed out, some say to get Canadian health care in the U.S., but some of the European countries have even better "benefits" than here in Canada.

I would like the pricing of the drugs that Cuba has for starts, even by the manufacturer and labeling. Then for ones that have new born's and live in Great Britain where they have state paid "helpers" for the parents, never heard of that here from my sisters. Even some of the countries that are thought as behind, the benefits are interesting and state paid.

They are making some changes here in Alberta as of last year. The Alberta health system is now under one provincial board instead of the system of local controlled boards for the each region. Also are suppose to make approved items covered by the provincial plan better without need of Blue Cross coverage. Sorry, don't have any details looking at one of those "coming soon" pamphlets while at medical office.

I do know about the cancer treatment costs, just for my pain killers, "water" pills for legs swelling, blood-pressure/heart pills, and a few others [5 total] would cost me over $800 month. And that doesn't included some of the chemo/treatment meds if I could take them. I am glad the government covers the cost here.

It's my understanding the Canadian medical plans covers some costs, but not all.

For instance: A friend of mine, who was 43 years old at the time, had to stay at the Vancouver Cancer Clinic several times. They had to pay $30 a day for her to stay, and if her husband stayed with her I think it was another $35 a day. She was there for months, so just for her they were having to pay $900 a month, plus pay for any medications the BC Medical Plan wouldn't cover. She fought cancer for 5 years, but passed away at age 48. She and her husband were lucky to have a good extended medical plan through his work, many are not as lucky :(

If you happen to be over the age of 65 more of your meds are covered. My parents both passed away from cancer. Once my Dad, he was 79 when diagnosed) was deemed palliative everything was covered, so no costs at all. My Mom wasn't diagnosed until much later in the disease, and passed away only 4 weeks after being diagnosed.

take care, Linda in B.C., Canada

It varies by Province. In NS if you have to go to another province, case in point a woman who is waiting in Toronto for a liver transplant (we don't have a transplant team here, too few liver transplants) then the province pays so much per month for living expenses etc.

If you are actually in hospital in NS, there are no charges, all drugs, tests etc administered come under the health care. Beyond that if you are over 60 (as a woman) and on pharmacare for $350 per annum then you pay about $2 per prescription. They are even paying now for a hideously expensive drug for people with colon cancer. It won't save them but is thought to give them a couple more months.

I agree it varies by province, but the key thing you mentioned was "if you are actually in hospital NS". What appears to be happening here in B.C is they are doing more and more treatments on an outpatient basis, so the patients have to pay for their own accommodation.

I heard today that a friend had a brain aneurysm, he had surgery last Friday, and was released on Monday. Can you imagine?

take care, Linda D. in B.C., Canada

It is no longer good to stay in hospital any more time than necessary. I am getting my knee replaced and generally that involves four days but I shall be agitating to get out from the minute my eyes open - hospitals are dangerous places, infections abound. One is far safer at home.

I know someone who had a brain aneurysm, he made an excellent recovery though we always reckoned (as did his wife) that his personality was somewhat changed afterwards. Not for the better !