RE: Health Care
Wrace:
I raced oval track modifieds here in Canada for a number of years, and I never had any supplemental health insurance. Every one at the track, racers, crew, and track officials was covrered by our regular Provincial health care plan. The local public ambulance service would respond and treat and transport any patients to the local hospital, if needed. In Ontario there are no private EMS services, so care and training are universal, and even small communities get professional paramedic services, and a Province wide air ambulance service.
With a universal health care plan, everyone is covered as I have said previously, and that means just what it says....everyone. We don't penalise people for being stupid, or careless.
Remember that in our system, there is NO profit motive, so the costs are less than in the US, for sure. Controlling costs is the key to the difference, I think.
Jim B. Toronto.
RE: Health Care
Wrace :
Canada does not have an immigration class for retired persons.
We are looking for young people, under 50 years of age, who can be employed here and who will be contributing to our economy through their income taxes, and sales taxes, for many years to come.
An American citizen many VISIT Canada for up to 183 days in any 12 month period of time, but they could not be employed in Canada, as a visitor. In order to be accepted as an immigrant, a person has to score more than 67 points on the skilled worker test, and any one with a age over 50 will lose points, and the older they are the more points they lose on their score.
As to the health issues that may result in a denial, it is on a case by case basis, but in general, if the medical condition is " life long and not going to improve " the application will be denied.
The only way that seniors can come to Canada, to live, is if they have adult children, who are Canadian citizens, who will sponsor them, under the " Family Re-Unification Plan ". Otherwise, it won't happen.
Jim B. Toronto.
RE: Health Care
For the record.........
Canada's immigration plan uses a "points system " for each applicant, regadless of what country they are a citizen of.
This means that they must score a minimum of 67 points out of a possible 100, and the higher their individual personal score, the better their chance of being accepted. Add to that having a University 4 year degree, or a trade certificate, in a technical or construction skill, such as a electrician, mechanic, plumber or similar. Our system is designed to fill high tech job vacancies in Canada. Long gone are the days of accepting inskilled labourers, who are illiterate.
Every immigration applicant, including their spouses and children, must passs a detailed medical exam, blood tests, and chest x-rays, at their own expense, in their own country, in front of a medical Doctor certified by the Canadian Government. If any of them are not passed, the whole familiy is denied entry to Canada. There are litteraly dozens of medical conditions that will result in a denial, including congenital mental illness, major birth defect and HIV/Aids. The main criteria for denial is the long term cost of medical care, to the Canadian economy. Canada does not owe the world a place to live, and we expect new comers to be productive and work hard in our country.
Immigrants to Canada must be self supporting, and have at least $25,000 in cash ( for a family of 4 ) upon arrival in Canada, to pay their expenses for the first year in Canada. They get points for their ability to speak, read and write fluent English or French, and their ability to adapt quickly to our society.
The Immigration system that we have in Canada is based on what is best for Canada, and our national future . It is a competition, not a lottery, as the US system is. We want the best, and we are not afraid to say so.
In the first 5 years in Canada, 85 percent of new immigrants become Canadian citizens. We accept about 250,000 new immigrants each year.
Jim B. Toronto.
RE: Health Care
Wrace :
It never WAS connected to having a job.
My Mum was a stay at home wife, never worked outside of our home, in her life , and she was covered from day one, when it came into effect in 1962. She lived to be 90, and was in good health until her last year, when she had a serious lung infection, and died from it.
Having a job, or not, in Canada does not affect your health care at all. If you are breathing, and have our citizenship, or are a legal immigrant, you are covered 100 percent, and we never use the phrase " a pre-existing condition " as it just doesn't happen here in Canada.
Each of the 10 Provinces and three Territories in Canada, run their own health care plans, with national standards set by the Federal Ministry of Health.
Doctors in Canada work for US, the public, and are paid for each procedure, or office visit, per an agreed annual fee schedule, that is negotiated between the Doctor's Association, and the Provincial Government, representing the public, every two years. They bill using ONE form per month, to the Provincial Ministry billing department, for ALL the patients that they treated in that 30 day period, by direct computer entry, and in 30 days, by return computer cheque they get paid. Each of us have a ID number on our photo health card, that is scanned by the Dr's secretary, or the billing clerk at the hospital. The info stripe is unique to me, so no one else can use it.
Isn't that a lot simpler, and less confusing than the USA sysyem, with dozens of forms, for dozens of different insurance companies ? Of course it is. AND no Canadian Doctor has to use a collection agency, to chase bad debts, as ALL of the billing is guranteed by the Provincial Government, 100 percent. So the Doctor can concentrate on running his medical practice, not managing bad debts !!
With all of us paying our taxes, and all of our companies paying theirs, the system is properly funded, and we get the care we need, when we need it. I just came back from a trip to Atlanta, to attend a conference, and during the breaks, I was peppered with questions about the Canadian health care system, from American University grads. The amount of bad information was amazing, and some of them have asked for more internet links, to read up about our system.
Americans spend about twice as much per person, as Canadians do, on individual health care payments, for mediocre care. Take a look at your infant mortality rates, or illegitimate births, to see what effect it is having. You will never hear a Canadian say " I can't afford to go to see a Doctor ". Being treated by a Doctor, BEFORE it becomes a serious medical condition is cheaper in the long run.
Jim b. Toronto.
RE: Health Care
Health care in Canada IS NOT FREE.
All Canadians pay for it through our income taxes, and sales taxes on things that we buy.
IT IS " Universal " and that means that every Canadian citizen, and legal immigrant is covered, with no one being " excluded or cut off ". No one in Canada is being forced into bankruptcy, by medical bills, and no one here is making a plea to get funds for their child to get a kidney transplant.
With everyone paying into the plan, and our non profit publically owned hospitals, with local boards of directors, we get the care we need , when we need it.
Don't listen to the US heath insurance lobbyists, Canadians are happy with the care we receive, and no politician in Canada would do anything to change the system. Improve it, yes, but not to reduce it in any way.
Sixty years is the length of time that we have had this system, and we like it just fine.
And , as for that line about "socialised medicine " don't you all ready have that ? Medicaid and social security, I think it is called ? Funny how the right wingers can't get so worked up about having fire departments and Police departments in their towns ? Aren't they examples of "socialised community services " ?
Jim B. Toronto.
RE: Veteran's Day
What a difference in outlook and practice , between the USA and Canada, regarding November 11th.
No one in Canada would EVER think of wishing someone a "Happy Rememberance Day " as it is a day of solemn attendance at the war memorials, and parades . A day of silent prayer, and thanks paid to our veterans, past and present. A day of national mourning, and a day to reflect on our loses, over the years, in battle.
No politician in Canada would dream of saying anything of a partisan nature on November 11th, as it is a day for our country to grieve .
In the two weeks leading up to November 11th, the Royal Canadian Legion distributes about 18 million Poppys, to Canadians, who make a small donation for each of them, the money going to support veteran's housing and care facilities. Out of a national population of 34 million that is about 50 percent of the entire population of Canada, who are wearing a poppy on their chest, to show their support for our veterans.
At 11am, a two minute period of silence is observed, to mark the passing of another year. The First World War ended at 11am, on November 11th, in 1918, 91 years ago.
At the end of the official ceremony in Ottawa, once the military groups have marched off, the public comes forward, and they place their Poppies on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, so that it is eventually covered in bright red flowers. This is s spontaneous event that started in 2000, when the tomb was consecrated, and the remains were brought from France, to Canada.
After lying in state for three days in the spring of 2000 , in the lobby of the Parliament buildings, the Unknown was buried in his tomb, directly in front of the National War Memorial, across the street from Parliament Hill.
He fell at Vimy Ridge in April of 1917, the most important Canadian battle of that war, where for the first time, the entire Canadian army fought as a single force, and they achieved what both the British and the French had not been able to do for two years. They captured the ridge from the Germans in four days.
Vimy is the seminal event of the military history of Canada, the place where Canada earned the right to be called a nation, not a colony.
Jim B. Toronto.
RE: Clocks tonight
Talk about " trying to stop the tide " ?
In a past century, this kind of thinking was the concept of " The Luddites " They didn't get it either........
On a more serious note....... Do any of you know who originated the concept of world wide time zones, and why he suggested it ? Hint, it had to do with trains . And he was a Canadian.
Jim B. Toronto.
RE: Any Canadians ever seen the music group Duhks
The band comes from Manitoba, on the western plains of Canada.
Young but with some good tunes, and a loyal following in Canada.
To me they sound sort of like modern country, with a taste of celtic /Scots roots fiddle and off beat rythms.
Here is a link to one of their videos.
Hhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYdk_TcCeW8
Jim B.
RE: How many of you have Diabetes?
DOTL daddy :
Yes the studies I reffered to were for type 2 diabetes patients.
Quote from a study in 2004, by Doctor Henry Buchwald MD PhD, of 22,000 cases of weight loss surgery patients , of all types.
Results :
In studies reviewed by Dr H Buchwald and his associates, of type 2 diabetes before and after weight loss surgery, the disease completely disapperaed in 77 percent of patients, and it improved or resolved in 86 percent of patients. Improvements in cholesterol were seen in 70 percent of patients, and high blood pressure either resolved or improved in 78 percent of weight loss patients. In studies assesing sleep apnea, before and after weight loss surgery, the condition disappeared in 86 percent of weight loss patients, post operatively .
So, yes type 2 diabetes is MUCH improved in more than 75 percent of weight loss patients, post operation.
It is the magic cure ? No but it sure does have a great result, and for many people it is life saving, and life extending surgery.
I will be one of them.
Jim b.
RE: How many of you have Diabetes?
strollin :
That was a direct quote from my Bariatric surgeon. He thinks it is to do with the change in the absorption rate in the gut.
That is a "un-intended consequence " as I said above. It is not my main resaon for needing this operation.
I just found out this afternoon, from my cardiologist, that I will now need a angiogram, and probably one or two angioplatys, later this month, to clear out my heart arteries , so that I can with stand the general anesthetic, during the RNY procedure. Once that has been done , he will OK my going for the RNY, and the bariatric surgeon will be much happier to have me as a patient, once it has been done, too.
I'm sicker than I thought I was.
Jim B. Toronto.
RE: How many of you have Diabetes?
I am in the patient in take process here in Toronto, Ontario, to have weight loss surgury, a RNY gastric by pass to be precise.
This comes as a result of my tpe 2 diabetes, along with hypertension, high blood cholesterol, COPD, and sleep apnea, and bad kness, and I'm 63, with 300 pounds weight and a BMI of 45. In addition to that I have just been diagnosied with first stage heaart failure. Needless to say, with so many co-morbidities, I am at th top of the list for this procedure.
One of the " un-intended consequences " of this weight loss surgury, is the END of diabetes, in EVERY patient that has it. No one really knows why, but in the first month after the sugury, the need for any diabetic meds is GONE. My Doctor calls it the cure for diabetes, BUT I will be lving with a stomach the size of an EGG, for the rest of my life, so it isn't for everyone.
The procedure is to create a new stomach pouch, and by pass the usual stomach, entirely, with a new connection to the lower intestine, to by pass the duodenum. This results in much less capacity, so you can only eat a little but at a time, and you don't absorb as much fat or carbs, and you must take daily vitamins and supplements, to keep yourself well nourished, every day.
It is a last resort, and in my case, a life saving move. I expect to be 120 pounds lighter, in about 10 months.
Living in Canada, the entire cost of the surgery and 3 years of follow up visits , are 100 percent covered by our Provincial health care plan. My only costs will be the vitaimins and protein drinks, which are 80 percent covered under my Wife's employee medical plan at her workplace.
Jim b. Toronto.
RE: US Postal Service Money Orders
Smkettner:
You didn't see that the person getting the US postal money order lives in CANADA ? And that it was a US domestic money order, ONLY cashable in the USA ?
A USPS "international money order " is cashable " outside of the USA ". That is what the sender SHOULD have used, but didn't.
A Canadian bank is quite wihin their rights to refuse to cash a 'US domestic postal money order " .
Details, details, details.
Jim B. Toronto.
RE: Do you search for that elusive "Made in USA" label?
Four pages into this topic, and Guest has nailed it.
If China and India were to call the debts that the US Govermnent, and your major banks owes to them, your economy would be toast.
They are using that as a economic weapon, and don't think they can't or won't use it. Both have populations that are hungry for consumer goods and cars, and they are not going to be buying Fords, or American made fridges. It will be to their advantage to have a American economy that is crippled, and unable to compete with them.
Every empire in history has risen, and then fallen, again.
Jim B.
RE: Question about ad for magnetic electricity generators
Slightly OT but interesting.....
Some body in China wants to put plates in roadway surfaces to create energy from the cars passing over the plate. Basically, the weight of the car presses down a spring that contracts, to produce physical energy. Seems to be workable.
Jim b.
RE: Light Bulbs
The owner of the six story apartment building that we live in, here in Toronto, Ontario, has replaced every light in the building, including all of the apartment suites, with compact flourescent bulbs.
The kitchen ceiling fixture, the dining room ceiling fixture, the bathroom fixture and the bedroon ceiling fixture all were replaced in August of 2002. Three of them are curcular types, while the one in the bathroom is a oblong type dual bulb. NONE of them have been replaced in SEVEN years.
The hallway and lobby lights and the underground parking garage lights are all CFLs, as are the outdoor security lights.
Domenic, the building's owner, also replaced all the toilets, and the shower heads, and the building water heater, under a Ontario government program that rebated 70 percent of his costs to improve his energy consumption . I asked him how often he has to replace bulbs.... he still has the original two boxes, with only four replacements being used in 7 years.
Oh and by the way, our last rent increase was 4 years ago. It went up by $15 a month. That was to cover the complete new bathroom, with a new tub, new sink, new toilet, new floor tiles, new wall tiles, and paint job. All 34 units got a new one. This is what happens when the guy has no mortgage payments and the avearge tennant has been here for more than 10 years, and the waiting list is two years long.
Jim B. Toronto. Ontario. Canada.
RE: Hearing Aids
My very first reaction, when reading your post was...........
You MUST be joking ?
A five thousand dollar hearing aid ? Even $3500 got my teeth itchy.
Walk into a Sears and get a price quote. Then go to Walmart, and get a further quote. Perfectly adequate devices will NOT be any where near that price .
If it makes you feel better, tell people you got it at Gucci . grin.
Jim B. Toronto. Ontario. Canada.
RE: ontario
WOW...........
How much time do you have ?
It is bigger than Texas, has over 250,000 lakes and rivers in it, and it stretches from Niagara Falls to the arctic tundra . To drive from the border with Quebec to the next Province to the west, Manitoba, will take you 3 full days.
Ontario has about one third of all the population of Canada, living in it.
here is a link to the Province of Ontario's tourism information website. They will send you free printed information, if you ask for it. Our slogan is "yours to discover ". Turn ON your speakers to HEAR the commercials.
http://www.ontariotravel.net/
Here is the site to request printed materials to be sent to your home address.
http://www.ontariotravel.net/TcisCtrl?key1=travelGuides&language=EN&site=consumers
And finally, a map of my Province.
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/map/
More questions ? Ask me here .
Jim B. Toronto. Ontario. Canada.
RE: Inglourious Basterds
Saw this "movie " yesterday, and walked out muttering.....that was a waste of my time and money.
A complete re-write of history, with the death of Hitler in a Paris cinema, by a group of Americans.
Now I understand the difference between a fictional tale and historical fact........ but this film was like a comic book , but with real actors.
I did think that it was refreshing to see entire sections of the film being done in languages other than English.......The Germans spoke German, the French spoke French, and the Americans spoke American.
One of the actors, who played the SS Jew hunter, was able to speak in FOUR languages, German , French, English and Italian, and do it with no visible hesitation, too. He got a special award when the film debuted at the Canne film festival, and he steals every scene that he is in.
Mike Meyers is just about un-recognisable, as a British General, in a brief scene, and the actor who plays Hitler is much too tall and weighs 50 pounds too much, to be believable .
Typical over blown Tarrrantino violence and too many gaffes, such as having every street light and store front illuminated in 1944 Paris, when there would have been a 100 percent night time black-out in effect.
Not worth the money to get in.
Jim B. Toronto.
RE: bears tail
In the culture of the north west costal Aboriginals, the Raven was the trickster, who lived to play pranks on others. The Haida and Nootka traditional carved masks feature the Raven along with many other creatures of mythology. He is also found on their carved family history poles, and traditional door frames.
A similar tradition is found in the Innuit culture in the arctic regions of Canada. In their traditions the bear would be a polar bear, and the trickster is the arctic fox.
Jim b. Toronto.
