Thank you for this letter and the Travel Insurance Guide which arrived in today's mail.

I do not anticipate any out of province trips this fall or winter ­ so that's why I did not respond to previous insurance brochures.

However, having been a member of the Snowbird Association since its inception ­ and because of all the good work you have done for Seniors I want to continue what support I am able to give financially. I wish you all the best in future endeavours, I enjoy reading the CSA magazine. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Joyce Thar

Ed; The support you give to CSA means that YOU are doing good work for seniors. Just your membership gives us the power to address our many issues with government. We hope CSA News will continue to bring you pleasure for many years to come.

Dear Mrs. White,

My wife and I attended the Snowbird Lifestyle Presentation in Kitchener September 23^rd.

It was the very best presentation yet. We offer our congratulations to you, your staff and those who entertained us royally.

The guest we brought with us took advantage of the many booths and to obtain information about the CSA, and joined. That's what it is all about.

We look forward to visiting with you in Mesa, January 30^th.

Thanks again for all you do for us. Please keep up the good work.

Sincerely,
Ray and Etta Brown

Ed; That is, indeed, what CSA is all about. Spreading our message to all Canadians until our governments are forced to comply with their own laws. Mesa will be fun ­ see you there.

Dear Bird Talk,

A number of years ago I had an ileostomy, which has rendered it impossible for me to have a rectal digital prostate exam and my only hope for a check-up, was a PSA test. While it is not the cost so much as it is the principle, I find that OHIP will not cover this and I must pay for it.

After numerous (unanswered) letters to the Hon. Tony Clements, Minister of Health & Long Term Care and a visit to my local MPP who also wrote to the Minister, I have finally received a reply which is as follows ­ If your physician believes your medical condition requires monitoring with a PSA test because of your Ileostomy, your doctor should note this on his laboratory requisition and you should then attend your local hospital in order to have the blood drawn at no charge.

Further to this I have talked with, but have not had any reply yet, from the Human Rights Commission with my feelings that because a woman can get a mammogram test and is covered under OHIP, a man should have coverage for a PSA test. In discussion with my doctor he feels that both tests are of about equal importance (also noted in your article on page 36 of the fall issue #44 of the CSA magazine). It seems to me that this is Gender Discrimination and I would highly recommend that the CSA pursue this issue.

In closing I would suggest that any member of the CSA should contact the Minister and try to get coverage until such time as there is coverage for all Men.

Yours sincerely,
Jim Cunningham

Ed; We could not agree more! A PSA test should be a standard male screening procedure and we believe it is being withheld due to cost issues, not health issues.

Dear Sir,

My wife and I winter in Arizona for health reasons, and this past winter I had bronchitis and was treated by a doctor, at a clinic, at a cost of $118 (US), approx. $192 (CDN).

I have $1,000 deductible on my travel health insurance so I billed OHIP for the $118 (US) ($192 CDN) and received $27.05 from OHIP in return.

The portability clause of the Canada Health Act says clearly and unequivocally that "where the insured health services are provided out of Canada, payment (by the Province) is made on the basis of the amount that would have been paid by the Province for similar treatment at home."

THAT IS THE LAW OF CANADA!!

Am I supposed to believe that the treatment I received in the U.S. for $192 (CDN) would only cost $27 in Ontario?

Where does it say that, while I have to obey the law of the land, the government can break the law with impunity??

Sincerely,
Keith McLean

Ed; Actually, Mr. McLean, using Medipac's recoveries from OHIP as an average, only $16 would normally be payable. Either payment is a joke and totally illegal under the Canada Health Act. Romanow is now recommending you get nothing! An election is coming and we will have our chance to "say our piece" in the ballot box.

Dear Bird Talk,

I was really pleased to see "Cuba a new option for seniors" which will now permit me to enjoy winter sun, provided I can get travel health insurance which I can afford.

It would seem to me that your present insurance premiums are based exclusively for those that winter in the U.S. where medical or hospital costs are probably ten times those of Cuba and many other places.

I would appreciate very much your recommending or, if possible, establishing an insurance program for those of us who cannot afford the U.S.A. and hence opt for more reasonable areas. The premiums really should reflect the low cost to an insurance company.

Yours truly,
David Luck

Ed; This is a tricky area to address in a short note. While basic medical costs are inexpensive in Cuba and in several other destinations, the need for advanced medical procedures often requires a full medical evacuation to a different country (back to the high costs again) for the best medical outcomes. When you factor in these additional costs and two hospital bills, the savings are not as great as they might seem. We are continuing to review a premium discount for places such as Cuba, parts of the Carribean, Europe and other lower medical cost environments. The insurance companies are reluctant to bend on this issue as they have lost much money in giving these discounts in the past, and approximately 80% of claims dollars are spent on these high-care claims. Medipac believes that there is a difference and we believe we have the statistical data to back it up. We will continue to seek fairness in insurance pricing. Thank You.