I appreciate the excellent service my wife and I obtain from our private insurance with Medipac for coverage during our winter stay in Florida. However, we are also grateful for the fact that back home in Canada, we are also protected on a daily basis by our public system of health care, paid for by our tax dollars, and at no time being a cause for financial concerns should a health emergency arise in the family.

True enough, there has been a deterioration in hospital services in Canada during the past 10 years, owing to the fact that our then- Finance Minister slashed the healthcare budget by $5 billion, causing the shutdown of numerous hospitals all across Canada and downsizing in most sectors. Wait-times naturally increased for elective surgery. And yet the system continues to provide decent and dignified service for most citizens, which accounts for their support and that of the Romanow Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada. This is not a curse as some of your correspondents see it.

Yours truly, Samuel Levy, Ph.D.

ED. - Most of the stories we hear or read are from those people that have encountered difficulty with our health care system, for whatever reason. There are thousands of others that have had wonderful experiences and have received caring, and even life-saving, results. But we believe that, as a country, Canada can do better. Recently, the Canadian Medical Association, for the first time ever, stated that waiting times for medical treatment in Canada are unacceptable. These are our doctors saying that they are unable to provide proper care. They now believe that citizens should be permitted access to treatment at private "for profit" facilities within Canada or, alternatively, in the United States. Payment for such services would still be provided by our GHIP programs at the same rate levels that are paid for service in a public facility. This is not the two-tier system that politicians have made us fear, but simply more facilities, more advanced diagnostic machines and more public access. We have to stop the indirect health rationing that is inherent in our system. Yes, it will cost more in the long run, but when it comes to your own personal health, we really do not think that cost is much of an issue.

Dear Bird Talk,

I have just finished reading your CSANews summer 2005 issue. I enjoy reading all issues. In regards to "Tips to avoid identity theft", I would like to share with you an experience I had. I wrote a cheque for an account but forgot to sign it. When I received my cancelled cheques back from the bank, I was surprised to see that they had cashed it. When I called the bank, I was indeed surprised when they told me that they only randomly check the signatures.

I used to keep a couple of blank cheques in my wallet in case I needed one, but no more. Now I am very careful of where I keep my blank cheques.

Please advise your readers to keep their blank cheques in a safe place, and not carry them in their wallet, and to alert their bank if they are stolen or missing as apparently signatures mean nothing to the banks.

Keep the good work up.

Sincerely, Donna Wilson

ED. - Thank you for your kind words, Donna, and for your security tip, as well. The "good old days" when you had a personal relationship with your banker, who knew your signature on sight, are no more. The electronic age is upon us and it will bring marvelous things, but caring personal service will be one of the casualties.

Hi there,

Just a note to say thank you for all the years I have been a member of CSA, and also for receiving care and kindness whenever I needed some medical attention – even regular follow-up calls to check on my well being.

I enjoy your magazine very much. There are so many interesting stories sent in, but best of all is all the work put into our needs as "snowbirds" – both with medical news and government concerns on our behalf.

One thing I miss very much in my 5 months in Florida is news from Canada. We used to have a paper called "Canada News". It was compact and great. I know it folded out.

Could we not seek someone who would give us such a paper again? Could you please find out? We are all willing to pay for the paper – and I am sure many other Canadians will agree.

Thanks again for all your help.

Sincerely, Eileen Horne

ED. - Canada News was loved by many and also played an important role in the formation of the Canadian Snowbird Association. From what we have learned, operating a part time publication for Canadians in the United States is an expensive proposition and there is difficulty in finding financial support from enough advertisers. With the introduction of "news on demand" from the Internet and the ability to view Canadian Television Programs on the various satellite systems, the success of such a paper becomes even more difficult. We, at one point, attempted to purchase Canada News just before its demise and continue to look at ways to "reinvent the wheel". We will certainly keep trying to find a viable alternative for you and other snowbirds.

Dear Bird Talk,

On my drive home from Florida last spring I made it a point to stop overnight, before dark, at a large well-lit center. I was given a room at the back of the motel, which I accepted because it would be quieter there & I could then get a good sleep. But fate played a hand. As I stepped out of my room for one more trip to my vehicle, a big guy came walking from the side and after giving me a very pleasant "good evening, Sir," grabbed me by the front of the shirt with one hand & shoved the other into my pocket for my wallet! We scuffled & exchanged words briefly (my cry for help was unanswered), then he shoved me back inside & knocked me down with a punch to the right eye, ripping my wallet out of my pocket before taking off! From now on I will NOT stay at a motel unless they have a competent security patrol on duty & I encourage all other travellers to do the same. If we work together perhaps we can convince the head-offices & local operators of these facilities that our personal safety is the number one priority!

'Harry' Splett, Nepean, ON

ED. - We were dismayed to learn about your harrowing experience. Safety should always be a top priority when we travel. Thankfully, we rarely hear of such distressing and dangerous situations on the road. We recommend that you park your car in full view of your room or the reservation desk. Walk only in well lit areas and travel in pairs at night, and during the day, for that matter. Choose accommodations with security on patrol whenever possible. If you do find yourself confronted with a thief, most police forces recommend that you simply give him/her your wallet. Your money, identification and credit cards can be replaced.