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===================================================== This is a long message to the 79 plus Canadians on the PARKINSN LIST from Anne Rutherford on her soapbox. If the rest of you are not interested --- please hit delete......... ABOUT <<The Canadian Forum on Health>> Among the hundreds of ordinary citizens and healthcare experts who participated in this Forum there were at least two people who knew firsthand about living with Parkinsons. One was a caregiver and one was a PWP. Both were from Newfoundland. Last week the Canadian Forum on Health presented its findings on what Canadians think of health care. I have not seen the complete report, but I am very pleased that at least two of the reccommendations address problems faced by PWP. FIRST They said that prescription drugs should be included in basic health care coverage In Newfoundland here are Parkinson patients whose prescription drug costs are not covered by the provincial government or a private insurance plan. What can a PWP do when the cost of prescription drugs for a year can be $8,000, one third of their $25,000 pension income. SECOND The Forum recommended that Homecare be expanded Homecare can keep the caregiver from wearing out and keep the PWP functioning well. Homecare is essential for the PWP without family. It costs les than institutional care. However it is not always available and not always affordable and often hedged about with rules and restrictions. Right now is a good time to educate your Member of Parliament and your Provincial Representative about PWP and the importance of health care. As health is a provincial responsibility each province sets its own rules about drugs . For example, in Newfoundland, seniors whose income is low enough to qualify for the federal GIS (guaranteed income supplement) get a drug card. Other seniors must pay the full cost of their prescriptions themselves if they do not have insurance. We have seen some insurance plans for retired employees with a lifetime maximum payout which Parkinson drugs reach in a few years. This leaves the pensioner high and dry with a sudden increase of $5,000 plus in their cost of living. The Forum is appearing on talk shows and phone-in shows. If you have opinions....................express them Anne Rutherford =================================