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 world19News #100 - February 28, 2002

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We had thought about putting out some type of special newsletter for our 100th issue, but because of the timing of the "Romanow" item below, decided to send out this specific notice. (Some long-term readers might think this was our "second" 100th issue. We had previously also issued a periodic newsletter on provincial issues, and some time ago noted we had sent 100 newsletters in total).

1. WORLD19 PUBLIC FORUM ON MEDICARE
Tuesday, March 26, 7:30pm
Runnymede United Church
432 Runnymede (2 blocks north of Bloor)

Confirmed guest speakers:
  Amani Oakley, co-founder of and spokesperson for Toronto Health Coalition
  Bea Levis, co-chair of Coalition of Ontario Senior Citzens Associations, and board member of CareWatch Others to be announced.

More details in future newsletters and on our website at www.medicare.world19.com

2. ROMANOW COMMISSION ON HEALTH CARE
- Deadline for Public Submissions March 1st
.
Most people are aware of this federal commission on the future of Health Care in Canada. The Commission is currently soliciting public input on health care. There will be a public meeting in Toronto on April 2nd, but in order to present your opinions, you must submit an abstract by March 1st . For those interested, the information below (this came as an email from the Council of Canadians) will provide details on how to submit your abstract. It can be faxed to 613 233-4766, or sumbitted online at http://www.healthcarecommission.ca.

Hello everyone,

As I am sure you are all aware, Roy Romanow is beginning his public consultations on the future of Canada's public health care system. He has said many times in the media that he wants to hear from ordinary Canadians about our vision for medicare. Although 80% of Canadians are in favour of keeping medicare public, there is a tremendous push by our elected representatives, both provincially and federally, to partially or fully privatize it. Only two generations ago Canadians fought a valiant battle to create a universal public health care system, through which we all had access to good quality health care, regardless of our socio-economic status. Once again, we must fight to preserve medicare and to improve it, so that future generations will have access to the same quality of care.

Now is your chance to have your voice heard. Please let the Romanow Commission know what your vision for health care is and how you have been effected by the current cuts to medicare. The Romanow Health Commission is coming to Toronto on April 2nd. In order to express your opinions you have to submit an abstract by March 1st.

I have provided details on how to submit an abstract at the bottom of this e-mail. You do not have to be an expert on the healthcare system to submit an abstract. Romanow wants to know what the experiences of average Canadians are under the present health care system and also ways in which the system can be improved. The following is an outline for what is to be included in the abstract:

Template of Abstract for Submission to the Romanow Commission:

1.. Focus or theme of presentation Please indicate the general subject matter in a simple phrase or title. Examples are: "Improving Emergency Services at Hospitals", "How To Reduce the Waitlists for Surgery and other Health Care Treatments", "Recommendations for a Home Care Strategy" or "Attracting Doctors to Work in Underserviced Areas".

b.. Outline of Presentation Please present your key ideas in point form. Limit your response to 3000 characters or about 600 words.

c.. Conclusion/Recommendations Please state the main argument or recommendation(s) that you intend to present. Limit your response to 2000 characters or about 400 words.

If your abstract is chosen, you will be asked to appear on April 2nd before the Commission and give a three minute presentation if you are speaking as an individual, or a ten minute presentation if you are representing an organization. In selecting groups or individuals to appear before the Commission, the Commission will try to ensure that as many different views as possible are heard.

Needless to say, very few groups or individuals will be able to appear before the Commission because the hearings will only be held for one day in Toronto, as well as one day in Sudbury and Ottawa. However, Romanow has said that all abstracts will be taken into consideration when he is compiling his report. Therefore, in order to show Romanow and the federal and provincial governments, that Canadians are concerned about the future of medicare, it is important for as many people as possible to submit an abstract to the Commission.

If you would like to include some facts and figures about our current medicare system, please look at the information on the Ontario Health Coalition's website: http://www.web.net/ohc/. For more information on the Romanow Commission, visit the Commission's website: http://www.healthcarecommission.ca/

If you have any questions about submitting an abstract, please feel free to contact me: 416-462-3128.
Susan Horsfall - Toronto Chapter of the Council of Canadians

For world19,
John Leeson

world19:
Supporting citizen involvement in our community and its future.
Phone: 416 766-8605
email: world19@world19.com
web: www.world19.com