LookGoodOptions: December 2016

Friday, December 30, 2016

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Medicare crippled when government doesn't treat us all as equals

Canadian health care violates human rights when governments cause limited or delayed access to primary and specialist care

By David Zitner
Senior Fellow
Atlantic Institute for Market Studies


Hi-Res currently unavailable

HALIFAX, N.S. /Troy Media/ - Government administration has created unhealthy inequity in the delivery of health care.

An editorial in the Nov. 1 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal recognizes, as have the Quebec courts, that Canadian health care violates human rights when governments cause limited or delayed access to primary and specialist care.

In Nova Scotia, medicare is evolving into a system of haves and have nots because policies of the Nova Scotia Health Authority limit the availability of family doctors and specialists.

For seniors, who have had the same doctor for many years, the problem is aggravated because these patients have increasing difficulty finding a doctor to replace physicians who are retiring.

Canadians strongly endorse the commitment made by Tommy Douglas, a founder of medicare, when he said "people should be able to get whatever health services they require irrespective of their individual capacity to pay."

Most Canadians applaud the principles of the Canada Health Act that suggest all of us should have access to the comprehensive care we need.

The fifth principle of the Canada Health Act, public administration, implies that government should be a facilitator, not a barrier to excellent care.

However, in Nova Scotia, public administration has become the barrier preventing communities, patients and medical clinics from hiring the people they need to provide timely care.

Usually, governments regulate and evaluate services. The public administration clause of the Canada Health Act puts government into the uncomfortable position of having to regulate and evaluate services that government administers.

In Nova Scotia, the insurers and administrators of care would be punished if there were an independent regulator, because many people can't get a family doctor, waiting times in emergency departments are excessive and waits for necessary surgery cause prolonged and unnecessary discomfort.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority is preventing clinics and communities from hiring the doctors they need. The result is three tiers of government-sponsored primary care.

People in the first tier, a small number, have government-funded access to care 24 hours a day, with a doctor or team of clinicians who see them in person or communicate by telephone or email.

A few other Nova Scotians also have first-tier access to around-the-clock care, but must pay privately for better access.

People in the second tier have government-funded access, mostly during the day, to a personal physician and after hours must rely on an impersonal 811 telephone service, walk-in clinics and emergency departments.

The 80,000 people in the third tier don't have a family doctor and must rely on walk-in clinics, the 811 telephone service and emergency departments for primary care.

Rather than encouraging increased access to primary care, the Nova Scotia Health Authority is using the principle of public administration to promote rationing. Clinics and communities can't hire doctors to meet the needs of the 80,000 citizens who don't have access.

Perhaps the time has come to end government's conflict of interest by removing the barrier - public administration - that prevents clinics and communities from hiring the doctors they need.

It's time to do away with the unhealthy inequity in the delivery of health care. Let governments provide health insurance so rich and poor alike have access to the care they need. Then let communities and accountable community-organized co-operatives and community-appointed boards govern and administer care.

Dr. David Zitner is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Everyday Living®

http://www.everydayliving.com/

Monday, December 19, 2016

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto identifies some family friendly holiday builds for kids

TORONTO, Ont. (December 16, 2016) – The holidays are right around the corner and that means parents will be looking for activities to do as a family when their kids are home for winter break.

"A great family activity that people don't always think about is building with LEGO® bricks," says Noel Straatsma, Master Model Builder at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto. "Building with LEGO® bricks allows kids to use their imagination and can be a great bonding experience for the whole family."

Here are Noel's top 5 LEGO® builds to do with your kids this holiday season:

Christmas Trees – it sounds sweet and simple, but the great thing about building with LEGO® bricks is you can use your imagination! A Christmas tree can be any colour or size you want.

Gingerbread House – Avoid a sticky mess by making this year's gingerbread house out of LEGO® bricks! Whether recreating a family home or designing a funky castle, the options are endless for little budding architects. Just remember, no snacking on this one as you build!

Ornaments – If you have enough extra pieces of LEGO® bricks, work together with your kids to build ornaments for the tree! Now they can show off their work to everyone who comes to visit this holiday.

Snowman – It might be cold outside but you and your family can stay nice and warm by the fire as you build your snowman out of LEGO®. Even the most basic set of LEGO® bricks will work for this build but if you want to get more creative with colours and sizes you can find more detailed sets in the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto store.

Santa – Who doesn’t love having Santa around the house during the holidays? Have a building competition with your kids to see who can make the best Santa and keep them on display in your home to keep you in the holiday spirit.

"Whether you are a seasoned pro when it comes to building with LEGO® bricks or someone who's just starting out, this is the perfect activity to do as a family," says Straatsma. "Everything that can be imagined, can be built at LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto and our free building stations are a great place to start this holiday."

Enjoy Rides, 4D Cinema, Master Model Builder workshops and more! Save up to 20% when booked online, and children under the age of two are free.

For more information about LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto, please visit www.legolanddiscoverycentre.ca and follow it on Facebook and Twitter.

About LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto

LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Toronto is a heavily LEGO® themed indoor attraction that appeals to a child’s fascination with the timeless LEGO® product, taking them into a world of endless possibilities!