Feds Cut Reimbursements for Military Health Care

[OldSolduer]

In defence though, members pay income tax to the province in which they reside, that is then partially spent on healthcare. A service they're not eligible to access. Then the CF has to pay non-insured rates on top. To my eye, not only do the provinces want to eat their cake and have it, they want extra icing.

Notwithstanding the bad optics on DND's part, there's more going on here.

And charging three times the standard rate.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Canada/some provinces (I’d have to check if all are, but I don’t think so) have a two-tiered health-system. Civilians who can afford it pay extra to access certain services faster, outside of OHIP, thus ‘skipping the line.’ Should they be able to?

The smart ones go to the US, or other destinations, as medical tourists. This is an increasing trend, with provinces sending patients abroad on a regular basis.

See p. 4:

"Provincial governments across Canada send patients abroad for care, diagnosis and treatment that cannot be provided in a timely manner closer to home. An example is bariatric surgery, where the average wait for bariatric surgery in Canada is estimated at over 5 years":

https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/ca/Documents/life-sciences-health-care/ca-en-health-care-life-sciences-evolving-medical-tourism-exploring-a-new-frontier.pdf

Maybe we should help out by taking pressure of the current health care system. Because CAF members are always 'on the move' anyways, we could pull all of the CAF members and families out of the Canadian system, then sign a contract with the US & Mexico as part of the 'New NAFTA'

 

[Jarnhamar]

[quote author=BeyondTheNow]

I 100% support military members having access to expedited medical/health services...on whose dime and the process by which it’s feasible remains debatable...but we’re at least worth that, are we not?

[/quote]

We should have access to expedited medical care. Not because we're better than anyone else but because of what the government asks of us and expects us to do.

 

[BeyondTheNow]

We should have access to expedited medical care. Not because we're better than anyone else but because of what the government asks of us and expects us to do.

Exactly. You worded that much better than I did, but that’s what I intended.

We’re “worth” it because of the position we’ve put ourselves in. And outsiders need to grasp that members don’t only become injured (or worse) during war/combat.

 

[Quirky]

Pilots are 'aircrew'...so we can include them using that term.    (ref CFA0 55-10. aircrew includes pilots, ACSO, SAR Tech, FE and AES Op).  Having said that, I should have said aircrew/flight crew...wouldn't want the Loadies etc to feel left out.  ;D

What is the mess...not tracking what you mean

Short on aircrew (not just pilots) manning for critical on-going domestic ops such as SAR and NORAD commitments due to lengthy medical delays getting treatment. Only so much can be done at the local MIR, but now there won’t be any special treatment getting appointments on civie street.

I 100% support military members having access to expedited medical/health services...

Depending on the situation and position. Priority, within the CF, should be given to deployable units or those in constant domestic ops where dag’in green is a necessity. I know medical personnel who work in the ER, people who actually save lives on a daily basis, that have to wait months for appointments with specialists. Meanwhile, CF members get to skip the line, or used to now, and only wait weeks. Do they deserve to? Absolutely not, they are not above any other tax paying civilian. Want better service for CF members, spend the money and better equip MIRs with staff and equipment.

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Short on aircrew (not just pilots) manning for critical on-going domestic ops such as SAR and NORAD commitments due to lengthy medical delays getting treatment. Only so much can be done at the local MIR, but now there won’t be any special treatment getting appointments on civie street.

Copy...I think we're thinking the same thing here.  As I said, someone has to assume/accept the risk for that.  Not just DomOps; the Trans folks are always on the go, supporting various overseas stuff...and some fleets (thinking of my last one...and current one, too, actually) don't have much 'depth' when it comes to trained folks who can go away with serviceable aircraft.

Depending on the situation and position. Priority, within the CF, should be given to deployable units or those in constant domestic ops where dag’in green is a necessity. I know medical personnel who work in the ER, people who actually save lives on a daily basis, that have to wait months for appointments with specialists. Meanwhile, CF members get to skip the line, or used to now, and only wait weeks. Do they deserve to? Absolutely not, they are not above any other tax paying civilian. Want better service for CF members, spend the money and better equip MIRs with staff and equipment.

It's not that we are 'above', but the detriment to not having fit CAF members isn't the same as not having fit people manning the Produce department at Sobey's... :2c:.  Do I agree with the CAF not paying more if they want/need expedited services?  Nope, I do not agree with that either.

 

[mariomike]

It's not that we are 'above', but the detriment to not having fit CAF members isn't the same as not having fit people manning the Produce department at Sobey's... :2c:. 

Unless it was life or limb threatening, I wouldn't have minded a little break from Operations, if they wanted to send someone else to the front of the line. 

 

[Eye In The Sky]

Unless it was life or limb threatening, I wouldn't have minded a little break from Operations, if they wanted to send someone else to the front of the line. 

I felt that way a few times at my previous Sqn as well.

For those trades that are small in size but routinely operational/deployed, this very issue (people needing a break from op tempo) will compound itself if the little depth they have is eroded with people on MELs/TCats for extended (avoidable) timelines.

Sometimes, saving a dollar here and a penny there isn't worth the 'other' costs...