Bulletin Board - FSNA Kingston

National President's Open Letter on PDSP

2010-07-08T11:34:00.002-04:00

Attached, an open letter from the National President to all members on the changes announced for the Pensioner's Dental Services Plan

http://www.fsna.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/national-president-open-letter-pdsp.pdf

Ontario finalizes drug plan reforms, few changes made

2010-06-12T09:51:00.000-04:00

On July 1, Ontario pharmacists will have to live with a drastic reduction in the revenues they receive through the public drug plan, and they are warning customers to brace for service cuts and fee increases for private-paying customers.

The government finalized controversial changes to the drug plan Monday, going ahead with the abolition of professional allowances which are rebates pharmacists receive from manufacturers on the cost of generic drugs purchased through Ontario’s Public Drug Program. It is estimated that the amount paid by manufacturers on these professional allowances adds up to $750 million a year.

Hand-in-hand with this policy move is a cap on the prices of generics at 25 per cent of the brand – a deeper discount than any other province has yet made, although the government has made some exceptions to this rule.

When the government announced its proposed changes in April there was considerable backlash from the pharmacy community which warned that some pharmacies would be forced out of business and services to customers would be severely curtailed.

A massive public relations campaign was launched to force the government to back down, but the finalized strategy only contains some relatively small changes.

“Despite the fact that Big Pharmacy opposed our changes with one of the most politically charged, American-style PR campaigns in this province’s history, I can tell you that our resolve has never wavered,” Health Minister Deb Matthews told a news conference Monday.

In addition to a $150 million fund to pay for additional professional services to patients, the government is offering pharmacists $75 million in transition fees. This amounts to $1 extra on each prescription to next April dropping steadily to zero by the start of the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Dispensing fees are also going up by a dollar to $8 for prescriptions filled through the public drug plan; pharmacies in small communities will get up to $12 a prescription depending on how far they are from another pharmacy.

There are no rules in place for how much pharmacies can charge private-paying customers for dispensing fees and these are slated to go up quickly to at least partially offset the revenue loss.

“Our ways to increase revenues are few and far between, and dispensing fees is one of them. We’ll probably see that rising over the next few months,” Dean Miller, chairman of the Ontario Pharmacists Association told Canadian Press.

More information at www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/drugreforms/min_communications.aspx.

AlarmCare

2010-06-06T14:50:00.000-04:00

FSNA is pleased to welcome AlarmCare as its newest affinity partner. AlarmCare is a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) designed to help anyone live independently and securely in their homes. If assistance is needed, a simple push of the help button will immediately send an emergency signal. Installation is free and the service regularly costs $28 per month. FSNA members are being offered a special price of only $25 per month for the first three months. More details on this addition to FSNA’s affinity programs will be in the summer issue of ON GUARD.

Appeal of the verdict of the pension surplus court case

2010-06-06T14:46:00.001-04:00

On April 19 and 20, Richard Poersch, FSNA National Director for Ontario, attended the hearings of the appeal of the verdict of the pension surplus court case. He reports that at the proceedings, held at the Ontario Court of Appeal in Toronto, our lawyers did a very good job of representing members’ interests. However, the hearings also went well at the original trial but in the end, the verdict was not favourable. Therefore, let us not create false hopes. And let us not forget that if a favourable verdict is rendered, the only effect it will have would be a return of the $30 billion surplus back to the superannuation accounts.

The outcome of the appeal will be known only when the appeal judges have finished reviewing the case and render their ultimate verdict, a process which usually takes several months.

Some Ontario health related news

2010-06-06T14:36:00.000-04:00

Ontario wait times down, but not for long-term care

Progress has been made in reducing wait times for care in Ontario over the past year, the Ontario Health Quality Council says in its fifth annual report released Thursday. However, it warns that roadblocks to patient flow are causing backlogs.

There have been “solid improvements” in cardiovascular care, including declining rates for heart attack mortality and hospital readmissions.

Wait times are also considered “good” for both cardiovascular surgeries and cataract removals, and have improved for hip and knee replacements as well. The Council furthermore sees “cautious signs for improvement in care for diabetes and other chronic diseases.”

But it says wait times for long-term care have tripled since 2005 and stand at 105 days overall. Fully 16 per cent of hospital beds are occupied by patients who do not need to be there, but are waiting for a place in community care.

The report points to the success Lethbridge, Alberta has achieved in using assisted living and supportive housing to reduce reliance on long-term care. Wait times there are under a month, yet it uses one-third fewer long-term care beds than Ontario.

The issue with long-term care came as no surprise to the Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors in the province. In a news release commenting on the Council’s report, it pointed out that there are about 76,000 long-term care beds in the province which are 98 per cent full and there is a wait-list of over 25,000 people.

On other matters, the Council is pleased that the use of electronic medical records in physicians’ offices increased from 26 to 43 per cent between 2007 and 2009. But it is perplexed that access to primary care remains a problem despite a steady increase in the supply of health professionals. About seven per cent of Ontarians (some 730,000 people) do not have a family doctor.

Recent legislation in the province aims to expand the mandate of the Council to promote evidence-based care. It will also be given the job to make recommendations to the government on the “provision of funding for health care services and medical devices.”

The Council’s report can be found at www.ohqc.ca/pdfs/2010_report_-_english.pdf.

Ontario interested in changing physician compensation

Ontario’s health minister is open to some of the ideas in last week’s report from TD Economics calling for “urgent” reforms to health care. The report said rising health care costs are unsustainable.

In an interview with reporters last Thursday, Health and Long-Term Minister Deb Matthews said the report’s recommendation of limiting drug plan coverage for wealthier seniors was “something we can look at.” She was similarly interested in another recommendation to shift more physicians from fee-for-service to salary-based compensation.

The report said “a healthy and vigorous debate” on the future of health care is needed – again something Ms. Matthews supports.

In fact, this has become a standard refrain from the minister and Premier Dalton McGuinty since the need to engage Ontarians in an “important conversation” about the funding challenges of health care was first mentioned in the March Speech from the Throne.

That Speech promised a period of unrelenting reform in health care, and the government has already taken a number of steps in this direction including radical changes to the drug plan and the abolition of lucrative professional allowances or rebates pharmacists receive from generic drug companies for stocking their products.

Pharmacists are still fighting the initiative which is due to come into effect this month.

The TD report saw distinct advantages in using capitated payment models whereby physicians get paid a certain amount per patient, as well as salary arrangements which have been put in place for new team-based primary care practices.

“Once doctors have moved away from billing for services performed towards a blended per-capita, salary and volume structure, further incentives can be put in place through the payment mechanisms to reward effective practice, increased number of patients, etcetera.”

The report’s focus on aligning physician compensation with performance is again something that was mooted in the Throne Speech. It promised legislation “to make health care providers and executives accountable for improving patient care.” However, the legislation that was tabled in early May (Excellent Care for All Act) only tied hospital executive compensation to meeting quality objectives.

There is a certain willingness on the part of Ontario physicians to consider different ways of being remunerated. The 2007 National Physician Survey found half would prefer some form of blended payment.

The three most desired components of this formula were fee-for-service, on-call, and benefits/pension payments. Salary and task-related (sessional) payments were further down the list.

Issues with Ontario's H1N1 vaccination program

Ontario was lucky the H1N1 pandemic was not worse, the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health says in a report this week on how Ontario fared. Dr. Arlene King says the province had a plan and was prepared, but had more people swarmed emergency departments for longer than they did “that might very well have tipped the system.” She says there is a need “to take a hard look at our immunization system” including ways of tracking and managing vaccination programs which were inadequate during the outbreak. Dr. King says there is also a need for strong central oversight and management during an outbreak. This includes giving her office the authority to direct what the province’s 36 public health units do “in real time.” Her report can be found at www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ministry_reports/cmoh_h1n1/cmoh_h1n1_20100602.pdf

NDI 75 RECORD OF SERVICE CARD

2010-06-03T12:49:00.001-04:00

Please read and follow the instructions carefully. There is no need to call as the application form is posted to our website at www.cpva.ca. Note that there is a long backlog of up to six months to obtain the card.

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

Write to the same address as indicated on the form to obtain a replacement certificate of service (release certificate) as well as your service pin.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Concerning the possible entitlement to a Record of Service Card - NDI 75.

Note - this is often mistakenly referred to as a Veteran’s Card or Veterans Identification card, in essence it is a pocket size Certificate of the member’s record of service. Thus Record of Service Card.

2. The Record of Service Card - NDI 75 is issued to members leaving or who have left the Canadian Forces, with 10 or more years of service.

3. If you meet the eligibility criteria, use the application form attached. It is imperative the information required is legible. Complete with the member’s: Service Number, Military ID Number or Social Insurance Number. Two colour passport–type photographs measuring 1½” x 2”. Processing time after this office receives the application, is approximately 3–6 months to mail the card to applicant.

Mail to: Record of Service Card - NDI 75

Director Military Careers Administration 4

National Defence Headquarters

MGen George R. Pearkes Building

101 Colonel By Dr

Ottawa ON K1A 0K2

4. Replacement of the Record of Service Card - NDI 75 may be requested with a cost of $15.00 payable in the form of a Postal Money Order made payable to the Receiver General for Canada.

This information has kindly been provided to the CPVA by NDHQ. Please follow the instructions, complete the form posted at www.cpva.ca. enclose your documents, photos and payment, and do avoid calling as they are extremely busy trying to meet the demand. Please do not contact the undersigned or info@cpva.ca as we have no further information at this time. For updates, pleased consult our website at www.cpva.ca.

PSHCP Benefit Card

2010-05-13T16:38:00.000-04:00

This message is to advise you of some additional information that has been posted on the National Joint Council Web site regarding the PSHCP Benefit Card.

This "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) document highlights the fact that positive enrolment will be mandatory - every plan member will have to complete positively enrolment to be able to submit claims for reimbursement.

17. What happens if some plan members choose not to enroll themselves or their dependants? Will it affect their claims?

Yes. Members who have not completed positive enrolment by the time electronic claims processing starts will have their claims returned with details on what they need to do to complete positive enrolment, on paper or electronically. Under the new contract, claims for all benefits will not be processed until the member completes positive enrolment."

The FAQ is posted at http://njc-cnm.gc.ca/doc.php?did=492&lang=eng.

Personal information on every plan participant (name, permanent address, date of birth, etc.) must be provided to Sun Life through the positive enrolment process. Members will have the option of completing positive enrolment either on paper or electronically.

Plan members will also have the option either of receiving a plastic PSHCP benefit card in the mail or printing a paper version from the Sun Life website.

As of November 1, 2010, the PSHCP benefit card will be accepted at pharmacies in Canada to purchase eligible prescription drugs and certain medical supplies.

All plan members will continue to be eligible for reimbursement of prescription drugs by the PSHCP whether they use the PSHCP benefit card or submit claims using the paper Claim Form posted on the PSHCP Administration Authority Web site at www.pshcp.ca.

An information package on how to complete positive enrolment will be sent by Sun Life in July 2010, either by e-mail or regular mail.

Members who have registered on the Sun Life plan member Web site and have a vallid e-mail address on file will receive information by e-mail on completing positive enrolment online. If you are not registered on the Sun Life website and wish to complete positive enrolment online, please go to www.sunlife.ca/pshcp and click on "Register Now". Be sure to include your preferred e-mail address.

Otherwise, the information package and enrolment form will be mailed to the last known address of plan members (from your most recent claim). If you are not sure whether Sun Life has your up-to-date address, please call the PSHCP call centre at 1-888-757-7427 to confirm that your correct address is on file. Remember, the files for the dental plan are separate from those for the PSHCP, so you will have to confirm your address specifically for the PSHCP.

More information will be available in the PSHCP Bulletin #24 which will be published next month (June 2010)."

Dental coverage for those living in long term care/residential facilities

2010-05-04T11:50:00.001-04:00

The PDSP and the PSHCP offer coverage for eligible dental care and services regardless of place of residence. However, dental care may be provided for seniors or low-income seniors in long term care facilities or residential facilities as per each provincial/territorial legislation. Legislation varies from province to province and in fact from region to region.

“…The Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan (PDSP) is intended to provide coverage to eligible pensioners for specific dental services and supplies that are not covered under a provincial or territorial health or dental care plan.”
PDSP Rules (April 1, 2006)

Where to claim the amounts not covered under a provincial/territorial health or dental plan will depend on whether the expenses were for oral surgery or for accidental injury.

“…If a member is covered under the Public Service Dental Care Plan, the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan, the RCMP Dependants Dental Care Plan, or the CF Dependants Dental Care Plan, claims for expenses for oral surgery should first be submitted to that [dental] plan. Any amount not covered by that plan may be submitted to the PSHCP. (amended September 8, 2006)”
PSHCP Directive (April 1, 2006)

“…If a member is covered under the Public Service Dental Plan, the Pensioners’ Dental Services Plan, the RCMP Dependants Dental Care Plan, or the CF Dependants Dental Care Plan, claims for expenses for accidental injury should first be submitted to the PSHCP. (amended September 8, 2006)”
PSHCP Directive (April 1, 2006)

FSNA Sponsered Relocation Services Program

2010-04-27T10:22:00.002-04:00

We have learned that even though the relocation program has been available to FSNA members for over 6 years, many members are still unaware of the program. We attach a brochures that may be of use to you in your branch. Click here.

Clarifying Rules On Above-Guideline Rent Increase

2010-04-27T10:06:00.000-04:00

Clarifying Rules On Above-Guideline Rent Increase

April 12, 2010 10:40 AM

To protect tenants, Ontario is clarifying rules governing how the HST will affect above-guideline rent increases.

Under current regulations, a landlord could apply for an above-guideline rent increase based on the HST on utility costs. A proposed change to the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) would prevent tenants from being charged the HST in an above-guideline rent increase for utility costs.

As established by the RTA, landlords will continue to be eligible for annual rent increase guidelines based on the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases

The proposed regulations have been posted online the government's website for 45 days to allow Ontarians to comment.

Still Further Ontario Health Issues

2010-04-26T22:36:00.001-04:00

Pharmacy battle in Ontario heats up

There are suggestions the Ontario government may be prepared to put more money on the table to help pharmacies deal with sweeping drug reforms it proposed last week.

This follows strong reaction from two big pharmacy chains to the government’s recent decision to abolish rebates pharmacies receive from generic drug companies for stocking their products. The price of generic drugs is also being capped at 25 per cent of the brand.

On Monday, Shoppers Drug Mart announced that it was reducing operating hours at seven of its stores in London which also happens to be the area represented in the legislature by Health Minister Deb Matthews. As of next Monday, these stores will also be implementing a fee for delivery services.

On Tuesday, the Rexall chain announced that it too would start charging for deliveries next Monday. It is also instituting a hiring freeze for its head office including the cancellation of its pharmacy student and intern programs in Ontario.

Ms. Matthews has responded to these measures by accusing “Big Pharmacy” of holding patients hostage in its battle with government. She has also accused pharmacy groups of spreading misinformation designed to “worry patients unfairly.”

However, there are signs that the government may be willing to reach a compromise. Shortly before the Rexall announcement, Ms. Matthews said the government may increase a $100 million fund it has promised to compensate pharmacies for professional services they provide customers, like vaccinations and counseling for conditions like diabetes.

“Because they’re taking pressure off our family doctors, if they’re taking pressure off emergency departments, we want to compensate them for that,” she told the Toronto Star.

In addition to the $100 million fund, the government is providing $140 million for the MedCheck program which pays for people to have their prescriptions reviewed by a pharmacist. Dispensing fees are also going up a dollar to $8 and will increase by 2.5 per cent a year.

However, this falls well short of the $750 million which pharmacies stand to lose with the abolition of professional allowances from generic drug companies.

On Wednesday, Premier Dalton McGuinty acknowledged that the government’s new policy may hurt small pharmacies more than those which have diversified product offerings including groceries and cosmetics.

“That’s something we want to keep our eye on, of course, but remember the responsibility of our government is not to ensure that we have a particular kind of pharmacy industry in place,” he told Canadian Press.

Mr. McGuinty said the government’s job is to ensure Ontarians have affordable, quality drugs and as many pharmacies as are necessary to ensure they have access to these drugs. HE

Ideas for Ontario to save money on health care proposed

Ontario could shave $2.2 billion off its health bill if it were to spend at the same rate per capita as in other provinces for physician services, a new report released Thursday suggests. This would represent a drop of $842 to $672 per person.

The report, Ideas and Opportunities for Bending the Health Care Cost Curve, was produced by the Ontario Hospital Association, Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres and the Ontario Federation of Community Health and Addiction Programs.

The report also says one per cent of the population accounts for 49 per cent of combined hospital and home care costs, and figures that every 10 per cent reduction on the $8 billion in expenditures used by this group would equal $800 million in savings. It recommends a comprehensive analysis of service utilization to select key priorities for initiatives to reduce these costs.

Another idea is to set up a single organization to drive the province’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Strategy. The report says every 10 per cent reduction in the $12 billion attributed to major chronic illness equals $1.2 billion in savings.

The report also counsels the implementation of leading practices in targeted areas such as wound care and palliative care, as well as the management of drug expenditures and implementation of selected hospital human resource initiatives.

Ontario goes after pharmacy earnings in new drug reforms

The Ontario government has taken direct aim at pharmacy profits in an attempt to lower its drug bill. It announced Wednesday that it will be abolishing a key source of pharmacy revenues, a move which the pharmacy community warns will see some services traditionally offered to customers disappear.

The government’s two-prong strategy will abolish rebates the province’s 3,306 pharmacies receive from generic drug manufacturers to stock their products, and lower the prices of generic drugs to 25 per cent of the brand.

It had taken similar but far less drastic action in 2006, recasting rebates as “professional allowances” that had to be used to fund patient services and limiting the amount collected to 20 per cent of the cost of the product. The price of generic drugs was also capped at 50 per cent of the brand.

These measures were implemented just for drugs reimbursed by public drug programs in the province, and the private sector ended up paying more as a result.

Of the $750 million which generic drug companies paid to Ontario pharmacists in 2009, over $600 million was applied to products purchased by cash-paying customers and through private drug plans. Instead of a 50 per cent price cap, they paid an estimated 70 per cent of the brand.

This is now changing. The measures are being instituted in the public sector as soon as legislation can be passed, and are being phased in for the private sector. By 2014, everyone will be paying the same.

The savings will be significant – the public sector alone expects to recoup over $500 million.

The government is offering pharmacists $150 million in funding to offset their loss in professional allowances, to be used for counseling and other direct services provided to customers.

Some of this money will be specifically earmarked for pharmacies in small communities who are likely to be the hardest hit by the new policies. Dispensing fees will also be bumped up a dollar from $7 currently and increased annually; they will go up $4 in rural and underserviced areas of the province.

Health Minister Deb Matthews says all of this will give pharmacies $246 million in relief – well short of the revenue that will be lost – but she underlined the government’s determination to weather the inevitable backlash.

“I have a simple message for big pharmacies – the days of artificial high drug prices paid on the backs of patients and taxpayers are gone, and they are gone for good,” she told Canwest News.

In media interviews Wednesday, she said the current system is being abused by pharmacists and suggested some people would call professional allowances “kickbacks.”

The reporting mechanism the government set up for how professional allowances were being used revealed that 70 per cent have gone to “fringe benefits, overhead costs and boosting profits instead of patient services as was the intent.”

However, the Canadian Pharmacists Association said professional allowances have been an established part of pharmacy funding for many years and the government has used them to subsidize services and minimize dispensing fees (which are the lowest in the country).

Pharmacists are painting a grim picture of what will happen as a result of their revenue loss.

“For neighbourhood pharmacies, the government’s cuts will mean reduced hours of operation, less staff, and fewer patient services,” Ben Shenouda, a community pharmacist in Brampton and president of the Independent Pharmacists Association of Ontario told reporters.

The government’s news release and background materials can be found at www.health.gov.on.ca/en/news/release/2010/apr/nr_20100407.aspx. HE

OMA rejects report saying physicians are overpaid

Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews is trying not to be drawn into a debate between the province’s medical and hospital associations over whether physicians are being paid too much.

A report last week, co-produced by the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) along with the Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres and the Ontario Federation of Community Mental Health and Addiction Programs, presented a number of ways for the government to save money on health care.

Included was the suggestion that Ontario could save $2.2 billion if it paid the same rate per capita on physician services as other provinces.

The Ontario Medical Association called the figures "misleading" and said they do not account for differing patient volumes and demographics.

"The leadership of the OHA is out of touch with the rest of the province's health care providers, who are all working tirelessly to improve quality care for Ontario's patients," OMS President Suzanne Strasberg told Canadian Press.

Health Minister Deb Matthews would not comment on the report, saying the government is committed to the four-year contract it signed with physicians in 2008.

However, Ms. Matthews opened the door to speculation that the government may take a harder line with physicians in the next round by telling CP that targeting how doctors are paid is "not part of our plan right now."

Ontario Hospital Association President Tom Closson said physicians need to be subject to the same performance guidelines as hospitals.

“Hospital CEOs are going to be on pay-for-performance. It’s really important that we have doctors’ accountability and hospitals’ accountability aligned,” he told CP.
He suggested the new physicians’ contract could include expectations on patient volumes per physician and the number of hours they would be available. HE

No end in sight for war over Ontario drug reforms

The stand-off between the Ontario government and pharmacists over controversial drug reforms continued this week.

Both sides have ratcheted up the public relations battle to win public opinion. Pharmacists started a two-week advertising blitz, and the Ministry of Health has turned to YouTube to get its message across.

Government is saying it is trying to get lower drug prices for Ontarians, while the other side says government is trying to solve with its deficit issues on the back of community pharmacy.

So far no talks have been held to deal with the impasse, but the Independent Pharmacists Association has accused the government of shunning its proposals to save the drug plan $1.3 billion over the next four years.

These proposals include phasing out of professional allowances which are at the centre of the government’s new reforms.

Professional allowances are paid by generic drug companies for pharmacies stocking their products.

Pharmacy says government has to put more money on the tablet to offset the loss in revenues from professional allowances. Dispensing fees, instead of going up a dollar to $8, would have to double. HE

Ontario nurse practitioners could get new powers

Ontario is prepared to look at the idea of nurse practitioners admitting and discharging patients, something the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario has been after for some time. Premier Dalton McGuinty, speaking at the RNAO’s annual meeting this past week, said he is committed “to getting to work on that.”

Further Health Issues

2010-03-21T10:08:00.002-04:00

Ontario embarking on a path of ‘constant’ health reform

The Ontario government is planning to have a serious conversation with the people of the province about the sustainability of health care which currently consumes 46 cents of every program dollar and could reach 70 cents in another 12 years.

In a Speech from the Throne which opened a new session of the legislature Monday, the government said the question is how to continue funding health care without crowding out other priorities like education and economic development.

“That is a discussion that will happen, sooner or later, in every Canadian province and territory,” the Speech said, adding that Ontario plans to lead the “national dialogue.”

No timetable or process was mentioned in the Speech for how the government intends to hold this dialogue, but it listed a number of changes the government has in mind.

To begin with, it will be taking steps to achieve savings in the drug plan. The government wants to lower the price it pays for generics which could mean a further reduction in rebates pharmacies receive from manufacturers to stock their products.

Health and Long-Term Care Minister Deb Matthews told the Toronto Sun after the Throne Speech that the government has been “in pretty intense conversations over the past month” with various groups over the issue, but she is optimistic of reaching a new deal.

The item which really grabbed people’s attention is the government’s intention to use a patient-based approach for funding hospitals where the “money will follow the patient.” This suggests a shift to what is called activity-based funding or ABF in which hospitals are paid for services actually delivered. However, at this point, it is not exactly clear what the government has in mind.

Over the last few years, it has been introducing a new method of divvying up the health budget between the 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in the province.

It is called the Health-Based Allocation Model or HBAM and takes into account such things as health status and demographics of the LHIN population to ensure equitable distribution of funds. The LHINs then spread the money around the various institutions, but there is no precise formula for doing this and it is still largely based on historical spending patterns.

And there is also a pay-for-results program that is part of the province’s Wait-Time Strategy. It provides incentives for hospitals achieving targets for wait times and patient volumes in certain areas.

The list has been expanded over time to seven services: general surgery, cancer and cardiac care, pediatric and orthopedic surgery, cataract removals and diagnostic scans. About half the province’s 154 hospitals apparently receive funding from this program and the government would like to see it expand.

Activity-based funding is being pushed by the Canadian Medical Association, and it has the support of the Ontario Hospital Association although it says it cannot fairly be used for teaching hospitals and those in small communities where competition between facilities for the patient business is not practical.

Health Minister Matthews agrees that rural and small hospitals will still need a global funding model, but she told reporters Tuesday that the transition to more patient-based payments will drive efficiencies in the health system.

The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions disputes this. It says the government is undermining the most efficient hospital system in the country by bringing in competition. Ontario has the lowest per capita hospital costs of any province.

The Council says the UK equivalent of activity-based funding has been controversial, and notes that a recent study by the London-based Civitas Institute concluded that the National Health Service has incurred the costs of competition without reaping any of the benefits.

Mixed in with these developments is the promise in the Speech that “Patients will have greater choice about where they can access the best quality treatment.” Again, no further detail was provided, but it may suggest the creation of centres of excellence where patients, willing to travel, may be able to get treatment.

NDP Health Critic France Gélinas says what the government will be doing is forcing people in rural and remote areas to make long treks to the big cities for needed care.

Other things promised in the Speech are an overhaul of the Public Hospitals Act, and legislation making health care providers and executives accountable for improving patient care. An independent, expert advisory body will also be created to provide recommendations on clinical practice guidelines to “ensure future investments get results and improve public health.”

The government says it will be “pursuing a path of constant reform” and this has Linda Haslam-Stroud, president of the Ontario Nurses’ Association, worried. “RNs understand that some reform has been necessary, but have suffered through constant restructuring for more than a decade,” she said in a news release. HE

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Sustainability of health care concerns Canadians

Canadians are concerned about the sustainability of health care, a recent Ipsos-Reid poll for the Canadian Medical Association has found. Six-in-10 respondents agreed that health care will eclipse other public spending priorities.

Asked what their remedies would be, Canadians were almost unanimous (91 per cent) in saying that making the health care system more efficient and effective was the best way to slow down growing health care costs. However, only a third (35 per cent) are confident that governments and administrators are up to the task.

Respondents were also asked about ways to fund health care, and only about a third were in favour of raising taxes. The idea which got the most support was to “develop a contribution-based Canada Health Plan” similar to the Canada Pension Plan to set aside financial resources for people who need health care.

Two thirds liked the idea of a Registered Health Savings Plan for people to save money on a tax-free basis for health services that are not included in public health plan coverage.

A link to the report can be found at: www.cma.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/8698/la_id/1.htm. HE

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Mixed reaction to federal budget from health groups

Major health-care lobby groups in Ottawa were pleased that last week’s federal budget kept the government’s promise not to touch health transfer payments to the provinces and territories.

“Canada’s doctors are pleased to see that the federal government isn’t planning to balance the budget on the backs of Canadian patients,” CMA President Dr. Anne Doig said in a news release.

Dr. Doig’s sentiments were universally shared by other groups who were also pleased that the delayed $500 million funding for Canada Health Infoway in the last budget will finally be released.

Dr. Karen Cohen, the executive director of the Canadian Psychological Association and co-chair of the Health Action Lobby, a consortium of some 37 groups, was also relieved to see the Infoway money would be forthcoming. She said accelerating the introduction of new information technologies “can have a powerful and transformative impact on the health system.”

The Canadian Healthcare Association was disappointed there was nothing in the new budget to reduce poverty among seniors even though the Speech from the Throne said the government will be addressing the demands of the aging population.

The CHA mentioned two things it would have liked to have seen: adjusting pension plan rules to exclude low-earning years when people have been providing care to sick family members; and, the introduction of a social insurance model for long-term care costs.

The Canadian Nurses Association said the budget did not go far enough at what it sees as a critical juncture for health care in Canada.

“We see this federal budget as a missed opportunity to initiate a much-needed transformation of the health system,” CNA President Kaaren Neufeld said in a news release.

The CNA says strategic investments are needed to put more emphasis on keeping people healthy although it was pleased there was some spending in this area. ParticipACTION, for example, received $6 million in the new budget.

The nurses did like the fact that there is more money for health research, but CNA CEO Rachel Bard said the amounts are “far too modest to fuel the significant changes needed to build the health-care system of tomorrow.”

However, the Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations (ACAHO) said the research investments show the government recognizes the role that research hospitals and their research institutes play in advancing the country’s innovation agenda.

It pointed to the $16 million for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, $45 million over five years for post-doctoral research fellowships, and $8 million to support the indirect costs of research programs, among other spending items in the new budget.

Ontario changes rules for where IMGs work and support for rural physician recruitment

International medical graduates in Ontario no longer have to first work for five years in rural and northern communities in exchange for postgraduate training opportunities. They can now practice in any community outside the Toronto area and Ottawa.

The government has also introduced the Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative which will provide grants to doctors and new doctor graduates who agree to practice in a northern or highly rural community. It replaces the underserviced area program which provided incentive payments to small communities for them to use in attracting physicians.

The government has introduced a rating system to assess the eligibility of communities for Initiative. (News release at www.news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2010/03/improving-access-to-health-care.html

Health News

2010-03-18T11:25:00.001-04:00

Federal budget protects health transfers, little new spending

The good news for health care in Thursday’s federal budget was that transfer payments, as previously promised, will not be touched in the government’s drive to whittle down its massive $54 billion deficit to a mere $1.8 billion by 2014-15.
“We will not balance the budget by cutting transfer payments for health care and education or by raising taxes on hard-working Canadians,” Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said in his budget speech.

The government had been counselled by some experts to cut transfers as a way to deal with the deficit, as had been done in 1995, but an opinion poll for the Canadian Medical Association this week showed the public thought otherwise.

The Ipsos-Reid survey found that while two-thirds of Canadians supported the idea of reduced spending on government programs to deal with the deficit, only 16 per cent approved of extending this to health care.

Equalization payments to the have-not provinces, which are another source of revenue for health care, were also left untouched in Thursday’s budget.

But there was little else in the budget in terms of additional funding for health care. The $612 million Patient Wait Times Guarantee Trust, helping the provinces and territories set a guaranteed maximum wait time for at least one priority procedure, lapses at the end of this month. It is not being renewed.

First Nations will be pleased that the government is providing $285 million over two years to renew five aboriginal health programs, including the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative.

The three territories will also be relieved that the government is continuing the Territorial Health System Sustainability Initiative, at least for now. The budget provides $60 million to extend the pact for another two years.

There was also money in the budget for research and development, including $10 million to support clinical trials on the use of medical isotopes in clinical practice.

Last year’s budget had provided Canada Health Infoway with $500 million to continue its work on electronic health records. This money got held up by “due diligence” activities, and there were fears that it would be another budget casualty. However, the new budget said this money will be forthcoming, and is being booked in the 2009-10 fiscal year. HE

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Ontario set to launch new round of health reforms

A Speech from the Throne will be read in the Ontario legislature Monday, the first in over two years, and health care is likely to be front-and-centre.

Canadian Press reported this week that the McGuinty government wants to start a conversation on health with Ontarians, much like British Columbia did almost four years ago. The topic will be how to make the health system financially sustainable.

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, who will be presenting his new budget later this month, told the Toronto Sun that the government is not looking at specific cost-cutting measures to make the health system affordable.

On the other hand, it would appear that the government is not considering any revenue moves either. Premier McGuinty told Canadian Press that he will not be copying B.C.’s move to use all revenues from the new Harmonized Sales Tax for health care.

One new approach that is on the table, according to a front-page story in the Toronto Star Thursday, is introducing activity-based funding for hospitals. This pays them a certain price for actual services delivered and embodies the principle of “the money following the patient.” The idea is that there will be healthy competition between facilities to offer the best results and lowest wait times to get the patient business and the funding.

The Star says the government believes it can save 10 to 20 per cent of its hospital budget using this model, or somewhere between $1.8 billion and $3.6 billion.

Alberta plans to bring in activity-based funding for seniors’ care on April 1, at the start of the 2010-11 fiscal year, and apply it to all acute-care patients next year. A recent report by three economists advising Quebec’s finance minister on the new budget also suggested that this model was worth a look. HE

Veteran's Card

2010-03-18T11:08:00.001-04:00

Many of you have been asking about the “Veteran’s Card”. A plastic Record of Service Card NDI 75 is available to all retired military service personnel of the Canadian Forces, Regular and Reserve components.

Plusieurs d’entre vous me demande à propos de la « Carte du Vétéran ». Une carte de registre de service NDI 75 est disponible pour tous les militaires à la retraite des Forces canadiennes, y inclus la Régulière et la Réserve.

This card is valid to enter all federal government historic sites and is recognized at some historic sites in Europe as well. It is essential to book free passage on VIA Rail in July and for other transportation agencies and companies for passage.

Cette carte est valide pour accéder aux sites historiques du gouvernement fédéral et est même reconnu à certains sites en Europe aussi. Elle est essentielle pour prendre passage sur VIA Rail en juillet et pour d’autres transporteurs à titre gratuit.

To obtain your NDI 75 card write to the address below. They will send you a form to complete which you will have to return with two pictures of yourself. The procedure takes from 6 to 8 weeks. Apply now!

Pour obtenir votre carte NDI 75 écrivez à l’adresse ci- bas. Ils vous enverront un formulaire que vous devrez compléter et retourner avec deux photos de vous-même. Cela peut prendre entre 6 à 8 semaines. Appliquez maintenant!

Service Recognition / Commission Scripts and Scrolls

DMCA 4-2-2-4-3-2

National Defence Headquarters

MGen George R. Pearkes Building

101 Colonel By Drive

Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

Tax Alert -The Canada Revenue Agency warns Canadians of mail scam

2010-03-02T14:17:00.001-05:00

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is warning taxpayers to beware of a recent scam where some Canadians are receiving a letter fraudulently identified as coming from the CRA and asking for personal information. The letter is not from the CRA. A PDF version of the letter is available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/alert.

The letter claims that there is “insufficient information” for the individual’s tax return and that in order to receive any “claims,” they will have to update their records. The letter attaches a form specifically requesting the individual’s personal information in writing, via fax or email, including information on bank accounts and passports. This letter is not from the CRA and Canadians should not provide their personal information to the sender.

All taxpayers should be vigilant when divulging any confidential information to third parties. The CRA has well established practices to protect the confidentiality of taxpayers’ information.

The CRA has notified the proper law enforcement authorities of this scam.

For information about this and other similar scams, or to report deceptive telemarketing activity, visit www.phonebusters.com, send an email to info@phonebusters.com, or call 1-888-495-8501.

Pension surplus court case – appeal to be heard in April

2010-02-02T16:21:00.000-05:00

The Court of Appeal for Ontario has set the dates of April 19 to 21, 2010, to hear the appeal of the judgement rendered in November 2007 by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The 2007 judgment dismissed the actions challenging the pension surplus provision of Bill C-78 that allowed the federal government to take the $30 billion surplus accumulated in the superannuation accounts of the Canadian Forces, the public service, and the RCMP. The 17 plaintiffs involved in this case, of which FSNA, represented by the Executive director and the Senior research and Communications Officer, met on January 20 to discuss relevant strategies.

Tax receipts for dues

2010-01-14T13:32:00.001-05:00

This is a repeat of a note received from National Office last year. It still applies

To all branches, RSOs, branch report editors, and NBOD members

Reminder:

Please be advised that FSNA does not and has never issued dues tax receipts. We do issue a statement of dues for the past year and this statement shows the amount of dues that we collected for all DDS paid members in the year in question. It is therefore the members choice as to what they do with such statement. Some members submit their statement of dues to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and their statements are honoured but many submit them and they are rejected by CRA. This problem is an internal one at CRA and one that we have no control over.

We are aware that

according to the CRA regulations, our membership dues are not acceptable as an income tax deduction - one of the key reasons is that we are not a charity nor a professional organization (where members need to maintain a designation for employment purposes). This is not a new policy, it has always been the case.

This above message is what should be communicated to members. If members want to submit their statement of dues for income tax purposes they should be made aware that such can be and most likely will be rejected. If CRA lets it slip through as a deduction (worth about $5), then it is CRA's error.

Pension Increase for 2010

2009-11-30T13:52:00.003-05:00

The Treasury Board has announced that the increase in indexing to be applied, on January 1, 2010, to public service, Canadian Forces, RCMP, and federally appointed judges’ pensions will be 0.5% (half of one per cent).

To see comments from your fellow FSNA members click here

Bomber Command - The Play

2009-10-27T10:21:00.004-04:00

Those of you interested in the history of Bomber Command may be interested in this play. Click here

Age_Friendly Communities - Update One

2009-07-07T08:50:00.002-04:00

This is the first of a series of UPDATES that we will publish regularly to keep our partners abreast of the latest developments in the movement to make Ontario age‐friendly. Click HERE

Ontario expands Aging at Home program

2009-05-29T11:05:00.000-04:00

Ontario is expanding its successful Aging at Home program and community care initiatives to reduce pressure on Ontario’s emergency rooms. Another $187 million is being invested in the Aging at Home program that funds initiatives at the local level to allow seniors to live independently at home. There is $60 million for increased home care, personal support and homemaking services provided by Community Care Access Centres, and $22 million for Ontario’s 14 Local Health Integration Networks to invest in local solutions for alternate level of care patients who are taking up hospital beds while waiting for a placement in community care. There is also $3.5 million for nurse-led outreach teams to provide more care to patients in long-term care homes and help them avoid transfers to hospital ERs. (News release at www.health.gov.on.ca)

Long-Term Care Homes Act Regulation Project

2009-05-26T10:14:00.002-04:00

Attached a letter from Colleen Sonnenberg, Manager, Long-Term Care Homes Act Regulation Project, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care relating to Part 1 Proposed Initial Draft Regulations under the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007.

Ontario Heath Related News

2009-05-16T11:08:00.002-04:00

Ontario broadening scope of practice of health professionals

Ontario has introduced legislation expanding the scope of practice of a number of health professions to improve access to care.

For example, nurse practitioners will be allowed to conduct ultrasounds and set a fracture; physiotherapists will be allowed to treat a wound; midwives will be able to place tubes in the nose or mouth of a newborn; medical radiation technologists will be able to give needles; and, dietitians will be able to prick the skin to check a patient’s blood readings.

The move was generally applauded by health professional groups. However, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario said the government has not gone far enough to remove the “regulatory handcuffs” on nurse practitioners. It had been looking for NPs to be given the authority to admit and discharge patients in hospitals, and have broader prescribing powers to the ones they have now.

Bill 179 does give a number of professions expanded drug authority, but for NPs it only gives them the right to dispense, mix and sell certain drugs.

Pharmacists will be able to prescribe certain drugs to manage patient health and give certain substances through injection and inhalation to demonstrate their use or to educate patients.

The Ontario Medical Association is reviewing the legislation, cautioning that expediency should not be a substitute for patient safety. HE

E-prescribing starts in Ontario

Ontario has started Canada’s first e-prescribing program. This new tool is being developed by eHealth Ontario, the agency set up last September to guide the province’s e-health strategy which was subsequently released this March. Electronic prescribing is a key component of the Medication Management part of the strategy, and is expected to dramatically improve patient safety and quality of care by reducing prescription errors from illegible handwriting. Two sites are involved in a three-month demonstration project which started last month: the Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie and Georgian Bay Family Health Team in Collingwood. Both are well advanced in the use of electronic medical records. (News release at www.ehealthontario.on.ca/media/news_releases.asp)

Ontario wait-time information system profiled

The success of Ontario’s Wait Time Information System is examined in a special issue of Healthcare Quarterly. An editorial by Ontario Hospital Association President and CEO Tom Closson says information technology good news stories rarely get recognized and, as a result, “The public and political leaders believe incorrectly that failure of government IT projects is almost inevitable.” The Wait Time Information System (WTIS) is a clear success. It was up-and-running in less than two years and, as of March 2009, is in use by 86 hospitals and tracking 2.2 million surgical procedures and MRI/CT scans. It is also being expanded to include more of the continuum of care such as wait times for alternate level of care patients. The special issue contains a number of articles with key lessons learned from the experience. It can be found at www.longwoods.com/product.php?productid=20744.

Hansard Highlights

In the Ontario legislature Wednesday, Health and Long-Term Care Minister David Caplan was grilled over the fact that the former Smart Systems for Health Agency spent at least $26 million on consultants’ fees over a five-year period. Mr. Caplan said e-health systems require “very highly technical” expertise and this investment pales next to the $50 billion the Obama administration is spending to implement an electronic health record for all Americans over the next five years.

On Monday, Mr. Caplan faced questions about a freeze on new registrations for family health teams. Mr. Caplan said the model is being reviewed, and he hopes to have the situation resolved “as quickly as possible.” The minister did not explain what the problem was but a ministry spokesperson told the Hamilton Spectator it had to do with “administrative back office issues with financial forecasting.” Progressive Conservative Health Critic Elizabeth Witmer said the freeze comes “at the most critical time of the year as medical school graduates decide where to practise.” She said they may choose to look elsewhere.

Military Police Fund for Blind Children 2nd Annual Golf Tournament

2009-05-12T10:15:00.002-04:00

The 2nd Annual Military Police Fund for Blind Children Golf Tournament sponsored by 2 Military Police Unit, Detachment Kingston will be help at CFB Kingston Garrison Golf Course on Sept 11, 2009. Should you be interested in supporting this most worthy cause, you can download an entry form by clicking here.

VIA Rail Special Rates for Vets

2009-04-25T17:03:00.002-04:00

VIA Rail is again offering a deal on rail travel to vets. For details Click HERE

PSHCP - Pay-Direct Drug Card

2009-04-23T18:25:00.002-04:00

There have been a number of questions over the last couple of months about the long-announced PSHCP Drug Card. For all the latest details click HERE

History of Canadian Public Pensions

2009-04-20T11:39:00.001-04:00

To all who are history lovers.

The Canadian Museum of civilization has posted the History of Canadian Public Pensions, which includes snapshots of different eras on the following subjects:

What Canadians Received

http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/pensions/cpp-sitelay_e.shtml

Ontario to create 25 Nurse Practitioner clinics

2009-03-01T12:07:00.000-05:00

The Ontario government has announced that it is moving ahead with the funding of 25 Nurse Practitioner (NP)-led clinics. Three are being set up immediately, and the remainder will move forward in the spring. All will be in operation by 2011-12.

“Nurse practitioners bring unique and valuable skills and expertise to patient care teams across Ontario,” Premier Dalton McGuinty told a news conference last Friday.

However, the Ontario Medical Association remains opposed to the move. It says the government should instead be supporting the creation of an additional 150 Family Health Teams as promised in the election.

“At a time when financial resources are stretched thin and there is a shortage of nurses it would seem more appropriate to open additional collaborative care teams that we know are having a positive impact on patients,” OMA President Dr. Ken Arnold said in a news release.

The OMA maintains that Family Health Teams are more cost-effective since they have higher patient caseloads than NP clinics. Dr. Arnold said the government has the “responsibility to demonstrate to taxpayers that these clinics are delivering on the outcomes that patients expect.” He said the government has not done this.

Not surprisingly, the Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario holds the opposite view.

“There are tens of thousands of unattached patients in the province who do not have access to a primary health care provider,” NPAO President Tina Hurlock-Chorostecki said in a news release. “Nurse practitioners have demonstrated they provide safe, effective and quality health care to patients of all ages.” HE

New Healthcare Services for Ontarians

2009-02-16T11:48:00.001-05:00

Ontarians can now find health care close to home with the click of a mouse.

For the first time, information about local health services is available in a single place: www.ontario.ca/healthcareoptions. Using this site, people can find the nearest walk-in and after-hours clinics, urgent care centres, family health teams, general practitioners and emergency rooms by typing in their postal codes.

The new service is being updated regularly, and will soon be expanded to offer information on all front-line health services in Ontario including Community Care Access Centres, laboratories and long-term care homes.

The government is also introducing Health Care Connect, a new program to help people find a family health care provider. Ontarians can call 1-800-445-1822 to register with the program, and those who need care most will be helped first.

Veterans Independence Program (VIP)

2009-02-13T12:28:00.002-05:00

Did you know that if you are a veteran and you require assistance to maintain your independence, Veterans Affairs Canada may be able to help through a program called Veterans Independence Program (VIP). Check it out by clicking here

RRIF, Economic and Fiscal Statement

2008-12-10T23:23:00.003-05:00

The Canada Revenue Agency posted information on its Web site on 9 Dec. announcing that it is the Government's intention to proceed with the RRIF proposal: (25% reduction of required minimum withdrawal amount for RRIFs for 2008).

For detail see: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/whtsnw/tms/rrf-fq-eng.html

New meeting place

2008-12-08T13:06:00.003-05:00

Note that from January 15, 2009 the regular monthly meeting of your Board of Directors will be help at the Military Communications and Electronics Museum at CFB Kingston, 95 Craftsman Blvd, Highway 2, Kingston East. These meetings, held every third Thursday of the month, except for July, August and December, are open to all members of the Kingston and District Branch.
Click for a map.

Prorogation & the Economic and Fical Statement

2008-12-04T17:24:00.002-05:00

According to the "House of Commons Procedure and Practice", edited by Robert Marleau and Camille Montpetit:

"All unfinished business is dropped from or “dies” on the Order Paper and all committees lose their power to transact business, providing a fresh start for the next session. No committee can sit during a prorogation. Bills which have not received Royal Assent before prorogation are “entirely terminated” and, in order to be proceeded with in the new session, must be reintroduced as if they had never existed."

Since Parliament was suspended (prorogation) until January 26, the announced 25% reduction of required minimum withdrawal amount for RRIFs for 2008 will not be adopted before the end of the year. However, this will not affect the “in-kind” asset transfers (sale of assets not required), which were already permitted under the income tax rules.

Economic and Fiscal Statement

2008-11-30T16:16:00.001-05:00

Staff at FSNA National Office has reviewed the fall 2008 Economic and Fiscal Statement announced yesterday by Finance Minister Flaherty and has identified the following issues relevant to our members.

(The statement is posted on the department's site: http://www.fin.gc.ca/ec2008/pdf/EconomicStatement2008_Eng.pdf )

1. Pension Indexation

Mr. Flaherty's Economic and Fiscal Statement does not include any provisions that affect the previously announced pension indexing (2.5%) that will be applied effective 1 January 2009, nor is there anything in the statement that would change future indexation of superannuation payments to pensioners.

2. Reduction by 25% of required minimum withdrawal amount for RRIFs for 2008.

RRIF holders who withdraw more than the reduced 2008 minimum will be permitted to re-contribute the excess to their RRIFs until the later of March 1, 2009 and 30 days after this proposal is enacted. Re-contributions will be deductible for the 2008 taxation year.

3. Liquidation of RRIF assets in order to satisfy minimum withdrawal requirement

There is no obligation to liquidate assets in order to satisfy the RRIF minimum withdrawal requirement. The income tax rules permit "in-kind" asset transfers to meet the requirements – they do not require the sale of assets. The Government has asked all financial institutions to accommodate the in-kind distribution of assets from a RRIF, as permitted under the tax rules, at no cost to clients, or to offer another solution that achieves the same result.

(The Minister's letter to financial institutions is also posted on the department's site: http://www.fin.gc.ca/news08/08-093e.html)

Randonneurs Ontario

2008-11-30T16:09:00.003-05:00

One of our members is looking for assistance for a very interesting and different project this coming Summer. Have a look here

Election 2008 - Post-Mortem

2008-11-15T10:47:00.002-05:00

The FSNA grassroots advocacy machine was put into motion for the 2008 general federal election. And in every province FSNA volunteers responded – not in droves mind you – but they responded!

The strategy undertaken was to engage branches to connect with candidates from the Conservative, Liberal, NDP, Bloc and Green parties of Canada and dialogue about FSNA’s key issues. Support was provided by the national directors (NDs), provincial advocacy officers (PAOs) and the Health Care Research and Advocacy Officer at National Office.

So, how did we do?

Branches across Canada connected with most candidates in 101 electoral districts. Since there are 308 electoral districts, we managed a 32.8% success rate.

Most of the candidates we contacted were sent e-mails with FSNA’s key issues attached. A few FSNA members met face-to-face with the candidates and some members attended all candidates meetings and raised our issues in this forum.

Along with the responses received from the leaders of the Liberal, NDP and Green Parties of Canada (these are posted to www.fsna.com) as a result of a letter from Dennis Jackson to all party leaders, 22 candidates sent individual responses to our key issues.

The goal of our strategy was to raise awareness of FSNA and of the issues of most concern to our members and to build new or maintain existing relationships with key political officials. It is not enough to ask an elected official for support for an FSNA member-supported issue just when it is needed. Building and maintaining relationships over time will increase the likelihood of advocacy success in the future.

In this respect, branch presidents have been asked to follow-up with the elected candidates with a congratulatory letter offering our assistance in the future with respect to seniors issues locally. As FSNA speaks with one voice, any request for feedback should be shared with your ND and PAO to ensure consistent and appropriate messaging.

Overall, the process involved with the 2008 general federal election has highlighted areas for improvement but, more importantly, reinforced that taking full advantage of the knowledge, expertise, network capabilities, and time commitment of FSNA volunteers helps us achieve our goals.

Government Retiree Recruitment Campaign

2008-11-15T10:41:00.000-05:00

The brochure and applications for campaign 2008/2009 were mailed to some 270,000 pensioners on Friday September 19, 2008. On Monday September 22, 2008,National Office started to receive enquiries from potential members and the volume has not slowed as of yet. It is still too early to say how many new members we will recruit but things do look promising.

Don’t forget that current members can get involved in this year’s campaign by participating in the member-get-a-member campaign. The fall edition of ON GUARD contains two recruitment cards that current members can give to their colleagues who have yet to join. Please help us increase our membership by handing out these cards and asking your colleagues to join today.

Pension Increase for 2009

2008-11-10T14:09:00.000-05:00

The Treasury Board has announced that the increase in indexing to be applied to Public Service, Canadian Forces, and RCMP pensions in January 2009 will be 2.5 per cent.

Affinity programs update - Choice Hotels Canada

2008-04-09T10:41:00.002-04:00

The Comfort Inn Kingston, Belleville, Trenton and Cobourg have recently implemented a discounted rate with our Comfort Inns and the local Military Family Resource Centres at CFB Kingston and Trenton. Rooms can be booked through the Kingston MFRC, the Trenton MFRC or directly on this link

Affinity programs update - Enterprise Rent-A-Car

2008-04-01T10:11:00.002-04:00

In the spring 2008 issue of ON GUARD, members were told that FSNA was now part of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Rental Program. The telephone number that we were provided contained a typo and should have read 1-800-593-0505.

The Enterprise Rent-A-Car also has a Web site for FSNA members found HERE

NATO Veterans Organization is looking for NATO & NORAD Veterans

2008-02-13T14:00:00.002-05:00

The NATO Veterans Organization is now almost 2 years old and has grown from 5 members in March 2006 to close to 511 members at present. We know that there are 250.000 veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces that have served as part of NATO since 1949. They have served at sea with the NAVY patrolling the Atlantic Ocean, the ARMY in Germany, France, the Balkans and now in Afghanistan and the AIR FORCE in France, Germany and many other places

They were involved in the defence of the Alliance in order to prevent the outbreak of World War III. They are sometimes called the "Cold War Veterans" but have never been recognized as VETERANS. They left 570 Military personnel and the 926 dependents buried in 44 Cemeteries in Europe since WW II, yes 1496 Canadians never returned to Canada, but they have never been honoured in any way.

We would like these Veterans to contact us by either visiting our Web Site, e-mailing joordens@nbnet.nb.ca or calling 506-472-1931

RCMP & Armed Force Veterans

2008-02-11T12:00:00.001-05:00

Here is a site that could be of interest to retired RCMP/Armed Forces personnel.
Click here

FSNA Board awaiting appellate court lawyer’s advice

2008-02-01T10:53:00.000-05:00

FSNA’s National Board of Directors is awaiting the expert independent advice of an appellate court lawyer regarding the appeal of the dismissal verdict rendered in the pension surplus court case last November.
This decision was taken following a meeting with representatives of all the plaintiffs and their legal counsels on January 23, 2008 to further discuss the three notices of appeal that were filed on December 28, 2007 by the Public Service Alliance of Canada; by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada on behalf of the other National Joint Council Bargaining agents and other organizations, including FSNA; and by the Armed Forces Pensioners’/ Annuitants’ Association of Canada in conjunction with SSEA, now the Canadian Association of Professional Employees.
It is expected that it would take at least a year before the Ontario Court of Appeal hears any appeal.

Agent Orange Ex Gratia Payment - Veterans Affairs Canada

2007-12-27T12:01:00.000-05:00

"The Government of Canada is offering a one-time, tax-free ex gratia payment of $20,000 related to the testing of unregistered U.S. military herbicides, including Agent Orange, at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Gagetown in New Brunswick during the summers of 1966 and 1967.

The deadline for applications is April 1, 2009."

Click here for more information.

Report on Elder Abuse

2007-12-16T10:26:00.000-05:00

The National Seniors Council, an advisory body to the Government of Canada, released a report on elder abuse that includes a call for increased efforts to raise public awareness and to help those who work with seniors share information.

"We were very impressed by the commitment and energy of the participants at the elder abuse meetings," said Jean-Guy Soulière, Chair of the National Seniors Council. "We hope that this report will boost the important work on elder abuse already underway across Canada."

The link to the report is posted on the Council's Web page:

http://www.seniorscouncil.gc.ca/en/home.shtml

Appeal Process - Pension Surplus

2007-12-11T11:15:00.000-05:00

A notice has been posted on the FSNA National Web site Pension page regarding FSNA's decision to support the appeal process following the dismissal of the pension surplus actions.

Simply Click on :

http://www.fsna.com/engdoc/10a.htm

FSNA / Alterna - Affinity Progam

2007-12-06T10:46:00.001-05:00

To all: Alterna Bank (see fall ON GUARD p. 19) has a comprehensive calculator that might be of interest to you.

go_figure

Click Here

Avis à tous : La Banque Alterna (voir le numéro de l'automne d'EN GARDE à la page 19) a mis au point un calculateur élaboré qui risque de vous intéresser.

allez_savoir

CLIQUEZ ICI

The Veteran on our Ten Dollar Canadian Note

2007-10-31T18:18:00.000-04:00

If you have a Canadian $10 bill, look at the back right side of the bill. You will see an old veteran standing at attention near the Ottawa war memorial.

(SOURCE: Ex Air Gunner's (Short Bursts) - September 2005 issue)

Remembrance Day

2007-10-20T11:53:00.000-04:00

A link to a very moving song

Click Here

or access it here

ou ici

Pension Income Splitting

2007-09-09T13:35:00.000-04:00

"What is pension income splitting?

Beginning with 2007 income tax returns, Canadian residents will generally be able to allocate up to one-half of their income that qualifies for the existing pension income tax credit to their resident spouse (or common-law partner) for income tax purposes.

The amount allocated is deducted in determining the net income of the person who actually received the pension income, and it is included in computing the net income of the spouse or common-law partner. Pension splitting affects the calculation of income and tax payable for both persons, so they must both agree to the allocation in their tax returns for the year in question."

World Access Canada Inc.

2007-03-16T14:38:00.000-04:00

There are two types of claims assessed by World Access Canada. There is the type of claims for members who reside in Canada but have a medical emergency while traveling abroad or in some other province/territory within Canada.

The other type is for members who reside outside Canada and are covered under the comprehensive coverage.

The purpose of this information note is to provide you with the two different mailing addresses of World Access Canada.

Members who reside in Canada and who have a medical emergency while traveling outside their province/territory of residence (whether in another province/territory or abroad) the address of the World Access Canada is as follow:

World Access Canada Inc
P.O.Box 277
Waterloo, ON N2J 4A4
Toll free: 1-800-667-2883

Members who reside outside Canada and have the PSHCP Comprehensive coverage, are to send their claims at the following address:

World Access Canada Inc.
Public Service Health Care Plan
P.O.Box 880
Waterloo, ON N2J 4C3
Toll free: 1-800-363-1835

Canadian Forces Pension

2007-03-13T09:25:00.000-04:00

Reserve Force members will now be entitled to coverage under the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act.

DNA solves Vimy mystery

2007-03-12T11:32:00.000-04:00

Canadian tale of heroism in WWI

FSNA’s Executive Director to be first Chair of National Seniors Council

2007-03-05T21:26:00.000-05:00

FSNA is extremely pleased to acknowledge that its Executive Director Jean-Guy Soulière has been appointed Chair of the new National Seniors Council that will advise the federal government on seniors’ issues of national importance.

Click here to see FSNA’s news release on this matter

Pics of Napanee Lunch

2007-03-04T14:09:00.000-05:00

Click on comments
This interactive feature might add to the value of our web site.
Result might be some interesting captions.
Sometimes, clicking on a picture will give a better view.

Myths about public sector pension plans

2007-02-11T22:47:00.000-05:00

FSNA reacts to report perpetuating myths
about public sector pension plans

FSNA qualified as “incomplete and unprofessional” a report issued on January 17, 2007 by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business entitled . “Canada’s Pension Predicament: The widening gap between public and private sector retirement trends and pension plans” .

The report characterizes public sector pensions, among other things, as generous, often under funded, relying on taxpayers to make up any funding shortfalls, prone to increasing benefits during periods of surplus and not subject to the production of periodic actuarial reports.

FSNA sent a letter to the Federation inviting it to initiate another study to look at all dimensions of pension arrangements available to employers and employees in Canada.

This post also appears on our Discussion Board.

Summer BBQ

2005-08-16T17:07:00.000-04:00

A good time was had by all!

Checking in and collecting name tags
Click on photo for a larger view

More photos can be viewed here

Click on comments below and describe your impression of the occassion.

FSNA Historybook

2005-03-31T20:01:00.001-05:00

The History
of the
Federal Superannuates
National Association
1963 to 1998
http://www.fsna.com/history.htm