From J. Keown

Was the issue of healthcare coverage for OutCan postings explored? Because I would DEFINITELY have comments with regards to coverage while posted out of country (especially in the United States).

From Jennifer McNutt

(I am a member of this committee, but was unable to attend the meeting in Ottawa)I have read the material that has been provided on the MFSP website Re: Healthcare AC-WG , and while most of the suggestions made are quite valid, I do have some concersn. they are as follows:(a) I am worried that for all the good ideas expressed within the documents, the proposal of improving health care for CF families will be "lost in committee" (i.e.- implementing the proposals will get bogged down in studies, red- tape, data analysis, etc.) Please do not allow this to happen!(b) as provion of health care is a provincial mandate ( i.e.- federal funds are downloaded for the provinces to use), care must be taken to ensure that the smae helth care is obtainable by CF families wherever they live in Canada or abroad( the creation of a "national Health Card " may help, but where will the funds come from to equalize care for CF families in all provinces ? e.g.- eye exams for children are covered in some provinces but not in others. If health care is to be made equal for all CF families, will the funds to make these avilable for children for all CF families come from the provinces ? The federal govn't? Is it an unfair burden to ask provinces who's health care budgets are already stretched to the limit to absorb this added cost ?(c) Whatever the health care plan for CF families eventually looks like, families need to be encouraged to be proactive and responsible in thier own health care plans and choices. A paternalistic approach to CF familiy health care may not be the best choice.(d) privacy issues need to be adressed- this is very important(e) I am very leery of any plan that seeks to create at "two tier" health care system for any group- while it is one thing to ensure that CF families get the healthcare they require, it is quite another to create a two tier system(f) the recruitment/retention of physicians/ specialists is a NATIONAL problem, and thus wait times for specialits, lack of family physicians, etc. are a problem for all Canadian citizens. Solutions that seek to increase the numbers of physicians, specialists, etc. available to all Canadians would certainly be palatable not only to the CF families, but to all Canadians as well(g) the "navigator" website seems to be a very good model for allowing families to find out what supports and services exist within thier communities for helath care, special needs, etc. . More CF families need to be made aware of it's existance, as this will help them to be more proactive and responsible in thier own health care(h) utilizing systems already in place (i.e.- the MFRCs, the base health clinics) is an excellent starting point to improve familiy health care. Is it possible to createa staff position at each MFRC that would deal solely with health care for CF families ( e.g.- assist families in navigating the health care system, acting as a "family advocate" when needed, hosting different seminars,etc. that deal with familiy health issues) ?(i) families need to be able to access health care in thier own first languageThese are all the comments I have for now. thanks you for taking the time to read them