An archive of 72 mins of the webcast of the question period at the end of the "town hall" is available at http://ow.ly/1vSIo
7:18am, Apr 08 from TweetDeck
I don't want only my son to be covered. I want at the very *least*, ALL CHILDREN to be covered. #shbyzf
It's sad when the cries of "PLEASE RAISE OUR TAXES INSTEAD OF CHARGING THE SICK & ELDERLY!!" falls on deaf ears to the gov't. #shbyzf
so if the GNWT barrels ahead with something that people clearly don't want, I at least want the minimum income threshold 2 be 80K #shbyzf
but a wise man, Doug Ritchie, once said, at an Alternatives North meeting, that "perfection is the enemy of good." #shbyzf
Or what about asking that corporations (*coughdiamondminescough*) pay their fair share? #shbyzf
if funds are short for social programs shouldn't we be asking that wealthier members of our society contribute fair share? #shbyzf
think that households making 200K/year or more are being taxed at the same rate households making 120K (NWT) 127K(Canada) #shbyzf
My final late night thoughts on the Supplementary Health Benefit thing is that I really think another income tax bracket be made #shbyzf
Pt # 2 #Audience Questions -"Town Hall Meeting" on NWT Supplementary Health Benefits #NWT http://ow.ly/1vSJX #SHBYZF archive 72mins
Pt # 2 #Audience Questions -"Town Hall Meeting" on NWT Supplementary Health Benefits #NWT http://ow.ly/1vSIo #SHBYZF archive 72mins
#NWT #SHBYZF moments only to the end of "consultation" (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Q: how did you get my net income? Who has access to this info? A: all through masking data & appropriate agreements. #shbyzf
Q: have you looked at a model that would cover ppl based on individual income? Children make $0. A: looked at models with family. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF That's it... "consultation" wrapping up (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
I have to put my son to bed, leaving no coverage for the last few minutes of #shbyzf. Sorry.
#NWT #SHBYZF What's the rush for Sept 1st implementation (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Q: easier to reassess everyone's income every year than to find out once that you've got diabetes? #shbyzf
Talk is that this is a complete whitewash. Lots of anger. GNWT has had 3 years to figure it out. #shbyzf
Q: consultation has been limited, deadlines will not work. Intolerable. Have you ever seen a group so willing to pay more taxes? #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF tax me when I'm well, not when I'm sick (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
#NWT #SHBYZF time frame is not feasable (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Q: I've never had a significant or fruitful philosophical exchange that was limited to 3 mins. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF starting to shut down meeting (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Q: if our MLAs really spoke for us, there would be a different proposal here tonight. #shbyzf
Q: when you say you were directed to look only at one model, there is no consultation. A: MLAs keep us honest. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF plan no different than last one.. start again (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Deborah Bruser wins the crowd over with passionate call for a blank slate. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF don't tax the sick (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Q: why no work on other models? A: our direction was to look at income-tested models. Q: this was supposed to be blank slate. #shbyzf
Q: in March, Min Lee said families making 50-75K would be covered 100%. Income tax is only means-based thing we should consider. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF co-payment "punative" (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Q: I can't worry about health-care costs every time I change jobs. #shbyzf
Q: I don't want to offend. A: I don't offend easily. Q: You should. #shbyzf
Q: is program cost going up or down as %age of GNWT revenue? A: funding based on priorities. Increases not always put into Health. #shbyzf
Q: you do not have enough time to implement by Sept 1. A: timeline is fast but possible. #shbyzf
My butt is kinda numb, things are thinning out, but i'm scared to miss anything #shbyzf
Q: can we have an office with people to help us? A: it's in Inuvik. Q: NO. I want someone to help. A: I'll help you. Q: NO. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF Questions getting good ! (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Q: Nunavut & Yukon don't require co-pays. Ppl all covered the same way. The website questionnaire had too many Y/N questions. #shbyzf
Q: when ppl need health care, I want our system to cover it. I will pay extra taxes to do it. #shbyzf
Q: I wasn't aware there are ppl in NWT who don't get basic health care. I am paying $700/mo for shots. Taxation better than co-paymt #shbyzf
Julie Green says that if you divide the deficit in the health program by the # of taxpayers it wld be 400$ each #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF Julie Green speaks (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Q: I'm a pharmacist. We were never consulted. Look at how GNWT bills for all segments of heath-care system. #shbyzf
Cindy Delaney pharmicist reads a statement prepared by her husband Darryl who is the owner of Shoppers Drugmart #shbyzf
Q: Looks like a $6.1M program. How much are out-of-pocket costs? A: it's not about the $. Need comment about principles, not #s. #shbyzf
I love Dawn Mcinnes's quote "since when in Canada is health care considered an income-tested social benefit?" #shbyzf
Dana Heide points out that the tranfer payments from the feds pay for much more than #shbyzf. (Lots of comparisons here about spending.)
I think it shows the wedges between groups when I hear "I need this more and deserve this more than other groups" #shbyzf
Q: since when in Canada is health care considered an income-tested social benefit? I would pay increased taxes so all could have it. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF Since when are health benifits means tested in Canada? (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Q: the system is flawed. Low-income people usually do not get dental. I need catastrophic coverage. My son has serious needs. #shbyzf
Question: hearing about increases. I will make LESS $ by the time this happens. Need to be able to contest co-pay fees. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF H&SS moving to fast - Ester Braden (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Question: History of #shbyzf: not about to let it go. We have a caring gov't. Some gaps. Hearing them tonight. Need more work.
#NWT #SHBYZF Tax me now, not when I'm sick, audience (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Question: No taxes when I'm old and sick. Tax me now when I'm healthy and can work. #shbyzf
Nothing to tweet from 8-min presentation. Questions now limited to 3 mins #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF Question session is starting (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
#NWT #SHBYZF we chashed but we are back now (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
#NWT #SHBYZF We are back! (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Seniors' Society says co-payments are a travesty and unbelievable. #shbyzf
Seniors' Society points out that nobody's talking about the Metis Health Benefits program. #shbyzf
Seniors' Society says using the income-tax system would be fairer, because people who earn more pay more. #shbyzf
Dave Wind says that income tax is graduated so that those who are more able to contribute to general social program do. #shbyzf
Seniors' Society says no co-payments. That could make people delay their care. #shbyzf
Dave Wind says copayments are nothing more than a disgusting tax on the sick and the elderly #shbyzf
Dave Wind says that he guesses that most people in the room would be aware of the inadequacies of the last proposed plan #shbyzf
YK Seniors' Society: explaining program seniors use. #shbyzf
Dave Wind starts the seniors society presentation #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF #YZF Senior's Society next in stream (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Dana Heide's feelings are hurt by John Dalton's suspicion that the government is deliberately setting people against one another #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF Audience asks tough questions (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
John Dalton says that its shameful that the government is pitting groups against eachother #shbyzf
Question from senior: distasteful to pit one group against another. Want equitable system for all. Ppl who have none should get it. #shbyzf
Question from floor about top-up benefits. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF #YZF Senior's Society presentation next (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
#NWT #SHBYZF Audience: Minister in conflict of interest (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Question from floor: HSS minister is min resp 4 srs & disabled. In this context, seems like conflict of interest. #shbyzf
Last (I hope) presentation is from the Seniors' Society. #shbyzf
Senior says we need to look at the real cost of benefits: not just money. Proposal needs more work. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF Audience: No vision, no plan (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Ian Gilcrest says that we are looking at the cost of the benefit, we are not being shown the benefit of the benefit #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF Ferry or health? (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Public servent tries to defend #SHBYZF (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Rylans mum shares the cost of his needs & asks if the cost shld be based on their income or based on Canadian health care provision #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF Questions from audience (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Much applause for a woman who describes her disabled son's medical needs and says his care should be covered without income testing. #shbyzf
John Carter illustrates what he would experience as someone who would have a 30% co-payment in addition to his other expenses #shbyzf
Discussion of desperate need for catastrophic drug program. Mentioned by several speakers so far. #shbyzf
Arlene Hache supporting GNWT proposal. Some surprise in overflow seating area at this. #shbyzf
Dana Heide responds that some kids get no coverage. #shbyzf
#NWT #SHBYZF Centre for Northern Families presentation starting NOW (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Jim Boylan says that other health plans in Canada would even give his stay at home wife a caregiver allowance #shbyzf
Jim Boylan talks about benefits for his child (who has special needs) would be covered better anywhere else in Canada #shbyzf
Dana Heide says that rising costs are a fact of life (2 bad so sad) tone of voice #shbyzf
If the threshold is set at 50K/ year there will be 1024 single families that have 100% coverage. #shbyzf
Arlene Hache about to give a presentation. #shbyzf
Centre for Northern Family presentation next #NWT #SHBYZF (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Why is she not here tonight? #NWT #SHBYZF (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Where is the minister of health? #NWT #SHBYZF (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
So if the income threshold is set at 30K/year 713 single families will have 100% coverage #shbyzf
Discussion starting #NWT #SHBYZF Supplementary Health Benefits Town Hall (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Q: what if income drops? A: income can be reassessed #shbyzf
Question from the floor what determines the household income? A: what you identify as you household on income tax #shbyzf
Ah. Clarification: the slide shows only the number of people without third-party insurance. Not the # of people in the SHB program. #shbyzf
People in the overflow section are trying to do math based on their salaries and a slide with lots of numbers. #shbyzf
Dana Heide showing the slide of potential claimants. Highlighting 21 potential claimant. I'm noticing a lot of zeros though #shbyzf
#SHBYZF H&SS presenting Now LIVE "co-payments" (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
#SHBYZF H&SS presenting Now LIVE "Income threashold" (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Dana Heide: says that the focus on seniors is because full coverage of health benefits kicks in at age 60 #shbyzf
Dana Heide: even for seniors the biggest expenditure is pharmaceuticals #shbyzf
#SHBYZF H&SS presenting Now LIVE #NWT Supplementary Health Benefits Town Hall (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Dana Heide:diabetes and mental health drugs are the largest expenditures under the program #shbyzf
Epilepsy is the number-eight condition for EHB clients. There are 30 of us, if I'm reading the slide correctly. #shbyzf
Dana Heide:most of health benefit program cost is for prescription medecation #shbyzf
Dana Heide: 4.5 of claimants had an income of more than 190 grand/year #shbyzf
Dana Heide many of the current Health Benefit claimants have 3rd party insurance and use the program to top up coverage #shbyzf
Dana Heide clarifies that the rest of the presentation will be on "net income" which is defined by them as income minus deductions #shbyzf
Dana Heide clarifies that marital and family status was determined by income tax #shbyzf
Dana Heide moves into overview of family status of current Health Benefit Claimants #shbyzf
There is no wifi here so I am tweeting via phone, and will surely develop thumb arthritis. Hopefully covered by #shbyzf
Dana Heide says that there is rigorous auditing of the program to catch recipients purchasing scripts out of territory #shbyzf
Dana Heide is giving an overview of the current costs and populations who are accessing supplementary health benefits #shbyzf
#SHBYZF H&SS presenting Now LIVE #NWT Supplementary Health Benefits (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Claimants can access unlimited health benefits for a specified number of conditions #shbyzf
#shbyzf RT @tundrabunny: I'm at the supplementary health benefit town hall, sitting with rabble rousers Arlene Hache and Lydia Bardack
I am pretty sure I am the youngest person in the overflow section. I better not be the only one up here from the EHB program. #shbyzf
H&SS presenting Now LIVE #NWT Supplementary Health Benefits Town Hall #SHBYZF (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Husband is recording the presentation. This should be fun. #shbyzf
This place is packed. Even the overflow seating is filling up. It's an older crowd. #SHBYZF
starting now #NWT Town Hall in #YZF #SHBYZF (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
Still waiting to start #NWT Town Hall in #YZF #SHBYZF (Broadcasting live at http://ustre.am/fxK4)
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