Health committee  That's all right. In regard to the push-back from the drug companies, I think that's a natural thing on the playing field. As the national health care system goes, they should really take a look at a country like New Zealand. I lived in New Zealand for many years. What New Zeala

Health committee  No.

Health committee  I have been out in B.C. for only two years now. Even when I lived in Toronto, a couple of guys I worked with had type I diabetes, but we had a pretty good drug program there through our union, so the cost wasn't really a factor for us. Now that I'm retired and living out in B.C.

Health committee  If I understand the question, to have universal health care equal throughout the country.... We're the nation of Canada. Why should something be available for one person's illness, living in Toronto, and not be available for somebody living in Vancouver or New Brunswick? It just

Health committee  I had coverage with my employer, so that made a huge difference for me. My unionized health care program filled in all the gaps. I imagine that somebody in Toronto or elsewhere in Ontario who didn't have that would be enormously out of pocket, as much as somebody in Vancouver.

Health committee  Yes. The insulin pump is $7,000 every five years, but the cost of managing the diabetes is $6,565.

Health committee  Could I just add something? When I asked my family physician to sign the form for this, he said, “We'll give it a go, but I don't think we'll have much luck”.

Health committee  I vaguely remember it now, but I do remember him saying, when he filled out the form and gave the reasons for it, “Good luck, but I don't think we'll succeed with it”.

Health committee  I understand.

Health committee  One of the factors in the application for the tax credit was how much time it takes. I don't think they calculate into that or allow on that tax credit calculus the time it takes to check your finger prick 10 times a day and to change.... I don't use that system anymore, since I

Health committee  Are you directing that to me?

Health committee  Am I eligible for the disability tax credit? No, I'm not. I applied for it, and I was refused.

Health committee  That was probably within the last three or four months.

Health committee  No, I don't recall that. I'll just ask my wife. Did they say we had a right of appeal for that tax credit?

Health committee  We're not sure, but I don't believe so.