"The Looney may still be worth more than the Dollar (that may have reversed, I'm not up to speed on that)" Nick, you aren't even close to speed. The exchange rate has been in the favor of the $US vs the $C for many years.... Obviously, you have not been traveling recently in Canada from the USA! You missed the most dramatic disparity when it took less than $US 0.70 to purchase $C 1.00 Your loss! --Stitz--

I'm talking doctors mostly. Since I have to have health insurance I'd rather pay for something I might, possibly use as opposed to something I definitely won't use. I do not currently take any prescriptions - but I occasionally take things for Lyme disease.

Chelone, I'm sad to hear that your mother has had to cope with some cancer. It is hard to deal with that - even if one's trouble is of one's own making. My family has a history of weak lungs, which I share. I started to smoke at age 16 and after a few months decided that I didn't care for either the taste or, being frugal, the cost - so quit. Now enjoying good health at age 75, I'm very thankful that I had the common snense to do that. And often suggest to others that I hope that they decide to quit, so increase their chances of enjoying such a prolonged and healthy retirement, as well. I try not to come off judgementally about it - and few have given a surly response. Some have thanked me. Hayjud, I hope that you were not upset by my rather joking and somewhat smart-assed suggestion that you consider moving to Canada. Seriously, have you considered taking on a part-time project to produce some income? The nice thing is that you are your own boss, you can do the kind of thing that you are interested in and good at, and can do whatever you choose at your own speed. You don't have the pressure to produce enough to live on - as you had planned to get along on the retirement income that was already in place. I subscribe to a newsletter that discussed some of the issues related to that just this week - can send you URL if you wish (don't know it at present - but can look it up). On the internet might be possible. Some sell on ebay, etc. I feel that it would be preferable if you have knowledge that you can sell, whether by newsletter, ezine, etc. Possibly even personal consultation, whether on the internet or even by phone. Easy to send the messages - better than having to wrap and ship products, I think. I find that it is difficult to find people to reply showing interest in your offer, let alone subscribing, for there is so much material there already. Many don't like what they see and have been turned off regarding the whole thing. I have an idea that might be of interest, which I've checked out around here, but have minimal information that might be helpful to you. Good wishes as you proceed with your retirement. I hope that you enjoy it and have the good helath to be able to do a number of the things that you've looked forward to doing for a number of recent years. joyful

phoggie: If I could say one thing it would be don't worry, but that won't help so instead I'll tell you about our health care here in Canada. First--You're health care won't change much if at all. I remember when we first got OHIP--Ontario health insurance policy--we were as aprehensive as many Americans are now. How health care works in Canada: Money for health care comes out of Federal general revenue. We pay a bit more than you in income tax, a lot more than you in taxes on cigarettes and other things deemed a drain on health care. The federal government distributes this money to the provinces who in turn pay it to doctors and hospitals. There is no age limit or any other restrictions on who gets health care. If you are a Canadian citizen you are covered from the cradle to the grave. There are no horror stories any more than there are in your country. The thing is that here all our wait times are monitored and published. No one knows what yours are they are not monitored or published. We can go to any doctor--GP or specialist-- we choose. If I don't like the wait times in my town I can go to another town or city. My neighbor just had a knee replacement. It took 6 weeks to see a specialist and have the surgery done. I've heard of people in the States waiting longer than that, and my neighbor paid not one penny for anything. As for waiting to see your doctor or specialist. It depends on how many patients he has. Our one big problem is that a gung-ho politican cancelled spaces at medical schools a while back and now we have a shortage of doctors, but this has nothing to do with our health care. If we had more doctors there would be no waiting times at all. All basic health care is covered--visits to any medical doctor. Ward care and anything that is done in a hospital and drugs administered by the hospital. It covers eye exams for seniors and children and anyone who has an eye disease or condition like diabetes that may cause vision problems. It covers most tests, blood work. MRI's, CAT and PET scans. Many people have supplimental insurance to cover things like semi-private hospital rooms, physiotherapy, eye glasses, dental and drugs. There is really nothing to worry about. If the USA follows some of the things the countries who have health care and customizes it to your country., you're health care will stay much the same. The only ones who will lose out is the big for profit health insurance companies. Who do you think is doing all the fear mongering in your country--They don't want to see their cash cow disappear.