Publication mail agreement no: 40063603 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION | WINTER 2019 | ISSUE 113 Also In This Issue TRAVEL Kuşadasi, Turkey FINANCE "Interesting" Times HEALTH Medical Myths CSA TAKES ONTARIO TO COURT! Fighting to repeal the elimination of out-of-country medical payments
Snowbirds have unique needs that we understand. Protect your home and auto with an insurance plan designed for your lifestyle. We’ll be with you all year long. Call us for a quote today 1-800-267-8000 Heading South this Winter? Endorsedby theCanadianSnowbirdAssociation. UnderwrittenbyRoyal&SunAlliance InsuranceCo. RSA isa registered tradenameofRoyal&SunAlliance InsuranceCompanyofCanada. “RSA”and theRSA logoare trademarksusedunder licence fromRSA InsuranceGroupplc
Editor’s Message CSANews© is published four times a year and is Copyright Winter 2019 by Medipac International Communications Inc., 180 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5. (416) 441-7000. Subscription Price: $9.95 Canada; $20.00 U.S. and foreign. Single copy: $3.95. Prices include tax. Published by Medipac International Communications Inc. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the CSA, Medipac International Communications Inc. or its affiliates, their Directors, Officers, or other employees or agents. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No: 40063603. ISSN No: 1195-2393 Dave Hunter Barb & Ron Kroll Dr. Robert MacMillan David McPherson Andrew Moore-Crispin Robert Wiersema Rex Vogel Judith Adam Gabrielle Bauer Donna Carter Michael Coren Jennifer Cox Shari Darling James Dolan Karen Huestis Ron Steeves John Foster Garry McDonald Rod Seiling Bob Slack James Leroux Robert Herman Ted Popel Wendy Caban Michael MacKenzie Wallace Weylie President First Vice-President Second Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Past President Director Director Director Director Executive Director Legal Counsel CSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Editor CSA Editor President Art Director Director of Sales Director of Operations Marketing & Events Specialist J. Ross Quigley Karen Huestis Christopher Davidge Peter Prusa Neville B. Levin Paula McGovern Fran Castricone WINTER 2019 | ISSUE 113 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada. I Merv Magus Illustrator t is in the hands of the courts. The outrageous abuse of the Canada Health Act by the Ontario government will hopefully be decided quickly. As I am sure you are all aware, the payments for medical services outside of Canada were recently cancelled by the Ford government. They will now pay NOTHING. One of the pillars of the Canada Health Act is portability. This means that your provincial health insurance follows you, wherever you go. Mind you, they would only pay what it would cost in your province; but that is fair. The current incompetent provincial government has decided that portability was only meant to be within Canada. How many lawyers did they call before they got the “right” opinion on that? Perhaps they should read the act again and, heaven forbid, talk to the legislators who wrote the act in the first place. They will forcefully tell the government what they meant, set them straight on the meaning of portability and, hopefully, even demand that the province obey the law. If Ontario gets away with this “fraud,” then all of the other provinces will eventually follow, and the big insurance companies will smile all the way to the bank. Less administration to perform and higher insurance premiums for travel medical insurance! And you will have to pay for the province breaking the law. An extension was granted for the new regulation’s introduction until January 1, 2020, possibly because most snowbirds would be away then and would not be able to fight it properly. Well, think again; we are here and we are fighting it. Our first step is to get an injunction forcing the province to delay implementation of the cutbacks until a proper court can rule on the legality of this breach of law. Our second step will be to force the provinces to pay what the Canada Health Act requires. In Ontario, I would estimate that the cost of a hospital day is at least $1,500; and that is what they should be paying. This would mean lower insurance premiums − then we all win. The CSA’s Special Action Fund will need your help to go the distance. Think about sending them a Christmas card with a $100 cheque in it. I have. Together, we are strong. Have a wonderful holiday and a spectacular and healthy winter. Sincerely, J. Ross Quigley Editor CSANews | WINTER 2019 | 3
Table of Contents Features WINTER 2019 | ISSUE 113 OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE CANADIAN SNOWBIRD ASSOCIATION 18 24 Kuşadasi, Turkey Experience the rich tapestry of this UNESCO city. by Barb & Ron Kroll Parks That Snowbirds Should Explore Some of Rex Vogel’s favourite American parks – from grand national parks to wildlife refuges. by Rex Vogel Travel RV Lifestyle 28 Speed on the Sands Explore the early days of Florida beach racing. by Dave Hunter Travel 4 | www.snowbirds.org
Table of Contents 38 Departments 48 Lifestyle by Gabrielle Bauer 50 Golf by David McPherson 52 Gardening by Judith Adam 54 Food & Drink by Shari Darling 55 Book Review by Robert Wiersema 56 CSA Online by Andrew Moore-Crispin 58 Fun & Games 59 Grins & Giggles 60 Canada Clubs 63 CSA Update 64 CSA Application 65 CSA Benefits 66 Fast Facts 3 Editor’s Message 6 Snowbird Alert 7 Snowbird Events 10 Bird Talk 12 President’s Message 13 Government Relations Report 14 Insurance by J. Ross Quigley 16 Opinion by Michael Coren 42 Longevity by Jennifer Cox 43 Health Pulse 44 Fitness by Jennifer Cox 46 Recreation by Donna Carter Medical Myths Don’t risk your health (or money) on products that have not had the test of time and research. by Dr. Robert MacMillan Finance 32 How to Deal With “Interesting” Times Twelve tips for protecting your finances and your portfolio from dangers, problems and crises. by James Dolan Health CSA Takes Ontario To Court! Find out how the CSA is working to protect your interests – whether you live in Ontario or not – and how you can help them. Cover Story CSANews | WINTER 2019 | 5
SnowbirdAlert The Bahamas are open for business More than a month has passed since Hurricane Dorian made landfall on two northern islands of The Bahamas. Already, Grand Bahama Island is rebounding; many of its hotels and attractions have reopened and its airport has resumed international operations. While The Abacos face a longer road to recovery, the country remains resilient and steadfast in its commitment to help the island rebuild by maintaining a healthy flow of tourism to the islands that were not affected by the storm. Nassau and Paradise Island This pair of islands − which are home to the country’s most extensive array of resorts, hotels, restaurants and tour operators − were not affected by Hurricane Dorian and are operating normally. The Out Islands With the exception ofThe Abacos, the Out Islands are open and operating as usual. Airports, government ports and marinas are open across the islands. Grand Bahama Island Grand Bahama Island is back to business welcoming travellers at its cruise port and it’s also welcoming travellers by air, now that the international airport has reopened. Ferries and cruise lines, including Balearia, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line, are already bringing travellers to Freeport to experience a number of excursions and sites that have reopened. Numerous hotels and resorts are already open or expected to reopen within weeks. Is your holiday gift spying on you? You might spread more than seasonal cheer by giving someone one of those electronic devices that appear on so many wish lists. That fitness tracker, gaming console or voice assistant might also share their personal information. Internet-connected devices are popular gift ideas because they can be helpful and fun. But connectivity comes with the risk that the user’s activities may be tracked, measured and analyzed, either by the device’s manufacturer or a service provider, such as a game or app. This year, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is cautioning shoppers that popular internet-connected gifts can raise privacy issues because they often require users to provide personal information, such as name, age, gender, e-mail address or phone number. Before choosing such a device, consider the risks. If you are uncomfortable with the amount of personal information something collects and shares, keep shopping for another gift. Here are some tips for protecting privacy when using internet-connected electronic devices: • Turn gadgets off when you don’t need them. • Change the default password on any device that you buy. Use strong passwords and don’t reuse the same password across multiple devices or services. • Create a guest WiFi network just for connected devices, to keep them separate from your computers and other, more secure devices. Learn more at priv.gc.ca/iot Watch out for unwanted financial products added to your accounts As consumers of financial products and services, we have rights with respect to the services and products that we receive from our federally regulated financial institutions. In particular, we have the right to clear and simple information so as not to be misled in our transactions. For example, before you agree to a bank-issued credit card or insurance, your bank must provide you with verbal or written information about the product, the duration of the agreement, the cancellation terms and any related fees. The bank must also provide any explanations which you need to understand the product or service offered. When your bank offers its products or services, obtaining easy-to-understand information allows you to make informed decisions and choose those products or services that actually meet your needs. Furthermore, before offering you a new product such as a loan or line of credit, your bank is required to obtain your consent. This means that your bank can suggest a product, but it’s up to you to decide whether to take it. The same goes for optional products or services which, for a fee, could be added to another product or service that you already have, such as mortgage insurance. Even if you give verbal consent to receive a new product or service, your bank is still obligated to provide youwithwritten confirmation of your consent as soon as possible. Don’t feel obligated to accept a product or service from your bank if it doesn’t suit you. You have the freedom to shop around and compare offers before signing up for anything. It’s your right. Learn more at canada.ca/money Source: www.newscanada.com 6 | www.snowbirds.org
Events Snowbird Snowbird Extravaganza RP Funding Center 701 West Lime St. Lakeland, Florida Tuesday and Wednesday, January 28 & 29, 2020 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Winter Texans’ Snowbird Extravaganza Pharr Events Center 3000 North Cage Blvd. Pharr, Texas Tuesday and Wednesday, February 4 & 5, 2020 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Canadian Snowbird Celebration Mesa Convention Center 201 North Center St. Mesa, Arizona Tuesday and Wednesday, February 11 & 12, 2020 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All events start at 1:00 p.m. (doors open at noon). For more information or to volunteer, call the CSA at 1-800-265-3200 or visit www.snowbirds.org Join us at a CSA Winter Information Meeting! Hundreds of people and sometimes even thousands attend these one-of-a-kind meetings. Join us for a taste of Extravaganza entertainment, hear presentations from the Canadian Snowbird Association, get a Medipac insurance update and pose questions to the panel right from the audience. SUBJECT TO CHANGE IMMOKALEE, FL Friday, February 21 Seminole Casino Immokalee 506 South First St. BRADENTON, FL Monday, February 24 Bradenton Area Convention Center 1 Haben Blvd. CLEARWATER, FL Tuesday, February 25 Capitol Theatre 405 Cleveland St. PORT CHARLOTTE, FL Wednesday, February 26 Cultural Centre of Port Charlotte 2280 Aaron Street SUN CITY WEST, AZ NEW! Friday, February 14 Sun City West Foundation 14465 R.H. Johnson Blvd. INDIO, CA Monday, February 17 Fantasy Springs Casino Resort 84245 Indio Springs Pkwy. WINTERHAVEN, CA Tuesday, February 18 Quechan Casino 525 Algodones Rd. CSANews | WINTER 2019 | 7
1. Capture moments Captivating views and wonderful experiences, these are all worth being captured in a photo. You don’t have to carry the bulky camera anymore because smartphones are now equipped with their own quality cameras for taking great pictures. Photos are then stored automatically in your phone, creating your own photo album of your trip. Plus, you can conveniently access these photos to reminisce the captured moments conveniently on other devices by using apps like Google Photos. You also have the option to share these photos with loved ones through email, messaging or even posting them on social media. 2. Airport comfort Waiting to check-in at the airport can be long and tedious. Fortunately, smartphones can offer a bit of comfort! Did you know that most airlines now send anemail alert 24 hours before your flight? Most likely you will also have the option tocheck-in online. This can be easily done anywhere using your smartphone. By clicking on the email confirmation, you can conveniently check-in online, choose your seat and even get your boarding pass emailed to you. Airports can scan your boarding pass by showing the digital version saved in your smartphone, which means you no longer need to print out your boarding pass on paper. Doing this can offer peace of mind and save a lot of time at the airport. 3. Stay engaged Smartphone apps such as Spotify and Audible are perfect on trips for listening to your favourite music and books on the go. Exercise apps like Sworkit allows convenient access to workout and stretching routines tohelp you stay healthy during a trip. Whether you are sitting down for a long time or having a relaxing day in the sun, your smartphone always has something to offer to keep you mentally and physically engaged. 4. Find great deals Your smartphone can serve as your mobile tour guide that leads you to the best deals. By simply browsing the internet, you can easily find where the local parks, beaches, museums and shopping malls are. Smartphone apps like Trip Advisor and Google Maps allow access to restaurant reviews and fun activities around you. Other apps help you make decisions on-the-go, such as Groupon for discounts at your next stop and GasBuddy.com that shows current gas prices nearby, perfect if you are travelling by car. Other than providing options for your next adventure, your smartphone can help you save on travel expenses as well. Note: using mobile apps will consume mobile data if you are not connected to Wi-Fi. Some apps have a monthly subscription fee. Important: Along with the benefits mentioned, using the right cell phone plan is important to have a seamless and memorable travel experience. If you travel mostly to the U.S., you can stay connected and conveniently use your phone with SimplyConnect’s Canada/U.S. Smartphone plans. Canada/U.S. plans are perfect for Canadian Snowbirds who travel back and forth to both Canada and the U.S. - one plan, one phone number and one SIM card for both your Canadian and U.S. wireless needs. A Canada/U.S. plan paired with a smartphone provides you with more connections while you escape the Canadian winter. Want to learn more? Our dedicated live agents are just a free phone call away. SimplyConnect has a large selection of devices and plans for all your wireless needs. Call 1-888-281-2105 today! HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SMARTPHONE WHEN TRAVELLING Bringing a smartphone on a trip allows instant connection with your family and friends back home. But did you know that with today’s technology, your smartphone can offer so much more? Here are a few examples how the device you carry can also help make your trip more comfortable, seamless and memorable:
Call 1-888-281-2105and quote promo code “CSASAVE2019“ *O ers shown are available until January 31, 2020or while quantities last and are subject to change without notice. Double minutes and data bonuses apply with a 2-yr term only. Double minutes bonus applies to all in-market Canada/U.S. Talk & Text only plans, and double data bonus applies on all in-market Canada/U.S. Smartphone plans. 10% o applies to the Talk & Text monthly plan fees, and 15% o applies to the Smartphone monthly plan fees. Discount applies for as long as you are a member of the Canadian Snowbird Association and cannot be combined with BringYour Own Phone discount,Tablet Data plans andWireless Home Phone plans. Early cancellation fees apply with a 2-yr term. Some conditions apply, call 1-888-281-2105 or visit simplyconnect.ca/csa for details. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. Escaping the Canadian winter? Our Canada/U.S. plans let you travel worry-free in Canada and the U.S. with one plan, phone and rate! All plans, phonesandpromotionsare available at simplyconnect.ca Talk & Text Plan Double minutes bonus included $36 /month * $40 Save 10% Double data bonus included Couples Data Plan $100 Save 15% $85/month for 2 lines * + + Samsung Galaxy A50 for $0* NEW! Samsung Galaxy A10e for $0* Wide selection of phones starting at $0 Friendly Canadian customer service Reliable network coverage 30-day money-backguarantee 150300minutes and unlimited text messages inCanada/U.S.* Unlimited calling and texting between both users, share 1 GB 2 GBof data and 400minutes inCanada/U.S.* LIMITED TIME OFFER UNTIL JANUARY 31, 2020 GET DOUBLE DATA OR MINUTES* ON CANADA/U.S. PLANS
BirdTalk Dear Bird Talk, Hi there. I would like to spend five months in a rural cabin in North Carolina for the purpose of writing a book − is this considered working? Also, I support myself through day trading my own capital. Is this considered working? Thanks so much! Morgan MacDonald Surrey, BC Editor: You should be fine. One of the primary tests is that you would take a job away from an American citizen. You would not be doing that. I do lots of day trading and have been writing our winter magazines in the U.S. for 25 years without incident. Send us a copy of the book when it is done, for fun. Dear Bird Talk, Enjoyed James Dolan’s article, but suggest one other BLIND SPOT: Aging Parent(s) Assumption: They have always been quite independent and self-sufficient and will remain so. Reality: Maybe not. As they age, mobility may become an issue, memory loss, ability to drive, bank, shop, etc. may put more responsibility on siblings who are also retired. Parent(s) may not want, or be financially able, to acquire the additional assistance or move into an independent or assisted living establishment. The onus would then fall on the sibling(s) to either hire the necessary home care assistance or provide it themselves. More difficult if the siblings are not in the same city as the parent(s); harder still if there is only one sibling or only one who is willing/able to step up to the responsibility. All home care organizations are not equal; service can be spotty and timing irregular. In my parents’ case, they had 23 different PSWs in one 30-day period – basically strangers on their own schedules, at unpredictable times, which they found very disconcerting! The effect on the siblings is to dial back their own expectations for retirement, i.e. reduced travel that results in absence from their caregiver responsibilities or reduced disposable income with which to enjoy their own retirement. Just thought that I’d mention it, as it was certainly not something that we considered in own our retirement-planning process. Bryan Metcalf Ed.: Been there, done that, still doing that! There is much joy in being able to take care of your parents in their later years, but it is not easy and it can get very expensive. That safari, that world cruise, that walking tour of Europe we dreamed of in retirement all seem very far away, but we have no regrets. We have always brought our parents to Florida when we came for parts of our winter. They were never snowbirds and now they are; and it is wonderful to have them with us. Dear Bird Talk, In an article written by J. Ross Quigley, a comment was made, “One clinical test showed that lungs were 95% normal in two years.” Also stated was that the lungs heal after stopping smoking. I agree that there is some healing with proper treatment, but there is no way that lungs will heal to the degree stated above after smoking for 50 years, or even 20 years. I did a complete search of medical literature and could not find any reference to the study stated. I think that Mr. Quigley is quite right in the rest of his comments as regards smoking and I congratulate him on stopping. Desmond Leen, MD Ed.: I must say that I went looking for the article, too, prior to printing the last issue. I could not find it either. This clinical test was from many years ago and, as I remember, it was a joint study between the University of Manitoba and the University of Michigan. All I know for sure is that, as I approach age 75, my lungs are fine with no sign of COPD or the other nasty lung problems. I think, and hope, it works. Dear Bird Talk, Kudos to your editor for publishing Michael Coren’s Opinion piece, which acknowledged discrimination against both LGBT and indigenous people. As a 74-year-old gay Catholic, I finally read about something that is close to my needs: empathy. Not all snowbirds are heterosexual, and some LGBT people feel quite ignored in publications that cater to the needs of us older folk. Thank you, Michael Coren, for opening a conversation about marginalized communities. John M. Toronto, Ontario Ed.: Mr. Coren is a very, very good writer. Mr. Coren is also very contentious and loves to set the “cat among the pigeons.” We regularly get very critical e-mails from various factions such as the Jews, the Catholics, the Anglicans, the agnostics, the Muslims and the atheists. They are unanimous – they wish us to fire Coren. To me, he is a disturbing bit of fresh air in a very confused world, and his views on the LGBT community are right on. 10 | www.snowbirds.org
According to an article “Motor Mouth” written by David Booth, Nov. 22 2018, on www.driving.ca, “…all-weathers offer 80 per cent of the winter traction of full snows and 80 per cent of the treadmileage of all-seasons. In braking tests, all-weather tires stopped almost as quickly from 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) as full snows and were a marked 12 feet (almost four metres) better than all-seasons. Perhaps more importantly, the very best – in CR’s testing, Michelin’s new Cross Climate − are truly great all-around tires, offering excellent wet- and dry-road braking and handling, excellent winter traction and, for the cost-conscious buyer, a tread life CR rates at a more than respectable 75,000 miles (120,000 kilometres).” If optimizing winter performance is of greater priority, the Nokian WGR4 offers superior winter performance and decent treadmileage (96,000 kilometres) at the expense of a little wet-weather handling. Which you choose is much less important than choosing any of these new formulations over trying tomanage summer tires on winter roads. In Canada, at least, all-weathers are the true all-season tires.” In Canada, “Kal Tire” has the exclusive rights to sell Nokian Tires and I believe that Canadian Tire has the rights to the Hankook all-weather tires. However, “10 10 Tires” and other tire retailers sell many other brands of all-weather tires. I hope this will be helpful to others like me, who are not comfortable going without snow tires, even for a short period. Othello Jones Ed.: I learn something new every day and this is just in time for the post-Christmas journey. Luc Grenon said much the same thing and this sounds like a brilliant solution to our annual trek and the trips through the mountains. BirdTalk Featuring the letters & concerns of our members SEND YOUR LETTERS TO Bird Talk, c/o CSANews 180 Lesmill Road Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5 or by e-mail: csawriteus@snowbirds.org Bird Talk Dear Bird Talk, I’m very pleased to see the association working for us to obtain the Snowbird Visa. After reading the last update, I sent a message to the senior senator on Maui to solicit his support to approve the visa. I was surprised at how easy it was to find and contact senators, and I even received a reply. It made me want to share this with all of our members and solicit you to message senators in states where you travel. The more they hear from us, the more likely it is that we’ll succeed. Tim Calibaba Burlington, ON Ed.: Excellent advice, and they do seem to respond in most cases. Everyone should write a note to their senators and to their congresspersons as well. Dear Bird Talk, When exactly do you file and mail this form − in the New Year? Or when you are heading south? We will leave first week of November. Guy Schmidt Armstrong, BC Ed.: The rules say that you should file by June 15th of the following year. This year, the 15th is on a Saturday, so the filing date is extended to June 17th. Dear Bird Talk, Do we have to fill this form out if we are visitors to the U.S. for fewer than the 182 days? Guy Schmidt Armstrong, BC Ed.: If you spend more than three months in the U.S., I would highly recommend that you file the 8840. Better safe than sorry applies here. Dear Bird Talk, First-time snowbirds heading to Florida in January. We have a cat to bring with us. Driving fromToronto to Largo, Florida. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Harvey Bates Innisfil, ON Ed.: This is not a big deal. Simply go to your veterinarian and ask him or her to fill out the vaccination forms for travel to the U.S. Present these at the border and your cat is in. I recommend a cage when crossing the border, to show that proper care is being taken of your little friend. Dear Bird Talk, In the fall 2019 issue of Snowbird magazine, I saw a query about snow tires for snowbirds from Harvey Bates. I shared Harvey’s dilemma, and solved it, by switching to a new class of tires called, “all-weather tires,” not to be confused with all-season tires. “All-season tires” lose their effectiveness below plus 7 degrees Celsius. All-weather tires are winter tires that are designed to be used year-round. They may not be as good as a dedicated snow tire, but they are definitely superior to all-season tires in winter conditions. I have been using the NokianWRG3 SUV tires for numerous years; first on a Lincoln Navigator with both 4x4 and AWD; now on a Toyota Highlander with AWD. My personal experience has been that the all-weather tires are far superior to the all-season tires in winter conditions. Some all-weathers may cost a bit more than dedicated snow tires, but you don’t have to own two sets of tires. Having one set of tires that can be used year-round more than compensates for the price difference and hassle of two sets of tires. CSANews | WINTER 2019 | 11
For those of you who have already made the journey to warmer climes, welcome to your winter homes. We have had a very busy fall at the Canadian Snowbird Association. Bill and I were fortunate enough to meet many of our Ontario members during our fall round of Snowbird Lifestyle Presentations. This year, we began our tour in Belleville followed quickly by stops in Nepean and Owen Sound. We then headed to St. Catharines, Richmond Hill, Port Hope and Orillia before concluding our tour in Oshawa. We were able to sign up many newmembers and Bill and I would like to thank all of the volunteers who came out to help us put on these great events. As always, thanks to all of our members who took in a show; your continued involvement is what keeps us growing as an association. This year’s Snowbird Extravaganza will be held at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida on Tuesday andWednesday, January 28 and 29, 2020. The Winter Texans’ Snowbird Extravaganza will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 4 and 5 at the Pharr Events Center in Pharr, Texas. Finally, our Canadian Snowbird Celebration will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 11 and 12 at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Arizona. These shows are great opportunities to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. First-rate entertainment and all of the latest information and products are available to help you make the most of your winter in the sun. As always, admission to these shows is free of charge. If you are unable to join us for one of our Extravaganzas, please consider attending one of our annual Winter InformationMeetings. Smaller in scale, these meetings will provide great Canadian entertainment and snowbird lifestyle information. The more intimate setting allows for greater interaction between association representatives and our guests, so it is an ideal time to ask any questions or voice any concerns to CSA representatives. This also makes it easier to interact with the entertainers, so don’t be shy…please attend a show if you are able. This winter travel season, our Winter Information Meeting tour begins in Sun City West, Arizona on Friday, February 14 before heading to Indio, California on Monday, February 17 and on toWinterhaven, California for a show on Tuesday, February 18. From there, we head to Florida with our first stop in Immokalee on Friday, February 21, 2020. We will be in Bradenton on Monday, February 24 and Clearwater on Tuesday, February 25. We conclude this winter’s round of shows in Port Charlotte on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Once again, admission to these shows is free. Please look elsewhere in this issue of the magazine for specific venue locations and times. CSA members may also book a member of your board of directors this winter, to make an information presentation directly to their local winter community or club. These presentations provide updates on all of the latest initiatives on which the association has been working on your behalf, and we attempt to answer any questions that youmay have about a wide variety of snowbird-related topics. To book a presentation for your local winter community or club, simply contact the CSA office in Toronto. These presentations are open to members and non-members alike. On September 19, 2019, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the Canadian Snowbirds Act, S. 2507 in the U.S. Senate. This bill would allow eligible Canadian retirees to spend up to eight months vacationing in the United States annually – two months longer than the current six-month limit. This legislation is the companion bill to the Canadian Snowbird Visa Act, H.R. 3241, which was introduced in the House of Representatives in June by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL-22). Before this extension can be signed into law, it must first be passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. CSA representatives will continue to work on growing the number of co-sponsors in both chambers during the current session of Congress. Updates on our progress will be featured in CSANews. As many of you are aware, we have not abandoned our fight to prevent the elimination of the Ontario government’s Out-of-Country Travellers Program. This program provides reimbursement for Ontario travellers who face medical emergencies while travelling outside of the country and is scheduled to cease on January 1, 2020. Please read Ron Steeves’ Government Relations column in this issue of the magazine for more detailed information. Bill and I wish you a safe and relaxing snowbird season in your winter homes. President’s Message Karen Huestis CSA President 12 | www.snowbirds.org
In April of this year, the Ontario government introduced a proposal to eliminate all reimbursement for emergency medical services received while outside of Canada. This program, known as OHIP’s Out-ofCountry (OOC) Travellers Program, currently provides Ontario residents travelling outside of Canada between $200 and $400 per day for emergency in-patient services and up to $50 per day for emergency outpatient services. After six days of public consultation and meeting with Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) representatives regarding this issue, Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott has decided to proceed with terminating out-of-country medical coverage for Ontario residents. This policy change is scheduled to come into effect on January 1, 2020. To put this into perspective, every province and territory in Canada provides residents with some formof reimbursement for out-ofcountry medical emergencies. For example, in Alberta, residents are reimbursed up to $100 per day for emergency hospital in-patient care received outside of Canada. In Nova Scotia, residents are reimbursed $525 per day for emergency in-patient services obtained while abroad. While the rates of reimbursement vary across the country, this change will make Ontario the only jurisdiction in Canada to terminate all emergency medical coverage for residents travelling abroad. The elimination of Ontario’s Out-of-Country Travellers Programwill not only increase private travel medical insurance premiums by an estimated 7.5 per cent, it is also an egregious violation of the portability principle of the Canada Health Act (CHA). Sub-paragraph 11(1)(b)(ii) of the CHA states: “…where the insured health services are provided out of Canada, payment is made on the basis of the amount that would have been paid by the province for similar services rendered in the province, with due regard, in the case of hospital services, to the size of the hospital, standards of service and other relevant factors […]” Under the CHA, residents who are temporarily absent from their home province or territory, or from Canada, must continue to be covered for insured health services during their absence. If insured persons are temporarily absent in another province or territory, the portability criterion requires that insured services be paid at the host province’s rate. If insured persons are temporarily out of the country, insured services are to be paid at the home province’s rate. By eliminating all out-of-country emergency health coverage, the Ontario government is in clear violation of the portability requirement of theCanada Health Act. As portability is one of the five pillars of the CHA, the Ontario government is subject to discretionary penalties on the basis of non-compliance. However, to date, the discretionary penalty provisions of the CHA have not been applied by any federal government. With the Ontario government moving forward with these cuts and the federal government not willing to act, the Canadian Snowbird Association is now preparing to take the Ontario government to court in order to challenge the legality of terminating outof-country emergency insurance coverage. In addition, the Canadian Snowbird Association will also be filing an interim injunction to prevent the policy from coming into force. Challenging the illegal actions of the Ontario government is crucial not only for our Ontario members, but for our members across Canada. If Ontario is successful in cutting coverage, this could have a ripple effect across the country as other provinces and territories may attempt to implement similar policies, making travel medical insurance more costly for those who need it most. We need your help. All of our advocacy efforts are funded through member donations. Please make a donation today and help us mount this critical legal challenge against the Ontario government and its illegal termination of provincial out-of-country medical coverage. Online donations can be made on our website − snowbirds.org/ special-action-fund. Donations can also be made by contacting our head office toll-free at 1-800-265-3200. Access to emergency out-of-country health coverage is the issue uponwhich the Canadian Snowbird Association was founded. In 1992, the CSA was formed when more than one thousand Canadian travellers came together to protest provincial cuts to out-of-country medical coverage. More than 25 years later, the CSA has grown to more than 110,000 members across Canada and today, we are faced with an even more pressing challenge. Together, I am certain that we can win and overturn these short-sighted cuts to health coverage. Thank you for your continued support. Judy and I wish you a healthy and enjoyable winter retreat as you live the snowbird lifestyle. Government Relations Report Ron Steeves First Vice-President CSANews | WINTER 2019 | 13
A recent, very-large study has shown that many heart procedures such as stent insertion, angioplasty and heart bypass surgery are unnecessary and can actually cause harm. The study was government-funded and cost approximately $100 million dollars – WOW. The most interesting part was that “medication only” results were the same as surgery results after several years, without the risk of hospitalization and operation complications. Better and more-effective prescription drugs have probably played a significant role in dramatically improving these outcomes. A recent lawsuit in the U.S. contends that a “deliberate push for high profits prompted the hospital and doctors to perform inordinate numbers of highly profitable heart procedures, whether they were necessary or not.” At Medipac, we see this regularly – a patient is being prepped for surgery, but the rigorous tests indicate that this is a “bad” medical choice. Our doctors know what is right and what is wrong and we have interesting discussions with U.S. doctors every day. The cold, hard reality of the travel medical insurance business is that we must protect our clients, especially in some overseas destinations. This is why Medipac employs doctors and nurses. We review all tests and data before proceeding to “put you under the knife,” as they say. The club which we use with these medical practitioners is that we are paying the bill and we will not pay unless surgery is medically necessary. This keeps them in line…most of the time. When your doctor at bedside says that, in his or her opinion, you require this surgery (any kind, really), you must be cautious. Understand that they will stand to make $50,000 or $100,000 or even $500,000 by performing invasive surgery. The hospital will also make extra money, since you will be forced to stay there for at least a few extra days. You need an advocate! And Medipac is your best choice. J. Ross Quigley CEO Medipac International Inc. Insurance The Language Barrier 14 | www.snowbirds.org
Insurance I have occasionally said that it makes no sense to buy travel medical insurance from a bank, or an auto club, or an insurance agent, or a grocery store. (I should perhaps add “website” to that list but you can buy Medipac online, as I am sure you are aware.) The others employ no doctors or even nurses. They may have one or two available on call, as they say, but medical emergencies are NOW things and you need fast answers and fast results. Most of the above entities farm out their assistance services and sometimes even their claim payment services. They may even have trouble finding out whether you are insured or not. This article is about the language barrier between the many participants in a medical emergency. To be coherent and safe, you need to have our doctor talking to their doctor, not a claims clerk. You need instant access to your policy and coverage and this can take hours with some companies. Your assistance company has to authorize tests and procedures to ensure that they are a benefit of the policy. Who is going to tell them, and when? The CFO of a hospital wants to talk to someone who can authorize those tests and procedures. This can involve moving up the insurance company management ladder several steps. Let’s hope that the insurance company CFO is not at lunch or on vacation! These three entities − the insurance company, the assistance company and the claims payment company − are often in different cities, sometimes in different countries! There is a language barrier here. There are many different skills involved and I am sure that all of the various employees do the best that they can, but they speak different languages. You need everything in one place with substantial expertise in all of these very specific areas. Only one company provides this and that is Medipac International. One company, doing one thing, working on one totally integrated computer system, in one place, with the best employees in the business. Oh…and six doctors and several highend trauma and emergency care nurses. Happy Holidays and we will be working, should you need us. CSANews | WINTER 2019 | 15
Opinion with Michael Coren The new movie, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is the story of Esquire journalist Lloyd Vogel profiling broadcaster Fred Rogers, played by Tom Hanks. Vogel is initially reluctant, regarding Mr. Rogers as a lightweight, but the experience becomes life-changing. The movie follows on from last year’s award-winning documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, which explored the philosophy behind perhaps the most popular children’s entertainer in the history of television. Both films are part of a reassessment of the man since his death in 2003, a new realization of just how influential and beneficial he was not just to American children, but also to the country’s perception and understanding of itself, and to its grasp of what it represents. At a time when self-doubt and even self-loathing are dominating discourse in Donald Trump’s America, the country is looking for an anchor of sense and sensibility, and finding it in what is at first glance a strange place. Fred Rogers, he of puppets, toys and perennial optimism, is seen as the best of America. But that is rather missing the point. The quintessence of the man was not his nationality, but his faith. If he was the best of anything, it was Christianity, which stuns those who are understandably bruised by a faith that in the United States is often seen now as intolerant, and as infecting rather than informing the body politic. With Mr. Rogers, the faith was implicit, and it was this subtle witness of grace that made him so compelling. He’s not the only Christian in public life to have acted thus, of course, but this is where the difficulty, the paradox presents. Far too often, the loudest of believers are those on the raucous right, who instead of speaking of the good news, shout about the bad. He was a Presbyterian and an ordained minister but, rather than fierce Calvinism, his theology was bathed in optimism. “The big thing about God is God’s faithfulness: not giving up on those with whom God has made covenant,” he said. And, “I’m wary of people who insist on trying to make other people feel bad about themselves. The more I look around me and within me, the more I notice that those who feel best about themselves have the greatest capacity to feel good about others.” So when we see him gently prodding us, adults as well as children, toward something universal and – in its purest, most authentic form – kind, we’re not witnessing banality but heartfelt belief. He once told an angry Christian who insisted that people were damned unless they found Jesus, “God loves you just the way you are.” What is fascinating to realize in this age of right-wing evangelicalism is that Mr. Rogers was a lifelong Republican. He opposed former president Richard Nixon on many issues; he was consistently progressive on racial equality and embracedmany liberal virtues, but saw himself as a conservative – in the best, currently misplaced or even irretrievably lost sense. That tension is epitomized by his relationship with François Clemmons, an African-American actor whom he brought into the show to play a police officer, at a time when black performers were seldom seen on television. Mr. Clemmons was also gay and, while he says that Mr. Rogers was affirming of his sexuality, he told Clemmons off-screen not to attend gay clubs in case he was noticed and thus offended valuable sponsors. Yet, in one particularly poignant episode of the show in 1969, set on a hot summer day, Mr. Rogers asks Mr. Clemmons to cool his feet in the water of a paddling pool, and he then takes a towel and dries them. This was at a time when large parts of the United States were still segregated, and only months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Here was Fred Rogers, a hero to children and icon to adults, washing the feet of a black, gay man. The Christian symbolism is inescapable. The Bible can be taken seriously or it can be taken literally, but not both. It’s inspired, it’s full of truth and wisdom, but it’s not divine dictation, or dictatorship, for that matter. At its very core is not a call to judge, but a command to love and it’s the fundamentalists who are, ironically, betraying its meaning. It took a children’s entertainer to appreciate that, and to introduce it to our neighbourhood. Thank God he did. 16 | www.snowbirds.org
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Travel It’s impossible tomiss Kuşadasi. Agiant hillside sign spells out the city’s name in large, white letters. It reminded us of the famous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. A bronze statue overlooks the sign and colourful buildings of this city of 100,000 people on Turkey’sWest Coast. “It’s a statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk,” said our guide Dilek. “He founded the Republic of Turkey. Atatürk is our national hero, just like GeorgeWashington is to the United States.” According to Dilek, no one had a family name during the Ottoman era (14th to early 20th century). “Atatürk allowed people to have last names. He also changed the script that we use from Arabic to Latin. Thanks to him, women like me can work.” The panoramic view from Atatürk Hill encompasses the city, its port, the peacock-blue Aegean Sea and the island of Güvercinada, joined to the city centre by a causeway. “Kuşadasi’s name comes from this island,” said Dilek. From the Aegean, Güvercinada looks like a bird’s head. The Turkish wordkuş means “bird” and the word ada means “island.” Some people call it Pigeon Island. An old Byzantine castle dominates Güvercinada. Visitors can explore the museum inside the castle and enjoy splendid views of Kuşadasi. Dilek explained that Kuşadasi has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters (an average high of 13.5 degrees C in January). Its long, hot summers account for the popularity of the resort’s many beaches. CAPTIVATING KUŞADASI Experience this Turkish resort’s superb climate, carpets, cuisine and UNESCO city UNESCO city Story and photos by Barb & Ron Kroll 18 | www.snowbirds.org
Travel Why carpets are important to Turkish people “Our ancestors travelled here as nomadic tribes fromMongolia and China,” said Dilek. “They brought their custom of weaving rugs with them. Throughout our history, we’ve woven rugs for tents, to cover horses and for dowries.” Dilek has vivid memories of her family weaving. “I recall my mother and aunties sitting side by side, weaving big carpets at large looms and small carpets on little looms.” With Dilek, we visited a government-sponsored weaving co-operative created to pass on the craft of weaving to young women, and encourage them to become entrepreneurs. “Carpet prices and quality are good here, but you are under no obligation to buy,” she said. “If you want to purchase one, remember that bargaining is a tradition here. I can help you if you prefer. If the carpet is too big for you to carry home, don’t worry. The Turkish government charges no tax and pays shipping costs to support carpet-weaving in the country.” Dilek introduced us to Mr. Hakan, who showed us a bowl of silk cocoons. “Turkey is number two in the world after China for silk production,” he said. “The average cocoon contains 1.5 kilometres of silk fibre in a single thread but, if you try to pull it out, you’ll break it.” He showed us a centuries-old method of extracting the thread. After boiling the cocoons in a large metal bowl to soften them, he used a handmade brush to pick up the threads. He then attached the fibres to a wooden spinning wheel that spun them into silk thread. Woven storybooks We entered a roomwith large carpets hanging on the walls. As we sat on padded benches, staff offered us and other visitors glasses of green apple tea. Other staffmembers unfurled roll after roll of carpets, stacking them on top of each other. Our heads spun with the dazzling variety of colours, sizes and patterns. “We sell both machine-made and handmade carpets here,” saidMr. Hakan. “Do you know how to tell them apart?” He answered his own question as he folded over a corner of a handmade carpet. “You can’t fold the corner on a machine-made carpet. Equipment inserts threads through holes in their synthetic bases.” Rotating a small carpet around like pizza dough, he showed us how the colours changed, depending on the nap and the direction of the light. He advised us to take off our shoes and walk on the carpets with bare feet to feel the differences between them. As we walked around, we noticed how the colours and patterns changed. A savvy salesman approached us and asked: “Which one do you like the best? What size do you need? Perhaps you want just a little carpet?” When we replied that they were all beautiful, but that we weren’t interested in buying anything, he switched from selling to educational mode. Pointing to one carpet, he explained how the motifs told stories from the book 1,001 Arabian Nights. On other carpets, he deciphered symbols, such as a bird in flight. “It indicates the arrival of good news,” he said. “And this sheaf of grain represents abundance.” His enthusiasm soon influenced the way in which we regarded Turkish carpets. We started looking at them as woven storybooks, rather than just ornamental floor and wall coverings. Mr. Hakan picks up silk threads with a brush Weaving a carpet at a governmentsponsored co-operative Staff serve glasses of green apple tea Staff show carpets to visitors Walking barefoot on carpet Raw and boiled silk cocoons CSANews | WINTER 2019 | 19
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