Oct 13, 2003, 8:50 p.m.

The public support that was shown last night to Fabian Manning in the St. Mary's Bay area was amazing! Never have I seen or felt the admiration that was very evident last night in this area for Fabian. With out a doubt this area is going BLUE with a bang!!! Be yourself Fabian it speaks volumes!

-Sherry Walsh,North Harbour, St. Mary's Bay

Oct 13, 2003, 9:38 a.m.

I find it interesting that both potential leaders promise health care reforms which include integration with other providers, better accountability and cooperation with other health care delivery providers and a philosophy of wellness and prevention.

I can tell you with a great deal of certainty that the government in power may intend to do this( which also was the intent of the Roman. report) because it indicates an intent to reform the system. It's a great idea to allow chiropractic in main stream clinical settings, because it is cheaper, safer more effective and has a greater degree of patient satisfaction. It's more desirable to integrate midwives, nurse practitioners and wellness-preventative strategies into our present system.

Certainly in NL they need these strategies. I worked in health care there for 5 years and also know they are a very long way off from instituting these very important reforms. Their system is steeped in the traditional model of health care delivery which is too expensive, too inefficient, has poor patient confidence and does not encourage health.It primarily relies upon one group of providers who have a great deal of central and peripheral influence.

These proposed reforms would not be in the best interest of some of these groups and so I would be very skeptical at this point as to the real scope of these promised reforms. These two leaders need to look at the studies other provinces like ontario have undertaken to make these reforms more likely and easier to accomplish.

In 1991-1993 Bob Rae sanctioned a study assessing low back pain, by Prof. Pran Manga. The recommendations set forth by Dr. Manga were summarily ignored by the same government that wanted the study done to save money and reform the system. Low back pain is the most expensive issue facing health care today. Roger Grimes , when presented with the same study and the same data completed for his own province did the same.

Lots of hot air I say... I hope Danny Williams has the guts to institute the kinds of reforms necessary for NL. to ensure a better health care system. It will take more than just money and additional doctors and technology. It will take real reform from the ground floor up. Other very skilled providers can integrate within the system to improve outcome and save money.

The system can become more focused upon wellness and prevention. Who is going to provide those services. Who is going to tell you how to lower your risk of disease BEFORE you develop it. The model of health care delivery currently in place today cannot address those very real and compelling concerns.

-Dr. Kevin Mclaughlin, Preston, Ont.

Oct 13, 2003, 7:43 a.m.

I am Victoria Harnum, NDP candidate for Trinity Bay de Verde. The lack of funding compared to the other two parties is sickening to me. How can we compete with a candidate who has funding of $32,000 compared to under $2,000.

Surly we can all see that there is something deadly wrong with the system. The other 2 parties can afford radio and TV ads..2-3 headquarters.. larger and more signs, airfare, buses etc.

The Liberals and the PC's host parties where they give away free food drinks etc to the voters. The Liberal's even have a candidate who purchased bingo cards for people.

I can only hope that the voters can see through all this. The other 2 parties get large donations from large corporations, they assume and I am sure that it is true that when that party gets in the next time, they will benefit it.

The NDP's major concern is with the basic needs of the people, therefore the large corporations gives them little or nothing at all.

-Victoria Harnum, Harbour Grace

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