I understand the concept of there being a bill, I was usually at the hospital with an American. It's the idea of a foreigner fee or an initial charge that's new to me, there was never a deposit of $800, $200 or any other amount, just a fee for each service (I suppose one could see this as being a non-citizen charge but I don't). At the doctor the fees were usually waived, they're used to seeing undocumented aliens with no funds. I believe they keep a stock of valid OHIP numbers and bill under those.

I too have a red OHIP card from the 80s, as do two of my children, I don't know if they still work because we don't have much call to use the service. One card did still work a couple of years ago.

Yep, I think it's common to assume that the charge is for non citizens when it is actually for non insured. Depends on how your doctor books in people but where a computer is involved then these are usually linked to the MOHLTC and the card's validity is checked online. Top up insurance is input too. If it's all done by hand then there is some flexibility - obviously

As for the red cards. Some do still work and I've seen some sad specimens. You don't even need the card with you it is possible to search by name or HCN. The story is that they are being replaced and if the holder ignores letters sent out asking them to replace it then their OHIP access will be cancelled.

Bats....I hear ya and you are right.

I don't know how anyone is able to discard the existence of such a service, even with their own admittance "I haven't carted any uninsured foreigners into hospitals for a few years"

Classic

I don't know what "discard" is intended to mean in this context. Please explain.

Don't have to explain diddly to ya...you get me?

Please don't misuse my posts to support your little vendetta.

My vendetta? Come on bats

I'm afraid I don't "get" you, no. Not at all. What's with the pretending to be a photographer?

In this specific case, I suppose you chose "discard" ill advisedly and meant to use some other word. I can't guess what it might be, I don't disdain OHIP, one cannot didjeridoo OHIP, does the intended word even begin with a D?

It's a bit tricky to appreciate the whole rich texture of ultrarunner's oevre when I can't read anything that isn't quoted. This is the problem with the ignore list system. Now, you're a computer chappie, couldn't you reprogramme the site so that I can't even see when people quote him?

Failing that I might have to risk the wrath of that moderator from darkest Hockeyville again.

I'm afraid it's not my technology but, the business being what it is, I'm sure I could get JohnnyTheSailor to do it and make myself $20 an hour on it. Now, do you want only posts containing quotes by ActionMan excluded or a cascade whereby all quotes of quotes of posts referencing ActionMan's original text are excluded? The problem with the latter being that there won't be much left of the site.

Ah, there's always a problem with you technical folk. Perhaps though, on balance, having very little left of the site would be a small price to pay.

To tell the truth, you all have your moments.

Sorry, but I don't get this either? Even if its a pop at DBD, its gone straight over my head!

I suspect that, when our friend Mr Mitty says "discard" he perhaps means "disregard." At least then the sentence would make grammatical, if not logical, sense.

Surely the pretence that you aren't reading my posts is getting old now? Since you mentioned my name in your post and trying to full others by your comments

yeah...pull the other one, it's got bells on it