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RetirEd said
pooreva:
Kidd: Don't leave those watches sitting with old batteries in them. They may leak and destroy the watch.

Buy a jeweler's-screwdriver kit from Canadian Tire or a dollar store for under $10 and change them yourself! If you can't, ask a tech-savvy youngster.
RetirEd  

I used to change my own batteries for about $8, but the watch was never again water resistant. So, for the price of a cheap new watch ($12), I just run them out and buy a new one. I hate needing to either take them off or seeing the water vapour inside them after a shower.

Norman1 said

Bill said
Ontario optometrists say they haven't had a raise from ohip in many years, that they get far less than in other provvinces, and that it costs them to perform ohip related services, i.e. they lose money when seeing those patients. I don't know if that's true, but if it is can we expect people to lose money when they provide a service?

It has been a few decades for the Ontario optometrists.

According to CTV News: 'At least cover what it costs us to see a patient'…, the OHIP reimbursement has been around $47 for the last three decades:

He [Optometrist Dr. Wes McCann, a former Ontario Association of Optometrists board member] says his office is reimbursed $47 from the province for a seniors’ eye exam, and according to him, compares that to $77.18 in Manitoba, $106.90 in Quebec and $137.02 in Alberta.

“In our office, that is supposed to cover all of my staff, all of our equipment costs, our rent subsidy and everything else.”

Reimbursement for those under 19, he says, is slightly lower.

The optometrists claim the cost of an exam is around $80. The province is offering an 8.49% raise on the $47 or $4 more! Obviously not settled yet.  

This is my opinion:

1) While on the surface it is true they have not got a meaningful raise for a few decades, what if I counter and say the pay has been grossly excessive from the get go. Now its inline with what is considered a sustainable fair amount ?? It is complete flaw to just say it was $40 and hence it should be much higher 30 years later...

2) The "calculated cost" of $80 a patient is based on reduced capacity and added cost due to covid. In other words, for the past 18 months, they are seeing less than 50% of patients due to covid. Obv rent, staff costs are fixed. All of a sudden, it now costs $80 a patient. Convenient to use it to "proof" how inadequate govt's current payment is, but the math is "rigged" in my mind. A more "honest" optometrist admit during normal times, while they dont get rich from the OHIP payment, it covers the cost. And they make $ on the side sale like prescription, contact lens etc. A small loss leader so to speak, but provide an essential service to those that do not have insurance coverage.

3) Why does it matter what other provinces pay ?? Again its tied to my first point. Just because other provinces choose to continue to overpay for services does not mean Ontario should do the same.

Think about it, I read somewhere that says 60% of patients are OHIP covered, and if they truly lose $30+ per patient, you think their business will sustain for years ?? Food for thoughts.

I will total support the optometrist's crusade if they clearly show the real math and how they indeed lose money on every OHIP patient during normal times without covid restrictions. So far I have seen none and the argument they have is weak for anyone who thinks a little deeper. Even if the math is real, I will not be happy with any health care provider that uses their patients as a bargaining chip ever.