Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Another area of concern I have is a lot of people do not really understand what rights they have as a patient. It works both ways. You get an opinion from a doctor and I think a lot of people do not realize you have the right to a second opinion. I think that people have to be able to know that as a patient, there are certain things that you should be able to ask questions on or have information revealed to you as you requested. Is there such a thing as a patient bill of rights within this government or is that something we can look at?

With the problems we are running into now...I have had constituents of mine approach me where they have written letters to different health boards, they have hand delivered letters to people that sit on these boards to bring information forth and they never get a response back. They do not get a simple acknowledgement that they have submitted these concerns to the different boards. It seems like more and more, especially with our elderly people, because of the whole area of cutbacks and what not, a lot of translating services are no longer there.

A lot of people would automatically assume a doctor said this is his analysis and then six months down the road, you get a different opinion from a different doctor. The same thing applies with different medications that a lot of people take. On one day, you might get this medication from this doctor, a new doctor comes in and he will put you on a different medication knowingly or unknowingly that it could have a major effect on you, especially if you have allergic reactions.

I think people have to understand you have a right to know that what you are being prescribed is explained to you in such a manner that you understand. Also, if you do not like the decision by a particular doctor, you have the right to request another opinion. Is there such a thing in place considering patient rights with regard to some kind of patient bill of rights or is that something that this government can consider looking at?