Media Advisory Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

Contact: Jack McHugh
Senior Legislative Analyst
989-631-0900

MIDLAND - The Mackinac Center for Public Policy will host a health care forum at noon Monday (Oct. 26) at the Troy Community Center. Speakers for the luncheon will be three "stars" from the Center's YouTube video series, "What Canadians Want You To Know About Their Health Care System," In one week, there have been more than 20,000 viewings of the videos which feature Canadians who have suffered physical pain and losses (both financial and emotional) describing how unreasonably long wait list times forced them to seek treatment elsewhere.

The speakers will be:

• Shirley McGuin, who for three years suffered debilitating pain while she waited for treatment before deciding to obtain a knee replacement in the United States (where she waited just four weeks for an appointment and six weeks for surgery).
• Mike Jubenville, who at age 30 suffered from a neck condition that eventually left him bedridden. Rather than wait 18 months to see a specialist, Jubenville obtained treatment within weeks in the United States.
• Kelly Meloche, founder and CEO of International HealthCare Providers, Inc.of Windsor, which arranges "medical tourism" treatment options for Canadian citizens like McGuin and Jubenville. Many of IHCP's health care provider partners are located in the metro-Detroit area.

Call 989-631-0900 to make your reservation. Lunch is included.

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