I swore to myself I would only lurk, but I have to provide a few points regarding
this issue.
First, kudos to the provinces and territories in Canada who've signed on to the
new maternity leave package. I do hope it leads to a rise in breastfeeding and an
increase in its duration, too. The province of Alberta has opted not to join in,
so it is not an across-the-board thing, and I do hope that women's organizations
in Alberta and Canada move that government towards this incredible benefit to
women, families and society.
Regarding higher taxes to pay for universal medical care. I moved to the States
five years ago, and it absolutely galls me still that we pay $595/month for a
family of three to enjoy the comfort and benefits of an HMO, and that my birth
control pills now cost me $20/month under this same insurance plan (Having also
worked in the States for a family planning organization, I know that BC pills,
bought in bulk, cost just over $20/month!). My husband is self-employed and buys
his own insurance for us. In most provinces and territories in Canada, only the
old, the young and the disabled get prescription drug coverage, yet the overall
costs of prescription drugs is lower because the provinces and territories are
involved in buying large amounts from the drug companies and because there is
price regulation. I don't know if this impacts on innovation, as some would say.
On the other hand, when I lived in Canada we made a big fuss about "Tax Free Day"
which is the day, where, theoretically speaking, the 'average' Canadian stopped
paying taxes and started working for themselves. This includes
provincial/territorial and federal income tax and all goods and services taxes.
That day, in 1996, fell sometime in early June. I would hope that the date has
moved up a little to May. That meant that in Canada you didn't start working for
yourself until almost halfway through the year. But personally, I liked having it
all taken off the top, rather than being constantly hit up, every month, for
money. It's just as Dr. Newman says, somehow, someway, you end up paying for it.
I would draw your attention to Anne Crittenden's excellent new book, "The Price
of Motherhood." While not about BFing per se, she discusses successes in other
countries that are much more baby-, mommy- and family-friendly. One of the most
interesting examples is the benefits accorded to US servicewomen. They have
wonderful benefits, according to Crittenden. From a BFing point of view, US
military hospitals are one of the few places in the US where the possibility of
full success with the Baby-Friendly Initiative is possible to envision, as the US
military can make the training for doctors mandatory. Sometimes America does do
right by mothers, as is the case in the armed services. Crittenden is a former NY
Times reporter who, like many professional women, didn't realize how much she
would fall in love with her child. Her belief is that the average professional
working woman will lose out on a million dollars in income and benefits (Social
Security and pension) over their lifetime due to dropping out of the workforce
and/or career track. Sounds like a rallying cry if I ever heard one.
While not always fair to make comparisons, it's sometimes necessary to state
precedent when fighting for our right to be mothers however we want to be
mothers.
Yours,
Natalie Rawlings Kraut
LLL Leader
Area Conference Supervisor, Florida
and, in the interest of full disclosure:
former Communications Officer, Liberal Party of Canada (1994-1996)
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