I have been following the 2 main discussions with great interest
(reimbursement and NY initiative). I'm the outsider, as many of this list
are.

I work full-time on my reserve as the Community Breastfeeding Coordinator.
I am paid by the federal government to provide 24/7 breastfeeding support
to all women who have babies in our community. I could be busier (well, not
the past 2 days - I've been FULL).

IBCLC's are not reimbursed in Canada. Where I live (about 90 minutes
outside Toronto), the going rate for an LC visit is $30/hour. There is NO
way I could make a living on this.

I was going to post on the AHCA, but I could not do it without getting
political. For me, just the fact that IBCLC's are being seen as important
enough to recognized is a giant step forward!! I still don't see how people
could make a living being a PP LC, but maybe that's because I don't live in
a metropolis. But to get that recognition is inspiring.

I am also an Aboriginal Midwife, outside the registered midwife scope, but
still legal in Ontario. We AM's cannot bill OHIP for any blood work or
ultrasounds. The req's must be signed by their family doctor, or we (ie The
Birthing Centre) pays out of pocket. That's a big chunk of our budget. If
clients need to be transferred to an OB, they (the local OB's) bill OHIP as
an emergency service (as if they are seen in an ER room). We worked hard to
be accepted by the OB's. We are fighting to have a billing number with
OHIP. One day, hopefully we will.

Have a great day, everyone.

Steph MacD

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome