"There's a bit of magic in everything, and some loss to even things out." -Lou Reed

Sunday, August 2, 2009

In Good Health?


I know I am wishing for the impossible--something along the lines of wanting politics not to be political. I understand there is never going to be a candidate in office that everyone agrees with, supports, and rallies for in unison.

And yes, I am a democrat, a liberal, and an Obama supporter. I voted for this man for president, and I do have faith in him. But, when he makes a decision I don't agree with, or a mistake, I won't fall silent. I hope for the best, but I don't expect perfection.

The issue of health care is one close to my heart for a variety of reasons. I have gone without insurance at times after layoffs, unable to afford a $600+ per month COBRA payment. Friends of mine have children and family members with serious illnesses and live in fear of a missed payment to their insurance companies, knowing they would never be able to get insurance again. And almost every time I visit my local pharmacy to pick up my prescriptions, I watch senior citizens flinch when they hear the total owed for medicine they can't live without, or carefully count pennies (literally) to pay for a few day's worth of medicine at a time. On top of all that, the media and BOTH sides of the government have so exaggerated or underestimated the number of people living in the US without insurance, that it is impossible to know the truth. But, I am betting the true number is startling, if not staggering. And many of those uninsured are children.

Those of us that get insurance through our employers may feel a little uneasy at the thoughts of government run health care. I know that I do. However, I know the system is broken. I know that the big pharma companies (who now advertise their drugs directly to consumers!) and huge insurance companies have been calling the shots for awhile now. My doctor cannot always make decisions about the care I need without consulting what my insurance will cover.

Do I think the proposed health care reform will solve everyone's problems? No. Do I think it will cause some problems? Probably. But, we do have to do something.

So, back to my wish. I wish that I would stop hearing sound bites that try and scare people to death about Obama's proposed reform. I wish that instead of attacking the president on personal issues, such as his birthplace, that those opposed to his plan would try and bring other ideas to the table. I wish that maybe just for this one issue, everyone could leave their party affiliations at the door, and try to create something that works. I know, I know, silly me. I want our government to work together.

Knowing that our government can't even work together on the initial reform plans doesn't give me any more confidence about them running our health care, but I can't say I have a lot of faith in our health care system as it is now. My hope is that the reform will be a long-term process that changes along the way to become something better than it is now.

I am still reading, still learning, still trying to find out what is truth and what is fiction about the proposed health care plan. But this issue hasn't been addressed in ages, and I am glad that even with all the fear, gossip, and opposition, that it is at least on the table.

I have never been shy to say what I thought of Bush and the last eight years. And I have attacked his inability to speak publicly with correct grammar more than once. But I didn't use that single argument to support my frustrations with him. I tried to read, do my homework, find out what was true beyond the headline snippets and less than neutral news reporting on both sides. I have also always welcomed debate with my views, and any educated, thoughtful insight I might need to contemplate.

Which is what we all should do--including those currently holding office.

62 comments:

Present and Accounted For August 2, 2009 at 11:24 PM  

I think you express fears and trepidations of many of us. We hate hearing the horror stories of those who have been let down by the current system and yet are very uneasy about having the federal government intrude in this vital area of our lives.

I'm conservative so those fears are probably even greater for me and as one who did not vote for our current president I am very nervous about any plan that he and his advisers would concoct. For instance i do believe that the numbers of uninsured are exaggerated. In fact I do know that when they report those numbers they include anyone who has been without insurance for any length of time during the past 12 months and not those are currently without it. Secondly I know that in my state it is virtually impossible for a child to be without insurance unless the parents simply have not sought it for them (the income requirements to be eligible for Medicaid are much higher than I ever would have suspected)

I thought your comment about GW Bush's lack of articulation was interesting because I believe many (not you form what you have said) voted for President Obama simply because he is so articulate and did not take the time to see where he really stood on issues. I'm sure many of them are concerned with how far left he has already moved us, at least I hope they are.

Fool August 2, 2009 at 11:40 PM  

i support obama for the most part but the one thing i do not agree with is free health care.... it might suck that we all have to pay for insurance but if it was free none of us would have any say over the treatment we got... it would be what they offerd or nothing at all... and im sorry that i think that is wrong

Lucy August 3, 2009 at 12:54 AM  

Hi, I am a new reader/subscriber of your blog and I feel like everything you say is true. I too am a liberal and a democrat and am putting my future of this country in President Obama's hands. It is scary for me, like you have said but I hope that in the end we DO all "play nice" and get along. And that when the future comes, we are able to say we made the right decision in bringing him to power.

LUCY

sparkymarky1973 August 3, 2009 at 2:16 AM  

As a British reader of your Blog and coming from somewhere that already has a Goverment-run health scheme, which we call the NHS, I can quite understand your fears as sometimes it seems as though our Goverments cannot even run the simplest of things let alone something as important as someone's health. That said, it is good to see someone who does not just take what is reported to them at face-value and instead is prepared to look behind the story and do their own back-ground research! If more people would only do this then they might be better informed when making important descisions like whom they want in power instead of voting for whomever is the most photogenic! Lets hope Obama can help to make this world a slightly better place, but as a UK citizen I confess to being a tad sceptical. Is he perhaps too good to be true? We remain to see...

Anonymous,  August 3, 2009 at 2:45 AM  

nice post
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plum13sec August 3, 2009 at 2:46 AM  

....Obama.... *sigh*

http://plumworldthoughts.blogspot.com/

*nrw*

Roxx. August 3, 2009 at 3:26 AM  

hey. :) I love your blog. everything about it. the way you aranged everything is great and your posts are great too. I hope that maybe someday you'll visit mine and if you do I hope you'll enjoy it. :)

Ink August 3, 2009 at 5:38 AM  

From France, the US health system, its private insurance, looks dreadful...Just thinking that some people may not be able to receive appropriate treatment because they can't afford it is scary...

Unknown August 3, 2009 at 5:41 AM  
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chris Gooch August 3, 2009 at 6:00 AM  

Obama is not perfect by any means, but genuine health care reform is long overdue and if he fixes the travesty that is in place now, it is a job well done.

Concord Carpenter August 3, 2009 at 6:52 AM  

I'm going to stay out of the politics but wanted to tell you that I enjoy your blog and love the title!

MaryAnn,  August 3, 2009 at 7:20 AM  

Hello, I am new here.

I think Massachusetts already has implemented a healthcare program in which everyone in the state is covered and from what I read in 2008 it is working for the most part. I can't remember all of the details though.

Nice blog. Interesting reading.

Anonymous,  August 3, 2009 at 7:46 AM  

Glad I found your blog, a rational, reasonable voice. And I agree with you whole-heartedly. I believe Obama was and is our best hope for a brighter, more humanitarian tomorrow.

cheryl (clee') August 3, 2009 at 9:06 AM  

Being a Democrat, liberal and Obama supporter, I'm probably coming from the same place you are. I'm not as informed as I should be on the health care issue, but I don't have any health insurance at the moment or even a job that pays enough to buy some on my own...so anything is going to seem like an improvement to me. But, I wish those who don't like Obama would at least give him a chance! It's been barely 6 months since he took office, but some expect him to have already solved all our inherited problems. Geesh! :)

Your blog is great - your "Suitcase" story was the first one I read...and I added a "Shelfari" widget to my blog after I saw yours.

Fredrick Stevens August 3, 2009 at 10:17 AM  

I fear that we will get watered down health care. I want Obama to be strong on this and not give in to the same people that sat on their hands for so long while struggling Americans suffered, and now all of the sudden they act like they care. To hell with them if they don't get on board.

I say cram it down their throats if they try to block or emasculate health care reform. I voted for Obama for a reason, and he better not let me down on this, or he and any other politician can forget about getting my vote next time around. Weak health care reform that is set it to fail will mean that the status quo will be the order of the day.

It's clear that the insurance and drug companies don't give a damn about who they hurt so long as the money keeps rolling in, and it's up to us and our leaders to make them feel the pain. They paranoid nutters can call it what they want, I really don't care anymore. What we have now is unacceptable, and we need to make this happen because it's a matter of right and wrong.

We're right, they're wrong. They need to get on board or step aside.

Wendy August 3, 2009 at 10:27 AM  

Thank you for this. I am Canadian and live in Canada, but my parents are US citizens and I have lived in the States myself, and the health care issue has always bothered me. Our system here isn't perfect--I don't think any system could be--but in the end, I never have to worry about my kids not getting the care they need. It's one thing to believe grown adults should be responsible for their own care, but no child should have to be brought into a world where they have to suffer because their parents can't afford health insurance.

The Bootcut Femme August 3, 2009 at 12:03 PM  

I am new to reading your blog and just wanted to say that I enjoy it.

I'm really excited to hear someone else supportive of changes in US health care. Government run health care works in many other countries, so why not here? :)

-The Chapstick Pezbian

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Anonymous,  August 3, 2009 at 12:37 PM  

You speak the truth, and you speak for the nation.

Thunderroad79 August 3, 2009 at 2:13 PM  

Well articulated. For those who commented in response: Obama is not in control of what happens. We are! We need to pressure our so-called leaders to do the will of the people. However, because of fear, I'm afraid the will of the people does not equal healthcare for everyone. I live in Massachusetts, and our healthcare system is a joke. It is a burden on middle and low-income families as well as on small businesses.

I really don't understand why people are afraid of government run healthcare. Medicare is a highly favored system of care - great example of government run healthcare.

Also, to "Fool" who said he/she does not agree with free healthcare. Who said anything about free? Universal healthcare is the way to go. We use our taxes to pay for military, schools, unemployment, etc...why not healthcare? Why can't those with a lot give a little more to help those without? Really, what is wrong with that?

Danielley August 3, 2009 at 2:46 PM  

I have grown up as a Republican, and I'm still young, only 17, but I find it's really important to know whats going on in the world. This last election my best friend didn't even know who the president candidates were, I knew who they were and what they stood for. Anyway, I sit at home and watch all the different news channels and I read about what's going on and I think that Obama has kind of screwed over my generation, he put this country in so much debt that my generation is going to be broke trying to pay it off. I will continue to try to support Obama but i'm having a hard time hoping for the best when all that has happened has been upsetting on mine and other peoples families.

Entrepreneur Chick August 3, 2009 at 5:31 PM  

I have always said, "If the United States Government was a business, it'd be sunk." I mean, you can not run a business correctly with all that debt (not good debt) and those liabilities; while your assets are lacking horribly. I do not know the answer. It's just too broken, really, to fix. I'd scrap the whole thing and start over.
I had a meeting in April with the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry. He says that "The gridlock in Washington is so bad, you can't get anything done." Republican or democrat, I bet he's right. We've had the fox guarding the hen house for so long, are you really surprised to see feathers everwhere?

Niam Blackwater August 3, 2009 at 7:13 PM  

In my opinion, nothing proves a bit of intelligence as much as acknowledging that your opinion may be false despite how much you feel it to be true. I appreciate what you have to say in your blogs, whether I agree with everything you have to say or not. But, that's kind of the point, isn't it?

The sleep-deprived August 3, 2009 at 7:30 PM  

Personally, I have stopped listening to what the commentators are saying about health care. Occasionally, I'd find a calm well written piece on the web, but I stay way from most party propaganda. It keeps me sane - and hopeful.

Yota Armai August 3, 2009 at 8:07 PM  

Until you have lived without affordable health care, you cannot know how scary and stressful it can be. You ignore minor hurts, and even major ones, because you know that you cannot pay, hoping that your body will heal itself. Until those minor and major hurts add up into something that lands you in the hospital anyway. Now you're in the hospital with what would have been something that would have been easier to treat if you had gone in when you first realized something was wrong instead of two years later. The cost has just skyrocketed because now you need major surgery instead of a simpler less invasive technique to repair the problem. You still can't pay, so you go into debt, and the cost of your care is placed on the public anyway.

Health care is an issue, an important one. The only thing that scares me is the cost of the plan. Our government has been spending money left and right, (both parties) and the problems we face now cannot be blamed on any one person or party, but rather the reactionary nature of politics for the last two decades.

I too hope and dream that politicians could put aside their differences, and the politics and work together. But I won't be surprised if they don't.

I'll step off my soapbox now, thanks.

Demosthenes August 3, 2009 at 9:16 PM  

I wanted to bring up something about medicare because someone said it was a great system. My mom is a doctor and in order to make some extra money she goes and sits at the cancer center in case someone has a heart attack or something goes wrong. Medicare requires this. The cancer center is literally right outside of the hospital. The cancer center is run by medical professionals, even though they may not be md's. They are forced to pay a couple thousand dollars a day to have a doctor sit in their office and read. Medicare has so many stipulations like this that waste tons of money.
This is where reform should exist. There are millions of little regulations that cost.

Another example. If someone from another country comes over illegally they are still eligible for government aid. However, if they become legal by getting their green card, they sign a form that says they will not accept anything from the government.
Thus many illegals do not become legal so they can get government aid. Seems backwards, right?

Hospitals today no longer make profit, more and more often they are ending in the negative. How is this happening when we seem to pay so much?

We have a lot of work to do when it comes to health care.

There will always be tension between money and health.
Because if health care was truly economical, it would not be helping the sick.

Ryan M. Barnett August 3, 2009 at 10:05 PM  

Foundation: Indepdent, voted for Obama, think Bush was the worst thing to happen to this country since ... I cannot even think of something bad enough.

But I am drawn to Jefferson's observation that a government that gives everything can take everything away.

I am not suggesting that universal healthcare is a bad idea. But is it the government's job to take care of each of us from cradle to grave? I drive past the social security office on my way to and from work everyday. I see a lot of people. Many of them applying for disability. Many of them perfectly able to work. It seems we may do too much social coddling in this country these days. It degrades people and offers them alternatives to striving to be what they are capable of being.

It seems to me that we as Americans could use a healthy dose of that idependence that brought us here from Europe. I'll figure out my own religion, healthcare, and retirement. Uncle Sam can take care of the roads and stray dogs. And we all know he isn't even very good at that. So why trust him to anything more important?.

rmbpcola.blogpot.com

Melissa E. August 3, 2009 at 10:52 PM  

I agree with you about the number of uninsured people in the U.S. I am a teacher, and I have seen students suffer from a lack of regular health care. Most of them have some kind of insurance, but the costs are prohibitive and their parents put off treatment. I had a boy who had repeated severe ear infections, but his parents always had to wait until payday to take him to the doctor.

If my students do have health insurance, some of their parents often put off visits because of very high copays. Some of them go to the emergency room for all of their health care. I have heard stories of diabetic parents who can't afford their medicine. A few years back, one of my students told me about her grandmother skipping blood pressure and heart medication because she had to choose between copays and rent. Her grandmother died of a heart attack not long after that.

I hate the gridlock in Washington. I wish they could lock the lobbyists in a closet and make decisions based on what the American people want. And I read somewhere that 70% of Americans want health care reform. I do support what Obama is trying to do; some sort of change is absolutely essential.

the force of nature August 3, 2009 at 11:07 PM  

I have bipolar disorder and if I didn't have health insurance I dont know what I'd do

Italo August 4, 2009 at 8:28 AM  

KIM, first of all: the photo is perfect! I like Paris!
FOr the 3/50 project interesting!
I read you for the first time and I will follow you with pleasure. Have a nice day, Italo.

Michelle Cramer August 4, 2009 at 2:12 PM  

The insurance policy is something I have been following with great interest. While the idea of providing everyone with medical coverage is a great idea, I don't think their current plan is going to succeed. I think it's going to generate even more problems and debt that the taxpayers will have to pay for. I applaud the effort, but I don't support the current plan.

Just a comment on the policy: those who don't have any insurance after the passing of this bill, including those who don't have the gov. insurance will be taxed/fined (which ever word you prefer) an additional 2.5% on their medical charges.

I do agree that the politics of it should be left at the door when it comes to designing a plan to help the American people have better coverage. When politics are involved, unfortunately things aren't always for the best of the people they represent.

Svetlana August 4, 2009 at 3:29 PM  

I just got a blog myself, and yours is the first one I read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Loved the 3/50 idea.

Here is what I can tell you about healthcare. First, the disclosure: I am not a liberal, not a Democrat, but I did vote for Obama. I am originally from Russia, and I instinctively keep away from anything that moves us closer to socialism and communism. I am also married to a physician. And he feels the same way as I do - that comprehensive health care is a necessity and inevitablity in this country. He is also convinced that the way it is going to be implemented is going to be screwed up, and that the majority of people will have much harder access to much more limited service. There are ways to do it right, but so far Obama has not revealed that he is aware of them or interested in following them. Doing it the right way would include standing up to three of the most influential lobbies in this country: lawyers, insurance and big pharma. Obama is clearly not inclined to face it off with them.

The solution to curb health care cost is 1) cap malpractice lawyers awards (the lawyer didn't get hurt by doctors, so why is he or she remunerated with millions of dollars in case of an award to the patient? My husband does not get paid a million bucks if he saves someone's life - he has a set fee for his services, and I think lawyers should be happy with that, too). Malpractice awards alone are responsible for as much as 25% of the healthcare costs (have you heard of "defensive healthcare" that every physician practices?). Yet Obama would not touch the lawyers. Natuarlly, being a lawyer himself, and having that group as his major contributors, he protects this special interests group at the expense of all of us. Sad! 2) Another big ticket item and a source of unnecessary spending are some popular "myths" which the big pharma along with some medical professionals perpetuate, like that you always have to treat high cholesterol (in many case that is a goal in itself - it does not hurt or help anythhing, except it does help the pharmaceutical companies make billions on people who think they would automatically have a heart attack without their cholesterol pill), or osteoporosis (which in most countries is not recognized as a medically treatable disease - simply as an age-related change in your body, similar to wrinkle lines or grey hair; again, contrary to the popular belief intilled in us by the pharma industry, your bones are not going to shatter if you don't take your osteoporosis pill).

In other words, this reform can be done right and wrong. And even though I agree that we need the reform, I have every indication that it is going to be done wrong. Also, think of this: when they say 50 mln uninsured Americans, they include all illegal immigrants in that number. Is it fair to increase our taxes so that we could cover healthcare for every illegal alien? Imagine how many illegall immigrants we will have in 10 years once the word gets out the the US is also providing healthcare for free!!! And finally, there is already a dire shortage of primary care physicians serving the insured population right now. Add 50 more million people to the pool overnight - how far out do you think you will have to schedule an appointment with your internist? Just a thought..

I have a former classmate living in Alberta, Canada. In March she complained to me that she made an appointment to see her Ob/Gyn for a problem she was having (not a routine check-up) - and was put on the schedule in November.

Our friend's Mom just recently died in Canada of cancer which they neglected to diagnose by misreading her tests, and postponing further testing. Her children who live in the US and were always bragging to us here how great the free Canadian health care was (that is until they needed it), were utterly disgusted with the care their Mom was getting there.

Ok, sorry for the long post.

37paddington August 4, 2009 at 3:31 PM  

Thank you so much for this thoughtful post. Yes, we must do something. So many of us think we are covered by our health insurance and would discover if we got really ill how scant our protection really is. I'm new to your blog and am loving it! I've linked you on my blog roll. Stop by sometime. And I also love your literature choices!

Jenny Schick August 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM  

Well said, Kim. I don't support most things that Obama stands for because they are in direct opposition of my Evangelical Christian faith. However, I agree that we need to suggest a health care alternative if we have one. I wish I had an answer to the issues at hand, I just don't have enough accurate information to know what's really going on in regards to health care. Do any of us really? Who should we be listening to? Where should we be getting our facts?

The Gay Avenger August 5, 2009 at 10:20 AM  

I really hate our health care system. We live in a place that has the best health care in the world, and the worst system of paying for it. People are afraid of socialized health care, because it leaves a communist taste in their mouths, when in reality, most of the western world has socialized health care, and thier democracies are not crumbling to the ground. As a server, I have not seen a doctor in years. Not because I'm afraid of em, but because I can't afford to pay for it. The initial visit is cheap enough, but God forbid they find something wrong with me. It'll put me in the poorhouse. So why spend the money to go see a doctor, when I won't be able to afford the treatments of whatever he/she finds wrong with me.

Michael August 5, 2009 at 1:42 PM  

Well al I can tell you is I would never want to go back to National Health I had in England and what I see my family suffer along with--the "Free" healthcare that after tha taxes for it is considered, costs twice as much as mine and is completely rubbish. Most ailment don;t even get taken care of.

Michael August 5, 2009 at 2:10 PM  

"I say cram it down their throats if they try to block or emasculate health care reform"
--that comment's attitude is exactly what people fear--that is the opposite of democracy.

Joi August 5, 2009 at 2:58 PM  

Enjoyed reading this post. You expressed exactly what has frustrated me the most about this process.

Ryan M. Barnett August 5, 2009 at 5:53 PM  

"Cram it down your throat" is going to be the way health care, and many other social programs will be delivered in the coming years. No longer a nation of individuals - we are on our way to being the United States of France. Which is fine if you want to be French.

My fellow Americans - be American! Be innovative! Be hardnosed! Quit asking your government to take care of you!

Independent voter.

rmbpcola.blogspot.com

koipsu August 5, 2009 at 6:26 PM  

I feel the government is the most inefficient thing ever to come about in this world. Health is something that the government should keep its nose out of, lest they wish to have a nation of people who are afraid of the doctors office for the buerocracy(I do not think I spelled that right) of Washington. Healthcare reform shoudn't be forced down the throats of Americans who are satisfied with what they have. If Americans want it, American should get it. Otherwise Congress should stay out of a system that works for the people that have it. I am uninsured and haven't had a serious need for the doctor in years. If America stayed healthy simply by being careful about crossing the street and what they eat, this would not be an issue. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

koipsu August 5, 2009 at 6:27 PM  

By the way, congratulations on Blog of Note. Keep up the good work :)

THE UNIVERSAL SOUL August 5, 2009 at 11:42 PM  

In theory, "free" healthcare, "universal" healthcare, whatever you'd like to call it, is a wonderful, idealistic notion. But in reality, it can't be done. What do you do when 50 million more people have healthcare, but there aren't anymore more doctors and facilities to accommodate them? What do you do when the government has to cut cost, care, and programs to "afford" it in the future? What will we tell the elderly? Perfecting society can't be done because it's an imperfect world. It can’t be done now because we’ve got no money, as the CBO explained. We have to work with what we've got. We have to find a new solution.

http://independentlystrong.blogspot.com/

N August 6, 2009 at 10:15 AM  

I love this blog post! I'm a Canadian and watching the debate regarding health care in the US has been fascinating. Thank you for your post, it's extremely well written and I'll definitely be following you in the posts to come!

J Houx August 6, 2009 at 6:12 PM  

very well written. i hope for a better system too - for everyone.

C-Train August 7, 2009 at 6:50 PM  

im a single 35 yr old Dad going back to school fulltime and i lost my insurance when I left my job for school..im having a hard time find affordable Healthcare...its a lil nervous for me.

http://c-trainlordoftheringsdepot.blogspot.com/

Last Chance Doctrine August 8, 2009 at 4:08 PM  

Very well said. It is frustrating to see the debate on both sides of the aisle. Too many special interests picking apart what should be a proud moment in American history, but this step to reform is so important, not just to the uninsured but to every American citizen. Call your representatives and senators let them know that you support Health Care reform.

Migrant Soul August 8, 2009 at 9:22 PM  

Thank you for your well articulated essay on health care. It is an issue that I care about very deeply as one of the 47 millions without it. I hope that we can win this time.

My Seven Days August 9, 2009 at 10:52 AM  

Great post, well written. I agree and appreciated many points you made.I am a Republican, conservative, and believe the government is there to guide businesses, not take them over. I do not have the confidence in either party to resolve an issue on healthcare when the direction increases the power of government over the people, instead of empowering the citizens. Something does need to change. I am frustrated with news media and found your post while I was searching for someone who is searching for the truth behind the headlines and talking points. I want all the facts of the story separated from perspective and opinion. I know I am wishing for the impossible, too, but seeing posts like this give me hope we, the American people, can share the truth behind the headlines as we find them.

California Girl August 9, 2009 at 8:25 PM  

Well written and I agree. I don't know if this plan is the one we want but we want something.

interested to know who you work for, what medium you're selling. I sold radio advertising for 28 years until I went into niche tv sales and I am so much happier.

Where in NC?

workofheart August 9, 2009 at 11:03 PM  

Just started my blog and am feeling a little insecure after seeing/reading yours. Wow! Add to that the fact that som much of what you say rings true. I am a high school principal and aspiring writer; my blog is called "After the Bell: Chronicles of a High School Principal." I can only hope that in time, I can turn my "plain wrap" blog into something even remotely like yours.

http://afterthebell-chronicles.blogspot.com

truereality August 10, 2009 at 2:58 AM  

I agree something should be done. Whatever the solution is, I feel frivolous lawsuits need to be checked as well.They have a direct impact on rising costs too. I do not care how much Pharma makes. The R & D is necessary and it isn't cheap. Millions are expended on one drug alone to get it to market. Presently, those are millions the government does not have to spend. When the gov takes over, that's more cost going to the deficit. I have worked in healthcare and it amazes me how some intellectuals blame the insurance companies for their lack of coverage. The employers choose the benefits, and it is to benefit the group as a whole. It's the same prnciple when we go national. I fear, the coverage will not be great, quality of services will be lacking.

Ryan M. Barnett August 10, 2009 at 1:46 PM  

True reality - you mentioned the cost of medical malpractice litigation. Have you had a chance to review any data on this issue?

OneRyt August 10, 2009 at 3:27 PM  

Now that there's been this many comments on your post, I doubt that I'll be getting much of a read from you, but I agree with you, people are getting out of hand pointing fingers at the government.

I think the idea that the government cannot be trusted with ethical decisions has been floating around a lot, and that scares me to think that people have been duped into believing they can't trust their government, when it is the creeping corporate interests that sleep in Congress' pockets that cause the major unethical challenges we face.

Do me a favor sir, and read my latest posted blog regarding this and other topics in one.

Thanks :)

http://oneryt.blogspot.com

Ryan M. Barnett August 10, 2009 at 3:49 PM  

OneRyt,

You will never hear me claim that corporations can be trusted anymore than big government! I don't take big issue with moderate regulation. I do take issue with corporate and personal welfare, taxation to death, and increasing failure to be personally accountable.

D.S. Williams August 11, 2009 at 10:36 PM  

Myself a progressive, I go against the grain of others like me and not shoot for single payer - something that I know we aren't even close to being ready for. I guess the public option is the next best thing, and I work IN health care. Nothing is perfect. Certainly not Medicare. But it is something that does work in a lot of ways. Over 40 years ago congress put that program together facing opposition not unlike what we have today. Except we didn't have a black president. We'll see what time and effort will give us this time around.

My Seven Days August 12, 2009 at 4:02 PM  

Can we stop the 'black' comments, even from our President. As you said, Medicare hit resistance back in the day. This is about the issue of a change in health care reform and which direction it will go. It has nothing, not a thing, to do with us having a 'black' president.

Anonymous,  August 13, 2009 at 10:57 AM  

I've had insurance through my employer for me and my two children that cost $800 a month...I only made that much a month so I had to take on another job to pay the other bills (my husband worked too). Then the company switch insurance companies a lot and it always cost. I worked so much I only saw my kids at breakfast and after they were asleep. I made too much to qualify for help at the time and too little to survive and still had co pays and had to pay for perscriptions... I visited family in Canada and had to go to the doctors there...an appointment only cost $50 there verses going to a doctor here and my perscription there was cheaper than ones I had gotten at home...So I'm back in school in a different state than where I had worked and on Help now. Thank God I am on help now...an issue my daughter had for 5 years is finally being taking care of instead of take this pill or that pill the proper test were done. Why can't they come up with a plan that is similar to the assistance they give now (medicaid/medicare)? I'm not very politcal...but I've been without insurance because I couldn't afford it, I've paid out the nose for it when I didn't have the money, I have medical bills from what the insurance company didn't want to pay (my son fell when playing with his friends and broke his arm...insurance didn't want to cover it), and I've been on help which I am super greatful for. The state which I am living now has a plan which I will use when I no longer qualify for help...they rate how much you pay on your income. So if the country can do some good things with help for those who cannot afford it why can't there be a plan like that for everyone? I know I'm looking at the bright side...but wouldn't it be better if the outstanding bills from patients who can't afford them weren't happening and lawsuits were reason and more practical, and everyone could see a doctor to do preventative measures verses only going to the doctor when it was a major issue. Is there a happy medium out there for everyone? I truly hope we can find a happy medium.

Cheri Pryor August 15, 2009 at 4:39 PM  

Look at all this debate on your little 'ol blog. *sniff* You have really grown up. lol!!

I'm holding my breath on health care reform. It could either help me with my husband's on-going issues or seriously financially crush us. I agree it's broke. I agree it needs to be fixed. But there is a reason that I work for the company that controls the power grid for the state of CA and NOT sitting on capital hill debating this crap that gives me a complete headache from all the circles they dance around with issues like this.

California Girl August 16, 2009 at 12:32 PM  

I just posted a piece that took 3 days to write. It's about the anger in America, ostensibly directed towards the govt's attempt at health care reform which I know goes deeper than that.

If you can, please read at: http://womenofcertainage.blogspot.com/2009/08/anger-and-angst-in-america.html

Acloudlessday.blogspot.com August 16, 2009 at 3:26 PM  

hmmm...It seems to work better then Bush's plans, but we will see I suppose.

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