Full Version: Health Care Fight
Public Is Confused About Health Care Debate
By RAGHAVAN MAYUR
Posted 7/17/2009 4:20 PM PT
Runaway Train To Less Freedom, Higher Taxes And Rationed Care
By MICHAEL O. LEAVITT
Posted 7/17/2009 4:20 PM PT
Dems Push Public Health Plan, But Would They Let One Fail?
By DAVID HOGBERG
INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Posted 7/17/2009 4:30 PM PT
Inside The Bureaucracy Obama Envisions
By MICHELLE MALKIN
Posted 7/17/2009 4:20 PM PT
Obama: No Deficit Increases
When you walk down a hospital hallway and see the men and women in suits reading the medical files; do you think they are doctors?
According to doctors I have, when myself or my children are in the hospital they explained to me; no they are not doctors... they are insurance carriers who approve or don't approve for payment or coverage what your doctor is doing.
One doctor for my youngest once told me if my child was still ill enough to stay in the hospital she would have to say she was sick to her stomach as that was the only way they could keep her after mastoid and reconstruction on her ear surgery.
According to doctors I have, when myself or my children are in the hospital they explained to me; no they are not doctors... they are insurance carriers who approve or don't approve for payment or coverage what your doctor is doing.
One doctor for my youngest once told me if my child was still ill enough to stay in the hospital she would have to say she was sick to her stomach as that was the only way they could keep her after mastoid and reconstruction on her ear surgery.
Obama Wagers It All On Pelosicare
Joe Weisenthal|Jul. 20, 2009, 1:35 PM|
11 Climate and stimulus are a snooze compared to this fight.Read »
Health Care Reform is Going to Happen - Rep. Nancy Pelosi, USA Today
Trust Politicians to Control Our Medical Care? - John Stossel, ABC News
Conservative Dems, Not GOP, Obama's Real Obstacle - Mike Madden, Salon
Health Care's Sensible Center - Michael Gerson, Washington Post
Lessons From TennCare's Disaster - Reps. Blackburn & Roe, RealClearPolitics
Trust Politicians to Control Our Medical Care? - John Stossel, ABC News
Conservative Dems, Not GOP, Obama's Real Obstacle - Mike Madden, Salon
Health Care's Sensible Center - Michael Gerson, Washington Post
Lessons From TennCare's Disaster - Reps. Blackburn & Roe, RealClearPolitics
Obama Heads Toward a Showdown on Health Care - David Gergen, CNN
The President's Health Care Plan is Collapsing - Bill O'Reilly, FOX News
Why Does Obama Keep Siding with His Party's Left? - Clive Crook, Atlantic
Do We Live in a No-Can-Do America? - Harold Meyerson, Washington Post
Federal Government Shouldn't Ration Health Care - Scott Atlas, Forbes
How Health Reform Helps Americans - Reps. Dingell & Levin, Detroit News
The President's Health Care Plan is Collapsing - Bill O'Reilly, FOX News
Why Does Obama Keep Siding with His Party's Left? - Clive Crook, Atlantic
Do We Live in a No-Can-Do America? - Harold Meyerson, Washington Post
Federal Government Shouldn't Ration Health Care - Scott Atlas, Forbes
How Health Reform Helps Americans - Reps. Dingell & Levin, Detroit News
Gloomy Days for Obama's Health Plan - Michael Barone, DC Examiner
Surprise! Health Reform is Hard - E.J. Dionne, Washington Post
At Big Moment, President Obama Goes Small - Ben Smith, Politico
ObamaCare in Trouble With The Public - Karl Rove, Wall Street Journal
House Dems' Proposal is the Best So Far - Marie Cocco, Indianapolis Star
Health Care Mythology - Clifford Asness, StumblingOnTruth.com
Surprise! Health Reform is Hard - E.J. Dionne, Washington Post
At Big Moment, President Obama Goes Small - Ben Smith, Politico
ObamaCare in Trouble With The Public - Karl Rove, Wall Street Journal
House Dems' Proposal is the Best So Far - Marie Cocco, Indianapolis Star
Health Care Mythology - Clifford Asness, StumblingOnTruth.com
Taxation and Health Care Reform - Ron Chusid, Liberal Values
Obama at Waterloo - Erick Erickson, RedState
Reconciliation Not So Easy - Rich Lowry, The Corner
Compromised Bill Won't Reduce Costs - Ian Welsh, Open Left
Obama's Optimal Strategy - Noam Scheiber, The Stash
Obama at Waterloo - Erick Erickson, RedState
Reconciliation Not So Easy - Rich Lowry, The Corner
Compromised Bill Won't Reduce Costs - Ian Welsh, Open Left
Obama's Optimal Strategy - Noam Scheiber, The Stash
Dear Friend,
Last night, President Obama addressed the nation in a primetime press conference about health insurance reform.
The President made crystal clear what's at stake in this debate: the fiscal well-being of our nation and the health of our families and small businesses.
In case you missed it, take a look at what he had to say:
Truth be told — with each passing day, more and more Americans are unable to get the health care they need, when they need it. Skyrocketing co-pays and deductibles and soaring insurance premiums are crushing our family budgets and small businesses. Unless we act now, these problems are guaranteed to get worse and worse.
Under reform, American families will get the stability and security they deserve. They'll no longer have to fear losing health care coverage if they lose or switch jobs, going bankrupt if they become seriously ill, or being denied coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition. Reform will ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable insurance.
We all have a stake in this and for the 14,000 Americans who are losing their health insurance each day — reform can't wait.
Make sure everyone you know understands the importance and urgency of health insurance reform: Watch the President's remarks and forward this email to your friends and family.
Thank you,
David Axelrod
P.S. Health insurance reform is a complex issue and many of you have questions about what it means for you and your family. To help get you the answers you need, White House Health Reform Director, Nancy-Ann DeParle, is holding a live video chat through Facebook and WhiteHouse.gov. Join the chat today at 3pm ET.
Last night, President Obama addressed the nation in a primetime press conference about health insurance reform.
The President made crystal clear what's at stake in this debate: the fiscal well-being of our nation and the health of our families and small businesses.
In case you missed it, take a look at what he had to say:
Truth be told — with each passing day, more and more Americans are unable to get the health care they need, when they need it. Skyrocketing co-pays and deductibles and soaring insurance premiums are crushing our family budgets and small businesses. Unless we act now, these problems are guaranteed to get worse and worse.
Under reform, American families will get the stability and security they deserve. They'll no longer have to fear losing health care coverage if they lose or switch jobs, going bankrupt if they become seriously ill, or being denied coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition. Reform will ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable insurance.
We all have a stake in this and for the 14,000 Americans who are losing their health insurance each day — reform can't wait.
Make sure everyone you know understands the importance and urgency of health insurance reform: Watch the President's remarks and forward this email to your friends and family.
Thank you,
David Axelrod
P.S. Health insurance reform is a complex issue and many of you have questions about what it means for you and your family. To help get you the answers you need, White House Health Reform Director, Nancy-Ann DeParle, is holding a live video chat through Facebook and WhiteHouse.gov. Join the chat today at 3pm ET.
Take Two Aspirin And Call Me When Your Cancer is Stage 4 by Ann CoulterThe reason seeing a doctor is already more like going to the DMV, and less like going to the Apple "Genius Bar," is that ...
Health Commissioner Would Answer Only to Obama, Otherwise Uncheckedby Connie HairObama's Heath Choices Commissioner would decide what treatments you could receive.
Health Commissioner Would Answer Only to Obama, Otherwise Uncheckedby Connie HairObama's Heath Choices Commissioner would decide what treatments you could receive.
Our Prom King Presidentby Gary BauerA president's personal popularity counts only until people's lives are affected by his policies.
Desperation Does Not Become Himby A.W.R. HawkinsObama's Health Care plan is in trouble, and so is he.
Desperation Does Not Become Himby A.W.R. HawkinsObama's Health Care plan is in trouble, and so is he.
Limbaugh's Lies Sabotage the Health Reform Debate
Sue Wilson, AlterNet
Media and Technology: In conservative states, right-wing talk show hosts are spreading lies about reform. No wonder Blue Dog Dems are blocking health care overhaul.
How the Ultra-Rich Are Trying to Kill Health Reform
David Sirota, Creators Syndicate
Health and Wellness: The wealthiest 1-percent have deployed an army to destroy an initiative that would tax the super rich to help pay for health care.
UPDATED: Right-Wing Pundits Lying Their Asses Off About Health Reform
Post by Joshua Holland
Video: Actually pretty shocking. More »
Hard Selling Healthcare
President O says the small businesses are paying more than big businesses for health care and that's another reason to line up for government health care.
---
The whole problem in health care (and one of the reasons for what are cited as high costs) is that healthcare is worse than the auto industry when it comes to pricing. Everyone gets a different rate.
Don't know why, but going back into memory, seemed to me that there used to be laws that required equal products with equal delivery times, had to be priced the same for all customers and that to do otherwise was a violation of (bad memory here, again) anti-trust laws.
But, obviously, since the insurance industry has more money than God to lobby, the fed's who could go after the smorgasbord of pricing (which seeks to get as much blood from each of us turnips as possible without regard to the discrimination involved), namely the US attorneys, all seem to get canned when they actually might provide the intended independent check & balance on corruption.
I have some first-hand experience in this from when I had my appendix out in Burbank in 2005. The 'rack rate' for my appendectomy was $17,000 (including the $10 Tylenol capsules, LOL) but when the big health care provider mess was straightened out, BC/BS paid around $7,200. If I hadn't had insurance, the involuntary sex act with my wallet would have been $10-large more. Which is (pardon this) bullshit.
I'm shopping health care again now, and seems even if the premiums don't buy me anything (I'm looking for a $5,000 deductible) the whole thing I'm really paying for is getting contract rates which are lower than man-off-the-street rates.
My bottom line: Big insurance outfits are not getting screwed. It's the guys like me that the hospitals try to stick rack rates to in order to subsidize freebies...and that's just wrong.
George's simple solution? No healthcare rate differentials allowed! Do away with this three-card Monte pricing crap and if people come in who can't/won't pay? Send the bill to Washington which mandated free medical care for illegals and such. Don't want anyone to die, but I do want congress to understand that bad policy on the border comes associated with a cost and it shouldn't land on Main street's back.
Congress has gotten into a horrible habit of mandating all kinds of programs to the States and then not providing funding. Under the Constitution, equal protection seems to mean that an emergency operation (mine was a burst appendix) should be done at the same rate for everyone. Anything else is crooked and I reject as BS the healthcare industry claims that they should get a discount because they will 'buy x appendectomies' this year. That's a function of demographics and health of a general population. They're not putting appendectomies on a shelf if the backroom till need, you know!
That actuaries and accountants are negotiating such nonsense (and not for free) is one reason healthcare is so damn bloated and expensive. Single rates to all comers - why that would take the bloom of the insurance profits, wouldn't it? Golly, then who'd pay for all that lobbying? That alone could collapse the hoteliers and restaurants in the District. Can't have that happening...Nossir.
Our other reader made an interesting note recently: "You know who does the best healthcare bang for the buck? The V.A...." Got a point: No rate games, hence no herds of negotiators, accountants, and actuaries and other leaches to support. Just doctors and other service deliverers.
Oh-oh...that would up the unemployment rate for accountants, actuaries, negotiators, and lobbyists plus the hotel & server types, though...so you see how this is a policy box of some dimension...
Meantime, House talks on healthcare break down in anger. Quick, look surprised.
President O says the small businesses are paying more than big businesses for health care and that's another reason to line up for government health care.
---
The whole problem in health care (and one of the reasons for what are cited as high costs) is that healthcare is worse than the auto industry when it comes to pricing. Everyone gets a different rate.
Don't know why, but going back into memory, seemed to me that there used to be laws that required equal products with equal delivery times, had to be priced the same for all customers and that to do otherwise was a violation of (bad memory here, again) anti-trust laws.
But, obviously, since the insurance industry has more money than God to lobby, the fed's who could go after the smorgasbord of pricing (which seeks to get as much blood from each of us turnips as possible without regard to the discrimination involved), namely the US attorneys, all seem to get canned when they actually might provide the intended independent check & balance on corruption.
I have some first-hand experience in this from when I had my appendix out in Burbank in 2005. The 'rack rate' for my appendectomy was $17,000 (including the $10 Tylenol capsules, LOL) but when the big health care provider mess was straightened out, BC/BS paid around $7,200. If I hadn't had insurance, the involuntary sex act with my wallet would have been $10-large more. Which is (pardon this) bullshit.
I'm shopping health care again now, and seems even if the premiums don't buy me anything (I'm looking for a $5,000 deductible) the whole thing I'm really paying for is getting contract rates which are lower than man-off-the-street rates.
My bottom line: Big insurance outfits are not getting screwed. It's the guys like me that the hospitals try to stick rack rates to in order to subsidize freebies...and that's just wrong.
George's simple solution? No healthcare rate differentials allowed! Do away with this three-card Monte pricing crap and if people come in who can't/won't pay? Send the bill to Washington which mandated free medical care for illegals and such. Don't want anyone to die, but I do want congress to understand that bad policy on the border comes associated with a cost and it shouldn't land on Main street's back.
Congress has gotten into a horrible habit of mandating all kinds of programs to the States and then not providing funding. Under the Constitution, equal protection seems to mean that an emergency operation (mine was a burst appendix) should be done at the same rate for everyone. Anything else is crooked and I reject as BS the healthcare industry claims that they should get a discount because they will 'buy x appendectomies' this year. That's a function of demographics and health of a general population. They're not putting appendectomies on a shelf if the backroom till need, you know!
That actuaries and accountants are negotiating such nonsense (and not for free) is one reason healthcare is so damn bloated and expensive. Single rates to all comers - why that would take the bloom of the insurance profits, wouldn't it? Golly, then who'd pay for all that lobbying? That alone could collapse the hoteliers and restaurants in the District. Can't have that happening...Nossir.
Our other reader made an interesting note recently: "You know who does the best healthcare bang for the buck? The V.A...." Got a point: No rate games, hence no herds of negotiators, accountants, and actuaries and other leaches to support. Just doctors and other service deliverers.
Oh-oh...that would up the unemployment rate for accountants, actuaries, negotiators, and lobbyists plus the hotel & server types, though...so you see how this is a policy box of some dimension...
Meantime, House talks on healthcare break down in anger. Quick, look surprised.
Here is the link to the full Health Care bill that sits in the House so you can read it for yourself: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/ge...d=f:h3200ih.pdf
For those who won't read it, or put their complete trust in Uncle Sugar to always do the right thing, here are some snippets for your consideration: Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Government will audit books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!!
Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatment/benefits you get
Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill - YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!
Pg 42 of HC Bill - The (as yet unnamed) "Health Choices Commissioner" will choose your Health Care benefits for you. You have no choice!
PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill - HC will be provided to ALL non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise
Pg 58HC Bill - Govt will have real-time access to individuals' finances & a National ID Healthcard will be issued!
Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts (ostensibly for electronic funds transfer)
PG 65 Sec 164 is a "payoff subsidized plan" for retirees and their families in Unions & community orgs (ACORN?).
Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating a Health Care Exchange to bring private HC plans under Govt control.
PG 84 Sec 203 HC bill - Govt mandates ALL benefit pkgs for private HC plans in the Exchange
PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specifies Benefit Levels for Plans = The Govt will ration your Healthcare!
PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Govt mandates "linguistic appropriate services." Example - Translation for illegal aliens
Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Govt will use groups such as ACORN & AmeriCorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan
PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Benefit Levels for Plans. AARP members - Your Health care WILL be rationed
-PG 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice
pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt Monopoly
pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/AMA - The Govt will tell you what you can make.
Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into public option plan. NO CHOICE
Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for HC for part-time employees AND their families.
Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer with a payroll of $400K & above who does not provide public option pays 8% tax on all payroll
pg 150 Lines 9-13 Businesses with payroll between $251K & $400K who don't provide public option pay 2-6% tax on all payroll
Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesn't have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income
Pg 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay)
Pg 195 HC Bill -officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans' financial/personal records
PG 203 Line 14-15 HC - "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" Yes, it says that
Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected
Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors: doesn't matter what specialty you have, you'll all be paid the same
PG 253 Line 10-18 Govt sets value of Dr's time, prof judg, etc. Literally, value of humans.
PG 265 Sec 1131 Govt mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries
PG 268 Sec 1141 Fed Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs
PG 272 SEC. 1145. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!
Page 280 Sec 1151 The Govt will penalize hospitals for what Govt deems "preventable readmissions."
Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Drs, treat a patient during initial admission that results in a readmission, the Govt will penalize you.
Pg 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own.
Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand
pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input required. (Can you say ACORN?!!)
Pg 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Govt mandates establishment of outcome based measures. HC the way they want it. (Can you say rationing?)
Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Adv Plans, HMOs, etc. Seems to be forcing people into Govt plan
Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs people! WTF! (What happened to "no preconditions?") Pg 379 Sec 1191 Govt creates another bureaucracy: the "Telehealth Advisory Committee." (Can you say HC by phone?)
PG 425 Lines 4-12 Govt mandates Advance Care Planning Consult. Think Senior Citizens end of life
Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Govt will instruct & consult regarding living wills, durable powers of atty. Mandatory!
PG 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Govt provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in death
PG 427 Lines 15-24 Govt mandates program for orders for end of life. The Govt has a say in how your life ends
Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An "adv. care planning consult" will be used frequently as patients health deteriorates
PG 429 Lines 10-12 "adv. care consultation" may include an ORDER for end of life plans. (An ORDER from GOV!)
Pg 429 Lines 13-25 - The govt will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order.
PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life
Pg 469 - Community Based Home Medical Services=Non profit orgs. (Hello, ACORN Medical Svcs here!!?)
Page 472 Lines 14-17 PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG. 1 monthly payment to a community-based org. (Like ACORN?)
PG 489 Sec 1308 The Govt will cover Marriage & Family therapy. This means they will insert Govt into your marriage
Pg 494-498 Govt will cover Mental Health Svcs including defining, creating, rationing those svcs There are 600 more pages to go!!! I certainly hope it gets better!
For those who won't read it, or put their complete trust in Uncle Sugar to always do the right thing, here are some snippets for your consideration: Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Government will audit books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!!
Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatment/benefits you get
Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill - YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!
Pg 42 of HC Bill - The (as yet unnamed) "Health Choices Commissioner" will choose your Health Care benefits for you. You have no choice!
PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill - HC will be provided to ALL non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise
Pg 58HC Bill - Govt will have real-time access to individuals' finances & a National ID Healthcard will be issued!
Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts (ostensibly for electronic funds transfer)
PG 65 Sec 164 is a "payoff subsidized plan" for retirees and their families in Unions & community orgs (ACORN?).
Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating a Health Care Exchange to bring private HC plans under Govt control.
PG 84 Sec 203 HC bill - Govt mandates ALL benefit pkgs for private HC plans in the Exchange
PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specifies Benefit Levels for Plans = The Govt will ration your Healthcare!
PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Govt mandates "linguistic appropriate services." Example - Translation for illegal aliens
Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Govt will use groups such as ACORN & AmeriCorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan
PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Benefit Levels for Plans. AARP members - Your Health care WILL be rationed
-PG 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice
pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt Monopoly
pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/AMA - The Govt will tell you what you can make.
Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into public option plan. NO CHOICE
Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for HC for part-time employees AND their families.
Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer with a payroll of $400K & above who does not provide public option pays 8% tax on all payroll
pg 150 Lines 9-13 Businesses with payroll between $251K & $400K who don't provide public option pay 2-6% tax on all payroll
Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesn't have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income
Pg 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay)
Pg 195 HC Bill -officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans' financial/personal records
PG 203 Line 14-15 HC - "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" Yes, it says that
Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected
Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors: doesn't matter what specialty you have, you'll all be paid the same
PG 253 Line 10-18 Govt sets value of Dr's time, prof judg, etc. Literally, value of humans.
PG 265 Sec 1131 Govt mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries
PG 268 Sec 1141 Fed Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs
PG 272 SEC. 1145. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!
Page 280 Sec 1151 The Govt will penalize hospitals for what Govt deems "preventable readmissions."
Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Drs, treat a patient during initial admission that results in a readmission, the Govt will penalize you.
Pg 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own.
Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand
pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input required. (Can you say ACORN?!!)
Pg 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Govt mandates establishment of outcome based measures. HC the way they want it. (Can you say rationing?)
Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Adv Plans, HMOs, etc. Seems to be forcing people into Govt plan
Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs people! WTF! (What happened to "no preconditions?") Pg 379 Sec 1191 Govt creates another bureaucracy: the "Telehealth Advisory Committee." (Can you say HC by phone?)
PG 425 Lines 4-12 Govt mandates Advance Care Planning Consult. Think Senior Citizens end of life
Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Govt will instruct & consult regarding living wills, durable powers of atty. Mandatory!
PG 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Govt provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in death
PG 427 Lines 15-24 Govt mandates program for orders for end of life. The Govt has a say in how your life ends
Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An "adv. care planning consult" will be used frequently as patients health deteriorates
PG 429 Lines 10-12 "adv. care consultation" may include an ORDER for end of life plans. (An ORDER from GOV!)
Pg 429 Lines 13-25 - The govt will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order.
PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life
Pg 469 - Community Based Home Medical Services=Non profit orgs. (Hello, ACORN Medical Svcs here!!?)
Page 472 Lines 14-17 PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG. 1 monthly payment to a community-based org. (Like ACORN?)
PG 489 Sec 1308 The Govt will cover Marriage & Family therapy. This means they will insert Govt into your marriage
Pg 494-498 Govt will cover Mental Health Svcs including defining, creating, rationing those svcs There are 600 more pages to go!!! I certainly hope it gets better!
Partisan or Not, a Tough Course on Health Care
of Republicans or struggling to rally his party to get the job done.
of Republicans or struggling to rally his party to get the job done.
assing health care reform will save you money. Not passing it will save millionaires money. Will your Representative choose the millionaires or you?
The health care reform bill being voted on in the House this week will save you an average of $2,200 per year.1 This bill says those who make more than a quarter of a million dollars a year should help pay for reform by rolling back Bush's tax cuts for the rich.2
This bill should be voted on in the next few days. Click here to write a letter to your Representative and urge them to pass historic health reform so you can save money.
One of the excuses some Members of Congress are using to avoid voting for this health reform bill is that this bill raises taxes on small business. They couldn't be more wrong.
According to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxes, 96% of small businesses would not be affected by rolling back Bush's tax cuts, and this bill would in fact lower these businesses' health care costs.3
That's why small business owners all across America are supporting this bill.
Click here to email your Representative and urge them to pass this bill, because your health care is important enough to ask the wealthy to pay a bit more.
This bill guarantees us quality, affordable health care. It will cover the uninsured and lower the costs for those of us who have insurance. Let's pass this bill, so we can all have quality, affordable health care.
To your health,
Levana Layendecker
Health Care for America Now
The health care reform bill being voted on in the House this week will save you an average of $2,200 per year.1 This bill says those who make more than a quarter of a million dollars a year should help pay for reform by rolling back Bush's tax cuts for the rich.2
This bill should be voted on in the next few days. Click here to write a letter to your Representative and urge them to pass historic health reform so you can save money.
One of the excuses some Members of Congress are using to avoid voting for this health reform bill is that this bill raises taxes on small business. They couldn't be more wrong.
According to the non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxes, 96% of small businesses would not be affected by rolling back Bush's tax cuts, and this bill would in fact lower these businesses' health care costs.3
That's why small business owners all across America are supporting this bill.
Click here to email your Representative and urge them to pass this bill, because your health care is important enough to ask the wealthy to pay a bit more.
This bill guarantees us quality, affordable health care. It will cover the uninsured and lower the costs for those of us who have insurance. Let's pass this bill, so we can all have quality, affordable health care.
To your health,
Levana Layendecker
Health Care for America Now
Support the Weiner Amendment to substitute HR 676 and S 703 for the socalled Obamacare Insurance Reform Bill.
Let the President and Congress know that you support an honest, not for profitt, universal single payer system
of health care.
Let the President and Congress know that you support an honest, not for profitt, universal single payer system
of health care.
I do not listen to the spokespeople for the Health Insurance CEOs. I will never listen to those who railroaded us into economic disaster and illegitimate war. I am trying to be a better man so I will not say what should be done with them. I will leave their fate to the All Mighty who sees what is said and done in the dark and sees even a sparrow fall.
Whether one believes in God or not there is what men say and then there is the truth. There are good people who have become rich by following the laws and then there are the corrupt rich who gain riches on the backs of the poor and the average working man and woman. The average man and woman is not blameless in where we are now. We have allowed ourselves to fleeced by con-men and until we can spot them and see the red flag when they seek to divide us over trivialities instead of substance and pump up our egos against our fellows this will continue.
What is "substance"? In the end those who are against decent healthcare for everyone because they cannot stand seeing right being done and are bitter that they did not do right when they had the power should not be listened to. Their arguments are not based on caution but on fear and deception. They howl and gnash their teeth endlessly railing against what Christ himself told us all to do. You never hear the good rich saying these things only the greedy. Good men rich or poor do not lie and do not put forth tainted studies financed by the Health Insurance CEOs under another name. The same Health Insurance Group who had to settle for $100 million dollars to settle claims against them for massive fraud. Good men do not spend a million dollars a day to dissuade America from doing what every other civilized country in the world does. The core of our problems are Inequity and Inequality and we have a duty as citizens to root out both. We are all wired against both through many millennia of survival as a species and when either exist in our societies there is ill.
America has become the most "Unequal" country in the world and we are suffering for it. Who is worth 100 million dollars a year? WHO? For WHAT? And what does it say to every working person about their own worth when they are a doctor or nurse or policeman or firefighter or laborer or office or factory worker or butcher or baker or candlestick-maker? Not only is such inequality obscene it is an insult to the rest of us and there is no excuse except extreme greed and arrogance. And to listen to anything coming from such interests directly or indirectly is the ultimate folly. And it is a lie on its face that these corrupt rich add anything to America. With all we are facing and all these captains of Finance and of "Shipping our Industries to the lowest bidder," "they" are nothing but modern day vampires who would tell us to be us overly concerned about the velvet lined troubles of the very rich. We-have-had-enough!!
Republican or Democrat of whatever "color" be warned. We are now awake.
Sorry for the rant. Just my very strong opinion.
Whether one believes in God or not there is what men say and then there is the truth. There are good people who have become rich by following the laws and then there are the corrupt rich who gain riches on the backs of the poor and the average working man and woman. The average man and woman is not blameless in where we are now. We have allowed ourselves to fleeced by con-men and until we can spot them and see the red flag when they seek to divide us over trivialities instead of substance and pump up our egos against our fellows this will continue.
What is "substance"? In the end those who are against decent healthcare for everyone because they cannot stand seeing right being done and are bitter that they did not do right when they had the power should not be listened to. Their arguments are not based on caution but on fear and deception. They howl and gnash their teeth endlessly railing against what Christ himself told us all to do. You never hear the good rich saying these things only the greedy. Good men rich or poor do not lie and do not put forth tainted studies financed by the Health Insurance CEOs under another name. The same Health Insurance Group who had to settle for $100 million dollars to settle claims against them for massive fraud. Good men do not spend a million dollars a day to dissuade America from doing what every other civilized country in the world does. The core of our problems are Inequity and Inequality and we have a duty as citizens to root out both. We are all wired against both through many millennia of survival as a species and when either exist in our societies there is ill.
America has become the most "Unequal" country in the world and we are suffering for it. Who is worth 100 million dollars a year? WHO? For WHAT? And what does it say to every working person about their own worth when they are a doctor or nurse or policeman or firefighter or laborer or office or factory worker or butcher or baker or candlestick-maker? Not only is such inequality obscene it is an insult to the rest of us and there is no excuse except extreme greed and arrogance. And to listen to anything coming from such interests directly or indirectly is the ultimate folly. And it is a lie on its face that these corrupt rich add anything to America. With all we are facing and all these captains of Finance and of "Shipping our Industries to the lowest bidder," "they" are nothing but modern day vampires who would tell us to be us overly concerned about the velvet lined troubles of the very rich. We-have-had-enough!!
Republican or Democrat of whatever "color" be warned. We are now awake.
Sorry for the rant. Just my very strong opinion.
<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> American Health Care Spending Slowed Considerably in Recent Years </h3> Fred Bauer wrote about health care costs and cost challenges.
Fred pointed out this study by the Heritage Enterprise that showed that US health care costs rose at a rate below several industrialized nations.
Heritage Blog reported:
Fred pointed out this study by the Heritage Enterprise that showed that US health care costs rose at a rate below several industrialized nations.
Heritage Blog reported:
The Kaiser Family Foundation used OECD data to show that the growth of American health care spending slowed considerably in recent years. Between 1990 and 2003, America's per capita health care inflation was 3.6% (less than in the 1980s). America's "spiraling health costs" were in fact comparable to growth in France and Iceland, and even lower than many countries, including Australia, Belgium and Britain.Posted by Gateway Pundit
OECD data confirms that the trend continues through this decade, with American health spending increases being about the average for OECD countries (see below). And public systems continue to spill red ink; even with pharmaceutical price controls and rationing, limited access to technology, and minimal capital investments, Ontario's health budget is projected to grow by 16.5% over the next three years. Quebec's annual health inflation rate is almost 6%. In Britain, the NHS reports a 60-year average increase of 3% over inflation. Ireland's single-payer system has experienced constant price turbulence. Despite 4.7% deflation this May, Irish health costs still grew at an annualized rate of 3.5%.
ocal Deaf Student Asks Dem Officials: Will Disabled People Like Me Get Shut Out Under Obamacare? (Video) This was powerful. Noah Logue is a deaf student at a local college in St. Louis. Noah currently is able to afford the equipment necessary for him to communicate and lead an independent life. Under Obamacare Noah may not qualify since he is special needs citizen.
Noah asked Dem operatives at the McCaskill town hall if he is going to be punished under Obamacare:
I hope Noah sends me his notes so that I can post them here.
It was a very moving speech.
UPDATE: Noah's mother sent his speech today:
Noah asked Dem operatives at the McCaskill town hall if he is going to be punished under Obamacare:
I hope Noah sends me his notes so that I can post them here.
It was a very moving speech.
UPDATE: Noah's mother sent his speech today:
CONCERNS FROM A VOTER WITH A DISABILITY
McCASKILL TOWN HALL MEETING
JULY 27, 2009
I am a young adult who is profoundly deaf with a cochlear implant, starting my second year of college in September.
I would not be able to hear anything without my implant, except maybe a jet engine.
With my cochlear implant, I can talk on the telephone, I can carry on oral conversations, and I can hear music. It has enriched my life tremendously.
Cochlear implant surgery is not inexpensive. Currently it costs between $50,000 and $60,000 per ear.
After this surgery it is important to receive the correct education afterward so the child can learn how to talk. It is expensive to educate a child who is deaf.
It is also expensive to provide services to a child who is deaf who is not oral. Interpreters are needed for them to talk to people who are hearing.
When my mother told me of the health bills being considered by the House and Senate, and how they impacted disabled people, I wanted people to know how that would impact me and how difficult it would be to succeed in life without the services I have received.
Ezekiel Emanuel, Rahm Emmanuel's brother, who is involved in the wording of the House Bill said, "Medical care should be reserved for the non-disabled, not given to those "who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens…" ".
Does that include me? If medical decisions are being made by the government; not by my doctors, my parents, or me, I would be determined to be too expensive to receive the services I need to be able to navigate my way in the world.
This is a bad plan for those with special needs. Tell Senator McCaskill to vote NO.
Noah Logue
St. Louis, MO
You've probably seen the headlines: Opponents of change are doing everything they can to delay health insurance reform. As a Republican strategy memo concluded, "If we slow this sausage-making process down, we can defeat it."
They're betting that as time goes by, our energy will flag, our movement will weaken, and they'll ultimately be able to block any change.
But they just don't get it -- thanks to the regular Americans who are reaching out in neighborhoods nationwide, our movement is expanding every day. In fact, over the weekend, we surpassed our big goal of one million people taking action for health insurance reform. And with your help, we'll keep growing and prove that our opponents' strategy of "delay, delay, delay" simply won't work.
So I want to ask you for something unusual: Can you chip in $1 each day until we pass real health insurance reform? A huge response will show the insurance companies and their allies in Congress that their delay tactics will only make our movement stronger.
Here's how it works: We'll bill your credit card for thirty days worth of donations now and once a month until the President signs real health insurance reform into law.
The cost of inaction on health insurance reform is astounding. Every day, 14,000 more Americans lose their coverage. Premiums continue to rise at three times the rate of wages. And each day, more small businesses are forced to choose between covering their employees and keeping their doors open.
But that doesn't stop our opponents from trying to bog down the process with legislative tricks. And at the same time, they're attacking the President for "moving too fast," even though Washington has been talking about the need for comprehensive health insurance reform since the days of Harry Truman!
What they don't realize is that outside of Washington, our campaign keeps growing. We've reached our "million" milestone, but the stories behind that number are even more impressive: grassroots press conferences with small business owners in Missouri, more than 1,200 people at an organizing meeting in Minnesota, huge events outside local Senate offices in Florida, and so much more.
That's why our dollar-a-day campaign is so important: If the few senators and representatives who are opposing reform understand that dragging their heels makes us stronger every day -- and that the grassroots pressure on them will increase -- they'll be far less willing to keep slowing down the process.
Can you help? Please donate $1 per day until we pass real health insurance reform:
https://donate.barackobama.com/dollar
Thank you,
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
They're betting that as time goes by, our energy will flag, our movement will weaken, and they'll ultimately be able to block any change.
But they just don't get it -- thanks to the regular Americans who are reaching out in neighborhoods nationwide, our movement is expanding every day. In fact, over the weekend, we surpassed our big goal of one million people taking action for health insurance reform. And with your help, we'll keep growing and prove that our opponents' strategy of "delay, delay, delay" simply won't work.
So I want to ask you for something unusual: Can you chip in $1 each day until we pass real health insurance reform? A huge response will show the insurance companies and their allies in Congress that their delay tactics will only make our movement stronger.
Here's how it works: We'll bill your credit card for thirty days worth of donations now and once a month until the President signs real health insurance reform into law.
The cost of inaction on health insurance reform is astounding. Every day, 14,000 more Americans lose their coverage. Premiums continue to rise at three times the rate of wages. And each day, more small businesses are forced to choose between covering their employees and keeping their doors open.
But that doesn't stop our opponents from trying to bog down the process with legislative tricks. And at the same time, they're attacking the President for "moving too fast," even though Washington has been talking about the need for comprehensive health insurance reform since the days of Harry Truman!
What they don't realize is that outside of Washington, our campaign keeps growing. We've reached our "million" milestone, but the stories behind that number are even more impressive: grassroots press conferences with small business owners in Missouri, more than 1,200 people at an organizing meeting in Minnesota, huge events outside local Senate offices in Florida, and so much more.
That's why our dollar-a-day campaign is so important: If the few senators and representatives who are opposing reform understand that dragging their heels makes us stronger every day -- and that the grassroots pressure on them will increase -- they'll be far less willing to keep slowing down the process.
Can you help? Please donate $1 per day until we pass real health insurance reform:
https://donate.barackobama.com/dollar
Thank you,
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
Dear Friend,
If you’re like most Americans, there’s nothing more important to you about health care than peace of mind.
Given the status quo, that’s understandable. The current system often denies insurance due to pre-existing conditions, charges steep out-of-pocket fees – and sometimes isn’t there at all if you become seriously ill.
It’s time to fix our unsustainable insurance system and create a new foundation for health care security. That means guaranteeing your health care security and stability with eight basic consumer protections:
Over the next month there is going to be an avalanche of misinformation and scare tactics from those seeking to perpetuate the status quo. But we know the cost of doing nothing is too high. Health care costs will double over the next decade, millions more will become uninsured, and state and local governments will go bankrupt.
It’s time to act and reform health insurance, drive down costs and guarantee the health care security and stability of every American family. You can help by putting these core principles of reform in the hands of your friends, your family, and the rest of your social network.
Thank you,
Barack Obama
If you’re like most Americans, there’s nothing more important to you about health care than peace of mind.
Given the status quo, that’s understandable. The current system often denies insurance due to pre-existing conditions, charges steep out-of-pocket fees – and sometimes isn’t there at all if you become seriously ill.
It’s time to fix our unsustainable insurance system and create a new foundation for health care security. That means guaranteeing your health care security and stability with eight basic consumer protections:
- No discrimination for pre-existing conditions
- No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays
- No cost-sharing for preventive care
- No dropping of coverage if you become seriously ill
- No gender discrimination
- No annual or lifetime caps on coverage
- Extended coverage for young adults
- Guaranteed insurance renewal so long as premiums are paid
Over the next month there is going to be an avalanche of misinformation and scare tactics from those seeking to perpetuate the status quo. But we know the cost of doing nothing is too high. Health care costs will double over the next decade, millions more will become uninsured, and state and local governments will go bankrupt.
It’s time to act and reform health insurance, drive down costs and guarantee the health care security and stability of every American family. You can help by putting these core principles of reform in the hands of your friends, your family, and the rest of your social network.
Thank you,
Barack Obama
It Is Time for Responsible Health Care Reform
Another day, another round of polls showing the American people do not want Obamacare. National Public Radio found that likely voters disapprove of Obamacare 47%-42% with 39% strongly opposed compared to 25% strongly in favor. Wall Street Journal and NBC News found that 42% of Americans called Obama care a "bad idea" while only 36% said it was a "good idea." Finally, the New York Times/CBS News poll found: "Americans are concerned that revamping the health care system would reduce the quality of their care, increase their out-of-pocket health costs and tax bills, and limit their options in choosing doctors, treatments and tests."
In a follow up interview, Democrat Mary Bevering of Fort Madison Iowa, told the NYT: "We need to fix health care but if the government creates the system, I'm afraid the quality of care will go down and costs will go up: We will pay more taxes." Bevering is dead on. Reforming health care is an immense task that should be taken on gradually through experimentation, not top down government planning. Heritage VP for domestic policy Stuart Butler writes in today's Washington Times:
Conservatives have a different vision for health care reform that builds off the great American traditions of individualism and federalism:
Expand coverage by reforming Medicaid: Millions of uninsured Americans are eligible for programs such as Medicaid, yet they don't sign up. Policymakers should focus on approaches that are patient-centered instead of system-centered. The current Medicaid structure is based on a system that reimburses providers for the services that they supply to beneficiaries. A patient-centered approach would direct Medicaid funds to the patient and reflect the individual needs of that patient.
Incentivize Americans to make their own health care decisions: Rather than micromanage the health system via central planning, we need to get the system's basic incentives right. Under the current system, with tax-subsidized, third-party insurance, everyone has the incentive to spend more of someone else's money. No wonder costs are exploding. Getting incentives right means things like pushing employers to show their employees how much of their compensation comes as health insurance. That would encourage all of us to look harder to see if our insurance is good value for money and to opt for fatter paychecks and less costly fringe benefits.
Make it easier for Americans to shop for health insurance: But even if Americans were incentivized to make their own insurance decisions, it is still currently very difficult for them to find the right bargains for them under the current system. "Health Insurance Exchange" is the generic name some have given such administrative mechanisms; Utah recently enacted health reform that creates a "Portal" for this purpose. This is exactly the kind of state level experimentation that the federal government should be encouraging.
The progressive wing of Congress is now threatening to kill health care reform unless their desire for a public plan is included. Nothing is preventing reform more than this Trojan Horse for government-run health care. We must and can get health reform. But it will never be achieved if Americans are pressured to agree to Big Bang change on a ridiculously short timetable - and based on central planning, rather than on better incentives for American creativity and federalism.
Another day, another round of polls showing the American people do not want Obamacare. National Public Radio found that likely voters disapprove of Obamacare 47%-42% with 39% strongly opposed compared to 25% strongly in favor. Wall Street Journal and NBC News found that 42% of Americans called Obama care a "bad idea" while only 36% said it was a "good idea." Finally, the New York Times/CBS News poll found: "Americans are concerned that revamping the health care system would reduce the quality of their care, increase their out-of-pocket health costs and tax bills, and limit their options in choosing doctors, treatments and tests."
In a follow up interview, Democrat Mary Bevering of Fort Madison Iowa, told the NYT: "We need to fix health care but if the government creates the system, I'm afraid the quality of care will go down and costs will go up: We will pay more taxes." Bevering is dead on. Reforming health care is an immense task that should be taken on gradually through experimentation, not top down government planning. Heritage VP for domestic policy Stuart Butler writes in today's Washington Times:
If the U.S. health care sector were a separate national economy, it would be the sixth largest in the world - bigger that Britain's entire economy. Imagine five bickering congressional committees trying to redesign the British economy successfully in just a few weeks. No wonder people are getting nervous. … [and] the congressional majority wants to revamp the huge health care economy using the doctrine of central planning. So we have thousands of pages of legislation, with potentially hundreds of thousands of pages of rules and dozens of boards and "czars." These will regulate prices, reorganize hospitals and doctors, and decide what health care each of us should and should not have.
Conservatives have a different vision for health care reform that builds off the great American traditions of individualism and federalism:
Expand coverage by reforming Medicaid: Millions of uninsured Americans are eligible for programs such as Medicaid, yet they don't sign up. Policymakers should focus on approaches that are patient-centered instead of system-centered. The current Medicaid structure is based on a system that reimburses providers for the services that they supply to beneficiaries. A patient-centered approach would direct Medicaid funds to the patient and reflect the individual needs of that patient.
Incentivize Americans to make their own health care decisions: Rather than micromanage the health system via central planning, we need to get the system's basic incentives right. Under the current system, with tax-subsidized, third-party insurance, everyone has the incentive to spend more of someone else's money. No wonder costs are exploding. Getting incentives right means things like pushing employers to show their employees how much of their compensation comes as health insurance. That would encourage all of us to look harder to see if our insurance is good value for money and to opt for fatter paychecks and less costly fringe benefits.
Make it easier for Americans to shop for health insurance: But even if Americans were incentivized to make their own insurance decisions, it is still currently very difficult for them to find the right bargains for them under the current system. "Health Insurance Exchange" is the generic name some have given such administrative mechanisms; Utah recently enacted health reform that creates a "Portal" for this purpose. This is exactly the kind of state level experimentation that the federal government should be encouraging.
The progressive wing of Congress is now threatening to kill health care reform unless their desire for a public plan is included. Nothing is preventing reform more than this Trojan Horse for government-run health care. We must and can get health reform. But it will never be achieved if Americans are pressured to agree to Big Bang change on a ridiculously short timetable - and based on central planning, rather than on better incentives for American creativity and federalism.
NEIL H. BUCHANAN
Should Advocates of Single-Payer Health Insurance Oppose the Public Option?
FindLaw guest columnist, Cornell Visiting Scholar, George Washington law professor, and PhD economist Neil Buchanan explains some of the trade-offs involved in the healthcare reform proposals Congress is currently considering. Buchanan focuses especially on the "public option" proposal -- pursuant to which the federal government would create a public health insurance company to compete with private health insurance companies. As Buchanan explains, one theory behind the public option is that it will help keep private insurers' bills and practices in line, since patients who feel mistreated by private insurers could opt out into the public system. But Buchanan cautions that the public option also has a downside: It could incentivize private insurers to test the limits of Congress's proposed regulations aimed at preventing insurers from cherry-picking the healthiest patients and dropping those who become sick -- since patients who are barred at the start, or eventually dropped, could be relegated to the public option, allowing insurers to both save money and save face. Thursday, July 30, 2009
Should Advocates of Single-Payer Health Insurance Oppose the Public Option?
FindLaw guest columnist, Cornell Visiting Scholar, George Washington law professor, and PhD economist Neil Buchanan explains some of the trade-offs involved in the healthcare reform proposals Congress is currently considering. Buchanan focuses especially on the "public option" proposal -- pursuant to which the federal government would create a public health insurance company to compete with private health insurance companies. As Buchanan explains, one theory behind the public option is that it will help keep private insurers' bills and practices in line, since patients who feel mistreated by private insurers could opt out into the public system. But Buchanan cautions that the public option also has a downside: It could incentivize private insurers to test the limits of Congress's proposed regulations aimed at preventing insurers from cherry-picking the healthiest patients and dropping those who become sick -- since patients who are barred at the start, or eventually dropped, could be relegated to the public option, allowing insurers to both save money and save face. Thursday, July 30, 2009
Organic food is no healthier: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Study
Regional summit pushes for Honduras peace plan: Latin America, Nation #6, is forming and beginning to act as a nation
Guess how many ways to get Hawaii 'birth certificate': Some required nothing more than assertion from an adult - Easy to get a birth certificate in 1961 when Obama was born
$100,000 offered for proof of eligibility: Businessman asks how president can issue orders 'if he is not qualified'
Traces of Aramaic on Shroud of Turin: Probably says, "King of the Jews"
U.S. Veterans Groups Have ‘Grave Concerns’ On Health Bill
From The Hill:
Six high-profile veterans groups are raising objections to the House healthcare reform bill, warning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that it could jeopardize the care of millions of veterans.
Citing “grave concerns,” the groups are urging Pelosi to modify the House bill. If changes are not made, the veterans groups say they will actively oppose the measure.
In a letter to Pelosi that was obtained by The Hill, the groups state “the legislation could limit the health care choices for veterans, increase the cost of health care for veterans, deny coverage to dependent family members of veterans, and threaten the quality of health care offered to veterans through the VA health care system.”
Read more ....
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/vetera...2009-07-31.html
From The Hill:
Six high-profile veterans groups are raising objections to the House healthcare reform bill, warning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that it could jeopardize the care of millions of veterans.
Citing “grave concerns,” the groups are urging Pelosi to modify the House bill. If changes are not made, the veterans groups say they will actively oppose the measure.
In a letter to Pelosi that was obtained by The Hill, the groups state “the legislation could limit the health care choices for veterans, increase the cost of health care for veterans, deny coverage to dependent family members of veterans, and threaten the quality of health care offered to veterans through the VA health care system.”
Read more ....
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/vetera...2009-07-31.html
Health Care for All
Anthony Piel, a friend and neighbor, was for many years a director and legal counsel of the World Health Organization. This is from a column he wrote for our local weekly, the Lakeville Journal.
…I have sent the Obama administration information about the WHO plan, because, when someone’s got a better mousetrap, why not copy it?
The WHO plan is better even than the health coverage of the U.S. Congress, or of any known HMO or private health insurance plan. For example, in addition to the usual costs of doctors’ visits, prescription drugs, immunizations, hospitalization etc., it covers mental, dental, eyeglasses, prosthetics, etc. It covers those costs anywhere in the world; you can break a leg in the Himalayas, and you’re covered, regardless of provider. WHO has special mechanisms for controlling cost charges in different countries, and drug companies and other providers fear to fight these controls.
For lesser medical costs, the WHO plan covers 80 percent; patient liability is 20 percent. But when there are catastrophic costs due to heart, stroke cancer etc., the WHO plan switches to as high as 100-percent coverage and the patient liability to as low as 0 percent. (That’s the WHO answer to “Sicko.”)
The cost under the WHO plan? Under $300 a month for a family of four. In other words, an affordable, universal health insurance plan is feasible. The WHO plan resembles a standardized, single-payer system, so administrative costs are a fraction of what they are under U.S. private plans. The WHO plan is fully funded, so it is not dependent on future tax revenue, and no one can borrow from it to wage foreign wars. There are enormous savings in the WHO plan, and all income is plowed back into the fund.
That’s the secret of success. All we have to do is copy it. The unique cost problem for the United States, unlike WHO, is that in the United States we’re playing catch-up. We have to prime the pump for all those people who have never yet paid into the plan, but will have immediate health costs. We also have to fund, or help pay the premiums for, the truly poor and unemployed. That could cost a few billion dollars. If we can recover the economy, with full employment, the Obama plan will ultimately pay its own way. We can one day provide truly universal coverage to achieve “Health for All.”
But do we have the political will to do so? The HMO, insurance and pharmaceutical industries are spending multi-millions of dollars in the guise of supporting health-care reform, lobbying Congress to exclude a public option from the mix, on the grounds that (a) it would be inefficient, (
yet it would out-compete private plans, and © anyway it’s “socialized medicine…”
http://badattitudes.com/MT/
Anthony Piel, a friend and neighbor, was for many years a director and legal counsel of the World Health Organization. This is from a column he wrote for our local weekly, the Lakeville Journal.
…I have sent the Obama administration information about the WHO plan, because, when someone’s got a better mousetrap, why not copy it?
The WHO plan is better even than the health coverage of the U.S. Congress, or of any known HMO or private health insurance plan. For example, in addition to the usual costs of doctors’ visits, prescription drugs, immunizations, hospitalization etc., it covers mental, dental, eyeglasses, prosthetics, etc. It covers those costs anywhere in the world; you can break a leg in the Himalayas, and you’re covered, regardless of provider. WHO has special mechanisms for controlling cost charges in different countries, and drug companies and other providers fear to fight these controls.
For lesser medical costs, the WHO plan covers 80 percent; patient liability is 20 percent. But when there are catastrophic costs due to heart, stroke cancer etc., the WHO plan switches to as high as 100-percent coverage and the patient liability to as low as 0 percent. (That’s the WHO answer to “Sicko.”)
The cost under the WHO plan? Under $300 a month for a family of four. In other words, an affordable, universal health insurance plan is feasible. The WHO plan resembles a standardized, single-payer system, so administrative costs are a fraction of what they are under U.S. private plans. The WHO plan is fully funded, so it is not dependent on future tax revenue, and no one can borrow from it to wage foreign wars. There are enormous savings in the WHO plan, and all income is plowed back into the fund.
That’s the secret of success. All we have to do is copy it. The unique cost problem for the United States, unlike WHO, is that in the United States we’re playing catch-up. We have to prime the pump for all those people who have never yet paid into the plan, but will have immediate health costs. We also have to fund, or help pay the premiums for, the truly poor and unemployed. That could cost a few billion dollars. If we can recover the economy, with full employment, the Obama plan will ultimately pay its own way. We can one day provide truly universal coverage to achieve “Health for All.”
But do we have the political will to do so? The HMO, insurance and pharmaceutical industries are spending multi-millions of dollars in the guise of supporting health-care reform, lobbying Congress to exclude a public option from the mix, on the grounds that (a) it would be inefficient, (
yet it would out-compete private plans, and © anyway it’s “socialized medicine…”http://badattitudes.com/MT/
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