If you are not pleased with the current bill that is being rushed through on healthcare, you can have a voice.
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If you are interested
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Posted 7 months ago by BoogerMercurysMama #
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Thanks, BMM - I signed. The proposed bill is a prescription for national disaster.
Posted 7 months ago by WillowandWindismom #
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'If they succeed, most Americans will no longer be able to keep the insurance they have'
I think I'm going to wait until after the President speaks tonight because this contradicts everything that I read about the bill just this morning. From what I understand, most people will have to keep their current health care coverage UNLESS you pay more than 11% of your take home pay.
Posted 7 months ago by FondaHonda #
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There are some provisions of the bill that are good--being able to keep your health insurance if you change/lose your job, for instance. It is NOT for all-gov't health care like Canada. It requires all Americans to carry health insurance of some kind. I am NO fan of Obama, and I don't think his bill will pass after reading several articles on how many Democrats and Independants are against it.
Posted 7 months ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #
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Thanks for posting this very important site. I had already signed some time ago.
As a health care professional working mostly in the inner city, I know that I never in my career saw anyone denied services, and believe me most of the people I ever care for used and abused the ER at no cost. In the ICU we routinely took care of many patients, even from other countries, who just showed up at our doorstep with no money. Of course, someone did pay, all of us, but nobody was ever denied care.I lived in Europe fro 4 years, trust me we do not want what we think is "greener grass".
Question: "Outside the medical criteria for prolonging the life of someone who is elderly, is there any consideration that can be given for a certain spirit, a certain joy of living, or quality of life; or is it just a medical cut off at a certain age?" (person asking a ? re their 100 yr old mother, who needed a pacemaker and the family insisted she get one...she is now 105- may God bless her)
President Obama: "Yeah, we're not gonna solve every difficult problem in terms of end of life care. A lot of that is going to have to be we as a culture and a society making better decisions within our own families and for ourselves. But what we can do is make sure that at least some of the waste that exists in the system that is not making anybody's mom better that is loading up on additional tests or additional drugs that the evidence shows is not going to improve care, that at least we can let doctors know and your mom know that, you know what, maybe this isn't gonna help. Maybe you're better off not taking the surgery, but taking the painkiller."
As a medical professional, I know what "painkillers" means in this setting, it is a euphemism fro "letting you die".
I don't know about you, but I want to make decisions fro my family , not some know it all politician without any medical experience.
BTW, notice how no congressman or senator is signing up for this; if it's that good, why not?
For those who think that everyone who needs a transplant, a life saving heart operation etc will get one, please do not fool yourselves, those things will be too expensive and considered experimental by these people and will be denied; not even medications are covered under this program.
Many of the high costs are due to the practice of defensive medicine by docs who fear getting sued. How about dealing with this problem? Or how about trying to provide a solution to offer health care only to those who do not have it and want it and are American citizens, rather than turning everything upside down?
BTW, the AMA does NOT represent the majority of physicians, they are just another lobbying agency, that is why myself and many former colleagues do not belong to the AMA.
Sorry for the rambling, this hits a nerve , I truly fear that there is so much misinformation, it's truly frightening....Posted 7 months ago by Tigerlilly #
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The scary thing about this bill is how quickly they are trying to rush it through. I would be much happier if they take their time and do it right. Mr. Obama needs to understand that not everything is an immediate crisis, and even though there are areas of health insurance that need to be changed, much of what we have is good. I can't be the only one out there that actually likes my health insurance company!
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'Sixty-two percent of all bankruptcies filed in 2007 were linked to medical expenses. Of those who filed for bankruptcy in 2007, nearly 80 percent had health insurance. Respondents who reported having insurance indicated average expenses of just under $18,000.'
This, guys, is what is so wrong with our current system! I went to a physical therapy session last month (for my leg). I sat there for about 30 minutes, answered some questions (which was already faxed to them, by the way), and my insurance company was charged $600.00. Oh, my part? $120.00. Not right. . .
Posted 7 months ago by FondaHonda #
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FH, I'm not familiar with those numbers but honestly I have worked in 4 different states and a multitude of hospitals, NEVER did I ever see a medical bill that was not forgotten or the hospital "worked" with the family in a way that made the payments possible. I personally did not bill many many times for families in need.
Are there changes needed? yes...do we need to do this in 2 weeks? I don't think so. Can we please leave the majority of Americans that are happy with their plan, be...yes (socializing medicine will sooner or later leave all insurances out of business , and yes, if you are happy with your insurance, you will loose it)
OK ladies and gentlemen, I will be silent now.Posted 7 months ago by Tigerlilly #
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TL, you shouldn't be silent because you have been in the field and know what happens.
I actually heard an interview the other day where this economist suggested that medical care for "defective" babies is a waste of money. And that end of life care is also a waste. I'm sorry, but I see huge ethical implications here, and as a former hospice nurse that is extremely worrisome.
The interesting thing is that Obama has no clear vision, other than taxing the higher income bracket, for how to pay for this monstrosity.
Posted 7 months ago by WillowandWindismom #
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As a NICU doc, every baby I ever took care of will be considered "defective", not to mention "too costly". And yes WWM, your former patients will be those "difficult end of life decisions", way too expensive no doubt.
Every baby I ever took care of was like my own, all were beautiful in my eyes, all deserved very penny spent.
I have said my peace.Posted 7 months ago by Tigerlilly #
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I like TL have lived in many States and overseas as well because of military. I have witnessed socialized medicine--they have just as many problems as we do--in some cases more. As I said there is no easy answer, but rushing something through in 2 weeks is NOT the Best way. I do not want to look my mother in the eyes and say I am so sorry Mom but you are too old for treatment so here is a pill to hopefully relieve your pain as you die. I sure don't want my daughter to have to do that either. We must have a change there is no doubt, but what are options.
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According to FAIR $303 million went unpaid by illegal immigrants in the the Southwest border States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) in 2000. The amount has almost doubled in following years. I don't want to look at an immigrant child and say they don't deserve care either, but I really don't want to say Mom you can not get care because you are too old, or you have a life ending disease such as cancer. This is a very passionate issue and no matter the decisions that the government makes people will never all agree.
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SM, I used to work at R.E. Thomason Hospital in El Paso, which is the county hospital. And which is about 2 miles, if that, from the Mexican border. Illegal health care is a HUGE issue in the border states. The bills for that care are astronomical. It presents a whole ethical dilemma in itself because you really don't want to deny an immigrant child health care. But when border communities are drowning under the costs of providing care for illegals, you just have to question the system. None of that care is reimbursed nor recovered. Somebody is paying for that. Could it be the American taxpayer?
Posted 7 months ago by WillowandWindismom #
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Sadly enuf...I'm one of those with no medical or dental ins. Haven't had it for over 20 yrs. w/the cost & all.
I do know that the system this country has in place is very much Not working. I have yet to see a poor doctor. Altho,they aren't getting rich either. I don't see anyone winning w/the way the system is now. It Has to be changed.
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There are poor doctors Feral. I had a friend whose sister is a OB/GYN and she ended up having to shut down her practice. So many couldn't pay, and with patients not paying she couldn't afford her medical insurance. You can not deliver a baby without insurance--if anything goes wrong the doctor is sued first. She lost her practice couldn't repay her student loans--she shot herself and left a husband and small child. My personal doctor here gave up her practice because she couldn't get paid from the insurance company in a timely fashion. I would see her and she would get paid 4-6 months later. She found a position in a hospital. We are a small town and could not afford to lose a doctor--we lost 2. She and her husband (my hubby's GP) both left.
I agree things need to change--I just don't think you can change something that will be a working system in 2 weeks.
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OMG...what an awful thing to happen to that family. The despair she must've felt to do such a thing.
I wish there were an easy solution SM. I agree w/you. Things won't change overnight,or in a month,or even in a year. My ears are going to be on Obama as well & what his intentions or solutions are.
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*rant on* I used to work for American Hospital Suply Corporation in the late '70s, ewww, dating myself, ugh! (AHS was bought by Becton Dickenson years ago...) I had a very interesting conversation at a sales meeting with the Pres of AHS and some top area managers; they predicted that the 'demise' of the American health care system was coming, AND that it would be caused by the insurance companies....
Don't know if this is the only cause of our problems now, but, insurance companies don't really give a s**t about their patients, they are only responsible to their shareholders... And, do you ever wonder how many people they employ just to 'deny' care/prodedures to their insureds because the treatment is too costly/experimental/not proven??? *rant over* -
I agree with all that has been said above, and I know that something has to be done but if they plan on changing the entire health care system...tell me that those in Congress, the Senate, and the House are going to be required to use the SAME health care system and maybe I will go with their ideas. Ok that is my unfluffy moment for the afternoon.
Posted 7 months ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #
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