| Because no one reads blogs on the weekend... here's a political post |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by OHmommy | |
| Saturday, 01 August 2009 23:16 | |
|
I. Don't. Agree.
No I didn't read all 1300 pages of the bill, even Congress is having a hard time with that. But, when Jill included the following tidbits on her blog, I knew I needed to add some notes: Pg 53- Severability “If any provision of the Act, or any application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of the provisions of this Act and the application of the provision to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected.”
(HEH... THAT'S WHAT I TELL MY KIDS ALL THE TIME... ) Pg 42 - The “Health Choices Commissioner” will choose your HC Benefits for you. Pg 58 - Govt will have real-time access to individual’s finances & a National ID Healthcard will be issued! Pg 59 lines 21-24- Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts for electronic funds transfer
(NICE!!! )
Pg 124 lines 24-25 No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No “judicial review” against Govt Monopoly. pg 127 Lines 1-16- RE: Doctors- The Govt will tell YOU what you can make.
Pg 195 -Officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans financial/personal records. (SERIOUSLY????) Pg 203 Line 14-15- “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax.”
(Yes, can you believe... it actually says that) Pg 241 Line 6-8- Doctors, doesn’t matter what specialty you have, you’ll all be paid the same. (Dude. Why encourage your children to become something MORE?) Pg 430 Lines 11-15- The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life.
I do think that we need change in this country; but me, a little stay-at-home-mother born in Poland with no political background who chronicles her children lives online as a hobby is royally pissed off. I didn't come to this country for the government to "have access to all Americans financial records" and tell my children that is doesn't "matter what speciality you have, you'll all be paid the same."
What do I tell my children? "Children, I came to this country for a better life. So... work as hard as you can in school and get into Harvard Med School and then work even harder; but, it actually doesn't really matter because you will get paid the same as a non-specialist and the government will keep track of your JCrew receipts and you will have to wait for weeks to get a hip replacement approved by the government?" Heh.
Hey, President Obama. I want the same health care plan that you and Congress are getting. |
|
| Last Updated on Sunday, 02 August 2009 13:15 |
Comments
BUT I lived in China & healthcare IS NOT FAST OR FREE!!
Now, I think you should mail this to the White House and your local Congress!
Government should NOT control our healthcare.
Bravo!
I love you, dude, and holy crap, you went political. I completely disagree with you on 90% of this, but I'm proud of you for laying it out there.
Notice how the price of medical procedures like (elective) eye surgery, and (elective) plastic surgery has decreased in recent years. That's because people shop around for the best deal (since the insurance probably isn't paying), forcing the providers to be competitive in the market.
Sigh.
As someone who works freelance, on contract, my current health care plan is, "be careful; don't get sick". I know a *lot* of people like me, especially artists, musicians; people spending a huge portion of their income on housing to live in the beautiful SF Bay area. (To me, it is totally worth it)
I know a lot of people who are 'un-insurable'.
so, yeah. I had really high hopes for the health care plan.
All those regulations, though? APPALL the Libertarian part of me!
Here EVERYBODY gets GOOD dental care. Not like my in-laws: first generation immigrant in Texas who CANNOT afford a dental insurance and prefer to have the tooth remove. Isn't it sad?
I have heard so many horror stories (like children's eardrums bursting while they wait for medicine for an ear infection). They just go on and on. And if anyone thinks that won't happen to our health care system because we are "Americans" they'd better think again. Just look at the simple Cash for Clunkers program. An easy program compared to a huge giant such as health care and it is already under. Good grief.
Yes, affordable health care is a MUST. But not this way.
Serious question for Chiloe and others from Canada, New Zealand, etc: Do your govt. officials participate in the govt. run health care system? One of the points of this bill that really upsets me is that Congress and their families are exempt from the govt. run health care. Why?
Amazing.
I am against Socialism. Pure and simple.
Oh, and what Chloe fails to mention is what that 22 euro doctor visit takes out of her paycheck each month. 40 PERCENT of my pay checks goes for social porgrams (including medical), 40 PERCENT!
And finally I just want to point out that the average annual premium for employer-based healthcare right now is $12,700 and the gross earnings for a full-time, minimum-wage worker is $10,712....you do the math. And I sure hope you are saving because according to most you will need between $300 & $500k when you retire just to pay for your healthcare. This bill may not be the best but it's a start.
(And WOW! Those are really some of the terms of the bill?! I am officially scared for the fate of our nation!)
Happy Birthday to Jay!
BUT her interpretation on some of it is wrong, as is yours. I have issues with some things in the bill, but I'd rather see it in place than not.
Anyway, I think you should check out Erin's post, she has the ability to help your voice be heard, and some of the comments are really enlightening.
queenofspainblog.com/.../#comments
Okay....off to learn more. Thanks for the encouragement!
This bill is over 1000 pages long and I'm a mom with a job and an intensive summer course in contract law. I haven't had time to read it verbatim, on my own, like I usually would.
But some people are freaking out over summaries that were, in essence, exaggerated at best. Please, take a breath.
There are likely plenty of points in this bill I won't agree with. But I want to cover some of your concerns right here and now. (And kudos to you for having the courage to say something.)
Pg: 42: Okay, really- your health insurance provider as well as the employer who belongs to the plan do that for you already. Every day. It's absolutely the same only the gov't isn't looking to make a profit.
The government, like it or not, already has access to your financial status. You file taxes every year? You deduct your expenses: mortgage, health care, day care- whatever it may be, you nickel and dime the government (just like it does you.)
On the issue of pay. Well, I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm going to guess Mr. OhMommy gets a set rate for procedures done for insurance patients. It's the same thing here. The gov't health insurance will pay X amount for this procedure. ALL insurance companies do this. ALL OF THEM. If you are insured, or a Doctor who accepts health insurance, you have a set agreement. Period.
As far as end of life, there are tons of pages, but I'll read decipher and offer an unbiased opinion on which, if you'd like.
I'm going to go read and translate. (This could take a while) And then probably do a post of my own, because Holy Crow I just had the longest comment I've ever left. Ever.
Same daughter broke her tooth in half two months ago. I took her to Nationwide Children's Hospital - the best in the area and well-regarded nationally - to be told that dental surgery to fix it would take 8-10 weeks to schedule. I had to throw a fit, pointing out she was in pain, to get "upgraded" to a 2-3 week wait. I was told, "Kids can get used to that kind of chronic pain."
I have yet to ever get in to see my doctor same day. Trying to see a dermatologist about a possible skin cancer? 2 month wait.
I had (and now have again) good health insurance, and I don't live in a rural area - I'm in Columbus, OH. I may not agree with everything in the health care bill, but an attempt at change is far better than the status quo, in my opinion.
Private health insurance companies are too entrenched to go away. While the current plan under consideration is flawed, it's better than what uninsured and underinsured people in this country have.
Oh and by the way, the Cars for Clunkers program which was funded for a whole 4 days before it was canceled due to lack of funding, gave the government the right to essentially "own" your computer and all the data, photos, content, etc when you agreed to the terms on the cars.gov website. Nice!
You will always encounter those who disagree. But you know what? THAT is the beauty of living in a free land. You just excercised Free Speech. Something our parents did not have when they left Poland. So that my lovely friend, made it worth it right there.
Buzki1
For me, the most telling part is that members of the government will not be participating in this plan. Why not?
As I've said before, we need to do something to help those who desperately need healthcare and are unable to afford it. Unfortunately this plan is not the answer.
I am a conservative and very informed, yet didn't know all of the details you just published. From what I had know, I was worried, but now, HOLY!, I am outraged. Not calling a tax a tax? Why, so people won't get angry?
Knowing our finances? I think not!
This is awful and I really worry about where our country is going!
Great & informed post!
Hope you don't mind, but I am going to "put you out there"...
During my last pregnancy, I was at the hospital twice. Never admitted. I received 6 doses of medication, and was hooked up to a monitor for 12 hours total. Any guesses on the cost? Any? FOURTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS! Yes, $14,000.Not a mistake. For monitoring and medication. I never even encountered a physician. I only saw nurses the entire time.
So while this congressional bill may not be THE bill, there certainly needs to be some change.
One more time for good measure... $14,000.
www.shredderfood.com/?p=690
With all due respect, you are dead-wrong on healthcare. Any healthcare system that by it's very nature discriminates against a group of people, in this case the poor, is wrong to it's very core.
It's easy for you to rail against government system, you have a good life, a well-employed husband, and your kids never want for anything.
30 days of worrying whether a fall resulting in a broken arm or a bout of the flu will either kill your child push you into homelessness will change your mind in a cocaine heartbeat.
The health insurance had their chance to get it right and they screwed us to the wall. Government run care might not be good, but it can't suck as bad as the current system does.
Millions of children here don't have that option. Or that option is tempered by the knowledge that a visit to the Emergency Room will bankrupt the parents.
Would you be able to make the choice to take your child to the emergency room knowing that financial devistation and homelessness is a likely result of that trip? Or would you, like most, hesitate...
While I don't believe the current system should be replaced, I think that everyone should have the right to opt-in to a federal program. This would force the health-insurance companies to be more competitive, thus bringing private health-coverage within reach of more people, mitigating the need for public health-care etc.
Think about it before you doom my child to a life without health coverage.
And if you're going to, come and tell him to his face that he doesn't deserve health care because you don't want your taxes to go up.
You are so right about this being a REALLY bad idea.
I'll just say that I have read as much of this bill as I've been able, and it's patently untrue that people won't be forced into the public "option." My family is one of those families. We purchase our insurance individually, not through an employer. The ability to be able to do that per this bill will be phased out and those will be forced into gov't plan.
Why does Obama keep claiming otherwise? Perhaps, like John Conyers, he hasn't read bill because it's too long and confusing. And it doesn't apply to them or their families.
mitmommy.blogspot.com/.../...
I suppose what he meant was that you could keep your current healthcare plan, until the govt could phase it out within a short time.
Well put OhMommy! I applaud you!
The think I have the biggest problem with is the senior care. Knowing I will one day be old, this terrifies me!
I'm sorry. I'm stuck on that one point. Basically, if I owe, say $7,000 for my son's weird stomach pains from last year, which the doctor recommended a ct scan for, even though he only had severe constipation, and our insurance crapped out on us, so I am being pestered by creditors... the govt could just deduct the money from our checking account. Instead of paying for our mortgage, the hospital would be paid for an unnecessary procedure that we couldn't afford.
Theoretically, of course. Not that I personally owe over $7,000 for Evan's severe stomach pains at 1 am...
Awesome.
I am outraged and disgusted. This "bill" is a joke!
My hubby's uncle needed quadruple bypass surgery in England and he was on a waiting list for months.
The worst part? It's totally a slippery slope.
Gov't says you can't have a procedure, next thing we know, they are telling us we can't have a child because they are sick!
Oh, and about the post, I'm on your side. I totally agree with where you're coming from!
The 47 million or so uninsured in this country break down like this: 1/3 are eligible for Medicaid but haven't signed up, 30% make more than 50K and declined employer offered h/c benefits, 20% of the 47 million are not US citizens.
That leaves about 11 million chronically uninsured in this country (uninsured for more than one year). Most are middle class that make too much for Medicaid but live in a state where health insurance is costly. Many have pre-existing conditions that further drive up healthcare.
Adding a public "option" that would standardize all policies to mirror theirs (that is in bill; I've read it myself ) while charging 20% less also by default leads to the removal of private options from table.
Most of us won't be able to keep our present insurance plans within a few years of this bill being passed. No matter what they tell you. Remember, they haven't READ IT.
Bravo for having the guts to voice a real concern about a touchy and controversial subject. You go girl!
As this mama who was NOT for Obama, I am wondering what everyone was thinking he meant when he told us during the elections that we needed to reform healthcare. Couldn't we see this coming?
My guess is that Pres. Obama will not get this bill passed nor will he try very hard. He'll get popularity points for "trying" and then he actually won't want it pushed through Congress, because he knows it will be unpopular with the American People and he'll never get elected to a second term of office.
That's just my opinion. But I'm not voting for him next time either anyway.
Personally, I think it's a travesty that so many Americans don't have health insurance. And I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't know enough about the new plan to have an intelligent discussion about it. I just know that if my parents hate it, it's got to be awesome.
I think political posts are sexy....just sayin'
What? Did you really think I would give a mature/educated comment??? Pfft, you know me better than that! Someone had to lighten the mood in here ;-)
Thanks for this post!!
They would be government employees with wage caps in a bureaucratic system of red tape with a frustrating lack of decision-making power on behalf of their own patients.
We should all be completely terrified. Anyone who isn't doesn't get it.
I'm glad you wrote what you wrote. Maybe if you find out different, you can post that too? OY!
Hugs
What is the difference between the government telling you what procedure you can get, what medicine it is willing to pay for, and when you are going to get it OR the insurance company telling you? Again, if you don't have health insurance...
Do you understand that if we practiced more preventative medicine (i.e., go to the doctor when you are sick instead of waiting) that our entire society would reap the benefits in many many ways.
HOW is it any better than the way it is? (My child has had to suffer an ear infection all weekend because I cannot afford to take her to the ER.) The US may have the "best health care treatments in the world", yet why is it that we rank 18th in health care service in the world according to the WHO?
What makes me really angry is the fact that we sure as hell could throw money away for a war, but we can't afford to pay for the health of our people? Talk about screwed up priorities.
Afterall, from what I hear, no blogger worth her salt can resist SWAG.
hey - why did you change the ending?
*MrLady - I can introduce you to all the Canadians that I know that are unhappy with their hc!
Quite honestly I am so ill over all this I can't even type straight.
GREAT POST - I have tried to stumble it about 10 times and it won't stick - conspiracy or am I just an idiot?
I disagree with you on most/all points, but I still love that you put the conversation out there to have.
Oh, and Tiaras...I bet I can introduce you to MORE Americans unhappy with THEIR hc:-)
And VERY glad to see comments are debating - not tossing insults.
Second - I do agree that something needs to be done about the cost of healthcare, and the randomness of it all. My hub's company is "self-funded" meaning it does not have to go by state mandates, therefore we have to fight for my youngest son's PKU formula coverage. Even though the company would pay for institutionalizing him when he became retarded without the formula. Just exhibit A. However - the government needs to figure out Medicaid/Medicare/SS first. The Baby Boomers are coming - let the healthcare worries really begin.
I'm looking at the letters I have to type in - and didn't I just get through saying I don't drink (much) anymore? The letters are MGDNO - MGD NO. How cool is that?
Tell me, how are taxes supposed to remain low on this system? Healthcare is NEVER free folks, and anyone who thinks it is is kidding themselves. Most countries with socialized medicine pay taxes through the nose.
I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with government-founded health care, but I know it won't work well in the US.
Italy has government-funded health care too, and it's not always good, but it's nowhere new when US health care is. Thing is, other things will always have priority there. Gah, don't get me started. I love the US but some things I find very scary.
ace.mu.nu/archives/290455.php
I love the sign I saw at one of the rallies. If our healthcare becomes socialized, where will Canadians go to get healthcare?" ha ha ha...
I'm self-employed, so I have to pay my healthcare bills out of pocket. I'm still trying to pay off a simple operation I had last year, so people would normally think I would be for free health care but...
Have you ever been to the US postal office, federal office, or any other gov't run agency? It is absolutely a horrible experience. We ARE NOT Canada or England. Their gov't run agencies are far more efficient, and yet they still have months of waiting times. It can only turn out worse in the USA.
I'm. Scared.
The same arguments used in trying to pass this bill (millions of uninsured Americans) can be used to support other socialist ideas (free housing, food, and clothing). If you can afford a better home, meal, or clothing...why would you make them use the same as everyone else? (What would be the advantage to making more money? AKA trying harder??) I really don't wanna live in a studio apartment, eating McD's, and wearing a MuuMuu in the future.
Help us OhMama!!
Just like everyone goes to the same type of government run post office and/or other govt run establishments. And we know how those are run. That's my point.
And it's unfair that the people planning on phasing out our choices have a completely separate health care plan.
Great point.
I wholeheartedly feel that we should have a quality government health program available to the uninsured.
What I object to, is the government taking away our choices. Freedom of choice is one of the things that makes America special.
I hope the government can find a way to put together a top notch system to help those who do not have insurance without requiring that the entire country (except of course, for the President and Congress) participate in it.
I'm sure that there is a lot to be unhappy about but let's stick to the facts please!
Page 53 - I don't see this as a big deal at all. If one part of our Constitution is deemed illegal (ex: race issues) then the whole cannot be deemed illegal, just that one part.
Page 42 - I do not see any language to support this "claim"
Page 58 - gov't will have real time access to "financial responsibility" meaning who pays what (right now it is a massive undertaking with insurance companies claiming that they aren't responsible, insured having to fight and appeal, etc...).
Page 59 - this is referring to health care PROVIDERS receiving payment for their services, not to individuals.
Oh vey, I would LOVE to engage in a debate about health care that involves facts not fear mongering based in half-truths and outright lies.
robe de soirée
Je vous conseille de lire un site qui parle de mutuelle
RSS feed for comments to this post