Obama: Healthcare, Chicago, Monday

Obama is quite a contrast to his predecessor. He knows about policy, he understands the needs of the American people and he is surrounded by ideas people. Policy does not have to based on confabulated set of facts to compensate for the fact that the real ones suggest alternative solutions.

Following Bush a sloth would seem overly active as president

Between ratification of a sane Universal Health Care System and putting a stopper on fraudulent Cap-and-Trade the money at issue is staggering!!!

WHAT???!!! Universal Health Care has been implemented by ALL other developed countries!!!

WHAT???!!! Under Cap-and-Trade the Energy Industry simply passes on Higher Costs directly to the consumer—with NO decrease in emissions!!!

Here Read:

+ Canadian Health Insurance: Lessons for the United States / Government Accountability Office (GAO):

--“If the universal coverage and single-payer features of the Canadian system were applied in the United States, the savings in administrative cost alone would be more than enough to finance insurance coverage for the millions of Americans who are currently uninsured.”

+ Single-Payer Protests Challenge Democrats / Washington Post, 06/06/09:

--“The White House and Democratic leaders have made clear there is no chance that Congress will adopt a single-payer approach -- named for the idea that a single government-backed insurance plan would pay for all Americans' medical costs -- because it is too radical a change.”

+ The Truth About Drug Companies / Mother Jones:

“… Angell attacks major pharmaceutical industry -- whose top ten companies make more in profits than the rest of the Fortune 500 COMBINED -- for using “free market” rhetoric while opposing competition at all costs.”

Why not Universal Health Care with a $25 deductible after the first annual visit?

Healthcare in America is a privilege and a multi-trillion dollar industry, just benefiting the ultra wealthy insurance companies. Here is an very ominous example of our so called medical care. Professor and surgeon Dr. Richard Foster of Indiana University medical center operated on a cancerous kidney, that was partially successfully removed. After she was operated on my relative she found herself in incessant chronic pain and has been on the strongest of pain killers since then. The surgeon in question severed the intercostial nerves under her rib cage. As with many states physicians are never held accountable, as its hard to prove medical malpractice even if you can afford the attorney fees. She is now appealing Federal disability, because two pain doctors say she can never work again. Since than she spends more time fighting with her California state-backed insurance company, for her pain medication to elevate the awful pain.

These insurers have denied her over and over again, and forced her into federally mandated emergency room. This is an outrageous travesty of what we have a nerve to call health care. Health care in most European civilized countries has been exceptional, but since the advent of unparalleled immigration, a once Universal health care, single payer system has rapidly gone downhill. Yet If I had a chance at being a member of Canada's, France, United Kingdom method of delivery, I would grab it happily with both hands any day. In America it's run for profit, that is monopolized by giant wealthy insurance companies, who deceives the American people with copays, premiums and and almost impossible referrals, once the doctor has seen you. Of course the--BIG ONE--is pre-existing condition clauses, and small print in documents that you need a magnifying glass to read, if at all. Time this superpower called the United States accommodated it's citizens with a single payer system for all and not just the high income families.

THIS COUNTRY NEEDS NATIONAL HEALTH CARE, NOTHING ELSE WILL DO!!!
Either everyone gets health care or no one gets health care. ENOUGH! The taxpayer will not pay for health care or pensions for anyone, unless everyone gets health care, period! Including postal workers, school teachers,police and firemen, federal and state workers, elected officials, military, and anyone else that gets insurance from the taxpayer, including John McCain, and Boehner! EVERYONE DESERVES HEALTHCARE, PERIOD! whiteagle38

Here's a an example of what you can expect from state run health care. I use the term health care very loosely

http://www.ohsu.edu/pcmonline/docs/Oregon%20Rationing.pdf

Here is what a centralized command and control federal gov't will do to you. All you flatliners that complained that gov't shouldn't be in the bedroom; do you have a problem with them being in your kitchen (telling you what to eat) or family room (telling you to get of the couch)?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23559.html

Why is it that when we want to brag about America, we can do so with creditable proof, but when it comes to change, we point to good nations, whom don't have the past record for achievement, that America has and use their creditable, but flawed programs, to deter us from doing what is right !!? A public element to the Healthcare Industry !! Then, all of a sudden, we can't do this and we can't do that ?!! We can create a Healthcare system that has benefitted federal workers, including our Congress, our Presidency and our Supreme Court, but we can't create one to benefit our citizenry ? That is a lot of Corporate swill, mixed with a whole lot of Republican con !! This country can do anything it wants, look at how we brought the rest of the world's economy to its knees !!
We have many federal programs that are successes and helpful to our citizens, so, please, don't prop up that straw-man, that the government can't do anything right !! With the right leadership, America can do what ever she wishes to do and most of the time, better !! Like all of the other dinosaurs, the Corporations are struggling to maintain their strangle hold over the Ameican economy and they will peddle fear, lies and of course bribes, to maintain that strangle-hold. It is up to all fair-minded Americans to help President Obama, in his efforts to remove that monkey from the backs of working Americans. If we must have a single payer system, then let's get on with it. Many people are dying out here, because of a lack of coverage, or inadequate covering ? We can not continue to bury victims of ideological stubbornness and greed ?!! America, it is time you treated all of your citizens fairly, not just those that can afford it !! We are one nation, under God !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

Terry, the specific drug that is referenced isn't covered by many private Insurance plans either. Many that do cover it, cover only a portion of the very high cost.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/Story?id=3389038&page=1

https://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/single,31529,7.htm

Prescription costs have become increasingly difficult to manage. You can start saving by switching to generic drugs. www.medtipster.com recently launched an early version of its drug price comparison Web site. Consumers type in their drug name, dosage and ZIP code, and can find prescription drugs available on discount generic programs and where they can find them in their neighborhoods. The site will eventually offer users information on scheduled immunizations, health screenings and mini-clinics in their area; recalls and warnings; an "Ask the Pharmacist" feature; and an online community in which individuals can share information.

Terry--Get off the couch, fool!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/11/opinion/11kristof.html?em

Congress getting the cost of drugs down from the manufactures would be better than health care, hardly ever a word from Congress on this, must be a sacred cow.

Brit. makes an important point:

Don't have any major medical procedures in Indiana.

Docs there have the laws so bent in their favor you will never be able to get compensation even for the frankest of malpractice. Plus there are "caps" or upper limits on awards for malpractice.

Cross state lines and have surgery in Illinois where at least you have a chance of recovering if "things go terribly wrong".

As in severing nerves. Ooops!

While in Illinois, have a look at the new B lue Cross Blue Shield building being topped out on Randolph Dr. just north of Grant Park.

Very nice! First 30 floors were erected about 8 years ago, now the next 30.

Your premium dollars at work!

Must be nice to afford to be an architect's patron.

With the Republican smear-the-public-option campaign---designed by Wingnut mouth-breather Frank Luntz---in full swing, here's a handy, crystal-clear rebuttal you can print out and leave on windshields and utility poles (and even in emergency rooms!) across America:

5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION

1. Choice, choice, choice. If the public health insurance option passes, Americans will be able to choose between their current insurance and a high-quality, government-run plan similar to Medicare. If you like your current care, you can keep it. If you don't—or don't have any—you can get the public insurance plan.

2. It will be high-quality coverage with a choice of doctors. Government-run plans have a track record of innovating to improve quality, because they're not just focused on short-term profits. And if you choose the public plan, you'll still get to choose your doctor and hospital.

3. We'll all save a bunch of money. The public health insurance option won't have to spend money on things like CEO bonuses, shareholder dividends, or excessive advertising, so it'll cost a lot less. Plus, the private plans will have to lower their rates and provide better value to compete, so people who keep their current insurance will save, too.

4. It will always be there for you and your family. A for-profit insurer can close, move out of the area, or just kick you off their insurance rolls. The public health insurance option will always be available to provide you with the health security you need.

5. And it's a key part of universal health care. No longer will sick people or folks in rural communities, or low-income Americans be forced to go without coverage. The public health insurance plan will be available and accessible to everyone. And for those struggling to make ends meet, the premiums will be subsidized by the government.

It might not hurt to give your senators a jingle and ask 'em which they embrace more: campaign contributions from the big insurance lobby and Frank Luntz's Republican propaganda, or historic legislation that will enhance their legacy and make them heroes among their constituents for improving the health and well-being of all Americans. Be patient---sadly, it could take some of 'em a while to decide.

Members of Congress have government run healthcare!
It's way past time they sacrificed for the good of the country. In case they haven't noticed, this country and 90% of the people in it are broke. We can't afford to pay a freaking middleman for mandated insurance instead of healthcare. Everybody needs to make this the line in the sand.

Don't let the Republican party and their special interest groups and lobbyists scare you, people!
.
http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/8_myths_about_health_care_reform.html

I am reminded of a quote I read today on another blog:

“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”
Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931

What with all that our government, Republicans and Democrats are doing to our country I am very concerned. I can’t help but wonder how much freedom we actually have anymore. What with the will of the people continuing to be overturned by the courts and our representatives not listening to our voices.

Add to that the news that China and Russia and others are trying to move away from the dollar. May explain why gold and silver continue to rise. I just check the the widget http://www.learcapital.com/exactprice and gold is trading at $954.70 and silver is at $15.41. If all this health care stuff goes through I expect people will be going deeper into those precious metals to hedge against future health problems.

Washington, D.C. – The nine Republican Senators who sent a letter to President Barack Obama to express their opposition to a central part of his health care plan have benefited greatly from health care and insurance industry donations, a new analysis from Public Campaign Action Fund shows. The Senators have collectively taken $17.7 million from insurance and health care interests, according to data analyzed at the Center for Responsive Politics website, opensecrets.org. That amounts to nearly $2 million per Senator over their careers.
.
http://www.campaignmoney.org/pressroom/2009/06/08/senators-who-signed-letter-opposing-public-health-plan-took-17-7-million-in-campaign-cash-from-health-care-

Republicans are in the back pocket of the big insurance industry? I'm shocked.....NOT!

Ask yourself this: If your employer announced that you were going to be laid off tomorrow because of the economy, and that if you wanted to continue your insurance coverage by COBRA, it would cost of $915 a month (the average cost), how long would you be able to keep your family covered? Nationally, COBRA coverage costs around 83% of the average unemployment benefit.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09010/940941-28.stm
The insurance crisis could be your problem, tomorrow, through no fault of your own, as it has for millions of hard working americans in the last few months.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois is just finishing its 60 story skyscraper on the north edge of Grant Park in Chicago.

Very impressive edifice.

Are the Blues building an edifice in your state?

Just think of that every time they raise your premium.

Most people are unaware how similar the major health insurers are to our failed Wall Street firms.They are corporate cash cows and have virtually no fiduciary responsibility and few activities for protecting or improving health or the health care system.They will devote their vast resources to prevent any meaningful health reform. They have controlled Congress and the mainstream media. The only cure is vigorous popular support for a single payer, Medicare for All reform.

The individual insurance companies are out for profit and must work to maximize their value on the stock market and not our friends. They treat patients like widgets or cost centers. This is not a culture of trust, caring, compassion, and fiduciary responsibility. If you were dumb enough to hope that Countrywide Mortgage would preserve your home and Lehman Brothers would preserve your retirement fund, then you will be stupid enough to expect Anthem Blue Cross and the other insurance companies to be there to protect your health. Yet it seems all Washington continues under this delusion.

The employer based private health insurance industry has been created by us, is hugely subsidized by public policy and public money and is expensive, inefficient, costly , and a structural barrier to a healthy America. It needs to be eliminated.

The only cure for our problem is a single payer, national, universal, health financing program like Medicare for All. This is not socialized medicine, but an efficient way to pool risk and share the unexpected costs of illness. Fifty percent of our population has virtually no medical expenses while five percent consume 25 percent of all personal medical care costs. This why we need the insurance principle: unexpected medical expenses are relatively rare and can be huge and should be spread across the whole population. Financial costs related to illness cause over 50 percent of personal bankruptcies in the United States. Over 46 million Americans are rationed out of the medical system (and during this economic catastrophe this number is growing by 10,000 people per day) 46 million people are subject to excess morbidity and mortality because they cannot afford financing and the insurance industry cannot profit from them. Health insurance is important and necessary. We need an efficient, national, publicaly sponsored, universal health financing system. This is the only treatment that will be a cure.

Here's the key to why Republicans want to sink any health care reform written by Democrats:

They recognize that Democrats fixing the health care mess would cook the Republicans' electoral goose for at least a generation or two.

Obama has avoided the thorny details of assiduous analysis on the most critical problems facing America, and has used sweeping, but banal statements of obvious principals, while his appointees actually implement policies and programs inconsistent with the claims of the message. Now his methodology will be applied to Healthcare?

Did America elect a monarch? … A President is still needed.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2009/06/does-america-yearn-for-monarch.html

Why stop short of a TV company. I think today's news format is a cry for help. My news pet peeve is new's doctors asking other new's doctors questions they should know the answers to. I call them phony Q&A segments.

You Obama sheep don't know what it's like in other countries where this system has been tried, and...it's a Big Failure!

Go read about Canada's or the EU's healthcare system...get ready to wait in line for years and then die before you get treatment.

More government control...that's all it is, you stupid, stupid sheep

Paulo

We all remember that commercials like these were made by Republicans and their pals at the Big Insurance Industry to trick Americans into thinking that health care reform would hurt average working families. We now see what has happened to the health-care system. CEOs rake in the big bucks from the huge profits they take in as health-insurance costs have skyrocketed.

FierceHealthcare reports the following top 10 CEO salaries for 2008:
------------------------------------------------------
* Ron Williams - Aetna - Total Compensation: $24,300,112.
* H. Edward Hanway - CIGNA - Total Compensation: $12,236,740.
* Angela Braly - WellPoint - Total Compensation: $9,844,212.
* Dale Wolf - Coventry Health Care - Total Compensation: $9,047,469.
* Michael Neidorff - Centene - Total Compensation: $8,774,483.
* James Carlson - AMERIGROUP - Total Compensation: $5,292,546.
* Michael McCallister - Humana - Total Compensation: $4,764,309.
* Jay Gellert - Health Net - Total Compensation: $4,425,355.
* Richard Barasch - Universal American - Total Compensation: $3,503,702.
* Stephen Hemsley - UnitedHealth Group - Total Compensation: $3,241,042.

My rates go up and coverage goes down every time I turn around. And then they just decide not to cover certain medications without an explanation. Even scumbag criminals are resurfacing like Rick Scott to try and con America for a second time -- and the corporate media does nothing about it.
.
http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/dont-let-third-way-ben-nelsons-or-repub

John - add up that CEO pay and divide it by the 255 million insured people. Hope that candy bar tasted good.

Compare that to what you pay in additional taxes to have the same people that brought you Amtrak and the USPS manage your health care. Bring a comfy chair while you wait for service.

In response to Paulo June 12. I'm a Brit and was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. I was operated on within weeks and recieved excellent service - free a the point of delivery. The vast majority of Brits get similar excellent service whenever they need it, and for this reason no political party in Britain would dare end the system. Paulo you need to get out more.