Showing posts with label US Health care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Health care. Show all posts
Friday, March 12, 2021
America's Inanse, Immoral, Unconscionable Health Care System
No other country in the world does health care the way we do.
And it's killing us. LIterally killing us.
But first, it bankrupts a lot of us. Crazy when what is supposed to be your "health care system" is actually murderous. No?
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Wealthiest Nation in the World? Really?
Right. The United States. "Wealthiest nation in the world." Sure we are. Let's look closer.
First of all, there's that pesky issue of this biggest, most killing international pandemic in the last more than 100 years.
Coronavirus: Why America Has More Deaths Than Any Other
And sure, this COVID pandemic is an event, a "one off", if you will, that will go away. Here's statistics that are more complete, more over time and the entire nation and world.
US ranks last in worker benefits among developed countries: data
In comparisons to other developed nations, the U.S. lags in providing fundamental employee benefits.
For starters, we're the only Western, industrialized nation that a) doesn't have universal health care and that b) ties health care to profit and profits.
Real rocket scientists, we are.
Some of the facts from the article:
- Famed for their successful public health care systems, northern and Scandinavian countries like Canada, Denmark, Sweden and Norway ranked the highest in the top 10 countries with the best health care benefits.
- In the U.S., health care is privatized and does not offer universal health care, and Zenefits notes that private hospitals also propagate treatment inequalities between individuals who can afford higher quality treatment and those who cannot.
- Retirement benefits are another weak spot for the U.S.; older reports indicate that the U.S. comes in 16th place among the countries with the best retirement plans.
- This inequality in U.S. retirement planning extends to racial injustice as well. Some 24 percent of white family households are covered with an employee-sponsored retirement plan, compared to 16 percent of households of color.
- Throughout the globe, the U.S. also came in 32nd place for highest life expectancy, averaging 78.5 years.
- The U.S. is also notoriously stingy with its paid time off. Be it for sick leave, parental leave, or general work-life balance, the U.S. shows zero mandated paid holidays whereas similar countries within the European Union average between 20-30 paid holidays for discretionary use. Maternity leave is protected under U.S. labor laws, though, with 12 weeks of unpaid leave being the baseline for companies.
- Other countries, such as Finland, Germany, Japan, and Canada give their employees more time, ranging from 161 weeks to 52 weeks.
Note, too, above, what nations have higher standards of living, folks.
Yes. Socialist. Democratic Socialist governments and countries. Go figure.
So congratulations, America, Americans. At least, with all this, above, we also have this, below, eh?
U.S. Has Worst Wealth Inequality of Any Rich Nation
Say... Do you suppose, just suppose the two could be related?
Ya' think?
Additional link:
COVID-19 pandemic death rates by country
Friday, December 18, 2020
Quotes of the Day -- On Health Care
Universal health care is such a complex beast that only 32 of the world's 33 nations have been able to make it work.
--Duke @Maxonsdad
If you think Covid treatment should be free (of course it should), why do you think insulin shouldn’t be?
Or cancer treatment?
Or mental health?
Health care should not be run for profit. Period.
--Robert Reich @RBReich
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Don't need health care reform?
If anyone still says we don't need to reform health care in America, point out the following new study, in addition to all the existing data there is out there:
"Mothers are giving birth to lighter babies in the U.S., and no one is quite sure why."
"The finding, published Thursday in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has potentially troubling public-health implications, if the trend continues. Low-birth-weight babies are at higher risk for a host of health problems."
"Between 1990 and 2005, the birth weight of full-term babies in the U.S. declined nearly two ounces to an average of 7 pounds, 7.54 ounces, a reversal of a trend that had seen birth weights climb steadily since the 1950s, according to the study. Babies were also born 2.5 days earlier on average in 2005 than in 1990, the study said."
It goes on:
"The results are 'surprising and unexpected,' said Emily Oken, an author of the paper and an assistant professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School. "We do need to keep a close eye on the babies that are the smallest babies to see if the proportion of those is increasing over time, because they may require extra resources and have extra health concerns,' she said."
If this most expensive of health care systems in the world that we have here in the US--and it is--is the best in the world, as people claim, why do we now have this additional issue/potential problem?
And check this out, it isn't just minorities and/or the poor to whom this is happening, either:
"Researchers repeated their analysis in a sample of low-risk women—healthy, educated Caucasians in their mid-to-late 20s—and found that the decrease in birth weight was even more pronounced, suggesting that the trend wasn't the result of changes in the population of mothers."
The fact is, for the most money we can spend in the world in every measure, the only ones benefitting from all the money spent are the insurance companies and corporations.
We're getting less healthy.
We rank 37th, internationaly, when considering mortality rates. (Read: when people die).
That's behind Costa Rica, people.
If you don't think we need health care reform, please do some research. You will find out differently.
If you know, as I do, that we do need this reform--and desperately--contact your congressional representatives now. Email them and tell them we need this.
Hopefully it's not too late.
____________________________
For lots more data--hard statistics--on the US' health care system and how expensive, ineffective and downright unhealthy it is, go here.
"Mothers are giving birth to lighter babies in the U.S., and no one is quite sure why."
"The finding, published Thursday in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has potentially troubling public-health implications, if the trend continues. Low-birth-weight babies are at higher risk for a host of health problems."
"Between 1990 and 2005, the birth weight of full-term babies in the U.S. declined nearly two ounces to an average of 7 pounds, 7.54 ounces, a reversal of a trend that had seen birth weights climb steadily since the 1950s, according to the study. Babies were also born 2.5 days earlier on average in 2005 than in 1990, the study said."
It goes on:
"The results are 'surprising and unexpected,' said Emily Oken, an author of the paper and an assistant professor of population medicine at Harvard Medical School. "We do need to keep a close eye on the babies that are the smallest babies to see if the proportion of those is increasing over time, because they may require extra resources and have extra health concerns,' she said."
If this most expensive of health care systems in the world that we have here in the US--and it is--is the best in the world, as people claim, why do we now have this additional issue/potential problem?
And check this out, it isn't just minorities and/or the poor to whom this is happening, either:
"Researchers repeated their analysis in a sample of low-risk women—healthy, educated Caucasians in their mid-to-late 20s—and found that the decrease in birth weight was even more pronounced, suggesting that the trend wasn't the result of changes in the population of mothers."
The fact is, for the most money we can spend in the world in every measure, the only ones benefitting from all the money spent are the insurance companies and corporations.
We're getting less healthy.
We rank 37th, internationaly, when considering mortality rates. (Read: when people die).
That's behind Costa Rica, people.
If you don't think we need health care reform, please do some research. You will find out differently.
If you know, as I do, that we do need this reform--and desperately--contact your congressional representatives now. Email them and tell them we need this.
Hopefully it's not too late.
____________________________
For lots more data--hard statistics--on the US' health care system and how expensive, ineffective and downright unhealthy it is, go here.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Three big problems with and for health care reform
There are at least three big problems with and for the health care reform right now, in Washington, that could lead to who knows where--not the least of which is that the reform will yet be killed.
First, there is the fact that right now, today, Massachussetts is rather famously voting for a Senator to replace Ted Kennedy.
Ol' Ted will surely "spin in his grave", so to speak, if the Conservative, Republican Scott Brown--Tea Bagger that he is--wins the seat.
Hopefully all the Democrats turn out today and are backed by some independent voters and put Martha Coakley in the Senate.
If not, the Democrats lose their super-majority in the Senate and we lose our ability to pass any health care reform.
And that will be for years.
Cross your fingers.
The second problem for health care reform right now is that the mandate for all Americans to buy health care insurance may get thrown out as unconstitutional.
And you know? I have to say, it does seem that it would be tough to get this to fly in our courts.
Americans forced to buy health insurance by their government?
I don't think so.
And anyway, what sense did that ever make, anyway? If you can't afford health care, how is it that the government's mandating you to buy it is going to make that happen?
If you don't have the money for health care, you simply don't have the money for health care, government mandate or no government mandate.
And finally, this brings us to what is wrong, ultimately, at its core, for this entire health care reform. The third and final thing wrong with this is that the very industries we were supposed to be reforming were allowed in the room---heck, in the negotiations--during the whole debate to begin with.
That's insane.
Since when does the patient get to be their own doctor?
Meaning, our problems with health care should have meant that the hospitals and doctors and insurance agencies--especially the insurance agencies--shouldn't have been let in on the health care reform debate and proposals. They're all putting things in there for themselves, not the American people.
So what happened?
The "single-payer" option was discarded right away and this alone was estimated to have saved us $350 billion dollars per year---enough to pay for the entire health care reform.
It simply makes no sense to have 1300 different health care insurance forms--one for each insurance agency in the country. The savings would have been huge.
And the "public option" for a government insurance plan for us--at much lower costs--was thrown out.
How else can we get insurance companies to keep their costs down unless there is a government option?
The result was that the American people and the actual reforms we needed were thrown out, for the sake of the corporations and their profits.
I hope this will all have been worth it and we get some good health care reform.
Right now, nothing is certain.
Not what's in the bill and not whether we'll even get a bill.
Here's hoping.
First, there is the fact that right now, today, Massachussetts is rather famously voting for a Senator to replace Ted Kennedy.
Ol' Ted will surely "spin in his grave", so to speak, if the Conservative, Republican Scott Brown--Tea Bagger that he is--wins the seat.
Hopefully all the Democrats turn out today and are backed by some independent voters and put Martha Coakley in the Senate.
If not, the Democrats lose their super-majority in the Senate and we lose our ability to pass any health care reform.
And that will be for years.
Cross your fingers.
The second problem for health care reform right now is that the mandate for all Americans to buy health care insurance may get thrown out as unconstitutional.
And you know? I have to say, it does seem that it would be tough to get this to fly in our courts.
Americans forced to buy health insurance by their government?
I don't think so.
And anyway, what sense did that ever make, anyway? If you can't afford health care, how is it that the government's mandating you to buy it is going to make that happen?
If you don't have the money for health care, you simply don't have the money for health care, government mandate or no government mandate.
And finally, this brings us to what is wrong, ultimately, at its core, for this entire health care reform. The third and final thing wrong with this is that the very industries we were supposed to be reforming were allowed in the room---heck, in the negotiations--during the whole debate to begin with.
That's insane.
Since when does the patient get to be their own doctor?
Meaning, our problems with health care should have meant that the hospitals and doctors and insurance agencies--especially the insurance agencies--shouldn't have been let in on the health care reform debate and proposals. They're all putting things in there for themselves, not the American people.
So what happened?
The "single-payer" option was discarded right away and this alone was estimated to have saved us $350 billion dollars per year---enough to pay for the entire health care reform.
It simply makes no sense to have 1300 different health care insurance forms--one for each insurance agency in the country. The savings would have been huge.
And the "public option" for a government insurance plan for us--at much lower costs--was thrown out.
How else can we get insurance companies to keep their costs down unless there is a government option?
The result was that the American people and the actual reforms we needed were thrown out, for the sake of the corporations and their profits.
I hope this will all have been worth it and we get some good health care reform.
Right now, nothing is certain.
Not what's in the bill and not whether we'll even get a bill.
Here's hoping.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Sanity and insanity on the Thanksgiving weekend
All from The Kansas City Star today.
First the insanity:
--some lunatic in Florida (thank God it was there) "opened fire on his family after Thanksgiving dinner."
I always wonder why these people don't do everyone a favor and put the gun at their own head, instead of anyone else. Granted, this guy is clearly nuts but, I ask you, wouldn't it be nice?
--The couple who crashed the White House State dinner the other night got to walk right up and meet and greet the President and First Lady.
Nearly unbelievable.
As I said, somebody's ass is out the door on that one.
--Now our Congress is considering doing a "Cash for clunkers" for appliances and that industry.
Really, our government needs to learn that we're unplugging a bit, as a consumer society. We've spent way too damned much money on virtually everything and the party is over. They need to stop throwing our own--now borrowed--money at us. First it was for houses--which they're likely going to extend--then it was for cars, now appliances. Give it up, ladies and gentelmen. We know we're over-extended on credit. When are you going to learn you are?
--Sady, some coupld from our own Columbia, Missouri fell asleep in a Caseyville, Illinois motel room "after leaving an infant and toddler in a running van outside."
Yikes.
I'm not even going to touch that irresponsibility and stupidity.
--Mayor Michael Bloomberg paid $100 million of his own money "to narrowly win a third term" for himself in New York City, "breaking his previous records for the most expensive self-financed political bid in US history..."
This is where we're headed, folks, with rich people buying our elections, only much worse, if we don't institute very real--and stringent--campaign finance reform.
--Former CNN host Lou Dobbs looks to be eyeing a run for President in 2012.
I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry.
--It looks more and more like some idiot with a bomb blew up a train in Russia, killing 25 people and injuring lots more, of course.
--This last one falls in the insanity and sanity column, both. I reported earlier that our city is going to have a two-day free health care clinic downtown at Bartle Hall. The insanity is that we have to do this, here in the United States.
The sanity:
--Again, that we are having a two-day free health care clinic downtown soon, at Bartle Hall. God bless all the people who are sacrificing their time, talent and energy to do this for the less well-off.
--The Governor of Bali had put in a request to sacrifice "hundreds of rare reptiles"--turtles--that were "to be killed for religious ceremonies."
Thank goodness common sense prevailed.
--I'd almost put money right now on KU's head coach Mark Mangino being fired very shortly--possibly as soon as tomorrow. It might not happen but after reading what he's said and done with his football players, I'm thinking it's a sure thing he's out. He was just too politically incorrect--and way off base.
--It looks like China and Russia are backing a nuclear limits ban on Iran through the UN. International cooperation always looks good.
--It's a beautiful weekend here in the midwest US and there are loads and loads of people helping and doing things for, their fellow man (person, whatever).
That's always terrific.
Have a great weekend, y'all.
Link: www.kansascity.com
First the insanity:
--some lunatic in Florida (thank God it was there) "opened fire on his family after Thanksgiving dinner."
I always wonder why these people don't do everyone a favor and put the gun at their own head, instead of anyone else. Granted, this guy is clearly nuts but, I ask you, wouldn't it be nice?
--The couple who crashed the White House State dinner the other night got to walk right up and meet and greet the President and First Lady.
Nearly unbelievable.
As I said, somebody's ass is out the door on that one.
--Now our Congress is considering doing a "Cash for clunkers" for appliances and that industry.
Really, our government needs to learn that we're unplugging a bit, as a consumer society. We've spent way too damned much money on virtually everything and the party is over. They need to stop throwing our own--now borrowed--money at us. First it was for houses--which they're likely going to extend--then it was for cars, now appliances. Give it up, ladies and gentelmen. We know we're over-extended on credit. When are you going to learn you are?
--Sady, some coupld from our own Columbia, Missouri fell asleep in a Caseyville, Illinois motel room "after leaving an infant and toddler in a running van outside."
Yikes.
I'm not even going to touch that irresponsibility and stupidity.
--Mayor Michael Bloomberg paid $100 million of his own money "to narrowly win a third term" for himself in New York City, "breaking his previous records for the most expensive self-financed political bid in US history..."
This is where we're headed, folks, with rich people buying our elections, only much worse, if we don't institute very real--and stringent--campaign finance reform.
--Former CNN host Lou Dobbs looks to be eyeing a run for President in 2012.
I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry.
--It looks more and more like some idiot with a bomb blew up a train in Russia, killing 25 people and injuring lots more, of course.
--This last one falls in the insanity and sanity column, both. I reported earlier that our city is going to have a two-day free health care clinic downtown at Bartle Hall. The insanity is that we have to do this, here in the United States.
The sanity:
--Again, that we are having a two-day free health care clinic downtown soon, at Bartle Hall. God bless all the people who are sacrificing their time, talent and energy to do this for the less well-off.
--The Governor of Bali had put in a request to sacrifice "hundreds of rare reptiles"--turtles--that were "to be killed for religious ceremonies."
Thank goodness common sense prevailed.
--I'd almost put money right now on KU's head coach Mark Mangino being fired very shortly--possibly as soon as tomorrow. It might not happen but after reading what he's said and done with his football players, I'm thinking it's a sure thing he's out. He was just too politically incorrect--and way off base.
--It looks like China and Russia are backing a nuclear limits ban on Iran through the UN. International cooperation always looks good.
--It's a beautiful weekend here in the midwest US and there are loads and loads of people helping and doing things for, their fellow man (person, whatever).
That's always terrific.
Have a great weekend, y'all.
Link: www.kansascity.com
For anyone and everyone who thinks we don't need health care reform
This is what too many of us have come to.
The Kansas City Star reports today that there will be a free health care clinic right here in our own little cowtown. It is to be a two day event at Bartle Hall December 9 and 10.
As I said, this is what health care has come to here in the US.
The richest country in the world has the most expensive--and least available--health care system in the world.
These free health care fairs have been done in the Appalachians, the West Coast (LA), the East Coast (West Virginia) and elsewhere. For too many of us, our insurance and insurance companies have priced us out of having good, sound health care.
It's undeniable but people and corporations deny it, regardless.
It's sad.
It's pathetic.
Maddening.
Did you know that the US is ranked 37th, internationally, when it comes to mortality rates?
Yeah, we are.
We are BEHIND Costa Rica on this.
Costa freakin' Rica, people.
Think we have the best health care system in the world?
Think again.
And did you see yesterday in the media that we are ranked number 3, again internationally, in terms of obesity rates?
I'm not saying that's anyone's fault but our own, individually, but it adds up to a really ugly health care picture.
If one more right-wing, closed-minded, uniformed, jingoistic chucklehead--family, friend, whatever--claims we don't need health care reform, I may well go apeshit on 'em.
Link: http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1597536.html
The Kansas City Star reports today that there will be a free health care clinic right here in our own little cowtown. It is to be a two day event at Bartle Hall December 9 and 10.
As I said, this is what health care has come to here in the US.
The richest country in the world has the most expensive--and least available--health care system in the world.
These free health care fairs have been done in the Appalachians, the West Coast (LA), the East Coast (West Virginia) and elsewhere. For too many of us, our insurance and insurance companies have priced us out of having good, sound health care.
It's undeniable but people and corporations deny it, regardless.
It's sad.
It's pathetic.
Maddening.
Did you know that the US is ranked 37th, internationally, when it comes to mortality rates?
Yeah, we are.
We are BEHIND Costa Rica on this.
Costa freakin' Rica, people.
Think we have the best health care system in the world?
Think again.
And did you see yesterday in the media that we are ranked number 3, again internationally, in terms of obesity rates?
I'm not saying that's anyone's fault but our own, individually, but it adds up to a really ugly health care picture.
If one more right-wing, closed-minded, uniformed, jingoistic chucklehead--family, friend, whatever--claims we don't need health care reform, I may well go apeshit on 'em.
Link: http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1597536.html
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
An open letter to Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond
Senator Bond,
We need to make it clear that we not only want true, comprehensive health care reform in our country, we need it--and we need it badly.
We need the single-payer option--but apparently aren't going to get it--and we need the public option for insurance and aren't likely to get that, either.
Lots of us don't have health insurance out here, Senator, because health care costs here in the States are the highest in the world, as we all know.
Lots more of us can barely afford our health care for the same reason.
We need help, Senator.
We need your help.
We need you to vote for health care reform when it comes up for a vote soon.
We know you're not likely to give it to us because you don't want this President or his party to succeed, for fear of your own party's failure, but it's the right thing for the country and for its citizens, and your constituents
It's the right thing, Senator, it's worth repeating.
Vote for health care reform, Senator Bond.
Do the right thing.
We need this help.
We need your help.
Sincerely,
____________________________
Now, go write Sen. Bond. You can do that here: http://bond.senate.gov/public/
We need to make it clear that we not only want true, comprehensive health care reform in our country, we need it--and we need it badly.
We need the single-payer option--but apparently aren't going to get it--and we need the public option for insurance and aren't likely to get that, either.
Lots of us don't have health insurance out here, Senator, because health care costs here in the States are the highest in the world, as we all know.
Lots more of us can barely afford our health care for the same reason.
We need help, Senator.
We need your help.
We need you to vote for health care reform when it comes up for a vote soon.
We know you're not likely to give it to us because you don't want this President or his party to succeed, for fear of your own party's failure, but it's the right thing for the country and for its citizens, and your constituents
It's the right thing, Senator, it's worth repeating.
Vote for health care reform, Senator Bond.
Do the right thing.
We need this help.
We need your help.
Sincerely,
____________________________
Now, go write Sen. Bond. You can do that here: http://bond.senate.gov/public/
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Let's call it what it is: Wealthcare
Let's not call what we have in America "health care" any longer. Let's be honest.
It's "wealthcare"--health care for anyone and everyone with money.
That's what we have and it's getting worse.
There is a terrific, front-page article in The Kansas City Star today that shouldn't be overlooked, partly because the Star can't do that many insightful articles any more, what with their much-reduced staff but also because it gives great, cutting-edge information on yet another new wrinkle in our health care system.
It's called "concierge medicine" and if you assume that, because it has a French name it's more expensive, you'd be correct.
It works like this: You pay, say, $1,000.00 up front, PER MONTH--that already puts most of us out of this option--then approximately $125.00 more per month. For that you get virtually unlimited access to your own personal family physician.
Want to see him or her that day? Sure.
Need to see him or her that evening? No problem.
For that much money, it shouldn't be a surprise.
Get this--the doctors still recommend you carry insurance, on top of these costs, of course, to cover "hospital visits and specialist's care."
Sure, it's terrific, personal coverage but at what a cost. Holy cow.
Understandably, as it says in the article, doctors are going crazy with our current system of health care because it pays them for procedures. This means that, the busier they are, the more they get paid so the more their practice gets paid.
Let me repeat a familiar refrain: This is no way to run a health care system.
It's crazy.
It's paying the doctors to just fix problems after the fact, instead of helping us all stay healthy ahead of time.
But as long as we keep going back in and paying our insurance premiums, and the doctors work like little rats in a cage and the clinics and hospitals keep their costs down--by denying care, frequently, and minimizing treatments and reducing the amount of time a patient sees a doctor and the amount of time we're actually healing in the hospital--then the system works great.
Except not at all.
This is another, gross extension of this crazy system that's been created here in the US since the 60's, when corporations have taken over health care.
All they see and want is money and profits and the more and bigger, the better.
This makes health care even more a matter of good health for the wealthy and little or nothing for the middle- and lower-classes.
It provides further proof that our system is grossly broken.
We need both the single-payer option so there is only one form for all care--instead of the 1300 different forms there are now, one for each insurance company in the country--and we need the "public option" for health insurance to keep costs for coverage much lower.
At best, with the proposals now going through Congress, we may get the public option. Hopefully, it won't be too watered-down as to be meaningless.
Push for reform, folks.
We need it badly and it will help all of us.
Just not the insurance companies.
Then go read this article in The Kansas City Star, if you haven't already. You need to know what's going on.
Link to original story: http://www.kansascity.com/746/story/1513257.html
Article on "Wealthcare" from The New Republic:
http://www.tnr.com/article/books-and-arts/wealthcare-0
And go here, to The New Republic, for a large selection of articles on our current health care status: http://www.tnr.com/blogs/the-treatment
It's "wealthcare"--health care for anyone and everyone with money.
That's what we have and it's getting worse.
There is a terrific, front-page article in The Kansas City Star today that shouldn't be overlooked, partly because the Star can't do that many insightful articles any more, what with their much-reduced staff but also because it gives great, cutting-edge information on yet another new wrinkle in our health care system.
It's called "concierge medicine" and if you assume that, because it has a French name it's more expensive, you'd be correct.
It works like this: You pay, say, $1,000.00 up front, PER MONTH--that already puts most of us out of this option--then approximately $125.00 more per month. For that you get virtually unlimited access to your own personal family physician.
Want to see him or her that day? Sure.
Need to see him or her that evening? No problem.
For that much money, it shouldn't be a surprise.
Get this--the doctors still recommend you carry insurance, on top of these costs, of course, to cover "hospital visits and specialist's care."
Sure, it's terrific, personal coverage but at what a cost. Holy cow.
Understandably, as it says in the article, doctors are going crazy with our current system of health care because it pays them for procedures. This means that, the busier they are, the more they get paid so the more their practice gets paid.
Let me repeat a familiar refrain: This is no way to run a health care system.
It's crazy.
It's paying the doctors to just fix problems after the fact, instead of helping us all stay healthy ahead of time.
But as long as we keep going back in and paying our insurance premiums, and the doctors work like little rats in a cage and the clinics and hospitals keep their costs down--by denying care, frequently, and minimizing treatments and reducing the amount of time a patient sees a doctor and the amount of time we're actually healing in the hospital--then the system works great.
Except not at all.
This is another, gross extension of this crazy system that's been created here in the US since the 60's, when corporations have taken over health care.
All they see and want is money and profits and the more and bigger, the better.
This makes health care even more a matter of good health for the wealthy and little or nothing for the middle- and lower-classes.
It provides further proof that our system is grossly broken.
We need both the single-payer option so there is only one form for all care--instead of the 1300 different forms there are now, one for each insurance company in the country--and we need the "public option" for health insurance to keep costs for coverage much lower.
At best, with the proposals now going through Congress, we may get the public option. Hopefully, it won't be too watered-down as to be meaningless.
Push for reform, folks.
We need it badly and it will help all of us.
Just not the insurance companies.
Then go read this article in The Kansas City Star, if you haven't already. You need to know what's going on.
Link to original story: http://www.kansascity.com/746/story/1513257.html
Article on "Wealthcare" from The New Republic:
http://www.tnr.com/article/books-and-arts/wealthcare-0
And go here, to The New Republic, for a large selection of articles on our current health care status: http://www.tnr.com/blogs/the-treatment
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Calm, lucid and intelligent analysis of both sides of issues
It seems that PBS is one of the last bastions of what I describe above--calm, lucid and intelligent--truly "fair and ballanced"--reporting and information.
And with health care reform being prposed right now and debated nearly ad infinitum, it also seems true the we, as Americans, need good information sources on what's happening and being proposed.
With that in mind, I feel it important to get word out that the local PBS station, KCPT, is broadcasting a formal "Special Report on Health Care" this Thursday evening at 8:30 pm.
We all need to know what's going on, as I said.
I don't even think the average American knows how bad our current health care system is, really. This should be able to help.
Let's all have a good week.
Link: http://kcpt.org/
And with health care reform being prposed right now and debated nearly ad infinitum, it also seems true the we, as Americans, need good information sources on what's happening and being proposed.
With that in mind, I feel it important to get word out that the local PBS station, KCPT, is broadcasting a formal "Special Report on Health Care" this Thursday evening at 8:30 pm.
We all need to know what's going on, as I said.
I don't even think the average American knows how bad our current health care system is, really. This should be able to help.
Let's all have a good week.
Link: http://kcpt.org/
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Not that the insurance companies give a damn
From Politico just now:
""The New Numbers -- Health Insurance Reform Cannot Wait: Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a new state by state analysis of last week's U.S. Census numbers regarding the uninsured. The results are sobering and confirm that health insurance reform cannot wait another year. "These numbers only serve to further confirm a reality that far too many American families live with every day," said Secretary Sebelius. "Our health care system has reached a breaking point. The status quo is unsustainable, and continuing to delay reform is not an option." The facts below underscore the urgency of health insurance reform. Nationwide, the number of uninsured has increased the number of uninsured increased from 39.8 million in 2001 to 46.3 million in 2008."
And keep this in mind:
"These numbers don't even include those who have lost their insurance in the recent recession or have had coverage gaps of shorter than a year."
"Even among high-income households, the ranks of the uninsured are rapidly growing."
This effects big business and small, every household in America, everyone.
Anyone who says we don't need health care reform either doesn't know the hard data, works for the insurance companies or takes money from the insurance companies via their lobbyists.
Amidst all this controversy, I just got notice, myself, that our health insurance is going to go up between 8 to 13 percent shortly. The only way we can keep it down to just 8 percent is by upping my annual minimums AND increasing my co-pay 33%.
I feel sure the insurance companies are thinking they'd better pass along increases now, before any bill goes to Congress.
I foolishly thought they'd want to lay low right now, as this bill goes through our government.
Silly me.
Link to story: http://www.politico.com/politico44/
""The New Numbers -- Health Insurance Reform Cannot Wait: Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a new state by state analysis of last week's U.S. Census numbers regarding the uninsured. The results are sobering and confirm that health insurance reform cannot wait another year. "These numbers only serve to further confirm a reality that far too many American families live with every day," said Secretary Sebelius. "Our health care system has reached a breaking point. The status quo is unsustainable, and continuing to delay reform is not an option." The facts below underscore the urgency of health insurance reform. Nationwide, the number of uninsured has increased the number of uninsured increased from 39.8 million in 2001 to 46.3 million in 2008."
And keep this in mind:
"These numbers don't even include those who have lost their insurance in the recent recession or have had coverage gaps of shorter than a year."
"Even among high-income households, the ranks of the uninsured are rapidly growing."
This effects big business and small, every household in America, everyone.
Anyone who says we don't need health care reform either doesn't know the hard data, works for the insurance companies or takes money from the insurance companies via their lobbyists.
Amidst all this controversy, I just got notice, myself, that our health insurance is going to go up between 8 to 13 percent shortly. The only way we can keep it down to just 8 percent is by upping my annual minimums AND increasing my co-pay 33%.
I feel sure the insurance companies are thinking they'd better pass along increases now, before any bill goes to Congress.
I foolishly thought they'd want to lay low right now, as this bill goes through our government.
Silly me.
Link to story: http://www.politico.com/politico44/
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Two fights for America and Americans
There are two fights, at minimum, going on right now--today, in fact--and it truly is over America and Americans.
Mostly our money.
The first was made obvious by the debate today at the Supreme Court over whether corporations will be allowed to pour their untold billions of dollars into our political campaigns, so they can say whatever they wish and about whomever or whatever they wish.
If you've read me before, you can no doubt guess I'd be vehemently against this.
In the first place, it simply goes against all court rulings and precedence and so, our law.
More importantly to me, though, is the fact that because of the dissolution of the "Fairness Doctrine" years ago by Republican lawmakers, our airwaves have been made far more ugly and vitriolic while at the same time, taking accountability and level-headedness out of our discourse.
Pouring far more corporate money, anonymously, into our political campaigns--which is what is being considered--will only increase the ugliness, bitterness and irresponsibility into our lives and political development.
There are other reasons, too, but these are the two main ones for me and certainly enough to show this should not change and should not go the corporation's way.
The second fight going on right now in America is evidenced by President Obama's address this evening to a joint sesson of Congress over health care reform.
He's pushing for this, sure, but it does look, in this case as well as the first one, above, that the corporations and big business are winning while Americans are losing--mightily and badly.
It's interesting but it doesn't look good for you and I--the man and woman on the street.
Mostly our money.
The first was made obvious by the debate today at the Supreme Court over whether corporations will be allowed to pour their untold billions of dollars into our political campaigns, so they can say whatever they wish and about whomever or whatever they wish.
If you've read me before, you can no doubt guess I'd be vehemently against this.
In the first place, it simply goes against all court rulings and precedence and so, our law.
More importantly to me, though, is the fact that because of the dissolution of the "Fairness Doctrine" years ago by Republican lawmakers, our airwaves have been made far more ugly and vitriolic while at the same time, taking accountability and level-headedness out of our discourse.
Pouring far more corporate money, anonymously, into our political campaigns--which is what is being considered--will only increase the ugliness, bitterness and irresponsibility into our lives and political development.
There are other reasons, too, but these are the two main ones for me and certainly enough to show this should not change and should not go the corporation's way.
The second fight going on right now in America is evidenced by President Obama's address this evening to a joint sesson of Congress over health care reform.
He's pushing for this, sure, but it does look, in this case as well as the first one, above, that the corporations and big business are winning while Americans are losing--mightily and badly.
It's interesting but it doesn't look good for you and I--the man and woman on the street.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Good move, Mr. President
It's great to see the President has called for an address to Congress next week, to clarify and push for health care reform.
That's great news.
As everyone has discussed, he didn't want to make the mistake of the Clintons by pushing through his own reform so he left it up to Congress.
Maybe a little too much so.
So now, with the reform somewhat floundering, he seems to be taking the proverbial "bull by the horns", thank goodness.
This should do two things that are badly needed for this reform, too.
First, it should help him clarify the statistics--the true, hard data--on health care in the US and how dismal it is.
It costs so much, it covers so little, our costs have gone up exponentially and continue to do so, etc. This message, next week, can and should be kept simple so the more of the American public "get it" and so it can't be overridden by the right wing and corporate rants.
Second, it should help him dispel the blatant, out-and-out mistruths, misrepresentations, lies and even hysteria that has been created and distributed by anyone against this reform.
On a side note, I think the President and his staff should stop saying we need government insurance so we can "keep the insurance companies honest." That just creates more problems, I think, and puts them on edge. Instead, he should just say we need this 2nd insurance option to "keep them competitive." He won't so automatically create enemies this way.
So this is terrific. We need to refocus this push and this is just the time and he is the only person, singularly, who can do this.
We have to all be behind him and get the information out, sure. We can help but there has to be a leader and it can only come from him. He has to push Congress.
And then we can bring them along.
Link to story:
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE58146N20090903
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/health/policy/03care.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
That's great news.
As everyone has discussed, he didn't want to make the mistake of the Clintons by pushing through his own reform so he left it up to Congress.
Maybe a little too much so.
So now, with the reform somewhat floundering, he seems to be taking the proverbial "bull by the horns", thank goodness.
This should do two things that are badly needed for this reform, too.
First, it should help him clarify the statistics--the true, hard data--on health care in the US and how dismal it is.
It costs so much, it covers so little, our costs have gone up exponentially and continue to do so, etc. This message, next week, can and should be kept simple so the more of the American public "get it" and so it can't be overridden by the right wing and corporate rants.
Second, it should help him dispel the blatant, out-and-out mistruths, misrepresentations, lies and even hysteria that has been created and distributed by anyone against this reform.
On a side note, I think the President and his staff should stop saying we need government insurance so we can "keep the insurance companies honest." That just creates more problems, I think, and puts them on edge. Instead, he should just say we need this 2nd insurance option to "keep them competitive." He won't so automatically create enemies this way.
So this is terrific. We need to refocus this push and this is just the time and he is the only person, singularly, who can do this.
We have to all be behind him and get the information out, sure. We can help but there has to be a leader and it can only come from him. He has to push Congress.
And then we can bring them along.
Link to story:
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE58146N20090903
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/health/policy/03care.html?_r=1&th&emc=th
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
More proof of the need for health care reform
Further proof, as if we need it, that our health care industry needs reform--did you see this story yet?
Pfizer to pay record $2.3 billion to settle charges
"Pfizer Inc agreed on Wednesday to plead guilty to a U.S. criminal charge relating to promotion of its now-withdrawn Bextra pain medicine and will pay a record $2.3 billion to settle allegations it improperly marketed 13 medicines."
"The world's biggest drugmaker was slapped with the huge fines after being deemed a repeat offender in pitching drugs to patients and doctors for unapproved conditions."
So don't tell me Big Pharma is doing all they do just for the benefit of America and its citizens.
Link to story: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5813XB20090902
Pfizer to pay record $2.3 billion to settle charges
"Pfizer Inc agreed on Wednesday to plead guilty to a U.S. criminal charge relating to promotion of its now-withdrawn Bextra pain medicine and will pay a record $2.3 billion to settle allegations it improperly marketed 13 medicines."
"The world's biggest drugmaker was slapped with the huge fines after being deemed a repeat offender in pitching drugs to patients and doctors for unapproved conditions."
So don't tell me Big Pharma is doing all they do just for the benefit of America and its citizens.
Link to story: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5813XB20090902
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Never mind
No, there's just too bloody much insanity and stupidity to not write.
Check this out:
"Insurance premiums have risen by 73.8% from 2000 to 2006, while the U.S. median income has increased 11.6% during that same period, according to a study released Tuesday by Families USA, the Helena Independent Record reports (Harrington, Helena Independent Record, 10/18)."
This report just came out in the middle of trying to get our health care overhauled in the US.
Read it again, ladies and gentlemen, and remember this.
The above statistic is further proof that, not only do we need health care reform in the US but we need it badly and it must, by necessity, include the government-run "public option" of insurance.
The corporations, I will say again, are eating us alive.
And we're letting them.
If you aren’t for health care reform in general and the “public option”, in particular, you’re voting against your own self-interests, in favor of the corporations.
Which, normally, would be fine except the rest of us would all suffer along with you, with much higher costs, ad infinitum.
Link to story:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/54522.php
Check this out:
"Insurance premiums have risen by 73.8% from 2000 to 2006, while the U.S. median income has increased 11.6% during that same period, according to a study released Tuesday by Families USA, the Helena Independent Record reports (Harrington, Helena Independent Record, 10/18)."
This report just came out in the middle of trying to get our health care overhauled in the US.
Read it again, ladies and gentlemen, and remember this.
The above statistic is further proof that, not only do we need health care reform in the US but we need it badly and it must, by necessity, include the government-run "public option" of insurance.
The corporations, I will say again, are eating us alive.
And we're letting them.
If you aren’t for health care reform in general and the “public option”, in particular, you’re voting against your own self-interests, in favor of the corporations.
Which, normally, would be fine except the rest of us would all suffer along with you, with much higher costs, ad infinitum.
Link to story:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/54522.php
Monday, August 3, 2009
Don't think we need health care reform?
In 1993, when the Clintons first tried to put through health care reform, health care in the United States cost 953 million dollars a year.
Now?
We now spend 2.5 trillion dollars per year on health care.
Still don't think the system is broken?
We have the most expensive health care system in the world.
We are ranked 37th, internationally, compared to all other health care systems, in mortality.
Nearly 50 million Americans aren't covered by any health care plan, period.
There are a lot more statistics, too, that prove this point.
Our health care system is broken. It is badly broken. It doesn't work. It needs fixing.
And corporations need to be out of the fix.
Links:
http://www.healthpaconline.net/health-care-statistics-in-the-united-states.htm
http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/_media/SiCKO_sickofactoids.pdf
Now?
We now spend 2.5 trillion dollars per year on health care.
Still don't think the system is broken?
We have the most expensive health care system in the world.
We are ranked 37th, internationally, compared to all other health care systems, in mortality.
Nearly 50 million Americans aren't covered by any health care plan, period.
There are a lot more statistics, too, that prove this point.
Our health care system is broken. It is badly broken. It doesn't work. It needs fixing.
And corporations need to be out of the fix.
Links:
http://www.healthpaconline.net/health-care-statistics-in-the-united-states.htm
http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/_media/SiCKO_sickofactoids.pdf
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