Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Powerless? Desperate? Insecure? Insignificant?
I have.
OFTEN.
My life is pretty unglamorous. I am a stay at home mother that often hangs around in her spit-up covered pajamas and blogs about things that are rather pointless and silly from the comfort of her home.
A lot of my life has been difficult. I have lived through some pretty horrifying things. To quote Steel Magnolias,” When it comes to suffering she is right up there with Elizabeth Taylor”. This past year in particular has been extremely hard on me and my family physically, emotionally, financially and just about any other “lly” you want to throw in.
Many of you know about my insurance woes and health problems and that the State of Utah declared my pregnancy a pre-existing condition. That we lost a 3-month-old to SIDS and that this was our first baby after 6 long years of grief and loss. That I was so sick that I pretty much became a hermit that spent all day in the fetal position in bed, throwing up endlessly into a bowl. Those and many other things have made me feel shell shocked. Scared. Tired. Powerless. Worthless.
Enter BlogHer and The White House.
I wasn’t sure how BlogHer was going to go for me this year. Even though I was determined, I wondered the whole plane ride why I was even going. I knew it would be really difficult for me.
I was right.
I made some embarrassing faux pas. I felt overwhelmed and hormonal from the delivery of my 6-week-old. I had crippling back pain, I kept throwing up for some unknown reason, I missed my baby like mad. I felt like my blog has sucked for such a long time I didn’t even feel like I deserved to be there. I felt insecure about everything from my writing to having a year filled with internet suckitude of mass proportion.
I can be rather misunderstood on the internet sometimes. I am chaotic and disorganized. I have difficulty keeping up with people and things and it has cost me. I get a surprising amount of hate mail. I was on a whole flipping hate blog for hell’s sake. I have been classified as a braggart, a snob, and the biggest cry baby on the internet. Anyone who really knows me knows these things are so far from what I am. Although, I will admit that after the “Ye Olde Snot Fest” called BlogHer and all my blog entries from this last year, I have actually earned the cry baby title.
Example?
A low point found me locked in a bathroom stall of the hotel sobbing (again) and throwing up (again). I heard the door open and a large group of woman entered.
My heart sank.
I wanted to be alone in my vomitous misery.
There was the usual banter about writing, work and politics and the rustle of purses opening to obtain lipsticks and brushes. Then one of the women started talking.
About me.
There was respect in her voice. For me. For what I do. The others joined in about how much they loved my blog and my writing. How it inspired one of them to start blogging and how they also thought I was one of the best people to hang around at the entire conference.
One woman said she would sacrifice one of her favorite cats and give up her career if she could figure out how to write like me and start a blog of her own.
It was overwhelming to me. Not because of the attention or because someone with multiple cats would give up their career to write like someone who uses the phrase “boobies are magical” on the internet far too often, but that what I do was respected by what seemed to be intelligent, successful women.
ME.
I cried some more.
And I left that bathroom feeling much better than when I went into it.
It was a turning point for me.
This huge gathering of my writing and blogging peers changed so many things for me.
My first night there, The Queen of Spain, a blogger that I totally admire, asked me if I had checked my email. My thought was, “Dude! I didn’t even know she knew who the hell I was, let alone that there was an email waiting for me in my inbox!”
It was from Elisa Camahort-Page, one of the co-founders of BlogHer and someone I completely love to bits and admire. The email invited me to a very small luncheon with Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. They wanted to hear my opinion about health care reform.
I was floored.
Staggered.
They wanted to talk to ME?
Did they know I wasn’t a political blogger? That I am just a stay at home mom with eleventyhundred credits and no college degree that can carry a decent tune and often blogs in her underwear? That I am a loud, silly dork that wants to start a movement to bring the classic middle-school insult “RENOB” back into the common vernacular? THAT I WRITE ABOUT MY TA-TAS ON THE INTERNET??
Seriously?
But it was true. They wanted me. Loralee Choate. A nobody moderate Republican from Cache Valley, Utah.
I was terrified of looking like an idiot in front of everyone and I spent all day repeating over and over to myself, “Do NOT swear! Do NOT be too loud! DO NOT SAY TA-TAS!”
I called my less-than-enthusiastic-about-my blog husband and told him what was happening.
He told me to make sure I told The White House that my husband would gladly pay every cent than have socialized health care.
I told HIM that if he wanted The White House to know that he could start his own freaking blog.
Grin.
When the time came for the luncheon, I didn’t really think that I would even say anything, but then a blogger from Mom-o-crats brought up that she felt that the GOP was spreading misinformation. That they didn’t really get what the Democrats were trying to do with health care refrom.
I timidly raised my hand and asked to respond to her as a registered Republican from Utah.
I stated that there is HUGE concern that this is a ploy and step on the path to socialized health care and government. There is no dirtier word than ‘socialism’ in my state and with my family. I don’t see this plan as socialism. I also admit that I don’t start frothing at the mouth in anger and fear like many around me do when they hear that word. I don’t think a lot of them actually know what they mean when they start spouting off about socialism, but that is pure conjecture on my part.
I come from an uber conservative place, my family is very conservative and my husband is so right wing he is probably two steps away from moving to Idaho and starting his own militia.
(For the record, he is unhappy I keep saying that. He thinks I am saying that he is a racist skinhead. I’m not, I just think it’s hilarious. Yet another thing we see differently.)
Living with him and his politics can be…interesting. I wake up most mornings of my life hearing conservative talk radio or Fox News.
(Also for the record? That can lead for some weird-ass dreams, people.)
I actually consider myself more of an independent. If I didn’t want to vote the way that I do in Utah I would probably register as one. While I don’t consider myself a real conservative I do have many conservative stands and points of views.
I love charter schools, I am pro-life, I am for tort reform, I am a HUGE supporter of our military. While I think the war has turned into a huge mess I am unwilling to have a rapid pullout (as much as I despise that my loved ones have to be deployed and put in harms way). I am dismayed and alarmed at the thought of our service men and women’s bonuses, hazard pay and basic funding for them in general being decreased. I have loved ones who depend on that funding. For their families. For their very lives. Our soldiers are already so stretched thin, as are their families and loved ones. Please don’t let them down.
There are things I am liberal about. The thing I am very, very liberal on is gay marriage. I want gay marriage. Not unions, not “separate but equal”, MARRIAGE. And I express that opinion with pride. I want it as much as I want health care only I have no conflicting issues with it. I do with health care.
I deeply hope that the administration does something about both of these. Pretty please?
* Yes, the above is shameless platform plugging but if you knew that your words were going to be read by the administration (because they asked you to email it) you would TOTALLY put in a few other political issues you want tackled and you know it. ;P
I want health care reform.
I wanted it before the hell that happened to me.
I started talking to Ms. Jarrett about everything my family has been through the last year-from my insurance situation to how hurtful I found it that many in my family saw me go through so much and STILL does not want change.
It felt so GOOD to talk in front of people who mainly agreed with me. I am sickened by the behavior of some people in this debate. The horrible mud slinging and sickening signs and behavior some choose to exhibit. Thankfully, I have not experienced any of that, but I have been strongly disagreed with. Where I live when I talk about health care reform I usually feel like a small fortress surrounded by warring hostiles. You know, kind of like General Custer. Only with shorter, less attractive hair. It gets tiring to be hugely in the minority and to speak out at such personal cost.
I was grateful to have the platform to vent.
As I told my story, and as I suspected I might, I started sobbing my guts out. All the frustration, the pain, the stress, the hell just poured out of me.
The whole room was crying with me.
I expressed my anger about how broken the health system is. How ticked and sad I was that Senator Orrin Hatch pulled out of the bipartisan discussions the day before. I also may have also referred to him as “ugly-tie guy that writes cheesy music”, because I was mad and hormonal. (I regret saying it and sincerely apologize. An example of how things in this topic can get heated and you can cross the line, apologize and continue to fight to continue on with civil dialogue. Just because you fall off the wagon doesn’t mean you can’t get back on, people. )
I also may have cursed AND said “ta-tas” in that luncheon but I TOTALLY BLAME MOCHA MOMMA FOR THAT.
Heh.
As I cried I apologized all over the place for my tears because I was embarrassed.
It is deeply embarrassing to me that I am in the situation I am. That at 34 years of age I don’t own my own home yet and wonder if I ever will. That there is no “American Dream” for me. MY American Dream is to be able to GET AND AFFORD insurance and health care. To take my kids to the doctor when they are sick without getting an ulcer about where the money will come from.
It sucks a duck.
I do not want a free pass from the government. I don’t expect them to foot all medical care for everyone. I don’t want a single payer system. I don’t mind paying my reasonable share.
I do want options.
I do want change.
I want it bad.
I am not saying that the bill is perfect, it is not. I can actually see many issues with it. (My conservative side rearing its head.) Even with my concerns I.WANT.CHANGE. It is beyond ridiculous to me that such a weathly, awesome possum nation cannot figure out a way to make sure that people get and have access to affordable health care. That you don’t lose everything you own or bankrupt your family because you became ill. That you don’t have your high-risk pregnancy declared a pre-existing condition when you were doing everything you could to make sure you were covered. It isn’t right.
I am also the very first to say that honestly I have NO IDEA how to make it happen.
Guess what, though?
It isn’t my job to figure it out.
Surely with all the resources available to us, SOMEONE can figure out how to make it happen and work.
I know that many disagree with me and I suspect (and actually hope) to see it in my comments. (Which is fine as long as it is respectful and hopefully they focus on ideas and solutions.) I am used to being disagreed with about this. I live in one of the most conservative places in the nation. I married into an extremely conservative family. A family that I love. I know, love, and respect so many people who want such very, very different things regarding this. ALL of them have good hearts and intentions.
While I confess to being on the liberal side I also understand where the right is coming from.
I just disagree with them.
After years of bickering and disagreeing with my husband, I have come to the conclusion that it comes down to the fact that we have radically different ideologies. My husband believes that it is immoral to put a gun to the head of a man and force him to pay out of his earnings for the greater good of all, where I find it much more immoral to NOT provide for those that truly cannot in the case of health care and to make it accessible and economically possible for people. He doesn’t believe that health care should be a right and I do.
He despises decisions made by “emotion”. I say why is it a bad thing to be fueled by emotion and compassion? The kicker for me is that I would like it to be emotionally fueled AND fiscally possible. This means that I end up being unhappy a lot.
As I relayed my thoughts to the room I said that if they truly do not want socialized medicine and a single payer system, and that they don’t want an over-all socialistic government then they needed to focus on trying to get that message out to conservatives.
The problem is, I don’t know how many of them would believe that.
Especially my husband.
Then Valarie Jarrett said something I love.
She said that thought many do not believe it, the President truly loves hearing ideas about solving this problem from people with differing points of view.
I chuckled and said that I would be sure to tell my husband that.
Then she said something unbelievable.
“After this meeting is over I would like you to go over to my assistant, Adam, and block out some time on Monday morning to have your husband speak with me on the phone. I would love to hear his ideas for change.”
I think that every jaw in the room was open. Mine pretty much fell all the way to China.
My uber-conservative husband was going to have a one-on-one conversation with The White House.
With one of the most politically influential people in the nation.
All because I write a little blog in my babybarf-covered pajamas.
When I told my husband that because of me he was about to have a conversation with The White House I was prouder than I can say. After we discussed what was going to happen (with emphasis that he behave himself) I added something that has been hurtful to me for years.
“You know, Jon. I know you have had problems with my blog in the past. That you consider what I do a waste of time and that it is a silly, pointless thing to do. You get this opportunity because of that blog. Because of me. I have worked hard at this. I have stuck with it for four long years. I am proud of what I do. I think it is time you were, too. I NEVER want to hear or even sense that what I do is silly. Pointless. A waste of time. Never, EVER again. It is so hurtful to me. And if you do? I will totally kick you in the testicles. And we can’t afford the health bills that would produce.”
We both laughed and as the days have gone by we have spoken about it more and worked many things out in our personal relationship, which has been wonderful and if nothing else came from this experience, I would rejoice the most for that.
And Jonathan’s phone call with Ms. Jarrett?
It totally happened. Just like she promised it would.
However, I will let him tell you THAT story himself.
Yup.
Mr. Looney Tunes will be writing a guest post on my blog. (That cracking sound you hear is hell freezing over. Just so you know.)
At the end of the day I highly doubt that anything I had to say will really change or mean anything for the greater picture.
But that lunch and conference changed everything for me.
I survived it and I stayed exactly who I am. No pretense. No false front. I showed the people in that room the real me-silliness, snotting, ta-tas and all.
And it was fine.
For the first time in a long, long time I feel worthwhile.
Capable.
Proud.
Powerful.
I am woman, hear me roar!
Now let’s go burn our bras n’ stuff.
Vdog- I’ve been on COBRA. It is exactly the same plan you had through work- only you are now paying the entire premium. It will make you realize how much your employer spends on benefits. Your HR department can tell you how much that will be.
You don’t need to worry about pre-existing conditions if you transition directly to COBRA.
At the time I used it, it was a better deal than any of the plans I could find for private purchase. It wasn’t cheap, but it was the best deal going. Some of my colleagues (we were all doing this because of a lay off) found better deals through other insurance, though- so it wouldn’t hurt to shop around a bit. The main thing is to keep continuous coverage- I think this is the key to not having the pre-existing condition issue come back and bite you.
Loralee…I love that one of us regular folks has a voice. And that it was heard.
Thanks for your courage.
I have spent my career (22 yrs so far) in healthcare. I work for one of the companies Pres. Obama has applauded as being exceptional….that’s nice, but as a consumer and patient…I believe we have a long way to go.
Thanks again for your words.
@cloud
“The main thing is to keep continuous coverage- I think this is the key to not having the pre-existing condition issue come back and bite you.”
Absolutely, but I need to emphasize strongly that you need to absolutely double check.
As I wrote in my post, I went from group insurance to HIP Utah (Insurance for the uninsurable). We were WELL within the time that is required to have continuous coverage so I thought I would be fine.
NOPE.
So, I urge everyone to ask, ask again and then ask again and document everything. I DID ask my agent when we were signing up and the person in charge of the orientation and thought that was enough but obviously? It wasn’t.
P.S. @Vdog-I love you, Victoria. Please come back to Utah soon. You need to meet my adorable butterbean of a baby!
As I have said for a long time, and I continue to believe, you are an AMAZING and PHENOMENAL person!!!!! Though I may not agree with you on this health care issue completely, I do agree that something needs to be done. But like you and the rest of the country, I just don’t know what. But the fact that you got to express your thoughts and views in public to someone that has power makes me love this country, your blog, and you even more.
This is one of the original primary reasons I voted for Obama. I believe we need health care reform, and I strongly believe we need a public option. I grew up in Canada with the “dreaded socialized medicine” and my family had excellent experiences with it. And yes, we were sick. Even enough to be hospitalized and have surgery. I continue to have family in Canada, some who have had life-threatening accidents and injuries, and I can’t tell you how *jealous* I am that they are able to go to the doctor whenever they need to without fear of deductibles and coinsurance and lifetime maxes. It’s a tragedy that people in the United States – even the insured ones – have to be concerned about how they’re going to provide finances for healthcare for themselves and their families.
And since you assure us this is being read, Loralee, I’m going to go further and request that those in charge consider mandating broader coverage for infertility issues. My insurance, although they don’t technically provide coverage for infertility, has paid out thousands of dollars for slightly related charges – most of which would have been lessened or nonexistent if they had just covered some level of advanced infertility treatment to begin with.
Love ya, girl and am SO proud!
Here’s my story:
We couldn’t afford health insurance for me last year. My husband had insurance thru his employer and the kids had state sponsored insurance that we helped pay for. I decided to get into as good shape as possible to avoid getting sick. I lost 50 pounds. I decided to take the boys rollerskating to celebrate. I BROKE MY WRIST. Sigh. The ER visit, ortho surgeon visits, etc cost thousands of dollars. I’m still paying. I couldn’t afford to have physical therapy (which I really needed).
So, this year we moved to another state. No state sponsored insurance here (we make $500 over the limit) so all 4 of us are on my husband’s insurance plan. Because of how expensive it is we had to take a higher deductible plan. Our deductible is $6000!
Our youngest son has a mood disorder and various other health problems. He is in all kinds of therapy that we have to pay for until we reach $6000. It is a nightmare financially and emotionally. We need OPTIONS for health care. We have none.
Thanks for letting me tell my story!
Hi Loralee,
Let me say before I say anything else, you are–FUNNY! I love your wit!
I am sorry for all of the challenges that you are having. I agree that health care reform is needed, and I hope that when it happens, you will receive the plan that fits you and your family (even if your husband does not want it).
You seem to have many health issues. May I ask a question? Do you ever take a minute from blogging and read “something” that gives you a sense of inner peace? I find this very helpful.
You are a great writer. Your blog is easy to follow and certainly an attention-getter. You also make up a lot of words that fit right in. Keep up the good
work.
I am a democrat, and a first-time writer, but first and foremost,a human being who feels very deeply about others. Check out some of my blogs. http://www.twitter.com/mamiesmith
I love all of these comments!
I have to say I am baffled by the fear that the government is reaching for “power” in this bill.
In my own experience, I had HMO coverage (for a single person) that was nearly $4,000 a year (just premiums, nothing else). I fell and hurt an ankle pretty badly – torn ligaments and tendons.
The doctors solution – pills. Asked about physical therapy (wasn’t suggested to me, I had to ask). Yes, I was eligible but not until 8 weeks AFTER the initial injury. The particular doctor that saw me that day was from Italy and a per diem doctor so she told me that even though I was only a few weeks from the injury she was going to submit my paperwork that day. She explained that submitting the paperwork early was “against the rules” but she was hoping that by the time they got to my order for PT it would be 8-10 weeks after the injury and in addition since she wasn’t an employee but just a per diem doctor they would overlook the mistake and not throw me to the back of the line. She told me that they way the system was set up PT was not tarted until 16+ weeks after injury and generally the patient had to broach the subject.
After a couple of years I changed to Catastrophic Coverage only. I fell and broke (actually shattered) a finger. The injury happened early Sunday evening – no urgent care offices open. Went to the ER. The bill? $1,800 (which was NOT covered by my plan). $1,000 for the hospital and $800 for the doctor. Ended up having to have surgery and even though proper healing from the surgery includes PT, it’s not covered. I have gone chosen to go through 4 months of PT (3x per week) and acupuncture (all out of pocket). I need surgery again (it didn’t heal right) but the cost of PT is one of the things holding me back. If I don’t fix it, I have a semi-functioning finger and almost guaranteed arthritis.
I have a family member who owns a small business and their state offers group insurance for small businesses. Group insurance cost for a family – $30,000 per year. Who can afford that? What kind of “option” is that?!
I am excited to read your husband’s post on Monday! Hopefully it will continue this wonderful discussion.
Speaking of your husband, I dreamt for HOURS last night about his upcoming blog and I kept dreaming that he needed to start his own blog and I even came up with a name which I kept telling myself to remember because it was so brilliant.
I can’t remember it now!
Loralee,
Wow, there are so many responses that I haven’t been able to read them all!
I am so glad you were able to tell your story to someone and that I get the chance to tell mine as well.
My husband is on VA disability and I was laid off in March, so we applied for state health insurance. My 4 year old is completely covered, but I have yet to find a dr. who accepts state health insurance who is accepting them as new patients. My 7 year old is not completely covered (um, hello?!) and neither are we. We have to pay over $1,200 EACH MONTH before the state will cover anything for us. That is well over half of my unemployment insurance. It’s like a 100 foot safety net when the fall is 80 feet. Nice net.
Also, we “make” $60 too much for food stamps, so we are relying on my mother-in-law to help us every month until I can find a job. (I have an interview on Tue. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!)
We filed for bankruptcy in June because I could not find a job and we had medical bills that were not covered by our health insurance that we could not pay. (As well as other bills. We are struggling just to keep paying rent and utility bills. And yes, we are on the low cost programs for electricity and gas, which helps immensely.)
Basically, I am all for a single payer, public option health insurance. Look at Canada, France, and most other countries. Yes, there are problems, nothing is perfect, but EVERYONE is covered. They do not have to worry that if they get hurt or sick that they will have to lose their house.
I do not think it will happen, though, because the health insurance companies, who are making record profits (as are oil companies) have way too much to loose.
Thanks for the opportunity to share my story and my opinion!
Stacy
Loralee, I have followed your blog for almost two years, and I’ve loved every post. Congratulations on being such a voice of change!
We currently have insurance through my husband’s work, where we pay around $525/month to cover two adults and four children. His monthly GROSS income is roughly $2500, and I bring in between $200-$500 by watching my niece a few days a week. My husband is diabetic and two of my kids have a liver disease, so we need to have the coverage to prevent “preexisting conditions” on any new policy in the future.
Ironically, because we pay for health insurance, we can’t afford to actually see a doctor because we can’t afford the $25 co-pay each visit requires. Going to the ER isn’t even a possibility, because there is a $100 co-pay, and you have to pay up before a doctor will even come into your room if there is insurance coverage linked to your name upon check-in. (I live in Utah. We are currently covered by IHC.) My husband stretches his daily prescription doses over two or three days in order to make them last longer, which is dangerous and unhealthy, but he feels he has no other choice. There simply isn’t an extra $150/month to fill them.
He makes too much money (I find this hilarious, BTW) to qualify for any sort of state aid (including food stamps), and because we *can* get insurance through his employer, we are expected to. I was told that it’s illegal to cancel your current insurance to qualify for medicaid or C.H.I.P., which puts us in a frustrating catch-22: we can’t get any state help with insurance because we already have coverage, but we can’t drop our current coverage in order to qualify for state help.
As it is, we can only pay about 70% of our monthly bills, so we have a rotating cycle and pay them based on what is going to be shut off first. We very literally choose between food, electricity and medicine. I feel blessed, because we’ve been pretty healthy so far this year, but I dread flu season. How do I pay for shots? If we don’t get shots and we DO get sick, how do I pay the $150 co-pays to take my family to the doctor?
I need something to change. If I’m paying for health care already, I’d like to be able to use it without worrying how a $25 co-pay will mean we don’t eat for the week.
I am so happy to hear that the White House is listening. I am a chronic intractable migraine sufferer with other disabilities as well, hypothyroid, vasovagal syncope (NCS) and other minor things. But, my health care has risen in the past two years to the primary outpouring of my income. I still work – have to for health insurance – and want to still work. I am immensely lucky to have a job and a career that due to my illness allows me to work from home and manage my illness while still making a good living – $80k a year. I am a CPA specializing in research and technical areas like international tax so I keep up to date on bills in Congress for my clients as well as my own knowledge.
I have a family of four and I am the primary bread winner – and the one that is sick almost all the time. I have found a way to keep working and support my family – even up for promotion this year – but the cost of medical care is overshadowing all other items. And it’s me, not the rest of my family that’s sick.
So, I can afford less things for my children – save less for college tuition, save less for my retirement so I’m not a burden on them, and can’t even buy a home because of all my debt from medical bills.
My credit card debt is approximately $15,000 – all due to medical expenses from copays and coinsurance amounts and having to go to out-of-network doctors to get real care. The care I need. The insurance company says they have doctors and don’t think I need the treatments I need. But they have never seen me or diagnosed me! I have told them I would come to their office to have “their” doctors look at me to prove I need these items. But no, they are interested in raising premiums and deductibles and want me to do a better job at preventive care so they have no payouts. It’s ridiculous.
I am a vegetarian, see an acupuncturist, do yoga, healthy individual EXCEPT for my chronic illnesses and diseases that are part of my genes – not my fault or the way I’m living.
I really hope the White House is reading these posts because I want to tell them that I am fully supportive of what they are doing. We have to have health care reform now and it has to be done right – and with a public option because costs have to come down for insurance premiums because I have a family to take care of. I don’t live off the government – I am contributing to society the best I can and doing well at it. I don’t want to end up in a position where I am having to live off the government or depend on it for taking care of me and my family.
I want to save for my children’s college, I want to save for my retirement, I want to be a contributor to society and not detract from it and I NEED this health care reform now to help me do just that.
That’s my rant. You can read my blog I started a few months ago about my health and life with constant pain and migraines.
Thank you President Obama and those who are willing to stand up for what’s right.
By the way, sick and tired of people listening to false rumors of what isn’t true and not finding out the facts. Seems like some people just want to be angry or hate. Sad, really.
Thanks for listening, you have a friend in Kansas.
And thank you Loralee for this wonderful post that brings hope that a true honest discussion can be had.
Elizabeth
My website didn’t show up in the post so in case interested it’s http://eawake.blogspot.com – please not haters or spammers.
Thanks!
Elizabeth
I feel like I could talk about all of this for days, but what I really want to say is thank you! (for being so brave, and) for being so YOU.
You’ve shown people who doubted that President Obama is reachable, engaged, and he LISTENS to the vast sea of different voices he represents, and no matter what happens, no matter what anyone opposing him says, for that he will always be amazing.
Please take the time to watch the most incredible expose of the state of health care in America by watching “Critical Condition”.
I posted the link here:
http://greeninoc.blogspot.com/2009/08/critical-condition.html
This is a MUST see film for everyone!
America, get ready for the Republican smack-down on this health care bill …even if they pass a bill it will be watered down it is finaly passed-behind closed doors as they always do:BACKSTABING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE …
this is a WAR…….the rich are running paid lawmakers like they were investments and paid stocks and bonds….the big drug industry and insurance companies are providing so much cash on this, while demanding support from the Republican-right wing…and anyone elese who will buy the WOLF-TICKETS they are selling …..its not just the lies and decption its anything that will change your vote…I want public health care plan and the end to the Republican party as a whole they are too destructive for a better America……p.s. do you think we could snatch the security clearences from those same lobbiest
who are pressuring the nations lawmakers …mmost of whome live and work in the Wash. DC area ……
America, get ready for the Republican smack-down on this health care bill …even if they pass a bill it will be watered down it is finaly passed-behind closed doors as they always do:
BACKSTABING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE …
this is a WAR…….the rich are running paid lawmakers like they were investments and paid stocks and bonds….the big drug industry and insurance companies are providing so much cash on this, while demanding support from the Republican-right wing…and anyone elese who will buy the WOLF-TICKETS they are selling …..its not just the lies and decption its anything that will change your vote…I want public health care plan and the end to the Republican party as a whole they are too destructive for a better America……p.s. do you think we could snatch the security clearences from those same lobbiest
who are pressuring the nations lawmakers …mmost of whome live and work in the Wash. DC area ……
My husband believes that it is immoral to put a gun to the head of a man and force him to pay out of his earnings for the greater good of all, where I find it much more immoral to NOT provide for those that truly cannot in the case of health care and to make it accessible and economically possible for people.
especially when many of those people were the reason they could not provide for themselves in the first place…
He despises decisions made by “emotion”. I say why is it a bad thing to be fueled by emotion and compassion? The kicker for me is that I would like it to be emotionally fueled AND fiscally possible.
HERE, HERE!
As I relayed my thoughts to the room I said that if they truly do not want socialized medicine and a single payer system, and that they don’t want an over-all socialistic government then they needed to focus on trying to get that message out to conservatives.
HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU DO THAT? FROM THE FACE TO FACE INTERACTIONS I’VE HAD WITH CONSERVATIVES – THERE’S NO TELLING THEM! OR CONVINCING, OR SHARING OR EXCHANGING VIEWS. THEIR BELIEFS ARE PREDETERMINED. IF YOU KNOW OF A WAY PLEASE LET US KNOW, LORALEE.
This is amazing. All of it.
I met you very briefly at BlogHer in the coffee shop with Karen – I think I have a pic of the two of you on my Flickr stream. I wasn’t sure what this year would be like for me either, but it turned out to be the best one yet. I’m happy it turned out that way for you too. I think most of us are way too hard on ourselves for how we are or appear to be. Your story exemplifies why I pay so little attention to any complaining I hear about the conference. The good – HUGE good like this – far outweighs anything else.
Thank you for expressing yourself so well about these issues. I’m reading whatever quality material I can get that speaks about it from a personal and informed perspective, and I’m so glad to hear from you. The people in my life have little idea of what I do here either, but I never underestimate the ability to push a button and publish our words immediately. It’s a gift really, especially considering that people in so many places don’t have that ability. Over time people know quality when they read it and this post alone is telling me that that’s what happened with you.
I’m so glad they had the good sense to invite you to that table! I look forward to reading Mr. Looney Tunes’s point of view. :)
very thought-provoking!
Wow, LL, I’m just in awe now. You are amazing! And I’m so happy that something good is coming from the awful experience you had earlier this year.
Just wow.
Wow, anyone, including the blogger here, thinks that the Government will take care of you is ludicrous. Whatever happened to people and their own personal responsibility. I do agree that there should be reform, but not when the government takes control of our freedom to choose health care. And people from countries that have universal health care don’t know any better because they are use to it. One, get ready for taxes to go sky high. Two, get ready for long lines, because the government rations health care. IT WILL HAPPEN. My friends wife is from Canada and she was denied cancer treatment, so what did she do? She went to a private clinic in Regina and had to pay out of pocket expense for the treatment, because Canada’s “So-called” government said, “Sorry, no can do.” 1 million people in Canada are waiting for treatment as we speak. You tell me. Do I wait for an MRI in Alberta for eight months, or should I fly down to Seattle and get one the same day? Hmmm, let me think… I will go for the option in the U.S. to find out that I have a lethal tumor and if I would have waited for eight months, I would have died. Not only that, after the MRI, you still would have to wait on additional months and months for treatment, why. BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH CARE! YAY FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, WAHOO!!!! FREE HEALTH CARE! NOTHING IS FREE!
Paul,
I am the blogger in question and I was very responsible with my health care. I believe that I absolutely have personal responsiblity, even though I want health care reform.
You addressed freedom. Well to be honest with you, for all the long years we have had of self-employment and insurance frustrations etc? I have felt like I have very little freedom.
I understand you want people to have the freedom to choose their health care. Well…what if no one will take you? To pay out of pocket for a minor injury/surgery/illness is daunting or impossible for many. I know there are things like medical savings accounts but to cover most things it is far inadequate to what most Americans could possibly afford to save.Or if you are one of those who manage to get coverage but only with outrageous premium and huge deductibles with the cost is so high you can’t afford it let alone use it if you are sick? How can you have freedom over your health care if no one will let you in to exercise that freedom and you are shut out?
I did everything I was supposed to do and the current system completely screwed me over. I do not want a free ride from the government. I want an option for those who cannot obtain insurance and for the heatlh care in the country to not be so expensive it financially ruins people and their lives. (And hopefully if that happens that is the ONLY negative thing that happens to an ill person.)
For every example I have gotten about poor health care in Canada there are usually 2 or 3 to counter it. I have many, many, many, many, many, many (getting the idea?) friends in Canada from all kinds of political stances and I have geniunely asked/begged to hear their experiences what ever they may be, good or bad.
Overwhelmingly, good was the response.
For myself, I am at the point that high taxes are preferable.
Now.
What I would like to ask you, as the author of this post, is what are YOUR ideas and solutions for change? Do you feel nothing should change? What would you need to see happen to feel comfortable with a health care reform bill.
I keep begging the opposing side to speak up, come up with ideas and I truly mean that. I hear the reasons, the debate, the things that are wrong, every day from the media, family and also from my husband. (But we also discuss options and ideas and solutions.)
I love hearing personal experiences ad stories and I understand debating what you think is wrong (for either stance) but I would like to gently request that people focus on ideas and solutions…that is how things get done.
Thank you for remaining civil though you disagree with me. I appreciate it highly.
I know nothing is free. I am not looking for free. I am looking for FAIR.
Okay, so first of all, no one is talking about universal health care as the only option. We’re talking about a PUBLIC OPTION. I live in a state where there is a state option for uninsured residents and/or state-run supplemental insurance for under-insured residents, including people who HAVE insurance through their employers.
And lo and behold, I do not have state-run health care. I have private insurance through my husband’s company, because it was the better deal for both the company AND for the employees.
Let me say that again: we have a state option for healthcare, and because private industry offers a BETTER OPTION, that’s what my husband’s SMALL BUSINESS uses for its employees.
Surprisingly, we also have a large number of elderly residents, but no one has been KILLED OFF by a death panel.
However, I digress. The argument that a government option is going to destroy the private insurance sector and the free-market industry is laughable, at best, and further, there is a real-world example to draw from to prove it:
I’m sure you’ve heard that the United States Postal Service is … struggling, yes? STRUGGLING. As in, there have been layoffs, and Saturday mail might be eliminated forever. The reason? IT CANNOT COMPETE WITH PRIVATE INDUSTRY.
UPS. FedEx. They destroyed the USPS. Because they did it better, by focusing on price, customer service and convenience.
And yes, I know, focusing on competition is the point of many more conservative plans — allowing people to buy insurance across state lines, etc. etc.
But if you really think for one second that private industry can’t and won’t compete with the government because … I don’t know why, because you really think the government is going to be that all-powerful in its scope (LAUGHABLE), visit your local post office and see how very wrong you are. Oh, and then drop by the local UPS or Ship N’ Mail or whatever *small business* you use to ship your letters and packages.
Hi Loralee, I just read your post, at the urging of the White House itself (you are linked in the White House blog). You rock. You inspire me. What you are doing is not useless. Thanks for your stark honesty and willingness to try. Wishing you well and healthy, too, and access to all the health care you need.
Amanda
Before people get all up in my shit, I hasten to add that at least one of our state programs IS in partnership with BCBS. But you know, STILL. My tax dollars, yo. Totally worth it for the peace of mind it gives me knowing that if my husband loses his job and I get sick? We aren’t going to lose our house.
Sadly, I know of people who have health insurance and have been turned away from cancer treatment centers here in Florida
Hi, I am very happy for you and to know that you both survived the luncheon and was able to walk away feeling respected and yes needed in your own special way.
When you mention that you are both conservative and liberal, I would just like to point out that just about everyone is both liberal and conservative in some fashion. Just because we vote a certain way means nothing about our personal values.
I am sure there are millions of far right or far left wingers out there wanting to tear into my post at this moment, but let me try to explain that comment.
I have mostly voted Democratic all of my life. That does not mean that I do not know the value of good honest hard work – I started working for family at the age of 7 and after high school and during college years, I worked 1 full time job, 1 part time plus went to college full time. I have never in my life had the need to take a hand out, but I do understand that there are many less fortunate than I am that do need that help badly. I would never in my life try to stop someone else from getting the help they need and deserve.
I happen to know that business does very well and lately much better then they have ever done – thanks to all the deregulation that took place since reagan and after.
I am not, nor will I disrespect any President. I do not agree with all of this talk from the far right wingers about our current President. I believe it is disrespectful, shows those Americans who do it as Immature and shallow to citizens of other nations and for that many Americans continue to lose respect from many non – Americans around the world.
I am not saying that you need to agree with our current President, but there is a way to disagree without looking like such a dope.
To carry Guns to Presidential events? how would you feel if 20 people showed up at one of President Reagans presidential events carrying a gun? hold that thought, what would happen if it was our most recent past President? Look, He had people tossed out for disagreeing with him, those that brought guns would be 6 feet under the jail!
The far right wingers think they are losing their civil liberties with President Obama… That is not going to happen, look at how much we did lose with President Bush! even our email’s was captured and scanned for key words.
The far right wingers worry about socialized health care… hold up a second on that one… How many of you far right wingers are on medicare, medicaid or have some other additional aid from the states? isn’t that socialized? Is it ok because you do not tell anyone that you are actually on it and get to pretend to be a rich right winger that does not need any help from your Government? I am in no way telling you that you do not need that help, but lets start being honest about the facts.
During the past election, I talked to many people about both Obama and McCain… I was often shocked to hear the poorest of them stating why it was better to have McCain and Palin in office than Obama… I would often ask them about their situation. Many did not want to admit to being in such terrible need for help. They didn’t want socialized anything… when I asked them if they would be willing to give up that social security check or that welfare check, Of course they could not do that. That was the little bit of liberal within them. Everyone has something different that makes them a bit liberal, something that makes them a bit conservative. I am in the middle and that is where I am staying. Do you know that I voted many time for Voinovich? Yes I certainly did, look at this “bleeding heart liberal” who voted for a Republican from Ohio! Grovewood Ohio… God bless you Mr Voinovich and your family.
I knew Mr Voinovich for years. My cousin was in his sons class, I knew about the dreadful accident that killed his daughter and I saw compassion in this man. I trusted Mr Voinovich and recently he is one of the few Republicans from Ohio who has said anything that is worth holding onto. Yes, Mr Voinovich is a man of honor as he has proven throughout his life.
I dislike idiots, people who ride on the coat tails of others and claim the ride as their own adventure and victory. I have seen those on both the Republican and Democratic side of the isle. I will never vote for an idiot and I have always tried not to. I still believe in our current President, I believe that President Obama is a good man. He has a very good family and yes I do believe that he cares deeply about all Americans, not just the blue side, but as he has said many times in the past – The Red, White and Blue, all Americans!
I do believe it is time for Health care reform. Lets work to get this done.
I have heard the talk of the far right wingers stating that Dr’s are going to have to put our elderly to death, because the Government is going to make that choice…
I lost my Mother almost 20 years ago to a genetic disease. During her final months, I was once told by a Dr that I could no longer bring her to the Emergency room for badly needed blood transfusions… You see, she was 67 and the insurance would not pay for it if she was taken there too often. I asked him how she was to get additional blood since she was bleeding very slowly internally and she had to be in the emergency room to get this blood.
This Dr told me she would either have to die or I would have to pay! I had a fit, Right there in the emergency room. I have never seen someone from the Patient relations office jump so fast. I called that hospital Murderers and told them that they had no right! I didn’t bring my mother back to that hospital ever again. but I was convinced that no one cared, well no one but my extended family and of course myself.
Soon after other things started getting taken away from her needs until she died just before Christmas of that year. Choked in her own fluids because no one could or would help her… The insurance company would no longer pay for this or that item and I would not be able to sue them or anyone because she was 67. You see, in the Insurance companies eyes, she was far too old and that care should go to someone younger who was able to rebound. I should just forget my love for my mother and let them kill her off! They did it, I was fighting hard for her when she died and it almost killed me.
Now you want to accuse someone of killing our elderly? our loved ones? Look to the mighty Insurance Companies and there you have the villians. It is not President Obama or any Democrat, they want affordable insurance for all, they want everyone to have good care and to be able to get the health services they need from their insurance company.
Lets get this health reform passed before I end up needing that same care that my mother needed. Only it will be worse for me, I will not have anyone there to fight for me like I did for my mother. Plus the many Insurance companies are well seasoned in their practices by now and know every angle to get around these little bumps in the road. Only true health care reform will make them change the way they do business.
It is time, Lets get Health Care reform passed.
I want to step in and stand up for Canada’s healthcare system. One of the things that I hate about this debate is that some are intent on tearing down the British and Canadian systems to make their point. It really makes me want to slap them because doing that is not offering a solution.
To start, I’m a Canadian going to school in Ohio. I currently have insurance from my university, although I’ve never used it. I don’t know the ins and the outs of the system here; what’s “in-network” and “preferred provider,” so I really hope I don’t ever have to use it. And with any luck, I won’t. Nobody that I go to school with complains about the insurance we have, so I’m assuming that it’s decent. But really, I have no idea.
I’ve had plenty of experience with the Canadian system, mostly in my home province of Nova Scotia. Nobody I know has ever been denied service, nor had to wait an outrageous amount of time for something. Actually, I lie – I sprained my foot at work in December 03 (I ran over it with a pallet jack) and waited in the ER the next day for 5 hours to get x-rays done because I was deemed (obviously) non-critical. Other times I’ve gone to the ER with an ear infection, I’ve had little wait, and when I was 13 (back in 93), I cut tendons in my arm thanks to a huge shard of glass from a broken window. No wait at all. That required surgery to repair the tendons, which I had two days later.
My grandmother was diagnosed with bulluous penphigoid (strange disease of the skin) in December of 07, and I was extremely impressed with how quickly she was sent to see a dermatologist, who put her on a regiment of steroids to lessen its effects.
My grandfather had his first stroke in 1983, and continued to have another almost every single year until he died in 1995. We had very little money (I was raised with my grandparents), so I’m quite positive that our health-care system managed to keep him alive for those 12 years.
On the other hand, my aunt waited two months to have surgery for her carpal-tunnel syndrome, and my uncle has waited a few months for shoulder-surgery. Neither was critical, however.
Canada’s system is single-payer, which does not mean that the government controls healthcare. Doctors do, and the government pays for it. All of us Canadians get a health card which we present for medical services, and that’s the extent of it.
The government has a list of services that it will cover, and every once in a while a new treatment or drug will come up that the government doesn’t cover. It’s usually added to the list fairly quickly, although there are sometimes delays. And yes, there is national outrage when the government won’t cover something.
Just an interesting aside about taxes – right now I make about the same amount of money I made in Canada when I was doing my MA (Ph.D. now) – roughly $12k. I pay more in taxes here than I did there. Tax rates in both countries are similar until you reach (I think) $100k, at which point Canada’s is higher. But that difference is diminishing as Canada cuts taxes on the back of 10 straight years of budget surpluses and a shrinking debt.
Now for my two questions.
1) The US has spent roughly $1 trillion dollars over the past 8 years on war. Health reform (with the public option) would cost $1 trillion over 10 years. War is worth it, but the health of citizens is not?
2) Canada spends 7% of health-care dollars on administration, whereas the US spends 30%. Why is that? What can the US learn from the Canadian system to get those admin fees down? It’s essentially wasted money, and that 23% difference could give everybody solid health-care. I really think that somewhere in here lies the compromise.
My post is not meant to trump up the Canadian system and say – “The US needs single payer!” I have no idea what the US needs – I’m not a citizen and I don’t even understand my own insurance. There are just a lot of Americans that I really care for, like Loralee here, and a old friend in Wisconsin, who’ve gotten the short-end of the health-care stick through because of big-cracks in the system that they fell through.
Dougie!
I love you.
When are you going to marry me have babies together?!
We’ve known each other for years now and you keep pussy-footing around this issue! Should it matter that you are gay and I am already married and have life threatening pregnancies? NO! NO, I SAY!!! OUR LOVE IS ENOUGH!!!!
Heh.
Hey, I know this is a serious topic and The White House is reading this, but “I just gots to be me” every so often.
;P
Great post. What a wonderful opportunity for you.
I would LOVE to have healthcare.
As a freelancer, I just can’t afford it!
Oh god, LL, I love you to death. NYC next summer! I can’t promise babies, but I can promise lots of pics, awkward comments and making an ass out of myself. Why, just yesterday I spilled a cheesecake on my carpet, and later, dried fruit on my guests.
You know you want some of that.
DOUGIE! NOT IN FRONT OF ALL THESE PEOPLE!!!!!!!
hehheheheh.
You’re my heart. For reals.
tony – not everyone in the united states believes in god, so the argument that a basic human right is given by god is flawed.
and as it is now, people are deciding whether they want to put food on the table or get much needed meds or services from their doctors.
And you in mine, LL.
I’m really looking forward to see what Jon has to say about all of this. It’s interesting that, in spite of everything, he’s holding steadfast. I think the reasoning why will echo with a lot of people, just as yours did.
MANY people are waiting for Jon’s post. (It will be up obscenely late Sunday/hideously early Monday)
Maybe it is because of where I live but I have a feel far more conservatives will come out and express their views on his post rather than mine as it is just human nature to be more open in friendly surroundings. My comments are overwhelmingly liberal.
Plus, I have a feeling that there will be many liberals from these comments that will jump in to respond.
Honestly…I think Monday is when the TRUE conversation, debate and challenge TO STAY CIVIL AND FOCUS ON IDEAS will occurr.
I may utterly disagree with my husband but I will go balls to the walls to defend him against people who cross the line. I know he will do the same for me.
We’re like that.
He just better NOT beat my commentemail number or I will be annoyed. (Not that I am petty and competative or anything.)
Damn Girl ;)
This gets better each and every time I hear or read it. Thank you for sharing your story with the world.
(And it’s so nice everyone can share their own stories right here next to yours, isn’t it?)
BEN I LOVE YOU SO FREAKING MUCH FOR FIXING MY POOR BROKEN BLOG.
My blog was eating comments. TONS of them.
If you tried to comment I apologize. I hope you will consider reposting.
???? ????????? ??????
I keep coming back to read the comments, and keep track of the discussion. I am Canadian, and don’t really have anything to offer to the debate, other than the comment that while our system does have some delays, and some people do opt to take advantage of private providers from time to time, the choice is just that, a choice. And their choice to go private means the person behind them in line gets in that much sooner. And sure, there are sometimes bad outcomes, but that’s life. There are bad outcomes in every system, sadly.
I have enjoyed your blog for a while now, Loralee, and I am so enjoying your new roar!! I am glad that you realize the strength and worth of your voice. :)
Oh, I tried to leave a comment before and it seems to have disappeared. Anyway, what I said before was that I am so happy you found your voice in that room because we all needed to hear it.
YAY! It looks like the comments got fixed.
I just want to say how proud I am of you, Loralee, for writing this post. Of course, you deserve all of the attention that you are getting. It is well earned. I hope more people see it.
So glad that your voice has been heard and that you can be the face of what so many of us are dealing with; I can’t think of a more perfect person to do so.
I’ve been up all night, each night, trying to figure out what we are going to do-we self-pay our insurance, and the rates are going up, again, with less coverage. We came to the conclusion that we are going to have to go without so that we can keep our house. Unbelievable. Still can’t process it.
I hope your words and your work will prove to be a voice of reason in this awful nightmare of a mess and help move along some sort of change–it’s so badly needed.
Much love and admiration, as always.
I am so sorry if anyone’s comment was eaten. My blog quasi exploded last night and it wasn’t processing them.
It should be fixed now.
We really need this healthcare reform. I had an experience today that has affected my day badly today. We relocated from a different state to Ga as ihave lost my job. My two kids got sick at the same time and because my husband healthcare has not kicked in for us i WAS REFUSED A HEALTHCARE FOR MY KIDS AT ONE OF THE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL CLINICS IN DULUTH GA. I wept bitterly as I was holding my younger child and holding my older one did not know where to go so the patient rep asked me to go to the gwinett health system. Is this the america that we live in that we care about money more than human beings. I migrated from an african country here, I thinkI will be better off if i go back as it will have been beter for me and they would not have treated me that way
I wonder if we used different terminology in this debate, if there would be a difference in the openness to ideas from all groups.
As I was reading, I saw someone write that they pay $30,000 a year to an insurance company. Let’s say that over the next 5 years, all they do is visit their doctor for an annual physical. Let’s day each visit is $300 (being very generous) including tests etc… This means the insurance company pockets $150,000 dollars a year minus $6000 in office visits, or $144,000. Now, where does that money go? To annuities and Wall Street. AIG, a major insurance company (they insure insurance companies so there is cash on hand to pay out when there are large health expenses) was in financial difficulties for using that money for risky investments and large bonuses. The result? Huge financial losses which insurance companies must now account for when they have to pay out claims. So what do they do? Make payments for health claims difficult so they can “cut costs.” Make no mistake. Large, for profit health insurance companies have a profit motive.
Now, in the financial world, we have the SEC to make sure that there is fair trading in stocks. The federal government uses savings bonds and other devices such as setting interest rates with banks to help make sure we have safe banking. When a FDIC insured bank fails, the depositor will get up to $100,000 per account back. Is this socialism? Or is it just the government acting the way we want it to by insuring you don’t go bankrupt, protecting the little guy from the unethical business practices? Why can’t we do the same thing with healthcare, ensuring that all people will be protected against unethical practices and have access to safe healthcare industry practices?
Our insurance was wonderful until it went from non-profit to for profit status. The rates doubled. We lost many of our rights in terms of who we can see, what medications we can take, which tests will be covered or not covered. If we look at the government option or a coop option as a non-profit option that anyone in the US can buy into, then we will know there is at least one option in which the driving force of decisions is not profit but rather healthcare. I am sure many conservatives would agree that we don’t want a run away system without any oversight as happened with Wall Street. Why not create something now that will put people first?
Beautifully written, Loralee and very entertaining. As an outsider (Australian), I am constantly amazed at the latitude given to big business in the US – at how bad things have to get before government intervention becomes essential. The global financial crisis is just another symptom of this same illness.
(I posted this on another site, but decided to share it here because it fits in so well with the conversation.)
Here is a very fair look at different health care systems around the world and the myths surrounding them…for example, it’s a myth oft repeated that we’re the only industrialized nation that doesn’t have a public health care system. It’s also true there is a lot that needs to be fixed here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/21/AR2009082101778.html
If you’d like to know why I don’t think a public option is a good idea in our country, here’s one perfect example (ignore inflammatory title and instead just watch the clip from CNN): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCbwde1iRLQ
Until lobbyists and special interest groups wield less power, we’d be essentially turning over our health care to other private, for-profit entities and calling it “public option.”
What we need is an overhauling of insurance industry: no more rescission departments, no more screening for pre-existing conditions, remove federal ban on interstate health care purchases, tort reform. For a start.
While I disagree that we need THIS BILL RIGHT NOW as some are want to chant, healthcare certainly does need reformation. Like I’ve said in private conversations with the author (that’s right suckers, I’m tight like that with HRH) unless tort reform is front and center, there is no true reform. There’s government monopolization, but not true reform. We have a wonderful standard of care in the US, it’s the costs that grow exponentially that is crippling. Serious, well planned tort reform is the answer to lower (dramatically lower) health care costs.
Like many in Congress, I have NOT read this bill. However, the fact that the WH refuses to even discuss tort reform should be a clarion call to the independents to pay attention and hold on to their ideals because a parade of purely partisan political ploys is headed their way (who doesn’t love alliteration!?) How many minority amendments have been attached to this bill? This is not a negotiated bill, this is a bill written by a party that has at will cloture in both houses.
Regardless of where you stand on socialized healthcare, level headed people from both ends of the spectrum can agree that once we open the door to government control of healthcare, that’s it! It can’t be undone. Just like social security or welfare, these things NEVER GO AWAY even if they don’t work. There is no crisis that requires sweeping definitive action within weeks. This issue requires thought, debate, and careful study. It’s the last issue that one should pull the trigger THEN aim on. Your life may depend on it!
To LL,
Congrats on the success of your blog and the notoriety! I wish you all the success in the world. Oh, and if Joe Klein from Time magazine calls, don’t curse him out and hang up on him! Sheesh! Some people’s children….
Here’s Charles Krauthammer’s POV. He’s a Harvard Medical school trained shrink and a Pulitzer winning syndicated columnist. In other words, I imagine he’s prolly the “smartest guy in the room” the majority of the time…
Oh, and he worked for Carter and wrote speeches for Mondale before anyone calls him a neo-con (whatever that means!)
http://townhall.com/columnists/CharlesKrauthammer/2009/08/07/health_care_reform_a_better_plan?page=full&comments=true
LL, I’ve commented twice on your entry so don’t beeyotch if I post once on the hubby’s.
K.B., it’s a shame that article is on such a deeply partisan site, because most people will never read it.
I did, and for the most part, it’s a good start.
I would be loath to blame the current situation completely on Democrats, however. The Republican rhetoric on this issue is deafening, and as much as you believe that the Democrats don’t want to negotiate, from my POV, the other side (and their media allies) are intentionally sabotaging the debate just as much or worse. The whole “death panels” thing was absolutely ridiculous, and it gained all too much traction.
But you’re right – there’s no crisis that requires sweeping legislation within weeks. The problem with that is that this has been a debate going on since 1993 – 16 years. Do we have to wait until 2025 to achieve a resolution?
Thank you for the link, BTW.
KB-
You commented! With everything going on tomorrow! Wow, I feel honored, fly-boy!!!
Since I am hugely busy helping Jon edit his post, I will be short but I absolutely wanted to say thank you for peeping up.
Also? It was really great talking with you. There is nothing like nostalgia and talking things out. (And the laughing. Musn’t forget that.)
-Peg. **Couldn’t help it. ;P
P.S. I’m so going to read the Count of Monte Cristo again. Your fault. Heh.
Totally don’t like Obama. Don’t like what he stands for or what he’s promoting. I don’t want Government-run healthcare.
But,
Do you get the feeling that he is the first president who GETS IT that the internet is the REAL way to get in touch with the masses? That it’s not just teenagers on cell phones who are twittering each other and reading blogs? It’s real, live, breathing VOTERS?
I don’t like him, but I think he has some very smart people working for him.
Sorry, in all that, I forgot to say, congrats on getting featured on the White House blog page! That is awesome.
And, if you ever felt that what you do is insignificant, well sorry sweetie but now that is just shot out of the water! :-)
YOU ARE A VOICE TO BE RECKONED WITH.
Dedicated to The Honorable Barack Hussein Obama
Our New President
I have the greatest admiration for a man I’ve never met.
God sent this man into our lives, and we shall n’er forget,
That God believes and we agree, this man comes with a creed.
He’s been preparing his entire life to fill our Nation’s need!
He won the post to lead us all, he fought a valiant fight.
When others failed, he prevailed, and now he has the right,
To call the “shots” and make the plans, for all that he must do.
His courage is invincible, it’s “steely” through and through!
There are those who felt that he, could never pass the test.
Who could not walk where he has trod, and could not be the best.
But with God’s help and prayers beside, his life an open book,
He stepped in front and led the race, oh what a trip he took!
Today he’ll take that solemn oath, with vows to serve us well,
With hand upon the Bible, his faith to show and tell.
Then he’ll make his speech, to all nations far and wide,
And every single citizen, he’ll fill us all with pride!
Barack Obama looks to God, for strength to stay the course.
With much to do, so little time, he goes right to the source.
He never fails to ask for help, gives credit where it’s due,
He’s now our newest President, he’ll serve both me and you!
Thank You God for being there, when we’re in need of prayer.
While the world looks on and their leaders are all aware,
They all will hear the sound of bells as our sweet “freedoms” ring,
And also our new President begins to do his thing!
Copyright January 20, 2009
Jacob Nathaniel Shepherd
Health Reform: Throwing Good Money After the Bad
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Read More: Barack Obama, Dr. Marcia Angell, Health Care, Health Care Reform, Health Insurance, Healthcare, Healthcare Reform, Marcia Angell, Massachusetts Health Care, Massachusetts Health Care Reform, Massachusetts Health Reform, Medicare, Obama Health Care, Obama Healthcare, Universal Health Care, Politics News
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Comments
It’s not just the right-wing crazies who oppose health reform. In addition, there are many sane Americans who worry about committing a trillion dollars to it. They have a point. We already spend more than twice as much per person on health care as other advanced countries, and our costs are rising faster. How much is enough?
Make no mistake, sky-high and rapidly rising costs are the core problem. If money were no object, it would be easy to provide full care for everyone. But even a perfectly designed system will fail if it is unaffordable, or rapidly becomes so.
So it’s crucial to ask just why we are spending so much more than other countries. Where is all that money going? Yet, that question is seldom asked in the current debate, even though it’s not logical to try to fix something without understanding why it’s broken.
In the trenchant words of Deep Throat, let’s follow the money. This year we will spend roughly $2.5 trillion on health care. Although about half that money comes from federal and state governments, most of the total is funneled to private insurers and entrepreneurial providers. Alone among advanced countries, we treat health care like a market commodity to be distributed according to the ability to pay, not like a social service to be distributed according to medical need.
For nearly two-thirds of Americans, we rely on hundreds of private insurance companies to set prices and benefits and pay providers. They profit by refusing to cover the sickest patients and limiting services to others. In fact, we have the only health system in the world based on avoiding sick people. Insurers cream 15 to 25 percent off the top of the premium dollar for profits and overhead (mainly underwriting) before paying providers.
Providers themselves have high billing and collecting expenses to deal with the Byzantine requirements of multiple insurers. The innumerable health facilities, both for-profit and nonprofit, also have high overhead expenses to cover their business costs, executive salaries, and the promotion of their profitable services. Altogether, overhead accounts for at least 30 percent of our health bill. If we spent the same percentage on overhead as Canada, we would save about $400 billion this year.
Our method of delivering care is no better than our method of paying for it. We provide much of it in investor-owned health facilities that profit by providing too many services for the well-insured and too few for those who cannot pay. Most doctors are paid on a piecework basis — that is, fee-for-service — which gives them a similar incentive to provide too many services for the well-insured. That is particularly true of specialists who receive very high fees for expensive tests and procedures (like cardiac angiography and MRI’s).
Not surprisingly, our ratio of specialists to primary care providers is much higher than in other countries. There is no way to know exactly how much money is wasted in medically unnecessary tests and procedures, but it is probably on the order of hundreds of billions of dollars per year. Many people point to technology as a cause of our high health costs, but the culprit is not technology per se (all advanced countries have the same technologies), but the flagrant overuse of it for financial gain.
In sum, the answer to the question, “Where is all that money going?” is that much of it is diverted to profits and overhead, and to exorbitantly priced and medically unnecessary tests and procedures. Any reform that has a prayer of containing costs, hence being sustainable, must deal with these two massive drains.
Yet, most reform proposals would leave the present profit-driven and inflationary system essentially unchanged, and simply pour more money into it.
That’s what is happening in Massachusetts, where we have nearly universal health insurance, but costs are growing so rapidly that its long-term prospects are bleak unless we drastically cut benefits and greatly increase deductibles and co-payments, or change the system. We’re learning that health insurance is not the same thing as health care; it may be too limited in what it covers or too expensive to actually use. It is ironic that the President is said to have looked to Massachusetts as a model for national reform, even though the state has the highest health costs on the planet.
To control costs, the President is pinning a lot on electronic records, disease management, preventive care, and comparative effectiveness studies. But while these initiatives may improve care, they’re unlikely to save much money because they don’t deal with the underlying problem — a system based on maximizing income, not maximizing health. Promises by for-profit insurers and providers to mend their ways voluntarily are simply not credible. Regulation of the present system is also unlikely to modify profit-seeking behavior very much, without a bureaucracy so large that it would create more problems than it solves.
Nearly every other advanced country has a largely nonprofit national health system that guarantees universal care. Even countries with private insurers, like Switzerland and the Netherlands, require uniform prices and benefits and limit profits. Not only are expenditures much lower in other advanced countries, but health outcomes are generally better. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, they offer on average more basic services, not fewer — more doctor visits and longer hospital stays, and they have more doctors and nurses and hospital beds. But they don’t do nearly as many tests and procedures, because there is little financial incentive to do so.
It’s true that there are waits for some elective procedures in some of these countries, such as the U. K. and Canada (although hardly the long lines of desperately ill patients depicted by the Republicans). But that’s because they spend far less on health care than we do. If they were to put the same amount of money into their systems as we do into ours, there would be no waits. For them, the problem is not the system; it’s the money. For us, it’s not the money; it’s the system. We already spend more than enough.
Judging by the current debate, it would seem that Americans think they have nothing to learn from other countries, or perhaps that we are all alone in the world. Still, we might be willing to learn from parts of our system that are similar to systems in other countries. Medicare is a single-payer program very much like the Canadian national health insurance system. (Some of the more vociferous town hall meeting protesters seemed not even to know that Medicare is a government program.) The Veterans Health System is a socialized program very much like the U.K.’s national health service. Both deliver better care at lower prices than our private system.
I believe our best bet now would be to extend Medicare gradually to the rest of the population. We could begin by lowering the eligibility age from 65 to 55, then after a few years, drop it to 45, and so on. Medicare is the most popular part of our health system; unlike private insurers, it offers free choice of doctors, it covers all eligible beneficiaries for a uniform package of benefits, regardless of medical history or how much care is needed, and it cannot be taken away by job loss or illness.
But it would need some changes. Its costs are rising almost as fast as those in the private sector, despite the fact that its overhead is much lower, because it uses the same profit-oriented providers. If Medicare were extended to everyone, it should be in a nonprofit delivery system. In addition, fees would have to be adjusted to reward primary care doctors more and specialists less, or better yet, doctors should be salaried. There is now a bill in Congress that calls for exactly that — H.R. 676 (“Expanded and Improved Medicare for All”), which was introduced by Rep. John Conyers of Michigan and has many co-sponsors. Unfortunately, given the power of the health industry lobbies, it’s unlikely to make it out of committee without strong public pressure.
In economic terms, health care is a highly successful industry — profitable, growing, and virtually recession-proof — but it’s a massive burden on the rest of the economy. I’m aware that phasing out private insurers would mean a loss of jobs. But I believe the job loss in that sector would be more than offset by job gains in the rest of the economy, which would no longer be saddled with the exorbitant costs of an industry that offers very little of value to justify its existence.
One thing is certain: We need a complete overhaul of our health system. Tinkering at the edges won’t do it. Expanding coverage through government subsidies and mandates, as advocated by the president, won’t either. Besides being a windfall for insurers and drug companies, that approach will just add to our soaring costs and be a temporary fix, at best. In my opinion, it makes no sense to throw good money after bad.
Marcia Angell, M. D., is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She was the first woman to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, a post she stepped down from in June of 2000. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed book, Science on Trial: The Clash of Medical Evidence and the Law in the Breast Implant Case, as well as The Truth About the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It.
The botton line is it does not make a difference if the government pays or a private party pays. In the end the public pays.
We need to look at medical care as a social service and pay medical providers like social service workers. Japan pays 8% of GDP for medical care and the USA pays 28% )(CNN) Our only hope is to get medical cost down to what the rest of the world is paying. Start with tort reform and set up a single payment system as is done in Japan. Again who pays is less important than how much is paid.
Great post, and I like the civil tone that this discussion has taken. All of the screaming over this issue is really tiresome.
A couple of points. The first is that to date there isn’t “a” health care bill. There are several bills that have come from various committees in the House and Senate. None of these are final of course. The final bills produced by the House & Senate may look quite different from the committee bills after everyone gets done compromising.
The second thing I would like to add is that I live in Texas, and we have had tort reform since 2003. It has not done a thing to lower consumers’ medical bills. From what I understand it has increased the number of doctors in the state, which may lead to improved access to doctors. This is a laudable goal, especially in rural areas, but it has not resulted in reduced costs for consumers.
Another effect of tort reform that I have heard about is that some doctors have used the money saved on malpractice insurance to purchase new/improved equipment or invest in new, more expensive treatments or techniques. Again, this could possibly benefit some patients and/or result in better treatments or outcomes for some, but it has not translated to reduced costs for consumers.
@JC thank you for the kind comment. I am beyond thrilled that this has remained a civil conversation.
I am for tort reform but I firmly believe that it must be coupled with insurance reform to succeed. On its own it will be impotant and fail.
(reposting my comment from the end of Jon’s post. sorry, am too tired to write a new one.)
I was so interested to read your ideas about health care in this country, and I’m glad that you wrote so much. I would like my cookie, now, please.
Thank you for your point about tort reform, which I had not considered before. I will definitely look into this aspect of reform; I think that what you write makes sense. Certainly the litigiousness of American society amplifies the cost of what is necessary care.
The point about profit being an impetus for development in medical technology made me think of a documentary I saw last year, called “Sick Around the World”. Loralee has asked me to link to the PBS page:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/
You can watch it online, but if you don’t want to sit through the whole thing, then the last “chapter”, about Switzerland, is the relevant part here.
It is made clear that before Switzerland switched over to a public option from a health-care system that resembled the USA’s, people’s fears that the profit-seeking insurance and pharmeceutical companies would lose their driving edge in efficiency, seeking knowledge, and developing technology were completely unfounded. (Sorry about that convoluted sentence.)
The point is, the loss of the profit motive has not impacted the scientific drive to produce health-related products. I think the profile of an example so close to America’s is a very important and comforting one. I recommend the whole documentary, though.
My personal opinion about health care, is—and I have to state this generally and briefly for love of my sleep—it’s that I think it is a basic human need. Therefore, it is a right. A human right.
In our industrialised western democracies, when someone is too poor to buy clothes, there is a charity or government institution that provides them, a Salvation Army or a shelter. For food, there is a similar set-up. These things don’t always work as hoped, but they’re there. People recognize that it is inhumane, below human dignity, to ignore the cries of the needy. Even in the legal profession, there is pro bono work.
I have no doubt that there are doctors and other medical professionals in the United States who work for free or who pay for medications themselves in order to serve others. But for various reasons, systematic and formal free medical care for those in need is not readily available in this country: neither charity nor (universal) government assistance exists.
Something needs to be there. SOMETHING.
Thank you again for your thoughts. I really like learning from others’ perspectives.
leila
You. Are. Fantastic.
hi loralee,
this is lynsey…who you met today at sil’s. i got a chance to sit down and read your blog and must say that like so many others, i LOVE IT! you have an amazing talent for writing, humor, and being real and i’m totally drawn to bloggers who are like that. so, even though things were a little crazy at lunch, i just wanted to let you know…
i’m a fan of YOURS!
with love, lynsey
ps-feel free to email me ANYTIME. let’s become friends through this big ol’ mess! :)
I know that you will probably never see this, as I am 5 days behind and there will now be 272 responses, but I have to say my peace.
You, and Jon (I read his piece first), are awesome.
I am that person you were talking about, I don’t fit anywhere. I am not truly a protected citizen of this country. I work for my state government, and yet I am still a member of the working poor. Yeah, and those doctor bills, they suck ass. I am trying to figure out how to find $8 before Monday so I can get my son’s meds now instead of then. I am also gay, I have been in a relationship unrecognized by our government for almost 3 years. If anything happens to her I have no say in how she is treated, who takes care of her, or if they will even let me see her. It scares the hell out of me daily. I have dreams that she is gone, and then they take our child from me because it is not enough that I lost her.
I big pink-puffy heart love you. I agree with what you said, and I respect you and your husband both so much for being able to have a coherent, educated argument. And to hear someone else say that they feel they have no place and they are not represented makes me feel a tiny bit better about daily life. I just want them to fix it.
I will suggest to ask doctors to open their books how much they will charge to the patient when the doctors ask patient to do lab, utrasound, what else. And then patient can compare with other doctors whose will be cheaper. Most of the doctors will the linked with thier own hospital cause hospital will provide the instruments and equipment and also the place for doctors to have an operation. The doctors are supposed to know and estimate how much the patient will have to pay for the whole surgery totally. And then patient will consider if this hospital is good. If all the doctors can be open their chargable bill, the patient can choose which one is cheaper. If the doctor is famous and has to charge the higher bill, the patient can have a right to choose him/her or others are cheaper.
You are such an inspiration! Way way WAY TO GO!
Loralee,
I arrived here via the WH Women & Girls website. I have to admit I had never heard of you or your blog before, but I will be putting you on my blogroll (http://www.danine.net) ASAP. I will be back often.
First, I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud while I was reading this.
Second, you flat-out totally RAWK. I am totally in awe of everything you did before, during and after BlogHer.
As a woman, I so admire you!
Best,
Danine
At the end of the day I highly doubt that anything I had to say will really change or mean anything for the greater picture.
******
That’s where you are wrong! I’m here because you made such an impression on Valerie Jarrett that she referenced you on the White House blog.After reading your blog I can understand why.I am adding yours to my favorites. Great that this created an opportunity for you guys to work through that issue. Now I’m off to read your husband’s blog. Wouldn’t it be funny if he enjoys the “silly” blog thing ? :)
Just read your post. I have never heard of you before but followed the link from the White House. I am truly sorry for all your troubles. If I had the ear of the White House, I probably would go all stupid and not be able to say anything right, so I applaud your courage!
I have watched the town hall meetings and have been disgusted at the way the people have been portrayed. Every time someone would stand up and get their frustration off their chest, I would be saying, “Yes! That’s exactly how I feel!” And I believe most of this is frustration. Frustration that we have not been represented like we are supposed to. For some of the congresspeople to look down their noses or get on their cell phone or resort to name-calling as Barney Frank did – well, the frustration and anger is justified.
I do feel that a lot of it is our fault. We should have been holding all of our representatives accountable all this time instead of letting things fester. I, myself, have written more letters to my senators and representative than I ever have, since talk of the 1st stimulus package started circulating. I just assume that well, we sent them their to represent us, surely they’ll do it. And if the dems get voted out next time, the GOP better have a plan ready.
But back to healthcare…I want reform. There are way too many people falling through the cracks, but I don’t want this one. My main problem with the president is that I don’t believe a word he says. When he and Valerie and anyone else who works for him says, “Oh he’s interested in hearing from all sides,” I believe it’s patronizing. I don’t see any proof of it. I have heard many republicans offer good ideas, but they keep getting turned away.
This comment is going to end abruptly because it’s my bedtime, and my eyes are getting dry and blurry, so I can’t type anymore. I look forward to hearing from your husband.
He’s My Brother
I awoke this morning with a “family” on my mind.
This was something new for me and was not the usual kind.
It was in fact about the “Fearsome Four” as Teddy rejoined them all.
I’m sure that Joe, Jr., Jack and Bobby will now throw Ted the ball!
All four of these young men were born to lead their fellow man.
They were from a real dynasty known as the “Kennedy” clan.
Papa Joe, a wealthy man, was ambitious but with reputation flawed.
He served as Ambassador to Great Britain before he was outlawed!
“Joe, Sr.” settled all the family into an enclave near the sea.
That became the “launching pad” for their political activity.
“Joe, Jr.’s” Air Corp duty called when World War II began.
He died a hero when his plane exploded, ending big Joe’s plan!
“Jack” was subject to many ills but managed to enlist.
He became a Navy hero, then ran for office since Papa did insist.
He worked up through the Senate ranks and became our President.
An able man who served us well ‘til assassin’s bullets made a sad event.
“Bobby” was a sailor and with the Navy sailed the sea,
But he too became involved and helped make history.
As Senator and AG for President Jack, he learned his lessons well.
A leading candidate for President, assassins bullets were his death knell!
“Teddy” was the youngest boy and youngest child of nine.
Senator for years, another Henry Clay, was also called a lion.
After many years of problem health he lost his final valiant fight.
This last member of the “Fearsome Four” finally turned out the light!
Copyright 2009
Jacob Nathaniel Shepherd
I haven’t posted in a long time, but I just had to for this topic. I read Crunchy’s comment. I also live in BC, and share her views. I do watch the debate in the US closely, and with bewildered fascination. I had to take my mother-in-law to the hospital yesterday for a procedure where they put a camera down your throat to scope your digestive tract. Yes, we had to wait a few weeks for the appointment, which sucks, but on the other hand, if we had to pay the procedure she may not have gone at all. There are so many barriers in the US for preventative health care. In Canada, when I broke my ankle and had to have surgery, and stayed in the hospital two nights, I did not leave with a hefty bill that would cripple our single income family. We are a middle income family that pays our $108 a month for our basic health care. Any routine checkups, medically necessary surgeries or emergencies are covered. My husbands employer kicks in a percentage towards prescriptions and whatnot. So many families in the US are one medical crisis away from financial ruin. When you get right down to it, the current system has people praying that they don’t get sick or injured. The choice between medical care and paying your mortgage essentially puts a price tag on your life. Do you chance a lifesaving procedure at the risk of bankrupting your family? A large portion of divorces and bankruptcies are directly linked to a medical crisis.
Certainly, our Canadian system needs to be overhauled. I have heard many politicians trash our system because we don’t have the same technology. We may not have it at every hospital, but we can go to any hospital or doctor, any time. How many lives are jeopardized when a person has to gauge if their symptoms are serious or not?
PS-I must say that Fox News really shouldn’t be classifies as news. It’s propaganda. You don’t have to like the President (I do), but how can any one trust the content relayed to the viewers as remotely accurate when an anchor will refer to Michelle Obama as the President’s “Baby Mama”? Come on, that is not journalism. That is tabloid gossip poorly disguised as news. If they are willing to paint a woman that way for shock value, what else are they feeding us purely for ratings and political fear mongering. I get that there are other news networks that are just as guilty, for both sides, but that one was brutal.
Wow! You have just restored my faith in Americans. For this whole “debate” on healthcare, I’ve been so disgusted with how people are acting, I just about had given up hope. But your post is eloquent, moving, personal, and honest. It doesn’t get into name-calling and hate. Thank you for voicing your opinion.
I am a 34 yr old mother of 2, and a 3 yr breast cancer survivor (I much prefer my term of warrior). I am unable to get private insurance, due to my pre-existing condition, and am darn lucky my husband owns a small business and chooses to pay so much for us and his employees to have medical insurance. We actually don’t have a choice, he MUST now pay so much for group coverage, or I’d be unable to have anything. It’s crippling his business, and we still pay over $12,000 per year for our coverage.
What I worry about most is the caps on my coverage. There are lifetime caps that anyone with a chronic illness should be terrified by. After you reach that cap, you will not be covered for anything. So many things need to be changed about our healthcare system.
I am bothered by those who think this reform is socialism (which it’s not) but then continue to drive on our “socialist” roads (built for you by your government), send your kids to our “socialist” schools (even if you don’t have any kids. We are all required to pay in to give kids an education), and those old enough use Medicare (again, we’re all required to pay into it). While I can see where there might be disagreement about what needs to change, and how, I do not understand the fear of socialism. We will never have it here in America. What we truly have is a corporate-run government. We don’t even truly have a free-market, capitalistic nation. I think lots of things would change if Americans had an honest conversation about that.
I know you’ve had a ton of responses, but I had to add my 2 cents because I’m a liberal living in Idaho. Yes, there are some of us here. :-) And thanks to some very sad and ignorant people, our state has a horrible reputation. We are not all racist, we do not all carry big guns and belong to militias, and we certainly do not all subscribe to the GOP’s ideals. There are alot of conservatives here, yes, but more and more there are people who want to live and let live.
Cancer Mommy,
I agree with a lot of what you are saying. Especially roads, education, etc.
As for Idaho, um…I can think of a state that is a butt of many, MANY more jokes than yours…the one I live in. It’s probably made me more flippant and used to things like this.
I did not mean to be insulting. I meant to be funny and use it to illustrate my husband’s conservative nature. It’s who I am and trust me…no one thought I was speaking seriously.
If you did not find it humorous, I apologize, but I think that most people reading realize an over-generalized cliche when they hear one. I know I do when someone asks me if I have any “Sister wives” because I am from Utah.
Wanna hug it out with me? :)
It’s admirable how many people care about the healthcare system in the US. I am from the UK but we never had a discussion like this. Some might think we have a better health system, but my own experience some years ago was quite frustrating. My husband had an excrutiating shoulder pain. We spent 3 nights in an overfull NHS emergency room with no attention at all. Finally he was prescribed pain killers, which he was taking anyway.
After that he discovered the Alternative Medicine. We now have first hand evidence that the chronic illnesses are reversible by Naturopathy, using a simple diet, some lifestyle changes.
People say that in Queen Elisabeth’s family they don’t take medicine. they use only natural remedies.
Allow me to wish you every success with improving the US Health System.
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good is trying to bring a personal face to the health care debate by collecting stories like this on an interactive map: http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/storymap
Just thought this might be something you and your readers would be interested in posting to as a way to share your perspective.
(We also are missing stories from Utah so far).
gooday there, i just came across your site listed on google, and i must tell that you write interestingly well on your web portal. i am truly motivated by the way that you write, and the subject is excellent. in any case, i would also like to acknowledge whether you would like to exchange links with my blog? i will be more than willing to reciprocate and put your link on in the link exchange area. waiting for your response, i give my sincere thanks and gooday!
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