As the battle tightens up in the senate over Health Care reform, and Democrats begin courting Independent Joe Lieberman for his vote, I received a letter from senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland regarding my concerns.
After you read it let me know if it makes you feel better about the proposed bill because all it left me was depressed, frightened and confused.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
Thank you for getting in touch with me about health care reform. It's great to hear from you.
Health care is one of the most important issues facing families and our economy. We need to:
?reduce health care costs for families, business and government
?protect people's choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans
?assure affordable, quality health care for all Americans
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) represents the combined efforts of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and the Senate Committee on Finance. This bill takes a giant step forward in providing health care that is available, undeniable and affordable for all Americans.
There are many issues being discussed as part of health care reform. I will keep your views in mind as we continue our work on this important issue.
Thanks once again for writing. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in the future.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator
Showing posts with label Health Cost. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health Cost. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Flu Shots for Prison Inmates
Friday I went to see my family doctor for my annual check up. As I near sixty, I am trying to be more attentive to my health needs because I want to reach at least one hundred.
During the course of the physical he asked if I had received a flu shot and I said yes. He knows I work for the Federal Government and he shook his head. The government, the big guys like Walgreen, Walmart and CVS all got plenty but small time practitioners like him are on waiting lists.
To be honest I thought it was only the swine flu shots that are in short supply, I did not realize it was regular flu shots as well.
And then I learned that doses are being sent to immunize inmates in State and Federal Prisons. According to reports its only for those in the danger category but it still irritates me.
I have felt for a long time that are correctional facilities are too easy on the inmates. Yes, they are locked behind bars and there are gang fights etc. But they are fed, they have better medical coverage than a lot of tax paying Americans - remember when an inmate was pushed to top of the line for a kidney transplant, even though he was a murderer? - air conditioning, cable tv and exercise equipment.
Does not sound too bad to me. Where is the punishment? Bring back the chain gang and have them provide work to the state that is housing them.
Anyway, I do not understand why anyone in prison is entitled to preferential treatment until all of the rule following citizens are taken care of. I have never heard of a massive flu outbreak in a prison - have you?
Get out the pen and let your representatives know that prisoners need to be last. Let's get the kids and elderly immunized first. Once all the "good" citizens are in the clear, then we can worry about those in prison.
Its Common Sense!
During the course of the physical he asked if I had received a flu shot and I said yes. He knows I work for the Federal Government and he shook his head. The government, the big guys like Walgreen, Walmart and CVS all got plenty but small time practitioners like him are on waiting lists.
To be honest I thought it was only the swine flu shots that are in short supply, I did not realize it was regular flu shots as well.
And then I learned that doses are being sent to immunize inmates in State and Federal Prisons. According to reports its only for those in the danger category but it still irritates me.
I have felt for a long time that are correctional facilities are too easy on the inmates. Yes, they are locked behind bars and there are gang fights etc. But they are fed, they have better medical coverage than a lot of tax paying Americans - remember when an inmate was pushed to top of the line for a kidney transplant, even though he was a murderer? - air conditioning, cable tv and exercise equipment.
Does not sound too bad to me. Where is the punishment? Bring back the chain gang and have them provide work to the state that is housing them.
Anyway, I do not understand why anyone in prison is entitled to preferential treatment until all of the rule following citizens are taken care of. I have never heard of a massive flu outbreak in a prison - have you?
Get out the pen and let your representatives know that prisoners need to be last. Let's get the kids and elderly immunized first. Once all the "good" citizens are in the clear, then we can worry about those in prison.
Its Common Sense!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Health Plan - Euthanasia
There has been a lot of commentary recently about the government health plan and death panels deciding who should or should not receive medical treatment depending on a variety of conditions.
Isn't that what the health insurance companies and HMO's do now? Don't they tell their customers what procedures are covered and which are not, forcing the client to either pay out of pocket or do without?
It appears to me that the so called government plan is following the practice currently in place. Some procedures will be paid for some not. In other words, the government insurance plan will follow the same guidelines as the private health insurance company guidelines.
Rather than go off in a temper tantrum about the government imposing restrictions, the all knowing commentators for the news networks should be offering a way that all insurance companies will cover all procedures, rather than attack the unofficial government plan for having limits.
True health care reform needs to take away limitations from all plans. The plans need to offer the same coverage, then the premium battles can begin.
If this "reform" is truly going to work, then all the providers need to provide the best available coverage and treatment for their customers.
Its Common Sense!
Isn't that what the health insurance companies and HMO's do now? Don't they tell their customers what procedures are covered and which are not, forcing the client to either pay out of pocket or do without?
It appears to me that the so called government plan is following the practice currently in place. Some procedures will be paid for some not. In other words, the government insurance plan will follow the same guidelines as the private health insurance company guidelines.
Rather than go off in a temper tantrum about the government imposing restrictions, the all knowing commentators for the news networks should be offering a way that all insurance companies will cover all procedures, rather than attack the unofficial government plan for having limits.
True health care reform needs to take away limitations from all plans. The plans need to offer the same coverage, then the premium battles can begin.
If this "reform" is truly going to work, then all the providers need to provide the best available coverage and treatment for their customers.
Its Common Sense!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Health Care Reform - How about a Referendum?
I sent most of this evening watching various town hall meetings on CSPAN dealing with the health reform issue.
As I stated earlier, I could not make heads or tails out of what I thought was the House of Representatives' bill, only to learn it is one proposal.
It is fascinating to hear some of the things people believe are contained in the bills and non-bills. After all, the senate has not put anything together yet. The House of Representatives will need to have their various committees get together and try and patch a bill together.
All kinds of rumors and crazy statements (I hope they're crazy) are coming out. To save cost when people reach a certain age they will be put out of their misery. Mentally challenged people will be put away and allowed to "fade" away.
What's sad is that there are actually people who believe some of this nonsense.
My suggestion is that after Congress puts together a bill that they are forced to put it in an easily readable form, make it available to their constituents on the Internet and at their offices, and then allow the public to vote on their approval or disapproval.
Why not turn this into a referendum? This reform will effect all of us, in more ways than one. Doesn't it make sense that we be the ones who vote on it, not those on the Hill who "might" have been influence by lobbyists?
Tomorrow I will write a proposal and send it to the President and my representatives. I will let them know that even though we should, it is hard to trust them on a issue that will effect all of us personally and for that reason the decision should be on our shoulders, not theirs.
Registered voters should have the opportunity to make the final decision.
I'll share my letter tomorrow.
Share your ideas as well, this debate needs to go on until the vast majority of us are happy.
Its Common Sense!!
As I stated earlier, I could not make heads or tails out of what I thought was the House of Representatives' bill, only to learn it is one proposal.
It is fascinating to hear some of the things people believe are contained in the bills and non-bills. After all, the senate has not put anything together yet. The House of Representatives will need to have their various committees get together and try and patch a bill together.
All kinds of rumors and crazy statements (I hope they're crazy) are coming out. To save cost when people reach a certain age they will be put out of their misery. Mentally challenged people will be put away and allowed to "fade" away.
What's sad is that there are actually people who believe some of this nonsense.
My suggestion is that after Congress puts together a bill that they are forced to put it in an easily readable form, make it available to their constituents on the Internet and at their offices, and then allow the public to vote on their approval or disapproval.
Why not turn this into a referendum? This reform will effect all of us, in more ways than one. Doesn't it make sense that we be the ones who vote on it, not those on the Hill who "might" have been influence by lobbyists?
Tomorrow I will write a proposal and send it to the President and my representatives. I will let them know that even though we should, it is hard to trust them on a issue that will effect all of us personally and for that reason the decision should be on our shoulders, not theirs.
Registered voters should have the opportunity to make the final decision.
I'll share my letter tomorrow.
Share your ideas as well, this debate needs to go on until the vast majority of us are happy.
Its Common Sense!!
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