Health Care

Anyone speaking on this subject takes a risk. As Americans, we want to believe that what we have is the best in the world. Why? Because we’re America. We want to believe that we know better. Arrogance may not be the best word to describe these feelings, but it’s high on the list.
Our health care system is based on money. Pay care is a more appropriate description. I have personally witnessed accident victims lying where they are injured and the ambulance personnel coming with a clip board asking about insurance. Depending on the type of insurance and/or what it covers will determine to what hospital the injured will be sent and what care he/she will receive. That is not health care, but money care. The care of the patient should come first and the administrative details later. When I witness and experience a program that puts the needs of the patient first, I feel safe and secure. The word socialized, as it applies to health care is seen by many Americans as something evil. I view it as Christ-like - compassion for the needy and healing the sick. Many US Insurance programs have a dollar limit, and when that is reached, further coverage is denied. If the patient has property, they are often forced to sell it to pay medical bills. When that no longer covers the bill, then they can get social assistance. Who pays for that assistance? The tax payer. Preventive medicine as with a good health care program saves lives and minimizes the amount of health care assistance thus saving money. American health care is profit-based. The CEO’s of Insurance firms, and that includes Health Care Insurers receive huge salaries and bonuses. They support the political party that helps them maintain their status. Is it any wonder why these firms are opposed to a National health care program or reform?

Who pays for the health care of our men and women in uniform? Who pays for the health care of our government officials? We send billions of dollars to other countries that provide healthcare for their citizens, yet we deny it to our own citizens. Does our military make a profit? Why is the patient a profit item? Health Care should be based on patient care. “Promoting the general welfare…” as stated in the preamble to our constitution is lacking.

The first step is to evaluate programs that exist and work well in other western societies. Those that have already gone through the process of what works and what doesn’t work makes sense. The trial and error process can be avoided. Naturally some tweaking may be required to fit our society, but that can occur after a workable program is in place.

My brother who lives in Florida asked me when I plan to return to the States. My reply was that I can’t afford to live in America. With our medical problems, we would either be dead or on welfare. I pay a monthly sum based on the amount of my income. Everyone pays based on their income. Even unemployment compensation is income. Those who earn more, pay more. Our coverage is 100%. There are no deductibles. There is a contribution for prescription drugs, however when we reached the age of 70, that was dropped. Now that is covered 100%.

Is there abuse? Of course. The loopholes are plugged when they occur i.e., there were immigrants lending their cards to visiting relatives. Recently new Health Card’s with a photo were issued.

Our healthcare card is like a credit card. On visiting the doctor the card is presented. All charges go directly the Insurer. The Insurer monitors the doctor’s charges – not the patient. If the doctor feels better care is required and/or a specialist is needed, he issues a transfer slip for the patient to go to a specialist. The patient can select any doctor or hospital they choose.

A misconception is that the government runs the program. This is false. The government regulated the program, but it is administered by the Insurance provider. The employer can choose what Insurer to use. They are all similar; however some provide more benefits than others. Most all of them include dental care. If one visits a dentist regularly for checkups, they receive full coverage. Preventive medicine includes annual physicals. That has helped save lives by catching a problem early.

A national health care program is workable and affordable. The Insurers do make a reasonable profit. The key word is “reasonable”. By following the rules, they are assisted by the government when necessary. Excess profits from one Insurer may be used to assist another one when needed.

No one is denied care. Pre-existing conditions are covered even if one decides to change his/her Insurer. Some procedures are not covered, i.e., cosmetic surgery, unless it is injury related.

It is a great feeling to know you are not risking your home if you get sick. It is also good to know that wherever you are, you can get medical help.

Vote for a candidate that is concerned about the welfare of our citizens and is prepared to stand by them. Your vote can make a difference. If you are healthy, you may not see the merits of healthcare until you need it, and then it may be too late.

Remember, good Health Care Programs exist that are fair and affordable. Americans need not be second to anyone. At the moment they are lacking.

There is an old cliché: “You never miss the water until the well runs dry.” One could say that you never think about healthcare until you need it.

Thank you, Abe. It's too bad the rhetoric of this country has taken us so far away from basic needs and concern for our fellow travelers. I'm glad that you have the healthcare you need; I'm afraid the Republican Party in this country is going to dismantle the little bit we have put in place. You said it all so very well.

This topic has been discussed before, I think in my the book review forum. I urge you to read Set Apart by K.J. McCall. It's fictional but there is a lot of truth about the dangers of government run health care.

There are dangers in no health care and that's what we have for so many in this otherwise developed country. The health care for the rest of us is totally inconsistent depending on income.

The U.S. is a modern economy with the intelligence to provide universal healthcare. However, the scare tactics of those with a vested interest in keeping it the same is powerful enough to prevent the development of a system that works.

While we fight about a perfect system versus an imperfect one, children are not getting health care. That is a travesty. I will gladly pay more taxes from my measly income to support health care for all which is in the end, the best for everyone.

However, if you have a vested interest in the broken system, it helps to debate rather than take positive action. The profiteers are many and diverse with powerful lobbies to maintain their positions. The decision-makers have superior health care. They are not one illness away from homeless; they are not choosing food for their children over needed medicines. The rest of the developed countries have become wise; the U.S. is the last hope for extreme profits at the expense of the weak.

When a societal system is broken, someone has to have the courage to fix it - even if the fix is imperfect. It can always be improved. It's hard to make improvements to nothing.

Government run and Government controlled is not the same thing. "Government run" has been the GOP theme to slam a National program. Government controlled insures equity and justice within the healthcare program system. That may be too humane for some.

DK I think we were posting at the same time. I didn't see your post until I made mine. I agree with what you said.

When someone doesn't want something, they can think of many reasons not to have it. They may even write books about theoretical evils. I’m reminded that in theory - aerodynamically, a Bumblebee can’t fly – but it does. To say that a system won’t work or can’t work when it has been working for many years successfully in other lands causes me to question the reason behind the negative view.
I know what I know. I also realize that what I don’t know can cause me to theorize, speculate and draw false conclusions. I have a good health care program that works. Why should I care if the US has one? Because I do care. I see friends and relatives without a good healthcare program suffer needlessly both from care and financial strain. It doesn’t have to be that way and I will not keep quiet on this subject. There is proof that it works. Let someone prove that it doesn’t. What happened to the American spirit of adventure and innovation? What happened to caring for ones fellow man? Clinton’s tried to introduce a universal program and it was defeated. Obama has tried and is still trying to offer Americans an equitable program, an affordable program. That has become politicized. If it is a democratic proposing it, it must be defeated. It is so sad that the welfare of our citizens is subject to politics. Actually, it is despicable.

It's especially despicable when the Affordable Health Care Plan was modeled after the very successful universal health care plan implemented by Governor Romney in his own state and yet he declares his first office move if elected will be to destroy the national program - pandering to the ignorant citizens influenced by the power of those who profit and use those profits to bamboozle the population.

Even Mexico has a universal health care system that everyone pays into. It is imperfect; but it meets basic health care needs for the majority of the population.

No universal health care plan is perfect; however, they are all better than what we have in the U.S. - no medical care for the working poor; those whose COBRA has ended (and who can afford COBRA? My COBRA insurance payment equaled the unemployment insurance); those with pre-existing conditions; college students; no medical care for the struggling entrepreneur who can't afford to insure the family - and the list goes on.

Abe, it is just so disgusting to me I cannot think about it. The power of money in this country to harm the citizens and rob them of their very ability to think rationally is a crime beyond my comprehension. The people who shout they are "Christians" and ignore the teachings of Christ are also a problem for me.

Once, my son had me almost talked into moving to Panama. I wish things had turned out right. This is still the best country in the world because I was born into a white, middle class life that gave me choices not available elsewhere in the world. This is not such a great place for a lot of people because those who are comfortable close their eyes.

For those interested in Obama's Health Care initiative, here is the website:
http://www.healthcare.gov/law/timeline/full.html

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151855376065078&set=a.10151388288155078.835273.592325077&type=3

Excellent discussion, Abe. Thanks for posting your thoughts and concerns.

I did a google and suggest other do the same. Instead of our opinions, why not see what others have to say?

Best Healthcare systems in the world:
http://www.businessinsider.com/best-healthcare-systems-in-the-world-2012-6?op=1

World’s best medical care:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/opinion/12sun1.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Got my MRI
(mrt) on my shoulder interpreted by my house doctor today.
He says that a tendon is torn and underneath that is Arthritis. He wants another specialist to review it before
coming to a conclusion about an operation.
In the meanwhile, my doctor has decided that I not take the pain killers
on a regular basis to prevent the pain. He says the pain will tell me what I can and should not do.
I should take the pain killer when I have the pain.

My wife says that if the tendon tears completely, my arm may fall off or dangle on strings. I guess that's her way of saying, "Take it easy."

"Americans are sicker and die younger than people in other rich nations."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/10/americans-sicker-die-younger?INTCMP=SRCH

Seems time to fix it. I wish you success in getting it back to pain free operation. Dangling does not sound positive :-(

Heading to see the Doctor this morning. Had a rough night.
Thanks for your concern.

An answer to many questions about American Health Care.
https://www.upworthy.com/his-first-4-sentences-are-interesting-the-5th-blew-my-mind-and-made-me-a-little-sick-2?c=bl3

Health issues are again spot-lighted with the spread of new viruses. 
It was reported this past week that in Germany the doctors will be required to wear short-sleeved shirts.  A bacterium was discovered to be carried with the long sleeves.  Nurses already wear short sleeves and the Doctors are outraged saying that patients won’t be able to distinguish them from nurses.  The solution is that Doctors will wear white and nurses colored uniforms.  In addition, they want to institute a process that is used in Holland.  Before any patient is admitted into the hospital population, they first are placed in quarantine area for 48 hours.  This cuts down on the spread of bacteria/viruses by patients entering the hospital.  I find this to be a step forward in common sense medicine.  Applying procedures that work for others is good medicine