US Health Care Bill

[ohiolady]

Irish,

I hope you do not fade into the woodwork and keep your mouth shut.  Debate is a good thing unless people get nasty.  This issue needs to be discussed and looked at from both sides of the aisle.  I try to see other peoples points of view even if I hold a different one.

Regarding this issue, I've worked for a compassionate general surgeon for 23 years.  NO ONE would be turned away from surgery that was needed to save their life regardless of their ability to pay.  My own brother entered the emergency room 4 years ago on Christmas Eve.  He had NO INSURANCE.   It was found that he had a very large brain tumor and he was lifeflighted to St. Vincents hospital and was operated on by a top neurosurgeon.  He then was transferred to one of the best rehabilatation facilities in the area.  When he was dying six months later his family doctor wanted to send him to Ohio State because he was only 37 years old and it was heartbreaking to watch him die so young.  He was given a medical card shortly after his diagnosis and received the best care.

My husband and I have spent $10,000.00 to $12,000.00 out of our pocket for the last three years.  Our insurance has a very large deductible and that is the way it is.  But, you know, we don't spend too much time dwelling on it.  My husband just works harder and he works a lot of hours but he is grateful to have me after the cancer scare. 

My brother received the same excellent care that I received.  Does our system need reform, I think so.  Do we need socialized medicine, I THINK NOT.  Medicare is broke, that is a fact.  I just don't want the government taking my personal choice away.  I think doctors will retire in great numbers and that will be a shame.   Regardless of our problems, we have the best healthcare in the world.  That is why people come here for care.

Anna

[Bernice]

I agree!
Though I don't really think that anyone took offense to any one's opinion or that anyone meant to offend anyone, but it's just that the subject is a very pressing one. However I could be wrong. But for the sake of over all peace I do agree with Scottie.

Lucy: Your point of it being too late to get another one may be very correct, it's probably wont be to easy to get insured at this point. Huh? I need to just consider myself blessed that I have this one and STOP complaining of cost! You know it may be that I am in denial, but I only remember or focus on fact that I have SJS if and when I am really suffering from it's  pressing affects. Though I have had to slow down some I try to live my life to the fullest when I can even if I have to force myself some. Though I hurt somewhere everyday, I have a hard time viewing myself as a "sick" person, I just have some issues! So when I wrote this it was one of those times I forgot that they may view me as a risk! I am 46 years old, but yes I do very much think of myself as still being young. Though I was dx about 20 years ago I am just now really having to face up to it, before I REFUSED to acknowledge it for what it is, had too much to do, too much living. As long as I could ignore it I did! So yes I do now need to come to terms with how others may view me. Saying this kind of helps me to understand how my husband may think about going to doctors, after all who wants life to slow down to deal with something wrong with them? NOBODY!!
Thanks for reality check!

Peace & Be Blessed!
Bernice
Bernice

[eyeamdry]

Yes, Bernice, just a reminder to people to not be too hasty when cancelling any insurance.  This would include life insurance, health insurance, accidental death insurance, etc.

My daughter has been a Type I diabetic since she was 27 and she is now 41.  She just lost her job and is on COBRA.  She is single, so there is no husband's insurance to go to.  No one will likely take her with already high expenses.  There is more wrong than just the diabetes.  We will try and help out to make sure she isn't without coverage.

When she was 18, she went off our life insurance policy.  I kept a 10,000 policy on her.  I have always paid it.  With the health problems she has had, life insurance would be very costly for her.  Fortunately, she doesn't need much.  If she would pre-decease us, just funeral expenses would be all we'd need. 

Not too long ago, my husband and i did cancel our life insurance.  We had it for several decades.  It was getting so the monthly premium was just too high.  We don't need insurance if we die.  We have out plots already and enough $$ to pay funeral expenses.  That was probably a good decision to cancel insurance.  Always think carefully.  When you're "down and out" no one will pick you up.  Lucy

[Bernice]

Lucy,

What's been said is very true!

It makes me think about all the people that say that they are wanting to be diagnosed, while on the one hand I clearly understand wanting to know what is going on with themselves and while this should not stop anyone from seeking medical care, I do believe it does. I think, many not necessarily those suspected of having SJS, but a number of other illness considered high risk, wait to be diagnosis until after they have insurance because they know they may not be insured after the diagnosis.

Young ones as well as others not able to afford insurance at the moment because other things such as bills are pressing them at the time, they wait!

I am always sadden to hear that someone so young such as your daughter is going through such as she is, but I am so very glad that she has parents to be there for her. I'm sure this means so much to her.

Thank you for your reply.
Peace & Be Blessed
Bernice

[eyeamdry]

It makes me think about all the people that say that they are wanting to be diagnosed, while on the one hand I clearly understand wanting to know what is going on with themselves and while this should not stop anyone from seeking medical care, I do believe it does. I think, many not necessarily those suspected of having SJS, but a number of other illness considered high risk, wait to be diagnosis until after they have insurance because they know they may not be insured after the diagnosis.

As a two year cancer survivor, whatever the case, "waiting" for a cancer diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death.  I know this happens, but unfortunately we all have to live with our own choices, even if we don't have any.  I'm done on here.  Lucy

[Epson]

I have really enjoyed reading the posts on this subject, how many of you know who Wendell Potter is?  Well you should. Most of you have heard of Michael Moore who made the movie Sicko, which shows our healthcare system and compares it to the National Healthcare systems of the world, you know those Socialist countries.  If you haven't heard of either, you shouldn't be formulating an opinion on healthcare yet.  Wedell is a Whistle Blower and we need more of them in this country.

Wendell Potter, former Head of Corporate Communications at CIGNA (which provides health insurance to nearly 70 percent of the Fortune 100 companies) admits that, in fact, "Sicko" "hit the nail on the head" and told the real truth about how much better people in other countries have it when it comes to their health care. Yes he was a big wig for one of the largest insurance companies in this country and you can hear him on You Tube or read articles about him by doing a Google, Yahoo or Bing search, the story was in papers across the country and appeared on PBS.  This is a link to the interview with Wendell potter, a must for all to see, no matter what side of the fence your on www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/watch2.html.

I don't think you have to worry about much change in the present system until we have a complete melt down, that's the way we function in this country, just look at the economy melt down, Katrina or 911, unfortunately we don't make the best decisions in the middle of a crisis.

[Epson]

The health sector spent 1.4 million dollars a day in the first three months of the year on lobbying congress, no wonder health premiums are sky high.