I read an article yesterday and the comments following the article stumped me. The majority of the contributors were angry over the Health Care Bill's progress and then stated they would vote their representatives out of office come election time. Why? The representatives and senators for this district and our state DO NOT support the Health Care Bill. Remember, we are only one state and the other 49 states' representatives and senators vote also. In order to really make a difference, you must contact congressman beyond your district and state. It probably will not make an impact, but until you try, you won't know.
By clicking on the names below you can visit the websites for our 3rd District Representative and Georgia's Senators and see where they stand on the issues.
Lynn Westmoreland
Saxby Chambliss
Johnny Isakson
Don't blog in ignorance.
Showing posts with label Health Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health Care. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Health Care Reform - Updated
Have NOT checked this out but according to FOX news the Health Care Reform Bill has now gone from 1000+ pages to 2300 pages. I will have to confirm and get back to you. I will be out of pocket until late tomorrow and it may be early on Thursday - but I will be back!
Update - go to the Library of Congress link and read the 3 resolutions up for grabs - 1 in the house and 2 in the senate - it wasn't confusing enough as it was, now I have more reading to do! I'll never finish Stephen King's The Stand.
Update - go to the Library of Congress link and read the 3 resolutions up for grabs - 1 in the house and 2 in the senate - it wasn't confusing enough as it was, now I have more reading to do! I'll never finish Stephen King's The Stand.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Town Hall Meeting - Lebanon, Pa
Up in arms and getting violent, the people in Lebanon are voicing their opinions of Health Care Reform. Uncalled for - violence is not the way to get the point across. Impeachment or recall is an alternative - if your representative is not representing the people - get them out.
I understood them to say that invitations were sent to potential participants in the Town Hall Meetings. Why? Shouldn't the meetings be open to all interested citizens? How do they decide who should be invited? What is the criteria a citizen must meet in order to be asked to participate? Are these staged Town Hall Meetings?
Language of the law - Can we understand the verbiage of the laws and bills presented for vote? The representative in this morning's meeting admitted he had a staff of 10 reading and interpreting for him. Why would a piece of legislation be written in such a way that either by the language or the length of the legislation that an individual would need assistance in the reading? Should so much legalise be used when the common man is expected to comprehend the letter of the law? Remember, ignorance is no excuse!
As with the Health Care Reform, I have a lot of questions surrounding these meetings. Keep in touch! What do you think?
I understood them to say that invitations were sent to potential participants in the Town Hall Meetings. Why? Shouldn't the meetings be open to all interested citizens? How do they decide who should be invited? What is the criteria a citizen must meet in order to be asked to participate? Are these staged Town Hall Meetings?
Language of the law - Can we understand the verbiage of the laws and bills presented for vote? The representative in this morning's meeting admitted he had a staff of 10 reading and interpreting for him. Why would a piece of legislation be written in such a way that either by the language or the length of the legislation that an individual would need assistance in the reading? Should so much legalise be used when the common man is expected to comprehend the letter of the law? Remember, ignorance is no excuse!
As with the Health Care Reform, I have a lot of questions surrounding these meetings. Keep in touch! What do you think?
Friday, July 24, 2009
Health and Medicine - - Updated
A friend and I were talking yesterday about the cost of medicine. He and I are the same age and both of us have encountered health problems along the way. Never in a million years in 1969, when we graduated from high school, did we envision what our future held. Some of our fellow classmates have experienced much more than we have and I wonder how in the world they survived - also realizing that some haven't survived.
Employers are normally in charge of the choice of health insurance being offered - they pay part of the premium so they make the decision. I honestly believe employers try to negotiate the best coverage for the money. Why? Because they are covered under the same policy. The employee has an advantage in this case. The self employed can obtain health insurance for about the same premium, however the coverage is vastly different. Deductibles, co-pays, max out of pocket expenses are all at a higher level. Where a group (where the employer offers health insurance) may have a $500 deductible, the self employed individual will have a $1500 deductible. If you are a smoker, then the cost of insurance is higher.
Supplemental insurance can ease the burden, but that adds to the cost of the coverage. So, why not pay a higher premium and get more coverage.
Having insurance doesn't mean free health care. Co-pays can run $25 - $50 a visit, then heaven forbid if x-rays or blood tests are needed. These all add to the co-pay and that $25 can quickly turn into $225. Is that why people are now focusing on eating healthy, getting exercise, quitting smoking, breathing healthier air and on and on?
Oh! Don't forget the medicine! This is something my doctor and I agree to disagree on. I have high cholesterol or so my doctor says. My cholesterol runs at 200 - remember when this was the norm? Well now the norm has dropped to 150, so I am in real trouble! It is hereditary and I admit I love fried chicken. I cannot - probably because of a mental block - take all those "-tor" drugs. Fish oil suits me just fine. So what does my doctor do, he gives me a prescription for super fish oil. My co-pay is $100 per bottle of 300 capsules. Give me a break! What are these things made of gold? Does he really believe I am going to pay that for fish oil when I can get 100 capsules for $11.99 and most of the time I get those on sale with a "buy 1 get 2 free".
And please don't be diagnosed with diabetes! Not only do you have your morning and evening pill for the insulin problem, but you have to have a pill for your kidneys (don't want to go on dialysis) and then sometimes another for your eyes. This can go on for years and years. The cost is astronomical and remember you have to check your blood at least daily or sometimes 2-3 times a day - add the machine and the supplies to those costs. Social security is not enough for the health costs much less the light bill and the groceries.
If you are diagnosed with heart problems or cancer and you may as well sell everything you own and find a cheap nursing home. You cannot afford to live. Even more reason to stay healthy. I was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago. The trips to the doctors, the x-rays, the ultra-sounds, the surgery - the costs were astronomical. If I had agreed to radiation and chemo it would have been even more. Yes, I refused radiation and chemo, but that is another story for another time.
It isn't the insurance companies fault as many would have you believe. Pharmaceuticals are the biggest reason for high medical costs. Doctors are pushing drugs for certain illnesses or health problems. Do they get a kick back? Do they get new equipment for their office, use of a time share on some wonderful beach, tickets to a ball game, an all expense paid hunting trip, or just supplies for their office?
Going to the hospital - take your own prescriptions. I was charged $72 for 2 tylenol tablets and that was 6 years ago. With the rate of inflation, no one can afford it now. I wonder what that supercharged fish oil would cost at the hospital?
I know the cost of producing drugs, the research and testing that goes into the development is high. But if you will pay attention, this "research and development" is grant funded! Yes, these are private companies, but they receive grants to find cures, research and develop medications and vaccines! These pharmaceutical companies are making money hand over fist on the results of grant funded research. Why is our costs so high?
If the government would put a cap on the cost of medications, the health care system would take care of itself. How do you put a cap on the cost of medication when the companies producing these medications contribute high dollars to your campaign to get re-elected time after time? Is your elected official listening to you or his contributors?
Check out this website - see the dollars Pharmaceuticals are pouring into lobbying for their cause!
www.opensecrets.org/lobby/ go to the Top Industries Section
Employers are normally in charge of the choice of health insurance being offered - they pay part of the premium so they make the decision. I honestly believe employers try to negotiate the best coverage for the money. Why? Because they are covered under the same policy. The employee has an advantage in this case. The self employed can obtain health insurance for about the same premium, however the coverage is vastly different. Deductibles, co-pays, max out of pocket expenses are all at a higher level. Where a group (where the employer offers health insurance) may have a $500 deductible, the self employed individual will have a $1500 deductible. If you are a smoker, then the cost of insurance is higher.
Supplemental insurance can ease the burden, but that adds to the cost of the coverage. So, why not pay a higher premium and get more coverage.
Having insurance doesn't mean free health care. Co-pays can run $25 - $50 a visit, then heaven forbid if x-rays or blood tests are needed. These all add to the co-pay and that $25 can quickly turn into $225. Is that why people are now focusing on eating healthy, getting exercise, quitting smoking, breathing healthier air and on and on?
Oh! Don't forget the medicine! This is something my doctor and I agree to disagree on. I have high cholesterol or so my doctor says. My cholesterol runs at 200 - remember when this was the norm? Well now the norm has dropped to 150, so I am in real trouble! It is hereditary and I admit I love fried chicken. I cannot - probably because of a mental block - take all those "-tor" drugs. Fish oil suits me just fine. So what does my doctor do, he gives me a prescription for super fish oil. My co-pay is $100 per bottle of 300 capsules. Give me a break! What are these things made of gold? Does he really believe I am going to pay that for fish oil when I can get 100 capsules for $11.99 and most of the time I get those on sale with a "buy 1 get 2 free".
And please don't be diagnosed with diabetes! Not only do you have your morning and evening pill for the insulin problem, but you have to have a pill for your kidneys (don't want to go on dialysis) and then sometimes another for your eyes. This can go on for years and years. The cost is astronomical and remember you have to check your blood at least daily or sometimes 2-3 times a day - add the machine and the supplies to those costs. Social security is not enough for the health costs much less the light bill and the groceries.
If you are diagnosed with heart problems or cancer and you may as well sell everything you own and find a cheap nursing home. You cannot afford to live. Even more reason to stay healthy. I was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago. The trips to the doctors, the x-rays, the ultra-sounds, the surgery - the costs were astronomical. If I had agreed to radiation and chemo it would have been even more. Yes, I refused radiation and chemo, but that is another story for another time.
It isn't the insurance companies fault as many would have you believe. Pharmaceuticals are the biggest reason for high medical costs. Doctors are pushing drugs for certain illnesses or health problems. Do they get a kick back? Do they get new equipment for their office, use of a time share on some wonderful beach, tickets to a ball game, an all expense paid hunting trip, or just supplies for their office?
Going to the hospital - take your own prescriptions. I was charged $72 for 2 tylenol tablets and that was 6 years ago. With the rate of inflation, no one can afford it now. I wonder what that supercharged fish oil would cost at the hospital?
I know the cost of producing drugs, the research and testing that goes into the development is high. But if you will pay attention, this "research and development" is grant funded! Yes, these are private companies, but they receive grants to find cures, research and develop medications and vaccines! These pharmaceutical companies are making money hand over fist on the results of grant funded research. Why is our costs so high?
If the government would put a cap on the cost of medications, the health care system would take care of itself. How do you put a cap on the cost of medication when the companies producing these medications contribute high dollars to your campaign to get re-elected time after time? Is your elected official listening to you or his contributors?
Check out this website - see the dollars Pharmaceuticals are pouring into lobbying for their cause!
www.opensecrets.org/lobby/ go to the Top Industries Section
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
So Many Issues - Too Little Time
The news is full of news, happenings, and issues this week. The health care reform is catching flack due to the abortion issue which if addressed will open a whole new can of worms. I believe we need some form of health care, but a nationwide insurance is not the answer. But as pointed out in an article I read the other day, Medicare was greatly opposed in many corners when it was introduced. Maybe the answer is to change the face of Medicare/Medicaid. I am still reading on the Health Care Bill and will probably still be reading this time next week. This is one bill that all representatives, senators, and governors need to read and study before agreeing to the content. Please, please do not sign until you read. (How many law suits have been filed as a result of not reading before signing.) Ignorance of the contents is no excuse.
Those that signed the stimulus package before signing should resign. Ignorance of the rules, standards and guidelines for spending/giving away this much money that did not belong to them is gross negligence. The people of the United States should file a lawsuit against each person that signed this bill on the grounds of misappropriation of government funds. Our tax dollars have been placed in the pocket of these already high paid executives with a pat on the back and a quiet chuckle and have not increased any jobs other than maybe to increase the household staff of these executives.
And Anthony in Australia, good job mister. You caught something that highly paid government employees missed AND you called and told them they had missed it. With all their high tech equipment purchased with tax dollars they missed a major event that you caught with your backyard telescope. I commend you!
The earthquake in New Zealand has actually moved the island closer to Australia. Does this mean we will have some changing weather in our forecast or is a major tsunami on the way to destroy the coast of New Zealand or Australia or both.
And what in the heck was a university counselor doing with the records of the Virginia Tech killer at his home. It is called responsibility - those are confidential files, don't take them home to share with family and friends. Makes me wonder if my medical records are on my doctors kitchen counter. Use those brain cells people - surely you haven't burned them all up.
What is it with teens these days? Robbing and killing here, there, and everywhere. Go play. Play ball, throw a Frisbee, go fishing, play tennis, go swimming, plant a garden, volunteer with some group, but be a teenager. You really, really don't want to spend your early years behind bars. You are going to miss so much if you do and guess what, those guards are not your mom, dad, or grandparents. They don't love you. Life may be hard, but life is what you make it. Go to church - its free and those people care. Talk to someone, but get your life back. The streets have taken you away from life and you have to get it back. Nursing homes always need volunteers and you can learn so much from the old folks who have seen more and done more than we ever will.
Gone fishing.
Belle
Those that signed the stimulus package before signing should resign. Ignorance of the rules, standards and guidelines for spending/giving away this much money that did not belong to them is gross negligence. The people of the United States should file a lawsuit against each person that signed this bill on the grounds of misappropriation of government funds. Our tax dollars have been placed in the pocket of these already high paid executives with a pat on the back and a quiet chuckle and have not increased any jobs other than maybe to increase the household staff of these executives.
And Anthony in Australia, good job mister. You caught something that highly paid government employees missed AND you called and told them they had missed it. With all their high tech equipment purchased with tax dollars they missed a major event that you caught with your backyard telescope. I commend you!
The earthquake in New Zealand has actually moved the island closer to Australia. Does this mean we will have some changing weather in our forecast or is a major tsunami on the way to destroy the coast of New Zealand or Australia or both.
And what in the heck was a university counselor doing with the records of the Virginia Tech killer at his home. It is called responsibility - those are confidential files, don't take them home to share with family and friends. Makes me wonder if my medical records are on my doctors kitchen counter. Use those brain cells people - surely you haven't burned them all up.
What is it with teens these days? Robbing and killing here, there, and everywhere. Go play. Play ball, throw a Frisbee, go fishing, play tennis, go swimming, plant a garden, volunteer with some group, but be a teenager. You really, really don't want to spend your early years behind bars. You are going to miss so much if you do and guess what, those guards are not your mom, dad, or grandparents. They don't love you. Life may be hard, but life is what you make it. Go to church - its free and those people care. Talk to someone, but get your life back. The streets have taken you away from life and you have to get it back. Nursing homes always need volunteers and you can learn so much from the old folks who have seen more and done more than we ever will.
Gone fishing.
Belle
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