Tuesday, August 11, 2009
AARP and Health Care Reform
Click on the title to see the message. AARP has provided a fact sheet on the Myths vs. Facts of the Health Care Reform Package. Check it out!
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?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Opinions
Yes, I know that addage - like butt holes, everyone has one; but, I what I want to impress upon all my readers is the fact I respect your opinions. I may not agree with them, but I am so proud that you are educated enough on the issues to have an opinion. This blog is not for me to expound on my opinions, even though at times I do; it is an avenue for expression of all people.
I will delete any vicious or attacking comments and I will not publish any myself. I have lived through a time of attack, hate, intimidation, threats, and stalking, to name a few, from close friends and mortal enemies; it is not pleasant. It will make you old, tired and untrusting. When an innocent comment can be turned around, upside down, and inside out so that you no longer recognize what is related to have come out of your mouth. Let's don't do that here. It is not nice.
Anyway, I appreciate your visits, comments and opinions. Keep reading, writing, but most of all Keep Smiling!
I will delete any vicious or attacking comments and I will not publish any myself. I have lived through a time of attack, hate, intimidation, threats, and stalking, to name a few, from close friends and mortal enemies; it is not pleasant. It will make you old, tired and untrusting. When an innocent comment can be turned around, upside down, and inside out so that you no longer recognize what is related to have come out of your mouth. Let's don't do that here. It is not nice.
Anyway, I appreciate your visits, comments and opinions. Keep reading, writing, but most of all Keep Smiling!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Town Hall Meetings - Updated
I have just read an article relating experiences of congressmen during town hall meetings. One congressman related that people were angry at his positions on issues.
LISTEN CONGRESSMAN - IT IS NOT YOUR POSITION YOU ARE ELECTED TO SUPPORT - IT IS THE POSITION OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
Who in the hell do these elected officials think they are? The congressmen that have this view should be ousted from their office earlier rather than later.
People - keep talking!
Congressman - wake up and listen!
Updated
I was pretty angry when I wrote the above statements. True though they may be, I also need to clarify some of the statements. Yes, when we elect a person to any office, they are suppose to represent their constituents whether those constituents voted for them or not AND they are PLEDGED to support the platform of the party on which they run. That throws a clinker into things.
In local elections that doesn't matter so much because the parties do not financially support the campaigns of the candidates as they should. Where does the money go? Anywhere that party officials want it to go. Apparently there are no definitive guidelines of who gets money from the local party.
In the state and federal level, it is a different story and in order to receive and maintain support from the party affiliation, a candidate or elected official must adhere to the party platform.
So let me back up and punt over. Not only should you let your elected official know where you stand, but contact his party officials and let them know how you stand.
LISTEN CONGRESSMAN - IT IS NOT YOUR POSITION YOU ARE ELECTED TO SUPPORT - IT IS THE POSITION OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS.
Who in the hell do these elected officials think they are? The congressmen that have this view should be ousted from their office earlier rather than later.
People - keep talking!
Congressman - wake up and listen!
Updated
I was pretty angry when I wrote the above statements. True though they may be, I also need to clarify some of the statements. Yes, when we elect a person to any office, they are suppose to represent their constituents whether those constituents voted for them or not AND they are PLEDGED to support the platform of the party on which they run. That throws a clinker into things.
In local elections that doesn't matter so much because the parties do not financially support the campaigns of the candidates as they should. Where does the money go? Anywhere that party officials want it to go. Apparently there are no definitive guidelines of who gets money from the local party.
In the state and federal level, it is a different story and in order to receive and maintain support from the party affiliation, a candidate or elected official must adhere to the party platform.
So let me back up and punt over. Not only should you let your elected official know where you stand, but contact his party officials and let them know how you stand.
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
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