Health Reform?? I wonder if we are looking at the wrong bad guys.

[misfitguy]

The House of Representatives passed a very comprehensive Health Reform Bill and now we wait for the Senates version.  As I write this, I am concerned that what is going to come out of the Senate is going to be something that the health industry might have simply wrote themselves and save all of us a lot of time and grief watching it unfold.  Simply put, it requires everybody to buy health insurance and doesn't limit how much the insurance companies charge.  If you have preexisting conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you may pay four or five times what somebody without these conditions pays.  I keep hearing that the insurance, being a for profit industry, are dancing in the street, hoping that the final bill that comes out of House/Senate committee will mirror what is coming out of the Senate.  And it just may.  What the results will be is that the government will deliver millions of new customers to the insurance industry and either these new customers will have to pay for insurance they don't have at imploded rates, or the government will subsidize these premiums for them.

Sitting on the sidelines and not getting any attention is the medical industry.  I heard Keith Olberman, tonight, say that there are people dying daily because they don't have health care insurance.  This could never happen.  I am not aware of one person in the history of the insurance industry that was ever saved, healed, made better, treated or even given a physical by an insurance company.  These actions are reserved for the actions of the medical industry meaning, doctors, hospitals, medical technicians, nurses, dentists, etc.  So, Mr. Olberman, let me correct you.  You should be saying that there are people dying daily because they are refused health care because they don't have insurance.  It is the doctors, hospitals, specialists, etc. that are denying people care.  It is the medical industry that is demanding that they get paid enormous amounts of money for use of their knowledge, skills and equipment and if you cannot deliver, then they are not interested in taking care of you.  

This debate needs to bring up the facts of the medical community simply denying people health care.  Before the for-profit insurance companies existed, doctors had a history of caring, and I use the word caring with its intended meaning, for their patients.  Now, as I heard earlier in the week, doctors are threatening to leave the field because the costs of doing business will not guarantee their wealth in a few years.  

Final point.  Can anybody give me a field of endeavor that after 8 to 10 years of study, they are simply guaranteed wealth and riches?  Forever?  

Mick

[Sassafras]

Final point.  Can anybody give me a field of endeavor that after 8 to 10 years of study, they are simply guaranteed wealth and riches?  Forever? 

Nope. Not one.

_________
ME

[Smokebender]

Steven --

Early this morning, the Senate made history and health reform cleared its most important hurdle yet -- garnering the 60 votes needed to move toward a final vote in that chamber later this week.

This marks the first time in our nation's history that comprehensive health reform has come to this point. And it appears that the American people will soon realize the genuine reform that offers security to those who have health insurance and affordable options to those who do not.

I'm grateful to Senator Harry Reid and every senator who's been working around the clock to make this happen. And I'm grateful to you, and every member of the Organizing for America community, for all the work you have done to make this progress possible.

After a nearly century-long struggle, we are now on the cusp of making health insurance reform a reality in the United States of America.

As with any legislation, compromise is part of the process. But I'm pleased that recently added provisions have made this landmark bill even stronger. Between the time when the bill passes and the time when the insurance exchanges get up and running, insurance companies that try to jack up their rates do so at their own peril. Those who hike their prices may be barred from selling plans on the exchanges.

And while insurance companies will be prevented from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions once the exchanges are open, in the meantime there will be a high-risk pool where people with pre-existing conditions can purchase affordable coverage.

A recent amendment has made these protections even stronger. Insurance companies will now be prohibited from denying coverage to children immediately after this bill passes. There's also explicit language in this bill that will protect a patient's choice of doctor. And small businesses will get additional assistance as well.

These protections are in addition to the ones we've been talking about for some time. No longer will insurance companies be able to drop your coverage if you become sick and no longer will you have to pay unlimited amounts out of your own pocket for treatments that you need.

Under this bill families will save on their premiums; businesses that would see their costs rise if we don't act will save money now and in the future. This bill will strengthen Medicare and extend the life of the program. Because it's paid for and gets rid of waste and inefficiency in our health care system, this will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade.

Finally, this reform will extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans who don't have it.

These are not small changes. These are big changes. They're fundamental reforms. They will save money. They will save lives.

And your passion, your work, your organizing helped make all of this possible. Now it's time to finish the job.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

[misfitguy]

Smoke,

Thank you for sharing that inspirational letter. I don't receive them from President Obama.  I guess I'm not on his mailing list.  Everything he says is so true, though we need so much more.  One of the things that will have to be addressed in the future is "For profit insurance companies" being the basis of us affording health care.  I just read a statement this morning from one of the senators that said we have the best health care system in the world, but access to it is very limited and not available to everybody.  That is the part that must change.  Our health care system and the insurance companies have a symbiotic relationship that feeds each other with riches while selectively dealing out health care.  The GOP tried to use the scare tactic of saying that health care reform will cause people to be denied coverage by panels.  Hell, that is what is being done today.  Everyday, in America, the "land of the free and the home of the brave...God Bless America.....Wave a flag for freedom......Onward Christian soldiers....That America, there are people dying because they do not have access to the medical system because they cannot get insurance.  Oh, yeah, GOP, neo-con Nazis', that is the real story.  You, piece of crap, not worth a bullet, rich bigots really need to go somewhere else.  Take your treasured money with you.  We don't need it. 

Mick

[Smokebender]

Steven --

Although it's Christmas Eve, I wanted to share some exciting news: The Senate just passed a historic health reform bill.

In all the back and forth, it's easy to lose sight of what this incredible breakthrough really means. But consider this: This Christmas, there are millions of Americans without health insurance who risk losing everything if they get sick.

There are mothers and fathers who wonder how they'll provide for their children because an illness has wiped out their savings. There are small business owners who worry that they'll have to lay off a long-time employee because the cost of insurance is rapidly rising.

If we finish the job, all this can change. We will have beaten back the special interests who have for so long perpetuated the status quo. We will have enacted the most important piece of social policy since the Social Security Act in the 1930s, and the most important health reform since Medicare in the 1960s.

In Decembers to come, millions more will have access to affordable coverage. Parents will have the security and stability of knowing their insurance can't be revoked at a moment's notice. And the skyrocketing costs plaguing our small businesses will be brought under control.

When you make calls, write letters, organize, this is the change you're making -- a better life for your family and for men and women in every state.

There is still more to do before I can sign reform into law -- a last round of negotiations and final votes in the Senate and the House -- and I'm counting on your help every step of the way. But for now, I hope that as you celebrate this holiday season, you remember that the work you are doing is making our union more perfect, one step at a time. For that, I am grateful to you.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays,

President Barack Obama

[misfitguy]

Steve,

I got up specifically to watch the event on C-Span.  What a wonderful feeling to see this happen.  When Senator Byrd voted, he said, "For my friend Teddy Kennedy I say AYE!"  in a loud and firm voice.  He is in a wheel chair and looks so frail.  The history of Ted Kennedy and Byrd was tumultuous and early in their careers, they didn't get along, but as Sen. Byrd awoke to the new ways of the world, Senator Kennedy befriended him and they became fast and true friends.  What a remarkable event to witness.

Mick

[Smokebender]

Byrds of a different feather. I would have enjoy seeing that too. I'm happy to learn of it.

[Smokebender]

 
Dear Steven,

 

Nearly 100 years in the making, today the Senate passed comprehensive health care reform by a vote of 60-39. While this bill isn't everything I wanted it to be, it is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that saves lives, saves money, and saves Medicare.

 

When I first came to the U.S. Senate in 2001, we tried to pass a comprehensive Patient's Bill of Rights, but our efforts were blocked. The bill we passed this morning includes those protections - a "health care bill of rights" that stops insurance company abuses and discrimination. They will no longer be able to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions, or drop you if you get sick. They also will no longer be able to charge higher rates because of your gender or your occupation, as well as many other protections.

 

The bill also makes insurance more affordable for American families. Health insurance reform will lower health costs with reforms to improve care coordination, reduce medical errors, and encourage more efficient health plans. Lower health care costs mean more money to invest in businesses, allowing employers to give workers more in take-home wages. It also includes special assistance for small businesses, many of whom are struggling with skyrocketing health insurance rates. This bill creates new tax credits for small businesses to help them pay for the cost of health insurance for their employees. It also provides tax cuts to individuals and families up to 400% of poverty to help them buy health insurance.

 

It also saves the country money, by reducing the federal deficit and reducing the growth in federal spending on health care.
 
Finally, this bill saves Medicare. It closes the "doughnut hole" in prescription drug coverage, provides free preventive care for Medicare beneficiaries, and changes the way we pay for health care to reward quality of care, rather than the quantity of tests and procedures. According to non-partisan budget officials, this bill will extend the life of the Medicare trust fund for years to come.

 

I have posted more details about this plan on my website, at http://stabenow.senate.gov/healthcare. I've included a copy of the bill, detailed summaries about what the bill does, and an interactive feature to explain how this bill closes the gaps in coverage to provide Americans with real health insurance choices.

 

This has been a long and difficult fight, and while we didn't win every battle, the bill we passed this morning accomplishes the important goals we laid out at the beginning of this debate. It stops unfair practices by insurance companies. It strengthens and protects Medicare for years to come. And it makes health care more affordable for families and small businesses.

 

The health care fight is far from over. But today we have made extremely important progress on one of the most difficult issues facing our country - an issue that has led to rising costs for our families and businesses and has cost us so many American jobs.

 

As we continue this work, and in our efforts early next year to continue to address the jobs crisis, I will remain laser-focused on saving and creating jobs in Michigan. As always, please continue to keep me informed about issues of concern to you and your family.

 

Happy Holidays,

Debbie Stabenow

United States Senator