Health Care Reform Support Group

I can relate to what you are saying and dealing with. Personally it was waste of TV time watching the silly little twit. He didn't say anything that we didn't already know. I don't know why I even bothered to listen to him in the first place. For everything he wants he wants passed on this bill he did not address that little tiny print stipulations that applies to each provision of this stupid bill. He only proceeded to blame others which is the only thing he is good at.

I have said this many times if this bill is so workable for the American people then I would like to hear him say "I am giving up my current health care plan and starting tomorrow I will be using the very same healthcare plan I want all Americans to use in this bill. Bet ya won't hear that huh?

Sighsss as well!!

Whatever your political persuasion, whatever your beliefs are on healthcare, I thought it would be informative to provide a summary of the President's speech to Congress this evening on Healthcare. I admit that I am summarizing here, yet I was careful to take notes during the speech, so I am confident that my words express the intent of statements made. However, please correct statements that are blatantly incorrect. The following are key points addressed by the President in his address to the congress.

Summary

1.Consumer protection (making certain actions by insurance companies illegal such as denying coverage based on preexisting conditions)
2.Insurance exchange to encourage competition and assist individuals and small businesses obtain coverage. The insurance exchange will include a public option that will be available only to those who do not or cannot afford any sort of insurance.
3.Requirement for everyone to carry some basic health insurance just as we do with auto insurance to prevent covered individuals from paying for emergency room visits and other hidden costs in insurance premiums.

Other points:

--It will be illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions
--it will be illegal for insurance companies to drop or water down coverage when someone becomes sick
--Nothing will change for those who currently have private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid This bill will improve current healthcare by making certain actions illegal by insurance company as stated above.
--A public option will be available for those who cannot afford any sort of insurance. This public will only be an option for those who do not have or cannot afford any sort of health insurance. Less than 5% of americans would sign up.
--In 34 states, 75% is controlled by 4 or 5 insurance company. In Alabama 90% is controlled by one company.
--No cap on insurance in a year or lifetime.

Controversies

--Kill panels. It is a lie plan and simple
--Illegal immigrants will not be insured. This is false.
--No federal dollars will fund abortions

How it will be paid for (more to this, but these are issues most talked about)

--It will not be paid for that adds any additional monies to the deficit.
--No cuts in Medicare or Medicaid will be used to pay for program.
--Will not be subsidized by taxpayers.

Republican Response

Dr Charles Boustani, Republican Louisiana congressman and heart surgeon gave response to the President's speech. Although broadly conciliatory, he repeated one particular issue I recalled the President stated was unequivocally untrue. Specifically Dr. Boustani stated that Medicare would be cut by 500 million. This was stated to be untrue by the President during his speech.

The Republicans continue to be against the public option. This is the option for those who do not have or cannot afford any sort of health insurance.

Any surprises for anyone? Did the President's speech change anyone's opinion? What is your general opinion of healthcare (now, or the proposed plan)? Do you believe the President when he disputed some of the statements by those who oppose his plan?


Before I sign off, I wish to share a very telling story about the beliefs of people trying to make sense of health care reform. Last week I was in my neurologist office when healthcare reform came up. Two older ladies stated that “Kill Panels” would be set up to determine who would get care based on their age. I found this laughable. I could not believe anyone would believe this. However, I paid her respect, and told her about my experience in two separate single payer systems (the government pays for all), Canada and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom and Canada was bought up because the President's proposals have similar parameters. I was enrolled in these systems because I was in the Navy and was stationed on a Canadian and UK military base where we did not have access to US military healthcare. I was on exchange duty with the Canadians (10 Americans stationed in the Province of Newfoundland), and later on the Royal Air Force Base at Edzell Scotland. All Americans were enrolled in the National Health Care System. When I told the ladies this, one commented “that Scotland was not the UK”. Egads! I respectfully told her that Scotland was part of the UK as was England, Wales and Northern Ireland. (as opposed to the Republic of Ireland). This lady spoke with confidence in her words, yet she was making untrue statements. She did not understand the single payer system, how it operated in either country or the experience of those who participate in those systems. .

Katie:

I would like to address a comment made in your post.

"I have said this many times if this bill is so workable for the American people then I would like to hear him say "I am giving up my current health care plan and starting tomorrow I will be using the very same healthcare plan I want all Americans to use in this bill."

No one has to give up their private healthcare. All Americans are not required to be enrolled into one particular health plan. There is what is called a public option that is available to those who do not have or cannot afford insurance of any kind. Everyone will be covered. You will not have to give up nor will your current health insurance change... it should be improved. Lets hope so.

Okay. I've cooled off.

I just want the US government to leave me the hell alone.

I will surely die without insurance, but I want to be able to eat in the meantime.

I want to be able to pay off the medical bills I've already incurred so when I die my husband and children aren't stuck with them. I want to be able to pay off my college student's medical bills.

In peace.

I cannot do that with one more expenditure. Not one. I can disconnect my $10 mo internet (our full monthly entertainment budget) and sell this piece of junk computer and still not be able to afford one month of medical insurance.

Much less a deductible. The Massachusetts premium listed in the original post did not mention that the couple also has a $2000 deductible each. I am not in MA but they are the first mandated system with the public option (non-California style) so I assume any other policy will have the same.

If this is really only about healthcare for everyone...

Why isn't this president and his congress taking care of those that don't have it and leave all the protesting public who DON'T want it alone?

No one has answered this.

And the prez and his congress own the vote - they are the majority. No one can stop them but themselves. So their OWN are the ones keeping it from passing, thus far.

So much deceit.

Katie - Please don't think you wasted your time watching the speech. Keep watching and listening.

One thing about this president, he is not a liar. Since he suddenly and magically appeared on the national stage, he has told us exactly what he plans to America as we have known it.

People see that handsome face and hear his beautiful voice, and apply his words to the "hope for change" residing within THEIR hearts.

People need to emotionally detach from this man and LISTEN CAREFULLY TO HIS WORDS and stop trying to read into them.

If this was a healthcare matter, this president and his congress would take care of the few without it and quit picking on the masses who are telling Washington to leave them alone. Is nationalized healthcare a trojan horse? I don't know.

Alitax,

The reason I keep making the statement regarding Obama giving up his current health care plan is because he will not be effected in any way what so ever. We on the other hand will be. You think you will have a choice on what type of health care plan you wish to have just because Obama says so?

Think again because at the end of the day you won't have a choice because there will be no other health insurances to choose from by the time the government works it way through the system with this stupid bill. In other words these companies will go out of business. When it is all said and done you will have no choice but to accept the government plan. And again I will say this why does the president and all his staff have their own health care plan? You want to talk about choices and being fair well heck let all the American people have the same type of plan the government has right now. Bet ya won't see that happen either.

The notes you took on Obama's speech are merely a recording of the same old stuff he always says.

Sorry but the man doesn't give a flying hoot about the American people in my opinion I can only hope that he gets impeached and moves back to Kenya.

Good grief - I find myself agreeing with KatieBell too much!

There eventually has to be a public option, no matter what.

If you play out how any single government entity (or any company for that matter) is to completely control availability and cost, it must has complete power over the matter. The government will eventually take over everyone's healthcare. The government, with the people's money = taxpayers. Period.

lol replace

I couldn't have worded it any better. Before you know it they will be telling us what we can and can't have in our homes. Oh wait that might have already happend in some states lol

I have one question. People who now have coverage from their employer, what happens when the employer chooses to take the option of the 8% fine for not providing health care? Many auto workers have taken huge pay cuts, and give backs in the last few years. They are just getting by, where is the money to come from?