Health Care Reform Support Group

Here is one person that hears you and agrees with what you just said. I agree that we live in a "blame someone else" time and it is frustrating to hear everyone placing blame instead of trying to discuss this problem. But then maybe this is a venting forum and I just am past venting and just want to see changes come about that will offer healthcare to anyone that needs it, regardless of anything.

To me this is a moral issue at the core and why people want to scream is beyond my understanding. Put the pressure on your congressman, write letters, make calls, send emails and make comments on a forum like this but keep it on the subject of healthcare so maybe we all will benefit.

I have been accused of wearing rose colored glasses, well if that is how I appear, so be it. Ask me if I care and my answer will be "No, I don't need your praise but I will tell you that I have been there and done that (very expensive healthcare insurance, pre-existing condition)) and no American should have to worry that they cannot get treatment for a health problem.

So 4many, I understand and if blame must be placed it is squarely on the shoulders of the politicians that we elect to represent us. They need to jump of the partisan boat and get in the dinghy with the American people and make some good choices and negotiate a good program.

Thank you for listenling

I just scanned the 34 reply thread and noticed your post where pointed out that medicare is a government program. Why don't people realize this?

My family is at the mercy of greedy, all-for-profit insurance companies - whichever one we buy into, not much differrence among individual insurers. Why is that any better than government?

SOMEbody made the laws that said individual insurers can do whatever they like and charge a bloody fortune for it. SOMEbody needs to change these laws, because with unemployment the way it is, us self-employed aren't the only ones that will be at the mercy of the insurers........IF they can manage to afford them!!!

I think they know this topically but they just so angry about a lot of things that it seems to not bpenetrating their thought process.

I have had medicare for almost 7 years and I am truly grateful for it. I see everyday that the system could be monitored more closely for "govt ripoff" type problems (drugs, overpricing, double billing,etc.) but people see the govt as an easy target. Hence the pork projects, etc. and the utterly rediculous waste all around.

But the point I need to make is that I am fortunate but I live along side of and have younger people in my family that are struggling with this healthcare situation. I do believe with all my common sense that if I have healthcare coverage, why shouldn't young families or people not quite 65 or anyone that is an American citizen not have to go to bed at night worrying about needing to go to the doctor.

4many, as I said in my previous post, this is a MORAL issue that people should address first then get down to how we should have medical care. Greed got us here and lack of will get us out.

Have a good day

Yes, Pearl, it IS a MORAL issue. I am disappointed to observe that many of the "religious right" are the loudest opponents. Those that have nice jobs with good coverage are in their comfort zones, and they'd really rather not know about the hardships of the less-fortunate. They'd rather build a bubble of denial by rationalizing that it's somehow our fault that we are not as privileged as they or even that we have caused our own health issues!

As you said, age is one factor. So is income class. Low income ppl and even illegal aliens may get care and not have to pay for it, but the HARD-WORKING (that's in caps because their argument is that we're lazy and irresponsible) middle class get shafted up down and sideways. As I was trying to communicate to the very well-educated person, yes, maybe we can go to a non-for-profit hospital and receive care. But then what? WE GET THE BILL. We have no way of paying it without losing everything we have worked for. Born and raised in this country, as were our parents and grandparents, and we have to choose between being whole and healthy and having a roof over our heads!

Just yesterday I received an e-mail from a friend (who has a nice job and good health coverage) written by a physician in an attempt to explain why we will not like this bill and it's "rationing." The article was taken from a magazine and there were so many replies, (most of them agreeing with and praising the writer,) that I did not have time to read them all. It was very clear to me that the article was written to those of means who would not want to lose the great health care they already have!

Thank you for allowing the vent...need to lower the blood pressure a little!

I agree that we need health care reform, but what ever plan is used must be right. as it now, we provide health care for illegals whom can't speak a word of english, have never worked a day in their lives here. (these are our tax dollars at work), yet tell our youth we are sorry we can not provide you health care because you have no inurance. I work in health care and have seen this happen.

Kimmy2, you have actually seen Americans denied care?

The person I was talking to was very inflamed, claiming to have sat on many hospital boards and knowing for a fact that a certain not-for-profit hospital was REQUIRED to provide care, at least for "indigent" people...

Well...again...what about the hard working middle class, not exactly indigent, but strapped and struggling?

Years ago, we met a couple who had a premature baby with no insurance. The bills were so astronomical they could never pay them. They simply shrugged and said, "we'll just keep making small payments for the rest of our lives." My DH got this in his head and now loathes every fat check he writes for our woefully inadequate coverage ($10,000 deductible EACH.) He doesn't believe that our home and/or his business assets could be taken.......but I am told otherwise.....??? Isn't it true that more bankruptcies are filed due to medical bills than for any other reason?

My own son was attacked may 2, 2009. he suffered 9 blows to his head, the er doctor said he should have died. they got him stable sent him home. he can not breath right, now. but because he has no insurance he can not see an ent, and get his nose repaired. no one will see him, or they will not take what the state will give him.

there is a thing called victims rights, but because they case has not come to court yet they can not help either. I have thousands in medical bills to pay.

Yes, I have had to tell patients that we have to close their case many times. and of course we never can tell them its about the money. So this why I fear Obamas health care plan as it is now, because tere will be more cuts, the price will be high. I just wish people could understand this.