Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

I haven't focused on the subject of your post, but am concerned with your opening comment that you have promised not to post anymore. Please, don't feel this way. You go ahead and post whatever and how many posts you want to. This is an open forum. okay?

As I wander the "halls" of this site I realize that some subjects are off limits to a lot of people, especially if they don't agree so I am quite content to keep my opinions on a lot of things to myself as I don't choose to offend nor do I necessarily agree with those who offer retorts in a nasty manner. I am petrified if Romney gets into office we in THE MIDDLE will suffer the most and that is the only point I was making. I am already suffering with this nasty disease and to lose support for funding for a "cure" or even better disease modifying drugs as well as health care reform would be devastating to me and others in my income bracket. Only point I was trying to make. I really am apolitical and just want the best bang for the buck so to speak. So again sorry to offend but it, for me, is NOT a political issue but one of human caring and compassion.

I understand your post and your concerns. I see both sides of the coin however. Michelle Obama's father has MS.and I f
Didn't see anything new or special for people with MS come out of a Democratic presidency.

With Romney's wife Anne having MS. I don't for see anything coming from Romney's presidency ( if elected ) either. I do not believe politics is where change really happens. Just my opinion!

Yes I agree with that.As a matter of fact, I read this AM where Michelle Obama changed her story. During the campaign she stated how her dad took hours to get ready for work but he worked at the water treatment plant and had trouble walking but trudged through the day to make a living for the family. Her new story is that she never remembers her dad walking as he had a severe case of MS and that he gave them conditional love? So I agree this is not a battle to be fought in politics so I do believe that Mitt Romney ought not to use Ann's MS as a political tool and if so I want my horse! I am much more pleased that Jack Osborne has come out as he has a different following and his parents care deeply for him and will work every angle to get him well so it brings this lousy disease to the forefront in a positive yet honest manner. I think Ann should just shut up as should Montel (enough cry babying) and we don't hear from Teri Garr as she is so ill and not really a spokesperson of any kind. So we need a new face just as Parkinsons has Michael J Foxx. Just awareness is all I am looking for and REAL awareness not eat good food, sleep regularly, get massages and ride a horse. Just sayin

This is not a partisan issue. It is an economic issue nearing crisis proportions. I have collected some info below. If you are interested in this subject and want the hard facts keep reading. As an American you should have this information.

Out of 190 countries, USA ranks #1 in expenditure per capita on health care yet ranks 37th in performance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_...

In 1935 when the Social Security Act was enacted, part of it contained a national health care plan. Every other industrialized nation in the world had it. But the AMA lobby was so strong back then they refused to support passage of the bill unless national health care was taken out.

So here we are today 77 years later in a hell of a mess.

A friend of mine, a Republican, who worked with me in graduate medical education, did his PhD dissertation on Hillary Clinton's plan back in the mid 90's. His conclusion was that it was an excellent, well designed solution to the huge problem of healthcare costs in this country. But people closed their eyes, did not want to face it and costs have continued to skyrocket.

In November 2004, political leaders in Massachusetts began advocating major reforms of the Massachusetts health care insurance system to expand coverage. As in so many states, the emergency room is used by many (especially the uninsured), as their Primary Care Provider.

The Governor at the time, Mitt Romney, announced that he would propose a plan to cover virtually all of the uninsured. And he did so. Massachusetts, the birthplace of the first state to offer government assisted health insurance to those who had no health insurance.

And we are still standing strong 8 yrs later.

Insurance companies have the literal power over life and death. Anyone with a chronic illness is painfully aware of this. They are a huge part of the problem as is the pharmaceutical industry

The MS society says the average median income in our country is $49.000. But the annual cost of living with MS is $69,000.

Powerful Video to watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gJ...

In an election year it maybe perceived as a Rep vs Dem issue but it is not. The Rep candidate already enacted an 'obamacare' plan at the State level 8 years ago!!

It is vitally important to have an economic plan that takes care of the country and protect its citizens. A democratic society is supposed to protect the welfare of all, Not just the super rich or super poor. But that is where we are currently...no man's land for the people who really need the help--the middle class.

We-- living with MS and our families, have a unique voice that needs to be heard. Where are we going??? Because its sure not in a forward, positive direction. We need a plan to address the health care concerns of all Americans especially injured vets hurt in a series of wars that have bankrupted us for decades to come.

Any ideas? One thing I know is the people who work on these problems have to come from backgrounds that understand the real world. And they need to hear from us.

Melanie

Melanie,
You have become much more articulate over the years here on DS and in reading your post I see you have changed your views on Mitt Romney. I know your story and it is a sad one at that. I do wish you had been diagnosed later and had the medications available now available to you then but life is what it is and we take our lumps as they come. Yes this is an economic issue - but who governs the economy in these great United State - the government. Your PhD Friend should read the Obama policy and compare it to the Clinton policy and then to the NEW Romney doctrine. This CCSVI that you so anxiously await will not be available to you nor will the services you receive from the MA Govt. should Romney become our next president. Yes you (MA) are still standing but the plan he would like to put into place is NOT the MA Plan (by the way did you know he left MA with the largest deficit since the colonial times). I am NOT an Obama supporter nor am I a Romney supporter. As a health care provider and one who suffers from this disease I can see both sides of the coin and the side I choose to lobby for is that of the patient (ME). I do agree that this issue is reaching epic proportions but no program available for discussion is the one correct program so perhaps if people would meet in the middle of the aisle to hash out their differences in favor of the patients - rich, poor, middle of the road, etc. we will finally stop Big Pharma from giving their big bonuses and stashing away legal funds as surely they know when they roll out a drug which ones will come back to bite them in the proverbial arse and which ones are "ok". Also doctors (yes I said this) need to check their egos at the door and their spouses and families need to learn to live among the middle class and know that medicine is a healing profession not one just for profit, and politicians - where do I start. So to your friend with his/her PhD in what I assume is Health Care Management should truly compare proposals, choose the best from each and compile a policy which will benefit the masses. My bet - PhD person has a cushy job somewhere, collecting a handsome salary with benefits and enjoys speaking of thesis time but enacting a policy which will bring about health care reform - well that is quite another issue. If you watch Stephen Colbert (which I am sure is not on your agenda) - he had a very interesting fellow on the other night who is a Nobel Laureate and writes for the NY Times who has just written a book on economics and the ruination of this country. His parting were were "If Romney is elected this country - the USA - will become Ireland." When you have the time read a little about the economics of Ireland and why no one would want to live there if they did not have to. I do believe the book is called "Stop This Depression Now" or some rendition thereof. Again, not truly a political issue but a social issue, a people issue, a human issue.

I really don't find the humor in turning this into a political forum.

Not funny and definitely not a political forum but a very serious problem. I get to see it from both sides of the coin so for me it is a lose/lose proposition. I absolutely believe we need a change but I want a bipartisan change and NO fighting just good honest workmanship for a good, honest, equitable solution. Believe me being a clinician and being told which drugs you can prescribe by an insurance clerk and being a patient and being told you can't have a procedure or what drugs are being substituted for the ones you really need - not fun. So sorry if you find this "funny" as believe you me there is NO fun going on with either side and I am caught in the middle of this controversy as both provider and patient - lousy place to be.

I agree Steve. This has evolved into a highly political discussion based on the fears of 1 person who sounds very angry. And when that someone sends me a remark making personal, condecending and/or strange assumptions (i.e. cushy job remark) its time to shut the topic down.

As with all my posts I endeavor to share information in a balanced and informative manner. Healthcare reform is about economics not about Mitt Romney. Read Paul Klugman's book.

All we, as patients and citizens, can do is stay informed, tell our legislator where we stand and what we want, then vote accordingly. This legislation will take years to implement, long past any one president's tenure. It will be a work in progress.

And Romney's and Obama's plan are virtually identical:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articl...


I also think it unwise to make broad statements that Romney will destroy everything in health care. I think the important thing to remember is to think proactively as you can about your life with MS. And don't borrow trouble. Those kind of comments causes what we all strive to avoid - they frighten people and create STRESS.

I'm personally tabling any further discussion on this topic. This is not a political forum. Last time I checked this forum is for those of us with MS getting support, asking and answering questions, sharing our hopes and our fears. I found this post to emphasize fears that are not grounded in fact. I for one don't need anymore 'fears about what might happen' thrown my way. I stick to the facts.

George Bush's brother Marvin had Ulcerative Coliti (UC). I heard him speak once........years before GW was elected. Bush jr. had autoimmune disease in his family and yet squelched all research on stem cells for his 8 yrs in office.

One needs to start at the local level to build congressional support for any issue. Its just not realistic to think otherwise.


Melanie