Suggestions have been made in Congress that the health care bill could omit the public option and could instead include a public co-op. The term public co-op is contradictory. A co-op by nature is not public. It is not associated with the government.
Health co-ops like the one in Washington State are member owned -that is to say private. The hospital board is comprised of co-op members, who are elected by the co-op members. Any profit is reinvested in the co-op. It is not a part of a government entity. Other health co-ops, such as the Farmers Co-op, is comprised of individuals, who join together to obtain lower private insurance rates.
What is a public health co-op? It sounds like another name for a government run, government controlled health care plan. People are opposed to a government run plan; so, lets call it a public co-op. The sounds so much better. It seems that a public co-op is a public option is a government run, government controlled health care program. As Shakespeare once said "a rose by any other name...."
Can Congress stop trying to throw away the health care system we like and just seek to improve it by lowering costs and extending coverage? We ask you to address fraud and tort reform and to make these private plans more available with no exclusions because of preexisting conditions. We really do not want the government involved in our health care decisions. We want to make our own decisions.
Signed,
The Electorate
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Health Care Reform We Want
We have the best health care system in the world. Could it be made better? Of course, it could. Let’s improve it – not throw it away. We do not need a completely new system. We just need to correct its current problems. Here are things that should be addressed in health care reform.
1. We do not want government run, government controlled health care. The government should not be involved in our medical decisions. These are decisions we should make with the advice of our doctors. Any new plans should be private sector plans.
2. A variety of plans, in the private sector, should be available. Individuals have different needs and should be able to select the plan that best fits them. One size does not fit all in medicine.
3. Pre-existing conditions should not exclude anyone from health care.
4. Small businesses should be able to pool together – like IGA grocers do – so that more affordable health care plans are available to them.
5. One-third of those currently uninsured can afford health care. Some have declined plans available to them at work. They are gambling that they will not need health care insurance. If they do not choose to enroll in a health care plan, they should be required to post a bond=2 0for medical expenses that they can not pay for out-of-pocket.
6. One-third of the uninsured is eligible for Medicaid. Enroll them.
7. Twenty percent of the uninsured are not legally in this country. They should only receive emergency care. They should not be given health care coverage.
8. This would leave less than ten million citizens that need health care. The private sector could offer coverage to this group. The government could supplement premiums, as financially needed. Financial aid should not be given to anyone whose income exceeds the national average income.
9. Health care reform is meaningless if we do not have tort reform. This will lower health care costs. Unnecessary tests are now ordered because doctors are forced to practice defensive medicine. Frivolous law suits would be greatly reduced if the plaintiff, in unsuccessful cases, is required to pay court costs and the legal costs of both parties. Malpractice premiums would be reduced, which in turn would lower health care costs.
10. Fraud is rampant in Medicare and Medicaid. The government needs to better regulate its health care plans. Fraud in the private sector is much lower.
11. Senior coverage is shrinking. It is now being reduced by ten percent, as more and more baby boomers enter the system. Other cuts are being considered. Age will be a determining factor in deciding what treatment – if any – may be used. Old people are becoming disposable.
12. This country needs catastrophic health care coverage. Over half those who are forced into bankruptcy because of medical costs have health care coverage.
These reforms would improve our health care system instead of throwing it on the trash heap. The vast majority of people like their health care plans. We ask Congress to improve our health care plans – not to destroy them. We do not want a government take-over of our health care.
Signed,
The Electorate
1. We do not want government run, government controlled health care. The government should not be involved in our medical decisions. These are decisions we should make with the advice of our doctors. Any new plans should be private sector plans.
2. A variety of plans, in the private sector, should be available. Individuals have different needs and should be able to select the plan that best fits them. One size does not fit all in medicine.
3. Pre-existing conditions should not exclude anyone from health care.
4. Small businesses should be able to pool together – like IGA grocers do – so that more affordable health care plans are available to them.
5. One-third of those currently uninsured can afford health care. Some have declined plans available to them at work. They are gambling that they will not need health care insurance. If they do not choose to enroll in a health care plan, they should be required to post a bond=2 0for medical expenses that they can not pay for out-of-pocket.
6. One-third of the uninsured is eligible for Medicaid. Enroll them.
7. Twenty percent of the uninsured are not legally in this country. They should only receive emergency care. They should not be given health care coverage.
8. This would leave less than ten million citizens that need health care. The private sector could offer coverage to this group. The government could supplement premiums, as financially needed. Financial aid should not be given to anyone whose income exceeds the national average income.
9. Health care reform is meaningless if we do not have tort reform. This will lower health care costs. Unnecessary tests are now ordered because doctors are forced to practice defensive medicine. Frivolous law suits would be greatly reduced if the plaintiff, in unsuccessful cases, is required to pay court costs and the legal costs of both parties. Malpractice premiums would be reduced, which in turn would lower health care costs.
10. Fraud is rampant in Medicare and Medicaid. The government needs to better regulate its health care plans. Fraud in the private sector is much lower.
11. Senior coverage is shrinking. It is now being reduced by ten percent, as more and more baby boomers enter the system. Other cuts are being considered. Age will be a determining factor in deciding what treatment – if any – may be used. Old people are becoming disposable.
12. This country needs catastrophic health care coverage. Over half those who are forced into bankruptcy because of medical costs have health care coverage.
These reforms would improve our health care system instead of throwing it on the trash heap. The vast majority of people like their health care plans. We ask Congress to improve our health care plans – not to destroy them. We do not want a government take-over of our health care.
Signed,
The Electorate
Monday, July 27, 2009
Health Care: Plans We Don't Want
Does Congress ever wonder why so many people are opposed to their health care proposals? Let me enlighten you.
1. The government claims that everyone will be covered; the quality of health care will be better; and health care will costs less. Does anyone believe this is possible? The American people are not that gullible.
2. The health care proposals are too expensive. Health care constitutes one-sixth of our economy. A government run option is not only expensive, it is undesirable.
3. No matter who Congress says will pay for these proposals, we know that the people will eventually pay for it – in higher taxes, higher premiums, or in lost jobs.
4. Congress is not properly addressing real ways to cut health care costs. Fraud is rampant in current government run health care programs. It is estimated that this fraud costs taxpayers about one billion dollars a year. Fraud is dramatically lower in private programs. They very actively seek to curb it.
5. Tort reform is not addressed. This would greatly reduce the number of unnecessary tests order. Doctors would not be forced to practice CYA medicine. It would limit the number of frivolous law suits, which would reduce malpractice insurance and lower the cost of health care.
6.When more people are covered and the number of doctors stay the same, you must have longer waits. Rationing is a given.
7. The quality of care would deteriorate. Doctors would have less time with patients and the government proposes limiting which treatments are available.
8. The stimulus bill provided for panels which would determine what treatments are “cost effective” and who may receive these treatments. If you are old or chronically ill your options would be even more limited. The government would determine if you had the right to survive. Isn’t this compassionate and Orwellian?
9. One size does not fit all in medicine. There are too many variables. Doctors must decide what treatment is best. The government should not interfere.
10. One politician actually said that it is the duty of old people to die and get out of the way. What a rich resource would be thrown away if we did this.
11. Small businesses would be taxed up to 8% if they did not provide health care to employees. The plans they offer must also meet set government standards. Small business is the engine of our economy. This would cost many jobs. Jobs are what the country currently needs most.
12. By refusing to exclude abortion from government insurance standards, abortion will, as courts have previously decided, be included. No matter where you stand on abortion, disagreeing taxpayers should not be forced to pay for it and doctors should not be forced to perform it, if it is against their conscience. There are nearly one thousand Catholic hospitals in this country. The Catholic religion – freedom of religion still does exist – condemns abortion. These Catholic hospitals would cease to exist. If they didn't meet government requirements they would not be eligible to receive government funds. Hospitals need these funds to stay in business.
The health care bills in Congress are rushed, ill-considered plans. A government take-over of health care is not wanted or needed. We need thought out good health care reform. Congress needs to do a good job – not a quick job. These problems have existed for decades. Please do this right.
Signed,
The Electorate
1. The government claims that everyone will be covered; the quality of health care will be better; and health care will costs less. Does anyone believe this is possible? The American people are not that gullible.
2. The health care proposals are too expensive. Health care constitutes one-sixth of our economy. A government run option is not only expensive, it is undesirable.
3. No matter who Congress says will pay for these proposals, we know that the people will eventually pay for it – in higher taxes, higher premiums, or in lost jobs.
4. Congress is not properly addressing real ways to cut health care costs. Fraud is rampant in current government run health care programs. It is estimated that this fraud costs taxpayers about one billion dollars a year. Fraud is dramatically lower in private programs. They very actively seek to curb it.
5. Tort reform is not addressed. This would greatly reduce the number of unnecessary tests order. Doctors would not be forced to practice CYA medicine. It would limit the number of frivolous law suits, which would reduce malpractice insurance and lower the cost of health care.
6.When more people are covered and the number of doctors stay the same, you must have longer waits. Rationing is a given.
7. The quality of care would deteriorate. Doctors would have less time with patients and the government proposes limiting which treatments are available.
8. The stimulus bill provided for panels which would determine what treatments are “cost effective” and who may receive these treatments. If you are old or chronically ill your options would be even more limited. The government would determine if you had the right to survive. Isn’t this compassionate and Orwellian?
9. One size does not fit all in medicine. There are too many variables. Doctors must decide what treatment is best. The government should not interfere.
10. One politician actually said that it is the duty of old people to die and get out of the way. What a rich resource would be thrown away if we did this.
11. Small businesses would be taxed up to 8% if they did not provide health care to employees. The plans they offer must also meet set government standards. Small business is the engine of our economy. This would cost many jobs. Jobs are what the country currently needs most.
12. By refusing to exclude abortion from government insurance standards, abortion will, as courts have previously decided, be included. No matter where you stand on abortion, disagreeing taxpayers should not be forced to pay for it and doctors should not be forced to perform it, if it is against their conscience. There are nearly one thousand Catholic hospitals in this country. The Catholic religion – freedom of religion still does exist – condemns abortion. These Catholic hospitals would cease to exist. If they didn't meet government requirements they would not be eligible to receive government funds. Hospitals need these funds to stay in business.
The health care bills in Congress are rushed, ill-considered plans. A government take-over of health care is not wanted or needed. We need thought out good health care reform. Congress needs to do a good job – not a quick job. These problems have existed for decades. Please do this right.
Signed,
The Electorate
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Age Discrimination in Heath Care Bill
Older citizens do not fare well in any of the health care proposals. Age discrimination is rearing its ugly head. At a time in one's life when they most need health care, our older citizens will be the least likely to receive it. Since hospital and doctor fees are being reduced in Medicare, fewer and fewer health care providers will accept Medicare. Currently, only about half this country's doctors accept Medicare. Fewer MRI and CT scans will be allowed. No doubt other procedures and treatments will also be limited. The stimulus bill provided for a panel that would determine what treatments are "cost effective". The cost of treatment will be divided by the years of benefit that may be derived from the treatment. Older citizens will be at the bottom of that list. Using this policy, the President's mother would have just been denied treatment and would not have struggled with all the paperwork.
Side thought - Why didn't her lawyer son help her with the paperwork?
As medical costs rise for older citizens, they will become disposable. Good-bye Grandma! Good-bye Grandpa! It's been nice knowing you. You were once useful, but we don't need you anymore. Treatment denied - by a bureaucrat. This is, in effect, forced euthanasia. We can be judged by how we treat our oldest and youngest citizens. How do you wish to be judged?
Any health care reform passed should not be an anti "old folks" bill.
Signed,
The Electorate
Side thought - Why didn't her lawyer son help her with the paperwork?
As medical costs rise for older citizens, they will become disposable. Good-bye Grandma! Good-bye Grandpa! It's been nice knowing you. You were once useful, but we don't need you anymore. Treatment denied - by a bureaucrat. This is, in effect, forced euthanasia. We can be judged by how we treat our oldest and youngest citizens. How do you wish to be judged?
Any health care reform passed should not be an anti "old folks" bill.
Signed,
The Electorate
Friday, July 24, 2009
Unemployment Rate: Is it Factual?
Unemployment is the most pressing problem we currently face. The economy can not recover while we are bleeding jobs. The unemployment rate is currently listed at 9.5%. This is abysmal, but is it really factual? Why is the unemployment rate based only on those who are currently receiving unemployment benefits? It does not include those who are no longer eligible to receive unemployment benefits, but are still unemployed. If they were included the unemployment rate would already be over 10%. Does their exclusion just make the situation sound better?
Hiding the real numbers does not change the reality of them. The unemployment rate also does not take into consideration the number of people who are under-employed. People who were once employed full time, but have now been forced to accept part-time work. Part-time work is better than no work and putting food on the table is desirable. The unemployment rate should be based on actual, complete numbers. Only then can we face and address the full problem.
Signed,
The Electorate
Hiding the real numbers does not change the reality of them. The unemployment rate also does not take into consideration the number of people who are under-employed. People who were once employed full time, but have now been forced to accept part-time work. Part-time work is better than no work and putting food on the table is desirable. The unemployment rate should be based on actual, complete numbers. Only then can we face and address the full problem.
Signed,
The Electorate
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Economy: Congressional Priorities
Congress needs to readjust its priorities. It should be concentrating on reviving the ailing economy. This is the vital issue. Unemployment will soon be ten percent. Instead Congress is concentrating on an energy bill and a health care bill. These may be important but are not vital. In fact, both these bills, as they are being proposed, will adversely effect the economy.
What we need is more jobs. Small businesses drive our economy and create most of our new jobs. These bills will cripple small businesses and many will cease to exist. These bills will cause job loss. Agendas can wait. The economy can not. Ask someone, who is out of work, if he or she would rather have a job or guaranteed health care. Ask them if they would rather have a job or reduce carbon emission by under one percent by the end of the century. The answers would be unanimous - jobs.
Any bill that is passed should not be detrimental to the economy. Every bill should be looked at through the prism of the economy. That should be Congress' priority.
Signed,
The Electorate
What we need is more jobs. Small businesses drive our economy and create most of our new jobs. These bills will cripple small businesses and many will cease to exist. These bills will cause job loss. Agendas can wait. The economy can not. Ask someone, who is out of work, if he or she would rather have a job or guaranteed health care. Ask them if they would rather have a job or reduce carbon emission by under one percent by the end of the century. The answers would be unanimous - jobs.
Any bill that is passed should not be detrimental to the economy. Every bill should be looked at through the prism of the economy. That should be Congress' priority.
Signed,
The Electorate
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Health Care: Problems, Not Crisis
To Congress:
Our health care system does need to be improved, but we do not have a health care crisis. The problems we face now are the same problems we have faced for decades. Only 16% of Americans are uninsured - some by choice. Crisis is merely the vehicle being used to rush through hasty legislation that can not be debated or even read.
Have you yet signed the pledge to read this bill before voting on it? As of this morning you hadn't.
Even though we need improvement in our health care system, 84% of Americans are satisfied with their health care plan. Why is Congress seeking to throw away these plans and replacing them with a plan that has a history of only failure? Nationalized health care is socialized health care. Universal health care is socialized health care. Don't play word games.
The United Kingdom and Canada have nationalized health care. It has worked poorly in these countries. There are long waits, limited and denied treatment, and their health care systems are very expensive. Health care is driving these countries into bankruptcy. Massachusetts has universal health care. The results here are echoing those in the United Kingdom and Canada. If you wish to see how the United States government would run nationalized health care, you only need to look at Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA health care system. They too have long waits, limited and inferior treatment, and high expenses. This is compounded by fraud and bureaucracy. Now you want to share this misery with everyone else in the country. We say "No Thanks". We do not want your government run, government controlled plan.
The only thing Congress needs to do is to address uninsured citizens who can not afford health care insurance and are not eligible for Medicaid. This can be done in the private sector. Leave the rest of our plans alone. A government run plan would destroy private plans.
Signed,
The Electorate
Our health care system does need to be improved, but we do not have a health care crisis. The problems we face now are the same problems we have faced for decades. Only 16% of Americans are uninsured - some by choice. Crisis is merely the vehicle being used to rush through hasty legislation that can not be debated or even read.
Have you yet signed the pledge to read this bill before voting on it? As of this morning you hadn't.
Even though we need improvement in our health care system, 84% of Americans are satisfied with their health care plan. Why is Congress seeking to throw away these plans and replacing them with a plan that has a history of only failure? Nationalized health care is socialized health care. Universal health care is socialized health care. Don't play word games.
The United Kingdom and Canada have nationalized health care. It has worked poorly in these countries. There are long waits, limited and denied treatment, and their health care systems are very expensive. Health care is driving these countries into bankruptcy. Massachusetts has universal health care. The results here are echoing those in the United Kingdom and Canada. If you wish to see how the United States government would run nationalized health care, you only need to look at Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA health care system. They too have long waits, limited and inferior treatment, and high expenses. This is compounded by fraud and bureaucracy. Now you want to share this misery with everyone else in the country. We say "No Thanks". We do not want your government run, government controlled plan.
The only thing Congress needs to do is to address uninsured citizens who can not afford health care insurance and are not eligible for Medicaid. This can be done in the private sector. Leave the rest of our plans alone. A government run plan would destroy private plans.
Signed,
The Electorate
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