The strange plot of the national debate over health reform this took another twist over the weekend, after (now suddenly ex- Alaska governor) Sarah Palin posted a statement on her Facebook page on Friday denouncing the Obama administration’s plan to reshape the healthcare system as “downright evil.”
In a statement referencing Ronald Reagan and the economist Thomas Sowell, Palin warned of bureaucratic “death panels” that would decide “if my parents (or yours) or my baby with Down Syndrome” are “worthy of healthcare based on their level of productivity in society.”
The full text of the post:
“As more Americans delve into the disturbing details of the nationalized
health care plan that the current administration is rushing through
Congress, our collective jaw is dropping, and we’re saying not just no,
but hell no.The Democrats promise that a government health care system will reduce
the cost of health care, but as the economist Thomas Sowell has pointed
out, government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply
refuse to pay the cost. And who will suffer the most when they ration
care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I
know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down
Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s “death panel” so his
bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their “level
of productivity in society,” whether they are worthy of health care.
Such a system is downright evil.
Health care by definition involves life and death decisions. Human
rights and human dignity must be at the center of any health care
discussion.Rep. Michele Bachmann highlighted the Orwellian thinking of the
president’s health care advisor, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, the brother of
the White House chief of staff, in a floor speech to the House of
Representatives. I commend her for being a voice for the most precious
members of our society, our children and our seniors.We must step up and engage in this most crucial debate. Nationalizing
our health care system is a point of no return for government
interference in the lives of its citizens. If we go down this path,
there will be no turning back. Ronald Reagan once wrote, “Government
programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau
is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.”
Let’s stop and think and make our voices heard before it’s too late.
- Sarah Palin
Rep. Bachmann’s speech can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CHBvKGmevI
I think people are making a serious mistake when assume that everyone who raises lowered care for the disabled or elderly as worries as being products of the GOP or right-wing. I spent two years working on end-of-life legislation changes in state government. I saw disabled activists who told me — to my face — that they feared that there were doctors who wanted to let disabled people die because of their low “quality of life”. This rather shocking sentiment was not coming from rank-and-file members or the fringe of the group — it was coming from the leadership of some prominent disability rights groups. These were not right-wingers, but leftists who drew support from Democrat elected officials.
This is what these folks believed, for better or worse, and it drove their stands on end of life issues. Nothing I could say would change their minds, either.
I learned that there are a lot of people out there who distrust both the government and the medical system when it comes to care for the disabled and the terminally ill. This fear is real and it is not confined to Sarah Palin. Discount her, if you will, but understand she is saying things that a number of disability activists are likely applauding (right or wrong).
What happened to Obama’s campaign promise about calling all the experts in Health Care together to come up with a plan for reform? Do those politicians, who, in fact, did not even read this legislation let alone write it, qualify as experts?
Why is this movement to legislate health care reform being rammed through so quickly. Is it to foster the political agenda of the current administration, rather than effect a reform that addresses the real needs of the people? It seems so.
Neither party has cooperated in a full collaborative effort to address thoughtfully all of the complex issues of health care reform. As usual who pays the price of their inept actions? Of course, the people pay. This time not only will the people pay with their hard earned dollars, they will also pay with their lives and with the lives of their loved ones. Remember, illness does not discriminate, it is the great equalizer. You are not exempt from illness and who decides your worth?
This is probably one of the most serious crossroads that we have as a country ever crossed. What will become of us as a people? Will it be survival of the most fit? Will we become truly a utilitarian society without compassion? Will the disabled and elderly be cast aside? When saving just one person is considered too costly, this country has lost ALL of its liberty. Today, we have a system that at least in some respects (not totally) through Medicare and Medicaid, addresses the needs of the vulnerable. Tomorrow, who knows? Medicare and Medicaid are running out of money. So, shall we throw out the baby with the bath water?
It is true. Rationing does exist today by insurance companies, but today all living beings are equal in the eyes of our government. Not so with this new legislation, it will inevitably lead to even greater rationing and to government controlled decisions about human equality. Maybe little Johnny will get his new glasses free, but little Mary who has cancer will be turned away. Her health care is too expensive. Or, old Mrs. Thomas gets free rides to the clinic, but Mrs. Smith, mother of two young children, will not be able to get dialysis. Good by America as you know it today!
And, if you believe the insurance companies will not get rich. THINK AGAIN, they’ll find a way (the government WILL help them) as they are so ingrained in our financial system that THEY will be saved!
Remember Americans, now is the time that all good legislators have decided come to the aid of their Parties. You don’t count. If you think your elected officials are thinking about your health care, think again. This is all about winning for them. All they are interested in is your vote; your health does not count, so it is up to us to express your opinion and our desire for honest, thoughtful health care reform for all.
Yes, to health care reform, but No, to shoving just any old legislation down our throats for expeditiously political reasons. Let us reform our health care system ethically, thoughtfully issue by issue and seek to do it so that all the people benefit,not specific political nor ideological agendum. It is our lives we are talking about and the lives of our children and grandchildren.
If you are passionate about how everyone has a right to good health care, or concerned that you will lose the health care you now enjoy, then READ CAREFULLY the reform being proposed by our legislators AND president. If you do not understand it, call them and tell them not to vote for it or they will lose your vote! TELL THEM TO TAKE THEIR TIME AND TO WORK HARD ON A THOUGHTFUL REFORM.
This is a mess, but its our mess. So, we need to make sure that “We the people” get involved.
This health care reform legislation is a turning point in American History. It will forever change how our citizens care for the sick and vulnerable. Consider this, not the rhetoric of any politician of either party. Talk to your doctor, talk to your insurance agent, talk to the sick, the elderly, the chronically ill. Talk to the pharmacist, talk to your nurse, talk to your average health care worker, the emergency tech. (If you don’t know any of these types, you have not been sick..good for you! You better stay well!)
FINALLY, talk to your legislator and tell them not to rush this plan through, rather to study the issues and prepare new legislation doing so thoughtfully and deliberately for at least one entire year with the expert. DEMAND honest, simple, clearly written legislation that every person can understand. We can make sure this is done right, we’ve waited this long, another year is not too long.
Do not get embroiled in politics, get informed and involved in honest deliberation about our health care and our future as a nation.
If you do this, America will thank you today and tomorrow! You may one day even thank yourself.
If you are against any kind of health care reform, you must be 1) wealthy, 2) uninformed, 3) childless.
For 30 years my family was frugal and responsible in living within our means while also saving for our children’s college education. Through our savings, the children’s employment (both prior to and during school), and loans (both parent and child) we made it through those challenging college years. However, once our children graduated, they no longer qualified for dependent health coverage. Facing difficult economic times did not help these children when searching for post-graduation employment. As a result, we had the choice to either have them not covered for health care or to elect to exercise COBRA benefits.
Our youngest child graduated from a four-year program in three years! All of the others have experienced similar success. These children are not slackers. However, at just 21 years of age, we had to “find” $500 every month in order to provide our youngest with health coverage. This came at a time when our college savings were gone. We landed up tapping into our home’s equity and our retirement benefits. It was a good thing we did, too. This child suffered injuries due to an accident during that time.
These children are all very motivated young people. All graduated from high school and college with honors, and all earned scholarships to assist them with college expenses. If we faced these types of challenges, every middle class family will face these types of challenges. This whole mess has affected our ability to care for ourselves when we some day retire as we do not have enough time before retirment to recoup from our losses.
My husband has worked in the insurance industry for 32 years! In spite of this, we implore you to consider the needs of every middle-income family in America and support health care reform. For those of you who do not support any form of socialized benefits, please do not take advantage of medicare, medicaid, veterans health coverage and unemployment insurance!
Just read what really happens in the case of higher costs like in England.
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6293
If you are against any form of socialized public assistance you better hope you 1) don’t get terribly sick or injured, 2) don’t lose your job, 3) don’t get old, 4) don’t become injured or sick due to military exposures, 5) don’t bring a less-than-perfect child into this world.
Where do we place the limits? Who are we to look the other way when so often, deep down, we know “it” just as easily could have been us who now suffers from such challenge? Most of us will face adversity in our lives, typically brought on by circumstance rather than not exercising prudent lifestyle measures. But for the grace of God go any of us. Why should we, as a society, force these folks to endure even more hardship than they already face?
“Just read what really happens in the case of higher costs like in England.”
“This article appeared on cato.org on September 23, 1996.”
Little out of date Sam.
“Rationing, already extensive, is increasing.”
“The same problem is besetting the American health care system. The vast majority of American health care is not directly paid for by the person consuming those goods and services. Instead, a third party, either the government or an insurance company, pays the bill.”
Actually Michael Tanner’s solution is also RATIONING, just a different form.
It seems Europe can still do it for about 1/2 the cost.
See this link from Fox News (I figured you might read something not from a liberal news source)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,136990,00.html
Seems despite the 1996 article in CATO at least in 2004 Europeans still had good satisfaction in their system over Americans in theirs.
I’m interested to know Sam where you get your healthcare coverage from?
I’m English and 56 years old. I have lived under our National Health System all my life. Calling it socialism is crazy; Britain is not a socialist country. It is about the welfare of all its people, not just the lucky rich. You are hearing that our NHS doesn’t work – well it does, but like every large organisation it has its faults and some mistakes do get made. But, please believe me, a system like the NHS is a basic part of a decent civilisation. Who is your country for? Is it just the well-off or is it for all your citizens? Plenty of you work very hard and earn very little. Why the hell should your life and well-being not be as important as that of a New York banker? Why are so many of you so scared of all this – this is what your people need.
Arno Brooks
York, England
Typically, people are adverse to change. I have to admit I join those ranks. I lost my job last June as the position was eliminated. I am 54 years old, and this is the first time in my life I have had to face this challenge. Terrified does not even begin to describe the trauma this inflicted upon me and my family.
Alas, my fear of change was unfounded. I have found new employment that will actually be a better fit from my past position. It is also closer to home.
Sometimes change is good for us. It can better us in many ways, and it can keep us flexible for future challenges. I work with children. These individuals have no idea how I lean politically, whether left or right. I tell them to watch the news, read the newspapers and read the magazines and articles that support to BOTH side of the political arena, then decide on their own path for themselves.
We cannot let fear paralyze us. We must face challenge with dignity and with the hope for a better tomorrow.
Now, all of you who are reading… go out there and look for the positive in somebody or something today and share that with them. We hear so much negativity every where we go today. You won’t believe how your positive outlook will improve not only your benefactor’s day, but it will also improve yours. I challenge you to try it, even if just once.
Nate wrote:
“Cost to me = nothing
What is your effective tax rate betti? You are paying for it just in taxes instead of premium.”
Well Nate if you read what Del S wrote:
“I live in the U.S., self-employed, and buy my own health insurance to the tune of over $500/month…in addition to paying Federal & State income tax, Medicare tax, and sales tax. All those taxes constitute well over half of my income. That’s right, more than 50% of what I make goes to the government and to pay for my own health care. In addition, I still have co-pays for both services and drugs, and am still left with out of pocket expenses that my private insurance simply won’t cover.”
And looked at the tax rates for England:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/tax/income_tax_rates.htm
Seems they get a better deal and healthcare as well.
By the way, MD as Hell, do you really mean this? If you look up the definition for “mad” in the Webster dictionary, it will tell you that “mad” (as your sign off implies), when used as an adjective as you use it, means “disordered in intellect; insane”. If you go to http://www.dictionary.com, it defines the adjective “mad” as “mentally disturbed; deranged; insane; demented”.
Perhaps you meant “Angry” as hell.
I think of Obama’s plan and I think of this image: http://is.gd/2dYxi
universal health care would be a great idea, providing you can trust the implementer of the plan. I am almost sure this will be the Public Health Service. Here is a link that might shed a little light on the past preformance of the P.H.S.
http://www.tuskegee.edu/Global/Story.asp?s=1207586
now if you think this is a one time deal read this link.www.wanttoknow.info/050626mkultra
after reding about this , you could not pay me enough to go take a free flu shot. I think it has something to do with not trusting the government.
No not evil just a big joke: http://www.zazzle.com/humorous_the_democratic_healthplan_game_tshirt-235370641626275453?gl=zipteedoo&rf=238778706144811487
The strength and greatness of our country depends on the strength of each and every individual. We cannot afford to leave so many people behind when it comes to healthcare in the United States. We need some kind of health care reform and we need it soon.
As part of health care reform, we also need to educate people early on to take some control over their own health. I volunteer at a free clinic where most of the patients are in the age range of 40-65. I estimate that 80-90% of these patients have serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure,asthma etc. Unfortunately, most of them do not seek medical care until they are very ill with these conditions. We need to teach all Americans what can be done in our 20s and 30s to prevent these health problems from developing, and to provide the resources to help people live healthier lives and make healthier choices in their lives. Health care reform must include education and prevention; it must include coverage for well-person check-ups, not just healing the sick.
There are those who argue against health care reform because it is too expensive. I argue that it will be too expensive to not reform our health care system. For those who argue that health care reform is socialist: how many of you want to get rid of Medicare and Medicaid? For that matter, would you want to get rid of free public education—something that we take for granted in this country? I doubt it. While none of these institutions are perfect, Americans are a lot better off having Medicare, Medicaid and free public education that we would be without them. The health care reform bill may not be perfect, but we need to work together to make it better so that it meets the needs of all Americans. The scare tactics that I read are ridiculous and are doing more harm than good. It’s time we all learn what this bill is about so that we can make more informed decisions about it. Read about it; don’t just listen to the fear mongers out there. This is one of the responsibilities of living in a democracy!
Does anyone know of a recent survey comparing the levels of satisfaction, with regard to their health care systems, of people in the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain. I found a Gallup poll (link below) from 2003 that indicates that the citizens of all three countries are roughly equally satisfied with the quality of their health care, but Canadians and the British are considerably more satisfied with the costs. I’d be curious to see similar data, if anyone knows of any.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/8056/healthcare-system-ratings-us-great-britain-canada.aspx
but Canadians and the British are considerably more satisfied with the costs.
I hope any study you read in regards to cost satisfaction is followed by one with satisfaction of tax rates, it is the only way to get an accurate view
Peter,
good catch but I don’t buy your conclusion;
“Of the 24 major countries considered in the OECD study, only the United States and Iceland saw bigger increases in the weight of taxation last year. But the overall burden in both of those economies remains significantly lower than here.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-409957/UK-tax-burden-rising-fastest-rate-Europe.html#ixzz0O2TqvZNN“
Your comparing the taxes of a business to those of an individual. Not really an accurate start.
PETER you forgot the 15%(temp 17.5 usually) VAT. 15% plus your 40% and we are at 55% and still not facgtoring in the difference between business and individual.
PETER PETER you forgot to add on the National Insurance rates and premiums!
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/rates/nic.htm
PETER PETER PETER you left out the local taxes in the UK.
I’m starting to think you didn’t research you comment very well for thinking you finally got me after all this time. Keep the dream alive I’m bound to slip up sooner or later.
you can probably do the same.
Sadly no I can’t mandate they bill me electronically, I’m not a public plan with legislative power, not that a public plan would ever have an unfair advantage. Actually the payors “data format” doesn’t matter. A provider can send any ole EDI compliant sata set they want and the payor is legally obligated to accept it. Some states require by law we not only take claims in just about any paper format the provider decices but have a set number of days to read it and process it.
Gee Nate, it’s a wonder Britons have any money left to spend on anything. I actually think I referenced income tax as was Del S. And don’t forget the rates are on taxable income – after deductions. From your Daily Mail link it also appears that middle income earners are the ones being hit the hardest, as is here, but it states; “the proportion of the nation’s income taken by the Government in tax – shot up by 1.2 per cent to 37.2 per cent, it showed.” I believe that would be ALL taxes, not just income. As I said, at least they get healthcare as well for taxes.
You also may want to know look a little closer at National insurance rates (another of your links)and what they buy:
“National Insurance Rates
The following amounts apply for the 2009-10 tax year:
If you’re employed
if you earn above £110 a week (the ‘earnings threshold’) and up to £844 per week you pay 11 per cent of this amount as ‘Class 1′ NICs
you also pay one per cent of earnings above £844 a week as Class 1 NICs
you will pay a lower amount as an employee if you are a member of your employer’s contracted out pension scheme”
Benefits from paying:
“Your entitlement to the following benefits and/or the amount you can get will depend on your (or in some cases your spouse or civil partner’s) NIC contributions:
Contribution based Jobseeker’s Allowance (Class 1 NICs only)
Incapacity Benefit (if you can’t work for long periods due to illness or injury)
Contribution based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
State Pension
additional State Pension (Class 1 NICs only)
Widowed Parents’ Allowance
Bereavement Allowance
Bereavement Payment
Question? If the Bush administration had tried to reform healthcare in the eight years that they were in power, do you think that we would be having the same kind of problems that we are having now with the town hall meetings getting out of control? Would Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh be spreading their vicious lies, saying that George W. Bush is trying to “kill old people”? Just curious.
Just in case she happens to be reading these comments I have a question for Alaska’s former governor Sarah Palin….. Do you honestly believe what you are saying or are you just trying to scare people to death? Do you take the time to think before your speak or do you just like hearing yourself talk, even though the things that come out of your mouth are so false? Are you jaded because you didn’t win and people voted for a man with African-American roots? Are people paying you to say these things? Tell the American people the truth, so we can get back to living our lives. Thank you.
Nate,
It is implicit if you ask Canadians or Brits about health-care costs that you’re talking about taxes. They’re very well aware that their excellent health-care system is not free. They’re not morons. I do imagine that a substantial number of healthy young people in these countries, being grotesquely self-centered and suffering from delusions of invincibility, resent the tax burden. But when they do get sick or old, I doubt that you’ll find very many who will voluntarily sell their homes and empty their savings accounts to pay for their medical care, as you or I in the U.S. will be privileged to do if we get sick.
After listening to her make one blunder after another, it doesn’t surprise me that she makes such comments.
On the other hand though, I understand that she has to keep the ‘news’ on her by making remarks every now and then so she’ll still be in the public eye by the time the next elections come.
I have wonderful healthcare. My husband is retired military. no one in our country should be without it. I am certain that Sara has great healthcare. Don’t let the fat cats scare you out of what you deserve. The money tells the story.
Has Obama said how much a month this “Health Insurance” is going to cost a married couple a month or even every 2 weeks?? He has an 1100 pages on this and someone should know the cost!!
Is healthcare a privilege or a right?
are viruses alive or dead? is cheez-whiz really cheese?
I posted this yesterday on a different post, but respost here. This is but one example of how a National Health Service works for real people in the real world:
“I’ve lived in three countries one without a National Health Service (the USA) and two with National Health Services (Germany and currently Britain). In Germany I was in a serious road traffic accident which put me in hospital for 2 months and intensive physio therapy to 18 months. The care was world class. I had a dedicated team of specialists that saved my leg, today I don’t even limp. It cost me nothing. I am convinced that if this accident had happened in the USA I would be an amputee and my family would have gone bankrupt. I was an artist at the time and paying into the German health service based on my income. I could not have afforded private health insurance. I am forever grateful to this system.
I now live in the UK. While I think the German system is more efficient, the NHS in Britain works for most people most of the time. I was recently offered private health care for a hefty monthly premium, which I was very happy to be able to turn down. The NHS provides an excellent level of care and is constantly being improved.
I hope that one day in the USA doctors will be able to care for all US citizens and I believe that Americans are capable of creating the best National Health Service on the planet. ”
Sarah Palin sounds insane.
We live in families, communities, towns, cities, counties, states and countries. We are human and as such we need to club together for our survival and to to create quality lives. Taxes and National Health Care are part of this. We are not here to just take care of ourselves and our own and nobody else. It simply doesn’t work that way. This has nothing to do with socialism. It has to do with being part of the human race.
I am from England, and have been reading about Mrs Palin’s comments with mixed amusement (at her ignorance) and alarm (she can’t be serious?!). How can she say that a nationalised health care system like ours ‘rations’ care?
The NHS has many flaws; it is too bureaucratic and a lot of money gets wasted in red tape mismanagement. This needs to be improved. However, the absolutely fundamental point is that when you need treatment, the service is absolutely second to none. It is not selective; it will not refuse to treat you if you don’t have the right insurance cover. If it is an emergency, you receive treatment usually within five minutes of making a call for an ambulance. Hardly a ‘death panel’. What, is she suggesting that the ambulance men might not treat an old lady? Or a sick child?! The idea is laughable in its inaccuracy!
To suggest that having a baby with down’s syndrome would not get anything but the utmost level of care, medical attention and dignity is disgusting.
The sick, the elderly and the disabled all have access to fully comprehensive health cover. I notice she does not consider the plight of the many Americans that cannot afford health cover as ‘vulnerable’.
In Britain of course, we are immensely proud of the NHS. But as Americans, this psychotic woman is representing you on a national platform – how is that so? I have read many, many comments about “ignorant Americans believing this rubbish”. As a country, Palin, Bush and the likes have collectively made you seem like narrow minded, red neck yokels. As this is not true, as a proud nation, you really ought to not just say no, but hell no.
This comment #80 is a closing comment.
This article does not deserve any more.
1. We have national healthcare now it is called Medicare. I guess the Republicans want to eliminate it so I guess the Republicans will pull grandma’s plug.
2. You do not have choice now!! My insurance company tells me who I see for medical care and whether they will approve it.
3. the gov decides our healthcare now! Congress decides private medical issues for women not their doctors.
4. The pro-life must be forced to pay a life tax for all the unwanted babies that come into the world. Pro-life wants all forms of birth control outlawed for religous reasons.
5. Corporations should not supply medical insurance. Do they provide car insurance?
6. Where was the noise about deficits the last 8 years?
This is something that’s always been bugging me. Most of those who oppose health care reform call themselves Christians. I have asked and asked and asked people to give me a Bible verse that supports their point of view. I got nothing.
Would Sarah Palin be so kind as to point me in the right direction? She should know.
I just don’t understand all these people who are crying about the new health care plan, folks the insurance companies are controlling your health care now, HMO won’t let you receive certain test without referral and approval by their medical board, the insurance companies also have a end of life clause in your policy, read it and weep. They are the one’s that have created the health care problem in this country because of their Greed. The only way to fix this problem is to get control of the Insurance companies. Two your employers change health provider all the time and you have to change doctors anyway, so again you are not in control of your health care your employer is. When you leave your employer you have only one choice and that is COBRA who charges you three times what you were originally paying, so again it is the insurance companies who are greedy. People who are at these town hall meetings complaining are being brain washed by the insurance lobbyist who attend these meeting to provoke fear in the elderly and small town folks who really don’t understand the health system their dealing with.The insurance companies are just as corrupt as are the pharmaceutical companies who pay incentives to doctors to promote their new drugs whether they work for you or not. I believe the insurance companies don’t want this to pass, because they will no longer be able to charge the fee’s that they currently charge. The way I see it the rich can afford any health care the poor and the illegals get medicaid and the middle class have no resolve. I am not a D/R, but an Independent and believe that the only thing we can do is to Reform the Insurance Industry.
I also want the same health care that is being provided to all members of Congress For FREE, why is this okay for them to get free health care and the rest of the country have to pay $300-600 a month for it. I personally don’t have health care because I can’t afford it any longer the mortgage is my priority. That said I can’t even get my B/P, but I noticed that it is okay for 11 million illegals to obtain health care for free no questions ask. I needed to get my B/P refilled but the doctor visits was $105 dollar something I could not afford to pay, so I go without what kind of government lets an American Tax Payer take such a risk. As a country we go out of our way to help other nations and it appears we have forgotten about our own. Something is radically wrong with this system.
This blog will not allow me to give my honest opinion, regarding the pharmaceutical industry and their connections to Congress as they have deleted my comments and have sent me an email stating that my DATA could not be accepted, the truth is always suppressed, shame on you.
I am so sick of listening to you people bitching about the poor and the homeless dying due to the fact that they can not afford health insurance.
No one in this country dies due to the lack of insurance, they die due to lacking the common sense to go to their local haspital and getting treatment.
You can not be turned away from any hospital due to the lack of insurance. You must be treated.
If you want socialize medical care move to Canada.
the only industrial country without nation healthcare. hmmmm.. im willing to wait obamas full 8years for healthcare. this is the most fundamental right as a taxpaying citizen. i guess we have to wait til the republican america finds a way to gouge the governments kitty with companies that fraud everyone. maybe we have to wait til the gop has turned all its supporters into brainwashed retards. whatever the case may be, i want free healthcare for me and my family. this downright silly.
HAS ANYONE NOTICED THAT PUBLIC OPINION IS NOW PAYD FOR BY THE REPUBLICAN PRIVATE SECTOR? ESPECIALLY IN THE RUAL AREAS WHERE THE INTERNET IS STILL A PUPPY.
The country needs health care reform, but not a federal health care insurance program. We need to address the problems, not the symptoms. When the medical industry became “for profit”, health care become a business; and like all business, it must be and remain profitable.
We, the consumer, have to sit up and recognize that we are a part of the rising cost of health care. We need to stop going to the emergency rooms for common colds and daily ailments. That being said, the health care industry needs to provide an avenue to first echelon health care. This may be the level where the government may want to step in and provide county, city and neighborhood health care clients. The problem is that there is little or no profit in first echelon clients, just liability. To get clients going, we need the old Family Practitioner back. Family Practitioners, as I remember them, birthed babies, set common fractures, stitched up minor cuts, gave shots and counseled on family issues. They were our personal medical care professional; making recommendations as to when we needed to go to the hospital and recommending medical specialists when required. To offset the cost of health care, we need this individual back.
Frivolous lawsuits are also driving up the cost of health care. We need to prevent frivolous lawsuits against hospitals and health care workers. Somehow we need a mechanism in place that the plaintive must, at their own expense, prove probable cause for a liability suit. The medical associations and state medical boards need to set up and take on the responsibility of reviewing lawsuits and determine their viability. If it is determined that the actions on the part of the hospital or medical worker were within normal standard practice and under the circumstances the action taken was reasonable, then the lawsuit needs to be dismissed as frivolous. This has to all be set in place so that it is a no or low cost program to the hospitals and/or medical care workers. If the suit goes to court and the hospital or medical worker is found liable, there has to be some sort of a reasonable liability cap.
We need state training and county hospitals that will take on the indigent and uninsured. What county hospitals can or cannot do for a patient has to be determined by the available tax revenue. The county residents have to recognize that the county may not be able to give a heart transplant to an 80 year old individual and that all they can do for this individual is to reduce their pain and suffering.
The insurance companies need to setup and deny payment for redundant tests. They also need to make payments in a timely manner. Everyday that a billing is not paid, the hospital or doctor has to borrow that money for the services rendered. The doctors and hospitals have to build in the cost of borrowing money into the billing rates. So, the quicker they get paid, the more they can reduce their rates. Anything that the insurance companies can do to reduce the doctors and hospitals overhead by standardization and reduction of paper work will reduce their cost and again allow hospitals and doctors to reduce their rates. Maybe something like a medical credit card that pays the doctor directly for basic and standard procedures ie: checkups, shots and office visits. This would be directed more towards the Family Practitioner/clients than to hospitals.
In conclusion, the help we need from the federal government is setting up county and neighborhood health clients, promoting the return of the Family Doctor, provide reasonable liability caps, standardization of insurance forms and regulation of insurance companies to expedite their payments to the medical industry.
I am not a doctor or medical worker but business is business. When doing business becomes too expensive to compete, cut the overhead, not the quality of product and/or the services.
Push all the white wash aside and look at our government’s past record in the health care industry…the veterans administration health care program. As a veteran, we joked that for veterans, you could potentially give your life twice for the military, once in combat and if you made it past combat, again in the VA health program. These are / were our protectors that we put in this horrible joke on.
If you are for this health care reform and you end up in a ward left to expire in your own body fluids with several others losing their minds and lives, then I say you might just deserve it.
And before you respond and say not everyone had a bad experience in VA hospitals, your right. Those of rank and privilege were given far better treatment but you might just want that if you are rich and privileged.
You can still have private healthcare under this bill. The people in goverment who are against this bill are for the most part are in the pockets of the insurance companies. This should not be a debate about anything other than AFFORABLE healthcare for AMERICANS who need it. The extreme right want you to believe this is in someway socialism. Everyother major DEMORACY in the world has goverment run healthcare systems, many better than our own. My response is if these people are so much against socialist ideas and goverment aid, then they should send back their SOCIAL security checks when they come. WAKE UP PEOPLE> YES YES YES
we are the only industrialized country that does not provide health care for all of its citizens…why don’t we remedy that with single payer health care…we have become slaves to the insurance and pharmaceutical lobbies
Matthew 25:31-46
I like debate as much as the next person but seriously lets put what she has said aside for just a moment and ask ourselves, “when has anything that the government taken over ever helped make anything better or didnt cost us in some way?” The answer to that is pretty obvious nothing they have done has ever went well or hasnt cost us alot!! Now to the healthcare debate itself. I would encourage all of you to actually READ the bill. You dont have to take her word or anyone elses word for it, just read what the government itself has put in the bill and make your own decision. What I am getting tired of is people making comments like “dont believe everything you hear”. Well I agree with that statement if you are not just hearing but have actually read the bill itself. The people in Congress that are going to be making these decisions, some of them havent even read it so who is believing everything they hear now?? As an American we have a RIGHT (at least last time I checked) to voice our opinions and that has been what Sarah Palin has done, and if you have READ the bill it is a little scary to say the least. We should be careful because like what was stated above once the government gets involved its almost impossible to get them out. I am all for health care reform but I dont think this is the way to go about it.
I’m a UK citizen so no doubt not qualified to comment. But being British, I am deeply offended at the rubbish about medicare and by extension our NHS being a Fascist and Nazi German idea. I can tell you the UK is NOT a Nazi state and our NHS has NOTHING to do with death panels, or euthanasia and is not anti-Christian.
Perhaps you need to know your great hero Tony Blair actually came to power in 1997 on the promise to save the NHS! That should make you reassess these perverse lies you keep being told by right-wing commentators and politicians such as Palin. Perhaps you need to look at the big wide world and be a little less chauvinistic and ideological.
President Obama, we are tired of the Whitehouse trying to sell us health care reform. You know, I know and the American people know this is really about more government power and control. Our biggest problem has become our government! Stop! Just stop all this nonsense! Do not treat U.S. like we are stupid, ignorant morons! Join U.S.!
Do Not Sell Out “We the People” of the U.S.A.! We Trusted You!
President Obama, great Presidents do Great things! They have great Honor and Integrity! We know you can do it! “We the People” know the truth! We want to hear it from you! Please join U.S.! Tell the American people the Truth! Confess! Americans are forgiving! We feel if this took place, a renewed Spirit of Patriotism could spread through our government! The American people have never lost our Spirit of Patriotism! We never will! Join U.S.!
“Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.” –George Washington
President Obama, You owe nothing to the manipulators who bought your way into office. Those people only used you! Americans do not want to use you. People have been using you and lying to you all your life.
You Have to Betray Them or Betray the U.S.A.! What’s Your Choice?
Look at the people of the United States. We are real! We are good people! We are intelligent and can think! The elitist mind is really small and weak! The elitist people are selfish and twisted. We just want a President with Honor and Integrity. This is your big chance to become the Greatest President of all time! You need to lead our government by example, with Honor and Integrity! President Obama just do the right thing!
Join “We the People” of the U.S.A.!
“Experience has shown that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” -Thomas Jefferson
President Obama:
Can you stand on your own?
Can you make your own decisions?
Can you be a man of Honor and Integrity?
If we have any other elected or appointed “public servant” leaders in our government who have any Honor or Integrity left inside them, they should come totally clean with “We the People”! If most of our leaders have any intestinal fortitude, then we should have a long line of them holding resignation papers in their hands or begging to ask our forgiveness! Do they no longer think they are accountable to U.S. and believe they can do whatever they please? They have developed a “spirit of insubordination” that has gotten way out of control! We no longer need employees working for us that practice malfeasance in office.
We need laws stating that any Representative, Senator or President that has the audacity to sign any bill without reading it and fully understanding it should go immediately to jail without any bond? We must raise the bar of Integrity and Honor for our employees! Elected or appointed “public servants” need to achieve a much higher standard. How did it get so low? If they are found guilty, a 30 year minimum sentences would not be out of line! This complete lack of responsibility is a very serious issue! It’s totally scandalous, outrages and just plain wrong! It’s Criminal!
We Must Never Again Allow Our Leaders to Have Unaccountable Trust! EVER!!!
People are corruptible! We must always question and watch very closely everything they do! Our Freedom, Our beloved Constitution, Our National Sovereignty, “We the People” and the fact that we are a Constitutional Republic is why the United States of America is the Greatest Nation in the World! Any bad truths about our Country are the slow results of the corruptible human nature of a few individuals! Power and wealth can corrupt a person if not kept in check! After we fix our current problems, and we will, we must put in play many more “checks and balances”. We must figure out a way to completely take away the opportunity of corruption! Nothing personal – but “We the People” must always come first and be protected!
http://www.tomdavidd.com/blog/
“We can all commiserate forever about how bad things have been, are, and will continue to be. But I don’t think that we can afford to wait for elections in order to have our say about putting a stop to this madness. Enough, already! Let’s start talking treason, prison, and death penalties for all malefactors in government who subvert, ignore, skirt and otherwise trash the Constitution of these United States of America. Those who have sworn to uphold the Constitution and have then ignored their oaths of office are guilty of perjury and malfeasance in office.” -Stephen A. Langford (personal communication to this author)
Is this Palin lady for real ?
I’m so glad to live in Holland where we have healthcare for everybody. You pay a monthly premium of about 125 dollars,for basic coverage ( doctor’s visits, physical therapy, all operations, stay in the hospital, transportation costs etc ) .You can choose which company you want to use. If you want more ( special therapies, extra dental etc.) you get an extra package.
The first 50 euro’s ( about 70 dollars) yearly for prescriptions, you have to pay. The rest is for the insurance company.
Some downsides:
- for certain ( non life threatening) operations there are waiting lists,
- you cannot always choose the hosital yourself
Some upsides:
- affordable
- doctors are on call 24 /7
- rich and poor get the same basic care
Maybe Palin should look elsewhere in the world and see how things can work before denying the US people healthcare with scare tactis
Interesting comments. Evil Health Care Systems, Death Panels, the goverment taking over everything, the right to healthcare, and the list goes on. It’s funny that you hear the same types of extermes on both sides of this arguement. Regardless of all the “talk” back and forth isn’t making some form of health care available to all Americans the right thing to do? I think so. I feel like I live in the greatest country in the world, and if that’s the case what type of message does it send that we have mothers, children, and the elderly without healthcare?
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Palin’s comments are unfortunate. In her arguement she jumps right from nationalized healthcare to death panels? How do you get there? So she is saying that she wants all of us to believe that elected officials are going to endorse a plan that would do something like this? In the format that she has described it. Really? I’m thinking that comment insluts my intelligence a little bit – just a bit.
Secondly, I’m impressed that she would prefer her life and death decisions be influeced in our current system. By a corporation that has to consistently grow from a profitability perspective and add shareholder value. Which way are they more likely to decide – I’d bet they would kill you long before an elected bureaucrat would
Finally, to her third supporting point regarding Ronald Reagan’s comment on goverment programs being around forever once created – is this really a bad thing? Interesting if you think about it. Would she then deduce that Homeland Security is bad, the TSA, Social Security, CIA, FBI? How about any branch of the military? Of course not, so once again, don’t tell me all goverment created programs are bad, or use it as a supporting point to call something evil. You can’t get there.
Lastly, I love how she borders on the morality arguement with the death panel comments. Especially since she, a christian, supports not insuring children because they were born to a parent that can’t afford it. How do you do that? I wish I could and still sleep at night, but as it stands – I can’t.
Obama health care power grab is evil! Why are the Dems trying to push this health care so hard! Use your common sense folks. Why do you think the gov. can run health care? You are fools if you believe the gov. cares about you. Look how much this lying prez. has spent, double-talked and schemed. This is an evil admin. Bush wasn’t perfect but Obama is nothing more than a front man cause he is Black, so when people oppose him they are labeled racists. I’m Black and involved. I’ve been to T-Parties & others and the media and gov officials paint these people as un-American, terrorist etc. This admin. is a disgrace to the American Constitution.
Why do people hate Palin? What are they afraid of? I wish she would run, I’d vote for her. What’s happen to this country in the way of values, morality, character and integrity? We have become a corrupt nation, God haters and lovers of self. We have opened the door to those who wish to destroy this nation because we refuse to put God first, abide by the laws in our Constitution and allow foreigners to change our laws. We’ve become weak, appologetic,corrupt from the top on down. We will fall because we are no longer united. Just call us states.
Look, this is just overkill. Palin has given mixed-up op/eds since she started showing up in the national spotlight.
Death panels: “elective (self-chosen) end of life decision counseling,” which sounds to me like if you feel like it, you can choose to speak with an actual health professional about how you would like to be treated as a potentially dying person. And your doctor could be paid to help you figure all this out. If this is a death panel, sign me up.
As a 18-year type 1 diabetic, not having health insurance is scary. I was uninsured for about 4 yrs in college, and I scraped by because I worked at a summer camp for diabetics, and I worked 2 part-time and one full-time job while a student. I didn’t do anything to deserve my diabetes; this is what happened to me, and I’ve learned how to deal. Without health care, diabetes is expensive, and not all of us are wealthy white Americans.
Anyone arguing against universal health coverage, at least BASIC health care, doesn’t get a number of important things. First, the government is already all up in our collective health business. Without the government passing legislation and approving how health care works, it wouldn’t be the way it is. The profits go to private companies, the approval has gone through our gov. Not to mention medicare…
Second, if government control is what you’re really concerned about, why don’t you read the bill? See for yourself what’s actually in there. Believing blindly what anyone on any news show says is folly, because, as we know for a fact, everyone spins everything. There are some key deficiencies in the way health care reform has been portrayed in much of our larger corporate media, and there’s no getting around it. So read it for yourself.
Third, no Christian, who actually believes in what the Bible has supposedly taught you, can argue against Universal Health care and have a soul. It’s just not possible. There’s no way you could look into a struggling middle-working class parent’s eyes and say what you continue to say on here and in the public open forums: “Health care reform is evil.” That’s just not something I can see anyone being able to do with a straight face. Working people need help in managing their health. Health care right now is not a fair fight. And to say that how much money you have should mean that you have better health care is really scary. That’s what scares me, and that’s what communism means to me: those with loads of cash get their way, and the populace gets the dirty leftovers.
Get over yourselves.