ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: LOIS on August 12, 2010, 05:14:54 pm
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Jim Pat, Liz, Funnydream,
Jim, you are right with this obamacare crap. Not one dr I see other then this idiot is for it. My other drs. say the same thing, that it will be disasterous for people in our age group, with the government telling them what to do. One of my drs. is also planning on retiring and said even though obamacare is not officially here there are parts being kicked in already and he is not putting up with it. Liz, I have the cds of all MRIs now. I did talk to my ENT on the phone today, he said he has no problem writing a script for next year but he would like me to go to the original place I went to when he had the first MRI done, something about certain drs. having partnerships with certain places and he would feel better with it being done at the original place. I have no problem with that. He said I dont have to actually come in for an appointment right now if I dont want to but asked if I would run last years and this years CDs over to him sometime in the next couple of weeks so he could take a look at them. He was concerned that originally mine didnt start in the normal place and was pressing against the brain stem when I had the surgery and the "enhanced scar tissue" is against the brain stem now. The nurse of the surgeon had already faxed over the report that included about the strokes to my PCP. His nurse called today, said to come in Monday to talk and also to get a script for the yearly carotid doppler test. I told her what he had said, that I could wait another 10 years if I want, she said no way, there have been too many "mild" strokes which eventually will lead to a major one if not watched and taken care of. The surgeon even had the nerve yesterday to ask why I was not working. When I told him I was retired, was actually retired before he did the surgery in the first place he wanted to know why. I had actually gone out on disability retirement for another problem before the tumor had even appeared. He seemed to have a problem with that too, why I dont know. I worked for the government for 25 years before leaving. Of course, this kind of led to a heated discussion on the obamacare. He also felt it was perfectly fine for the people that make a career of getting free health care, welfare, food, housing, etc. generation after generation. He said he had to take care of them but that the government paid him more than most insurances do. In my 25 years I saw so much fraud it was unbelievable, but nobody cared then nor do they now. Its all about the almighty dollar. Anyway, since they do grow slowly as long as my ENT feels comfortable with it, I want to just wait till next years MRI since he already said he will write the script. If he feels I should see someone after he looks at it, then I guess I'll do that. I really like and trust my ENT. He was one of the drs. whom removed my parotid gland many years ago when I had a mass in it. Yeah, Pat, he told me he removed the whole tumor too. I really didnt know scar tissue enhances either. But I guess he is trying to cover his tracks by saying "he thinks its scar tissue" He said hes only had 2 regrowths in his years of practice and that they were both old when it happened. I guess I should have asked how old at that time and really should have paid more attention to his over 60 remark. Thanks everyone for your input and allowing me to vent. Its just so damn frustrating.
Lois
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Jim is Obamacare a real word? Will this make the US more like Canada in terms of health care... just curious?
Donnalynn ~
Yes, although it's colloquial. The formal name is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) which is ironic, as most government-named programs are.
The entire ObamaCare plan is far too complicated to delineate here (and you'd be bored to tears reading it) but, in brief, 'ObamaCare' will redistribute available patient services and bureaucrats will determine who gets what, often based on the patients age and 'quality of life'. Doctors will, in effect, work for the government - under government rules, including their allowable fees.
Initially, ObamaCare is designed to work through existing medical insurers, dictating their premiums and their rules for insuring, such as having to accept those with pre-existing illnesses and allowing adult children up to age 26 to remain insured under a parent's medical insurance policy. Most observers assume that these rules, which fly in the face of sound insurance underwriting (risk assessment) will eventually make selling medical insurance unprofitable and the private companies will opt out. This will allow the government (oh-so reluctantly, of course) to become the sole source of medical insurance for all Americans, thus having the power, literally, of life and death over some patients. Those of us who are, ahem, mature, will very likely be denied life-extending procedures and some things, such as hip and knee replacements for those over a certain age will likely be denied. ObamaCare is being introduced incrementally, with the full plan taking effect in 2014. Some states have filed suit against the plan, because one of it's features is that the law mandates every American purchase medical insurance that meets the governments approval. Those who can't afford it will be subsidized by the government so they can be insured (with taxpayer money, of course). Mandating that a free people, supposedly living in a democratic republic, purchase something because the government demands it is considered by many to be unconstitutional. I'm one of those people, by the way. The newly appointed head of Medicare and Medicaid, is Dr. Donald Berwick, a man who has publicly stated that he very much admires the UK government-run health care system. Berwick was appointed without the consent of the U.S. senate (on a 'recess' appointment - done while the senate is officially in 'recess' for the summer), which is a bit troubling but something both political parties have resorted to when they fear the nominee for a high government post will be rejected by the senate. However, in this instance, I don't think Berwick's appointment bodes well for those of us who may be outside of what he might consider our 'productive years'. We'll see.
To sum up, ObamaCare will probably resemble the Canadian Health Care system - but with some notable differences. Because I'm not really familiar with the Canadian health care system, I can't make a credible comparison, except to note that Canada, with 10% the population of the United States, is probably not a good indicator of how the necessarily huge bureaucracy that ObamaCare will generate, will serve Americans. As I've stated, I'm not optimistic. Now, aren't you glad you asked? :)
Jim
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Oy vey!
I was hopeful this thread had died :P
Sorry to see it resurrected :(
Jan
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Jan,
Being in your 40s I guess you are not too worried about it, but even the ripe old age of 40 is going to be too old for some issues. Jim couldn't have stated it better. Its pretty sad what this country has come to. I've heard my husband tell people had he known what was going to come of this country he never would have fought for it. He was wounded like many others and of course getting older doesn't help there either. Its a shame so many of our men and woman are still dying and the wounded cant even get the proper care. With the government trying to take over every aspect of our lives is not a good thing to put it mildly.
Lois
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I'm with you, Jan, even though we are on opposite sides, I was hoping this opinion thread had died and we can get back to the business of supporting each other.
Capt Deb
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Jan,
Being in your 40s I guess you are not too worried about it, but even the ripe old age of 40 is going to be too old for some issues. Jim couldn't have stated it better. Its pretty sad what this country has come to. I've heard my husband tell people had he known what was going to come of this country he never would have fought for it. He was wounded like many others and of course getting older doesn't help there either. Its a shame so many of our men and woman are still dying and the wounded cant even get the proper care. With the government trying to take over every aspect of our lives is not a good thing to put it mildly.
Lois
Lois -
I'm pushing 50 and share your concerns, but don't want to get into a political discussion on the Forum that will offend lots of my friends here who don't share my views - like Captain Deb.
I, too, am appalled by what this country has become and all I can say is I hope the American voters make a better choice next time around.
Best,
Jan
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Oy vey!
I was hopeful this thread had died :P
Sorry to see it resurrected :(
Jan ~
I can certainly understand why you feel that way. However, no one is more cognizant of the real purpose of this website and these forums than I am. Rest assured that I have zero interest in making a 'political' thread out of this - and I will not. Because our health care system has now been politicized (by politicians) there is a patina of 'politics' on any mention of our new health care rules and the term 'ObamaCare', while a commonly used colloquialism because it was politically engineered by the president, automatically infuses the subject with what may appear to be 'politics'. I'm afraid that cannot be helped. However, beyond stating our objection of or approval for 'Obamacare' (and why) twisting the discussion into a political debate is totally unnecessary and if that were to occur, I can guarantee you that the thread will be locked. If Phyl, Joe or Steve didn't do so, I would. I honor the purpose of these forums as a system of support for AN patients and while I won't censor anyone who has a civil, reasonable point to make, I won't allow the forums to be degraded by adversarial political bickering that helps no one but certainly upsets many. I know we share a similar political outlook but this thread isn't about 'politics', per se, it's about our health care. Unless ObamaCare is eventually repealed (a distinct possibility), these issues will take center stage in our lives within a relatively short time, no matter who is president or in control of congress. We can avoid arguing about 'politics' by simply refusing to do so. My PM in-box is open and I'll be glad to discuss these issues there, in private, but even privately, I have no intention of arguing with people.
This is a new thread that I moved from the Post Treatment forum to AN Community, where it is better placed. It was precipitated by Donnalynn's perfectly reasonable question to me (seen in her quote that opens my reply). I responded with facts and, admittedly, my slant on the situation. Let me make it clear that I have no intention of arguing with anyone about this or any other issue. That having been stated, we all have a right to our opinion on a matter that, like it or not, is going to have a huge impact on all AN patients in the near future. To pretend 'ObamaCare' won't become a major factor in our lives, and soon, is to ignore reality. When our doctor orders that expensive MRI for us in our fifth year post-op, with no symptoms present, and is told by the government bureaucrats running the health care system that "she doesn't need that" - or we want to have a nerve graft operation to correct an AN surgery-related problem and are told "the operation isn't medically necessary" and that we'll "just have to live with it" we'll wonder how this could have happened. I'm trying to explain how - and with that information, alert our members to what is coming, whether they believe it or not or think it won't affect them...because it will. It's pretty obvious that I'm not happy with the new health care deal and think it's a terrible idea, for a variety of reasons, all of which I've stated in previous posts, months ago. I believe that people my age will be seriously and negatively affected by 'Obamacare'. I resent that, of course, and I'm not shy about stating it. But it's simply my opinion and has no effect on anyone. I'm not a politician. I can't raise your taxes , start a war - or screw up your health care. I'm just an American who is dismayed by where we are going as a people and as a country and I want to remind others, when asked, as Donnalynn did, what this 'ObamaCare' is all about.
I'm well aware that while some might share my views on this issue, some will not and be annoyed that it is even being discussed here. My only response to those folks is that the AN Community forum is open to all subjects and that ObamaCare seems to be an important one for AN patients. We're not discussing the federal budget or the war in Afghanistan here but an issue AN patients can and do relate to. As a moderator (and a contributor to the thread) I'll do my best to keep the discussion civil and on course. If I fail to do so, I know Phyl will be glad to take control of the thread with warnings and more, should that ever become necessary, which I doubt. We're a diverse group, to be sure, but for the most part, a very congenial group and respectful of each other, so I don't foresee a problem with simply discussing 'ObamaCare' for a bit. I hope you'll agree, Jan, because your input is always welcome.
Jim
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Jim -
I do agree.
Just a little tongue in cheek remark on my part since, as you know, sometimes these types of threads get "heated" and no one wants that.
I'm confident that you'll keep us all in line - and I appreciate that.
Jan
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There's some interesting info here and on other sites about the quality of health care and associated costs in various countries - it's always interesting to note that people in those countries with solid public health care programs (socialism, I suppose) generally enjoy better health. See also the education stats. I know we love our USA, but we aren't too good at taking care of our fellow citizens.
I think that our country is certainly in deep trouble, and maintaining the status quo obviously wasn't going to solve a thing. These stats are shameful in some cases. I wish we were a nation of people who cared deeply about the common good. Selfishness rules in the USA...how sad, but true....
http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
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Jim -
I do agree.
Just a little tongue in cheek remark on my part since, as you know, sometimes these types of threads get "heated" and no one wants that.
I'm confident that you'll keep us all in line - and I appreciate that.
Jan
oh, I will as well. Thought this had died, too..... ready to up my dosage of Prilosec if needed. Oy. Phyl
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There's some interesting info here and on other sites about the quality of health care and associated costs in various countries - it's always interesting to note that people in those countries with solid public health care programs (socialism, I suppose) generally enjoy better health. See also the education stats. I know we love our USA, but we aren't too good at taking care of our fellow citizens.
I think that our country is certainly in deep trouble, and maintaining the status quo obviously wasn't going to solve a thing. These stats are shameful in some cases. I wish we were a nation of people who cared deeply about the common good. Selfishness rules in the USA...how sad, but true....
Nancy ~
I respectfully disagree. The World Health Organization website (a branch of the U.N.) has some interesting statistics that put the U.S. in a poor light regarding health care but I believe that collides with reality. You can bend statistics any way you want to acheive a desired result. Waiting times to see a doctor or undergo a required medical test and patient satisfaction should be considered when stating - as the WHO website statistics do - that other countries employing a government-run health care system are somehow better for patients using the system. If that was in the WHO statistics, I missed it. Wealthy people from all over the world come to the United States for operations and treatment. That should tell us something. If their government-run health care systems were so great, why would they want to come here? How many medical breakthroughs have some of these European and Asian countries had in recent years? The tax burden in some counties with a government-run health care system are all but confiscatory. I doubt you'll see that in the WHO statistics.
This is why I strongly reject the notion that because we don't (yet) have a government-run health care system in the U.S., we're allegedly 'selfish'. America has a great health care system, the best in the world by some measures. The issue is how we pay for our health care. I submit that simply 're-distributing' health care will not improve it, but degrade it by adding millions to the system with fewer and fewer doctors, nurses and support personnel to take care of all the patients, not to mention the over-burdening of the physical facilities such as hospitals and other wellness operations, such as clinics. The projected cost of the 'ObamaCare' plan will be more than one trillion dollars over the next ten years. The taxes needed to pay for it will be onerous and likely far more than we're paying for our 'private' medical insurance, now. Remember, employers won't be covering the bulk of the premiums anymore once Obamcare fully kicks in. In fact, once private insurers are out of the picture (guaranteed to happen) and we're all on the government insurance plan with absolutely no option, including paying for your treatment with your own funds, the costs will rise substantially. The fact is that rationing of 'medical resources' will become a reality, resulting in the withholding of once-routine procedures such as follow-up MRI scans and procedures to repair facial nerve damage that some AN patients need. Folks over 65 (like me) will simply be denied once obtainable procedures. Our age and 'productivity' will be measured against the cost of the procedure, the patient's expected lifespan and whether someone much younger might benefit from a similar procedure. Who do you suppose will be denied the procedure? This unfortunate scenario is inevitable when you add millions to an already over-burdened health care system.
I agree that our country is is 'deep trouble' but I suspect we might disagree on what that trouble is and why. There were lots of options to 'fix' our current health care system but these were ignored by politicians that were determined to institute a government-run health care system, even when the polls (and some contentious congressional representative's 'Town Hall' meetings, last summer) showed that a majority of Americans - around 85% - were quite content with their current medical insurance and did not want a government-run health care system. So much for our representatives in Washington doing the 'will of the people'. Now, that's definitely 'sad but true'.
Finally, allow me to reiterate that the debate over what we call 'ObamaCare', is about how we pay for our health care. The costs for that care will substantially rise over time and how these costs are paid will be a major point of contention. Because a larger number of people will be 'covered' and many of those by a government 'subsidy' (in reality, taxpayer money) simply means that you and I will be paying for other people's health care. While I strongly believe in charity and administer my church's 'benevolence' fund which helps many people who cannot afford things they need, that money is given by church members willingly and freely. The IRS handing you a big tax bill to pay for your government-run 'health care insurance' with fines and possible jail time for not paying it is coercion, pure and simple. Oh yes, and the part of the new health care law that will soon mandate you carry health care insurance that is approved by the government or be fined (which the politicians are now calling 'a tax') is patently unconstitutional, in my opinion, but I'm not an attorney and I could be wrong. We'll soon find out. Although it may not be politically correct, I do not subscribe to the idea that health care is some kind of 'human right'. It's a luxury that most Americans can afford and all Americans have access to, via the local ER and free clinics all over America that serve the indigent. I have been without medical insurance in my lifetime and never thought other people, i.e. 'the government' was obligated to provide it for me, gratis, as some kind of 'right'. However, others have that entitlement mentality and believe other people 'owe' them things. I disagree. Collectivism never works because it goes against human nature. We all want to take care of ourselves and our family. It's called 'personal responsibility'. Well-intentioned people naturally want to help those 'less fortunate' - and we do. America is the most generous country on earth. Every year, our government spends billions in foreign aid - taxpayer money - that helps people in impoverished lands. U.S. private charities dwarf that amount, every year. When disaster strikes anywhere around the world, America is there with whatever help is needed - and we ask nothing in return, so Nancy, in my opinion, your contention that Americans don't care about 'the common good' is mistaken. However, once you start trying to take care of everyone's needs ('the common good') via 're-distributing' other peoples money by coercion (government mandates and enforcement) you get failure, as the experience of some European nations (now going bankrupt) has shown, as well as the complete failure of the communist system in the former Soviet Union. Having now just about worn out my keyboard, I'll leave it at that.
Jim
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wow Jim - this is important to you.
All I know is this:
I have worked and paid taxes since I was a teenager, until fall of 2009 when I had to quit my job at Purdue University due to on the job injuries - in an appeal to collect unemployment benefits, a judge reversed the decision and I now collect - temporarily, due to the federal extension. I currently pay $500 per month for medical insurance and am steadily going through my life savings...I can not find work, so I'm enrolled in school this fall, preparing to take on huge student loan debt to retrain to do work in three years, that will provide enough income so I don't have to lose my house. I will be 59 years old if I finish in three years.
In March2010, COBRA will expire and I will have to get insurance through Indiana's high risk pool program - In Jan, a new premium (the cheapest one) of about $670 per month with a $5000 deductible will be available to me...hopefully, I can afford this. The local hospitals that are not-for-profit have assured me they will not turn me away - so I will have a huge bill for my MRIs. The brain MRIs are almost $4000 each. That's what's ahead of me, in spite of paying those high premiums. In 2014, those premiums will be government subsidized, thank god. I have no family that is in a position to help me. I am 55 and a half years old and live alone.
So you're right - we do disagree. I am angry Jim. I have worked all of my life - paid taxes all of my life - saved money - have never had a credit card or debt. I raised two wonderful kids, one of whom was class valedictorian. I am rewarded with this, as I approach my older years. I saved money, so am ineligible for any type of public assistance. But my savings account (currently $16,000) is negligible in light of the high insurance payments I make. When unemployment runs out, I'll be living on student loan money and what ever part time work i can find while I go to school full time. I have no retirement money. This year, I have spent 1/3 of my income on medical bills.
Incidentally, I am also a lifelong community volunteer, working in the public schools for hours with no pay, singing for years in a community chorus that raised money for poor people...
Today, I am met with our government shrugging its shoulders and writing me off. If it was up to the average citizen, seriously, I feel that no one cares if I drop dead.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Back to the forum! I WILL find a way to get by. And even if I owe a ton of money to the hospital, I WILL get those necessary MRIs. Everyone else's bills will go up if I can't make my payments, but...this is the american way!
sorry to vent...maybe we ALL need to keep the politics off of this forum...we each have different circumstances, and are all having a problem with the current situation, in our own ways...
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Hi Nanramone,
Its important to everyone. It is not a political discussion as some are calling it. It is a fact that government (politics) is trying to take over our healthcare. And yes, it will affect everyone whom is dealing with an AN and thats what this is really all about. Being a retiree,we pay as much as you do for premiums and the extra for co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles, etc. And like everybody else living with the economy the way it is, we have no choice but to utilize the retirement savings we do have the best we can with a large part going to medical expenses.
We too, have always worked, paid our taxes and taken care of our health related bills on our own. I never expected help from the government with our medical expenses while insured and the few times early in our marriage when we didn't have insurance. That being said, I dont feel we should now have to pay for others including the people that feel that self entitlement. In the end, believe me, this is going to affect everyone if this continues, especially those of us whom are older and have spent our entire lives trying to take care of ourselves.
Lois
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Nan,
One more thing, you say you will get your MRIs even if you cant pay for them, but what makes you think they will even allow you to get it in the first place? That is the point trying to be made.
Lois
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Being an active member of this forum, being Canadian and having relatives who live in Michigan and Washington State, I find this thread very interesting. I want to know how my American relatives and my American friends on this forum feel about "ObamaCare". I also want to understand as much as I can what it is all about. Jim has been instrumental in explaining some of the issues that will effect most Americans in the coming years. Dialog is good and informative as long as we respect each other and respect the right to disagree.
I live in Southern Ontario, an hour from Toronto and DonnaLynn lives in Alberta and it seems we have a very different healthcare system. In Canada the healthcare is provincially run. Southern Ontario is densely populated and there is access to many outstanding hospitals and there isn't the Doctor shortage that exists in less dense populated areas. Remoter areas in Ontario are suffering from the Doctor shortages as well as Alberta and I'm sure it is the same problem in rural America.
It is troubling to think "ObamaCare" will be discriminating against people in their middle years and who have existing health conditions. The more that I read here on this forum the more I understand why my friends and relatives are so strongly opposed to the legislation. Jim's remarks have opened my eyes. It seems to me the fight isn't over and I wish my friends and relatives much luck in getting the reforms that would benefit the working, tax paying and retired tax paying people of your wonderful country. As stated in the beginning of my reply, I find all of this very interesting and I should include informative. Isn't that what this forum is all about, being informative?
Anne Marie
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wow Jim - this is important to you.
Of course it is and it should be important to every American because the new government health care law will affect us all.
All I know is this:
I have worked and paid taxes since I was a teenager, until fall of 2009 when I had to quit my job at Purdue University due to on the job injuries - in an appeal to collect unemployment benefits, a judge reversed the decision and I now collect - temporarily, due to the federal extension. I currently pay $500 per month for medical insurance and am steadily going through my life savings...I can not find work, so I'm enrolled in school this fall, preparing to take on huge student loan debt to retrain to do work in three years, that will provide enough income so I don't have to lose my house. I will be 59 years old if I finish in three years.
In March2010, COBRA will expire and I will have to get insurance through Indiana's high risk pool program - In Jan, a new premium (the cheapest one) of about $670 per month with a $5000 deductible will be available to me...hopefully, I can afford this. The local hospitals that are not-for-profit have assured me they will not turn me away - so I will have a huge bill for my MRIs. The brain MRIs are almost $4000 each. That's what's ahead of me, in spite of paying those high premiums. In 2014, those premiums will be government subsidized, thank god. I have no family that is in a position to help me. I am 55 and a half years old and live alone.
So you're right - we do disagree. I am angry Jim. I have worked all of my life - paid taxes all of my life - saved money - have never had a credit card or debt. I raised two wonderful kids, one of whom was class valedictorian. I am rewarded with this, as I approach my older years. I saved money, so am ineligible for any type of public assistance. But my savings account (currently $16,000) is negligible in light of the high insurance payments I make. When unemployment runs out, I'll be living on student loan money and what ever part time work i can find while I go to school full time. I have no retirement money. This year, I have spent 1/3 of my income on medical bills.
Incidentally, I am also a lifelong community volunteer, working in the public schools for hours with no pay, singing for years in a community chorus that raised money for poor people...
Today, I am met with our government shrugging its shoulders and writing me off. If it was up to the average citizen, seriously, I feel that no one cares if I drop dead.
Nancy, I'm truly sorry to learn of your current struggle trying to pay for your medical care. I've been in a situation very similar to yours at times in my life. My income too low to pay for medical insurance yet too high' to qualify for any kind of government aid program. I hated being in that position so I can somewhat empathize with your feeling of being cheated and welcoming what has been sold as 'universal' medical insurance coverage for every American, regardless of income. Sounds wonderful. Too bad that it very likely won't turn out to be what many folks seem to expect. I really hope ObamaCare ends up helping you, Nancy, but I also hope that your expectations aren't too high, although I suppose, in your case, anything will seem better than nothing, so I don't have to agree with you to understand your feelings on the issue and, however it happens, I hope your financial situation improves in the coming months.
I have to echo Lois' comment that what we call 'ObamaCare' is about our health care, not our politics. Unfortunately, the politicians in Washington have politicized our health care system by 'fixing' it. Most Americans didn't want this 'fix' but the politicians voted it into law, anyway, against the expressed will of the people. That is not how a democratic republic is supposed to work and many of us are angry about the usurpation of our freedom to choose our health care and how it's paid for. I know that many people who voted for the current president are outraged at this forced 'nationalization' of our health care system, to be run by bureaucrats on a cost/benefit basis, with doctors having little say in what their patients are allowed to receive in terms of surgery, radiation, therapy and medicine. As Lois correctly pointed out, under the new health care law, that hypothetical MRI you mention getting may be denied on the basis of your age and the availability of MRI apparatus/technicians. Many doctors are planning to retire when the full ObamaCare program takes effect by 2014, so you may be lucky to find a doctor that will treat you, even though you have your (subsidized) government health insurance. Frankly, I resent being basically pushed aside for younger, more productive Americans when I need an MRI or other medical service, which is what will very likely happen under ObamaCare. I've worked and paid taxes all my life too, over 50 years, in fact, so I have ample reason to be pessimistic about the ramifications of the nationalization of our heath care system, which, admittedly, is being accomplished incrementally, so the full extent of it's negative impact won't be immediately felt. Of course, I don't claim to be omniscient and time may disprove my pessimistic view of the health care law, but I doubt it.
I have to mention that you seem to be a bit ill-informed regard the 'Bush Tax Cut for the wealthiest Americans'. Although tax rates will go up (to as high as 39.6%) on capital gains, which usually affect the wealthy (the people who run businesses and hire other people to work for them) so will the tax rates for the regular folks, like us. The lowest income tax bracket rate (annual income under $34,550.) now at 10% will go up to 15%, a 33% increase. The Child Tax Credit will be reduced from $1,000. to $500. with tougher rules to qualify. The Marriage Penalty will return. So much for the 'Bush tax cuts' only affecting the wealthy, a manipulation of reality by politicians and the media that too many Americans willingly accept because it feeds class envy, which is regrettable.
I know many people who happily collect Medicare benefits who oppose the idea of anyone else being helped through tax money.
Really? I wonder who that would be? ;)
Over a million working people with jobs are on taxpayer-funded Medicaid and many more Americans are 'covered' - at no cost to them - by various taxpayer-funded programs administered by state and local governments, all paid for with tax dollars. The taxpayers have been funding millions of people's medical care for years, Nancy, but it's 'invisible' to most of us, unless we need to utilize those taxpayer-funded services. In addition, the indigent have received their health care gratis for decades in local hospitals and clinics. The hospitals and clinics simply raise their rates and because private insurance companies pay most of the medical bills in this country, they, in turn, raise their rates, costing us more. So, again, we pay, whether we realize it or not. In short:, there is no free lunch. As for Medicare, I'm on that program - but not by my choice. My private insurer automatically ends medical coverage when a policyholder reaches 65 leaving me the choice of having no medical insurance at all or accepting Medicare coverage, which isn't free and doesn't come close to what I had under my 'private' medical insurance. However, I tried but couldn't stop from turning 65 . I would opt for my old policy, at a cost of over $2,000. annually, in a heartbeat but it simply isn't available. You see, I don't like being at the mercy of a government bureaucracy that can decide what medical services I receive. I could always fight my private insurer and appeal to the state insurance commissioner or simply switch insurance companies the next year if I was unhappy with their decisions, but now, on Medicare, I've lost those options. So will you when the ObamaCare kicks in. It'll be interesting to see how that works out.
Frankly, I never liked the employer-sponsored health care deal we all lived under our entire working lives. Yes, it was nice being covered for a relatively small amount because the employer subsidized the insurance cost but I would have rather been paid more and been able to purchase my own health insurance, tailored to my needs. Besides, I was unemployed more than once and had to gamble on not getting sick because I had no medical coverage. That was no fun. Fortunately, that was never a real problem because I'm healthy, but it could have been. However, the days of 'private' health insurance, tethered to your employment are soon to end as we venture into the brave new world of nationalized health care, which usually fails in large, diverse populations. We'll see.
Back to the forum! I WILL find a way to get by. And even if I owe a ton of money to the hospital, I WILL get those necessary MRIs. Everyone else's bills will go up if I can't make my payments, but...this is the American way!
sorry to vent...maybe we ALL need to keep the politics off of this forum...we each have different circumstances, and are all having a problem with the current situation, in our own ways...
Agreed, Nancy. It's obvious that we all have our own unique perspective on this issue and, as I noted in a previous post, I have no intention of arguing 'politics'. Of course that would be a lot easier if the politicians hadn't decided to meddle with our health care system, but alas, that ship has sailed. Let's see what the November elections bring and were we are with ObamaCare in a year or so. For your sake, I hope you're in a better financial position and things work out for you, however that happens. Thanks for your input. It's been interesting.
Jim
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I am so put out with insurance that I should just leave this thread and not say a thing but since I have the time decided not to ...
We have went through our savings to pay for health care ... when the bill was announced my insurance told me that now (this goes back to where someone said that some places were putting parts of the bill in to practice) that they can continue to treat me as pre-existing until 2014 and refuse me treatment for anything AN related …and this after when we went form CIGNA to BCBS of Tennessee that it was going to be seamless and no loss of coverage …I have had two years of pretty much no coverage since I have to pay out just under $5000 before they pay anything …
they don’t pay for Lyrica which is what I have found that keeps me in an upright position because they say there are cheaper things that I should use … I have tried and have not found something cheaper that works without causing other issues and giving me other problems … I skimmed from some bills and took what was left from school clothes shopping and got me a bottle …$268 later …and still have a little bit left that if something doesn’t come up I can add to and get another when this runs out
I was suppose to get an MRI in December but skipped it because the one I got in December 2008 was just paid off in October and I feel guilty about taking so much of our income up in keeping myself going … my kids should not have to do without just so I can keep going …I can go to Nashville and get an MRI tomorrow if I want to take on payments … but we are stretched so thin now that we are struggling and can’t afford to make payments … when the check for pre -approval you have to give them some down and set up automatic payments when you have the thing done
I am having issues with headaches , more dizziness , numbness and twitching of AN side of face , beginning to have trouble swallowing as it seems like when I swallow that the right side of throat doesn’t move in sync to left side … it just kind of doesn’t push stuff down and I have choked several times over last couple weeks and I am aspirating regularly as liquid is harder to swallow that solids …
my PCP is sure that all is AN related but is limited in what care he can get for me locally … we have a plan for me to come in and he make a diagnosis of Bells Palsy but say he wants to rule out mini stroke and send me through hospital outpatient as an emergency ( no ER fee this way ) and order an MRI … as an emergency the insurance is suppose to pay on it or reduce it more than if one is run as a non emergency … but this seems so ridiculous and a bit like fraud or just not right and have not been able to bring myself to do it …
When I was hurting so bad that I started vomiting and ended up standing in the shower throwing up on my feet trying to ease pain with water massage , I was thinking to myself “ it isn’t suppose to be like this “ … and have thought on more than one occasion that had I known how bad theses headaches would be that I would have not had surgery at all …but since death was what was promised me if something was not done I had no real choice and I want to see my kids grow up …
I have worked years raising money for causes … 10s of thousands of dollars through the years for cancer , homeless , families that have lost homes to fires , floods etc etc …but when friends and teachers at school offered about 2 years ago to hold me a benefit dinner I told them no …
I don’t want a hand out … and I don’t want or expect insurance to pay 100% of my bills … at this point I would be happy with 10 or 20 % …they are paying zilch … and I can’t get needed care … one recent letter that I took to our liaison said that although medically necessary that maintenance MRIs and the Lyrica was not cost productive … and that if I was working they would reconsider coverage … I feel like as far as BCBS is concerned they would like me to drop dead and leave them alone
I can’t find a job that I can do and also be home when kids get home from school … and since we are out in the sticks with farming neighbors who are not always around , since you have to go to farming chores and even though you are home , you are not necessarily there … I am not willing to have my kids sitting home alone for several hours when we are in the sticks and no guarantees of some adult they could go to in case of an emergency being around … not so much worried about the kids doing something as I am thinking someone knowing they are here alone and either kids coming over or some bad guy …(not that I see bad guys lurking behind trees waiting to pounce , I am just cautious )
Going to end this now with these final thoughts … some of you may think all this has nothing to do with the health bill … but I have been told by the representatives I have talked to and argued with that they have the right to adjust their policies to fall in line with guidelines outlined in the bill …
So my pre-existing status is now in place until 2014 … we were originally told that things would be seamless coming off CIGNA with no change in coverage , then told after a year I would come off pre-existing status … they twist wording and I am sure they have a whole staff dedicated to making sure that things are wordied so they can go back and twist what you think something means into something that is totally different … like the seamless transition promise made to us in 2008 when BCBs went into effect
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One bright spot in a dark mess … I filled out a book of paperwork to add to that of about 50 employees … it is paper work to join in with other Tennessee power companies in a co-op insurance plan… premiums about the same as what we pay now and better coverage with tiered prescriptions of $5 ,$10 ,$20 and $40 ... I would gladly pay $40 for my lyrica …a $20 co-pay (right now I am paying for all office visits 100% …talked to several people with on going health problems in next county over and they say it pays good and they have had no problems in the 4 years they have been apart of the program … hoping that it goes through and we get something besides the nothing we have now
OK ... was gonna go check into the emotional and cognitive issue page and rant there but this book I have written has gotten alot off my chest so I will pass on that for now
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I am so put out with insurance that I should just leave this thread and not say a thing but since I have the time decided not to ...
We have went through our savings to pay for health care ... when the bill was announced my insurance told me that now (this goes back to where someone said that some places were putting parts of the bill in to practice) that they can continue to treat me as pre-existing until 2014 and refuse me treatment for anything AN related …and this after when we went form CIGNA to BCBS of Tennessee that it was going to be seamless and no loss of coverage …I have had two years of pretty much no coverage since I have to pay out just under $5000 before they pay anything …
they don’t pay for Lyrica which is what I have found that keeps me in an upright position because they say there are cheaper things that I should use … I have tried and have not found something cheaper that works without causing other issues and giving me other problems … I skimmed from some bills and took what was left from school clothes shopping and got me a bottle …$268 later …and still have a little bit left that if something doesn’t come up I can add to and get another when this runs out
I was suppose to get an MRI in December but skipped it because the one I got in December 2008 was just paid off in October and I feel guilty about taking so much of our income up in keeping myself going … my kids should not have to do without just so I can keep going …I can go to Nashville and get an MRI tomorrow if I want to take on payments … but we are stretched so thin now that we are struggling and can’t afford to make payments … when the check for pre -approval you have to give them some down and set up automatic payments when you have the thing done
I am having issues with headaches , more dizziness , numbness and twitching of AN side of face , beginning to have trouble swallowing as it seems like when I swallow that the right side of throat doesn’t move in sync to left side … it just kind of doesn’t push stuff down and I have choked several times over last couple weeks and I am aspirating regularly as liquid is harder to swallow that solids …
my PCP is sure that all is AN related but is limited in what care he can get for me locally … we have a plan for me to come in and he make a diagnosis of Bells Palsy but say he wants to rule out mini stroke and send me through hospital outpatient as an emergency ( no ER fee this way ) and order an MRI … as an emergency the insurance is suppose to pay on it or reduce it more than if one is run as a non emergency … but this seems so ridiculous and a bit like fraud or just not right and have not been able to bring myself to do it …
When I was hurting so bad that I started vomiting and ended up standing in the shower throwing up on my feet trying to ease pain with water massage , I was thinking to myself “ it isn’t suppose to be like this “ … and have thought on more than one occasion that had I known how bad theses headaches would be that I would have not had surgery at all …but since death was what was promised me if something was not done I had no real choice and I want to see my kids grow up …
I have worked years raising money for causes … 10s of thousands of dollars through the years for cancer , homeless , families that have lost homes to fires , floods etc etc …but when friends and teachers at school offered about 2 years ago to hold me a benefit dinner I told them no …
I don’t want a hand out … and I don’t want or expect insurance to pay 100% of my bills … at this point I would be happy with 10 or 20 % …they are paying zilch … and I can’t get needed care … one recent letter that I took to our liaison said that although medically necessary that maintenance MRIs and the Lyrica was not cost productive … and that if I was working they would reconsider coverage … I feel like as far as BCBS is concerned they would like me to drop dead and leave them alone
I can’t find a job that I can do and also be home when kids get home from school … and since we are out in the sticks with farming neighbors who are not always around , since you have to go to farming chores and even though you are home , you are not necessarily there … I am not willing to have my kids sitting home alone for several hours when we are in the sticks and no guarantees of some adult they could go to in case of an emergency being around … not so much worried about the kids doing something as I am thinking someone knowing they are here alone and either kids coming over or some bad guy …(not that I see bad guys lurking behind trees waiting to pounce , I am just cautious )
Going to end this now with these final thoughts … some of you may think all this has nothing to do with the health bill … but I have been told by the representatives I have talked to and argued with that they have the right to adjust their policies to fall in line with guidelines outlined in the bill …
So my pre-existing status is now in place until 2014 … we were originally told that things would be seamless coming off CIGNA with no change in coverage , then told after a year I would come off pre-existing status … they twist wording and I am sure they have a whole staff dedicated to making sure that things are wordied so they can go back and twist what you think something means into something that is totally different … like the seamless transition promise made to us in 2008 when BCBs went into effect
My heart goes out to you and the only thing I can advise you is go to the ER you have paid your dues for causes and not asking for much it is your turn to be helped and if it means the ER so be it please go for yourself and your family.
Best Wishes,
Pat
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Soundy ~
Thanks for taking the time and effort to offer us your experiences with medical insurance companies and their often frustrating policies and the legalistic games they use to deny coverage.
I'm sure many of us could echo your complaints. The really sad part of all this is that the cruelly mis-named 'Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act', colloquially termed 'ObamaCare' for the man who instigated it, will very likely make it harder to get medical tests, drugs and doctor visits, much less, surgery, approved. PPACA will be covering millions more people than were previously insured and will carry an enormous cost which will be borne by taxpayers (that would be us). This will eventually necessitate the 'rationing' of medical care (doctor visits, drugs, tests, surgery) and, as I've previously posted, those of us in our, ahem, later years will bear the brunt of that rationing because the new head of Medicare and Medicaid services, Dr. Donald Berwick, has publicly stated that, under a 'public' (government-run) health care system an individuals medical needs have to be justified on the basis of 'cost containment'. No mention of the doctor and patient's wishes. In fact, the good Dr. Berwick claimed, just last year, that "the decision is not whether or not we will ration care -- the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open". If that doesn't give you pause, it should. I don't know about anyone else, but I can see 'the handwriting on the wall', to use a biblical metaphor, and it doesn't look good. Frankly, it doesn't matter much whether you're for or against PPACA. It's now the law and my objections mean little, but I believe my objections are valid and so, worth stating. That Nancy and probably some other posters disagree is not a problem. I'm not trying to persuade anyone, I'm just stating facts and my opinion relating to those facts.
So, although we can all empathize with your daunting struggle in attempting to squeeze coverage from notoriously parsimonious medical insurance companies for the drugs and tests you need, I'm afraid that the coming 'nationalized' health care system will be no better, and that's being optimistic. Oh, it will take awhile and the full system won't be in force until 2014 so things won't change overnight. With all the new rules (any and all pre-existing illness can be ignored, no lifetime cap on benefits, etc) the private medical insurance companies will eventually be forced to stop selling medical insurance because the new rules will make it impossible for them to make a profit, the sole reason for their existence. Once that happens, the government will take over and become the one and only source of medical insurance coverage for every American. Whatever decisions are made by the bureaucrats running it will have no appeal possible...take it or leave it. This will be a scary situation for anyone with a chronic illness or condition and in some instances fatal for those over 65, who often need extensive medical help as they age, including joint replacements and a cornucopia of prescription drugs that make their quality of life tolerable - and sometimes, possible. This isn't wild speculation but easily verifiable. The UK NHS (National Health Service) serves a combined population that is about 20% of the U.S. population (UK - 62 million, U.S. - 310 million). The official maximum waiting time for, say, AN surgery after being diagnosed and having your doctor request a surgery date is 18 weeks. That's over four months. My AN surgery was scheduled for approximately 10 days after my diagnosis, with no problem. Complications (a false cancer scare) caused it to be postponed but even then, I underwent the surgery within 3 weeks of my diagnosis. Unfortunately, I fear that the UK version of health care - worse, actually - is coming to our shores very soon. That is, if the November election doesn't force a change in direction. We'll see. In the meantime, I hope that co-op insurance plan deal works out for you and your family. You certainly deserve a break, so I pray that you'll get one, at last.
Jim
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I feel better than I did this afternoon when I wrote all that ... the subject of insurance just makes my blood boil ... I am pretty much uninsured ... my card gets me in the door and leaves me with big bills I can't afford ...
after writing all that I went to our account page on BCBS site and added up what they have paid on me since going into effect ... since July 2008 BCBS has paid out $978 toward doctor visits and medicine ... that is 2 mamos at $175 each and 2 yearly exams with pap at $110 ...these things are covered 100% because they care and want to keep us healthy ::) ... which leaves $408 they have paid in 2 years for strep throat , lupus sun reaction a time or two , going in for headaches trying to get them manageable , other visits that are just things that have cropped up ... we have paid out about $8000 in this time period and still owe more ...that is just on me ... then you have the kids and Bo which thankfully have not been too much ... price reductions amount to $450 off for using in network doctors ... this they don't pay so they aren't out this amount it is just a discount that is contracted
if you factor in premiums the in the hole feeling worsens ...
I just hope that the co-op goes through and goes through fast ... they say we should know something in 4-6 weeks and then it will take about a month to switch if it goes through... some are worried but it can't be much worse than what we have ...
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I'm really in a place were I don't know which way to go on STATE RUN health care.
I totally see both sides. I'm a Conservative white male and will prob vote with the TEA party.
My experience with the Post Office vs FedEx. FedEx totally blew the post office out of the water in speed, reliability, service, and value out of about 15,000 packages I sent out with my dot com company. But the Post Office was there for the people on the fringe of the world and would ship to anyone. FedEx does reach 95% of the world in like 8 hours if you want to pay enough. But the other 5% they won't or can't touch. The horror stories I can tell you about the Post Office is unreal.
Post Office would get a F but they get a D because they will ship to anyone.
FedEx would get a A+ but it has to be a B+ because they won't ship to everyone.
I have seen so called 80s to early 90s BOAT PEOPLE from Laos and Vienam not know the culture not know how to read or speak English with only the shirt on their backs and be able to become very rich in a very short period. Because they are willing to do what it takes. I know I'm not going to work 2 full time jobs while I take classes at the local comunity college like I saw them doing. And this fact makes me lean towards prepare for your self health care.
I don't like the ideal of myself or anyone else taking from those boat peoples hard work because we aren't willing to do what it takes to be perpared.
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as far as I'm concerned, the smug, comfortable wealthy people can pay more tax to subsidize this
Only honest wealthy people will pay more. And yes they do exist. The greedy (which will be most) will hide their income. Because they can pay people that specialize (Lawyers) less than paying the taxes. For example the Kennedy family didn't pay much at all in death taxes because they used Fiji banks to put the asses into a family trust and transfered control of the family trust by secession of death.
Medicare is there for you. But you can never go over 2k in your bank account or you will get bumped off. You can home stead your home and cars. You will be broke. But you will be alive and taken care of.
This is what Obama is talking about when he said you shouldn't go broke if you get sick. I do not aggree with him. You should go broke if you get sick and need assistance. If you are prepard. You won't go broke. Its up to you.
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I'm feeling the pinch too. I'm out close to $2500 out of pocket of my nest egg. So far. I do have insurance but I got the $25,000 critical care deduct and $750 out patient. Because I wanted to save money. So, I'm looking at probably being set back $27k.
I do like Medicaid and I know its a social program. But at least its not socialist. Meaning control everybody. I look at it more like guard rails on the highway. Not perfect but it does do its job. It a safety net.
I do know almost everyone that gets put into a nursing homes (Stroke, Car accident, etc) moves all the assists to family members and gets on Medicaid. Not sure I like that. But I would probably do the same thing.
What I will do if my insurance drops me. Is tell all my doctors and treatment centers. That I'm out of pocket and could I get a break. Beg basically. If they say no. Then keep asking around. I been paying out of pocket so far and been getting $100 general doctor (should be $250) visits with bags full of samples. (bloodwork was $300 though) 30% off MRI scan ($700 found a place for $450 for next time). 30% off those stupid hearing balance test (another $700). $150 ENT visits. The neurologist was $440 and didn't give me a break. :( Its not really that bad considering the service I'm getting. :)
I don't think most people (I know I don't) will care that Taxpayers pick up your student loan debt if you get sick. I would look into homesteading you home now. Make sure your ready just in case.
You can call the local bar association and ask them if they have a free advice workshop so you can get the laws in your state.
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I do not think you are highjacking, this all pertains to the ObamaCare issues. More people need to get their stories out there so the legislatures know what "the people" really need, not what they, the legislatures want. Remember your country was founded on "Freedom of Speech". Tell all those who will listen to you and tell it over again to those that won't listen until they do listen.
I'm a very concerned member of this forum, with family and friends in your great country.
Anne Marie
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In many ways, I agree with Jim, who is afraid that things will only get worse. They might, though Reagan ranted exactly like that pre-Medicare, and the sky didn't fall, after all...
Nancy ~
Well, I'm glad we can agree, even if we differ on the exact consequences. However, because I'm a bit of a student of President Reagan, I have to introduce a few facts in response to this specific comment.
The Medicare Act was passed in 1965, 15 years before Reagan was elected president. However, back in 1961, as a 'private citizen' (he was elected California governor in 1966) Mr. Reagan did give speeches opposing 'socialized medicine', which is exactly what Medicare really is and always has been. Ronald Reagan felt that once a form of socialized medicine (such as Medicare) was introduced in America, it would be the forerunner to a nationwide imposition of government control of everyone's health care based on the simple fact that if the government is paying for it, the government (via bureaucracies) can decide who gets what care and when. Reagan considered that a distinct loss of freedom and a disincentive to Americans saving for and determining what they would do regarding their health care. 'Funnydream' seems to grasp that fact, as do the majority of Americans who were against 'ObamaCare'. Clearly, Reagan was right because look where we are, today, 45 years later. Although the politicians try to vehemently deny it, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is 'socialized medicine'. The initial utilization of 'private' insurance companies, micro-managed by the government bureaucracy, to administer the program will end once these companies lose any chance of making a profit (their reason for being formed in the first place). Then, the government will become the sole provider of medical/health insurance and will decide who gets what and when, whether you or your doctor like it or not. There will be nowhere else to go. This is, as Ronald Reagan stated, a loss of freedom in exchange for - what? 'Guaranteed' health care? Hardly. Dr. Berwick, the new head of Medicare/Medicaid has made it abundantly clear that under his watch, rationing of health care (doctor visits, operations, drugs) will occur, mostly with older Americans. I see no benefit in that but perhaps others do. If so, I'm sure they'll think that way right up until the moment they're denied some health-related request. Too late, then.
As for 'the sky not falling', actually it will, and in the not too distant future. The unfunded liability of the Medicare fund stands at 86 trillion dollars, an insurmountable sum. Medicare has a $30.8 trillion dollar shortfall, more than twice the size of the entire U.S. economy. To assume this can continue indefinitely is folly. Socialized medicine is not only a usurpation of our freedom, disguised as compassion, but it will be financially unsustainable. Those who believe the new health care law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) will be a panacea for their financial difficulties and give them much better access to health care for little cost to them are likely to be disappointed, to put it gently. Although Ronald Reagan was later proved correct in his early warnings about the pernicious effects of a government-run health care system, as I've repeatedly stated, this is simply my opinion and, unlike President Reagan on this issue, I could be wrong. We'll find out, soon.
So to all - I hope, by whatever means, we ALL are able to have good health care~
I can concur with that, Nancy - and I do. I wish you better days ahead. :)
Jim
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Soundy,
I, too had that $5000 a month deductible with BCBS and could not get acess to a pain clinic, MRI's, nerve blocks, Botox, proper meds or anything else because we could not afford it because of a few family expenses that were eating up our income with me being unable to work. I could not get any of the treatments/meds that now keep me going until I got Medicare which is included with my Social Security Disability, which was a 4 year fight for me.
I was turned down twice and then hired a lawyer. By law they cannot charge you more than 25% of your initial back benefits or $2500 whichever is less and they cannot charge you anything unless you win your case. I also was eligible to purchase Medicare part D from a private insurer which has covered all my generic meds really well, even in the "donut hole". The SSD amount each month is really small, but the ability to purchase the Medicare insurance has really saved my ass and my husbands retirement. You would certainly qualify for disability, I am sure, but it does take most people getting a disability lawyer to get anywhere. Please look into this!!
I seem to have way more access to treatment and meds since I got my "socialized medicine." Sorry if this sounds like I am contributing to the collapse of the American economy!
Thinking of you,
Capt Deb
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I'm finding this an interesting discussion. There are some ideas that someone could possibly clarify for me. Being a teacher I currently have good health insurance, but who knows what is going to happen in the future. What concerns me are the people who cannot afford health insurance. What are they supposed to do? Let's say you own your business and it's not doing well, and you get an AN? How will you afford your care without going bankrupt? To me, it seems that if you have a good job with insurance or are wealthy enough you would prefer the current health care system. But if you have a job that pays minimum wage or a little higher you won't have enough money to pay for food, housing, clothing. And most of those same jobs do not offer health insurance from their employers. My first concern would I found out about my AN was whether or not my insurance would cover all of the costs. Without my insurance I would be in debt for many years. It's not like I chose to have an AN. Through no fault of my own I could have ended up losing everything. At least if I gambled away my money I would have been responsible for my situation. I'm interested to hear ideas from others.
Jean
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Medicare is there for you. But you can never go over 2k in your bank account or you will get bumped off.
I hate to take this out of context, but I don't get the being bumped off Medicare with over 2k in the bank. Could you clarify?
Capt Deb
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Medicare is there for you. But you can never go over 2k in your bank account or you will get bumped off.
I hate to take this out of context, but I don't get the being bumped off Medicare with over 2k in the bank. Could you clarify?
Capt Deb
My understanding is that the $2k limit applies to "Medicaid", not "Medicare".
Phyl
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I'm finding this an interesting discussion. There are some ideas that someone could possibly clarify for me. Being a teacher I currently have good health insurance, but who knows what is going to happen in the future. What concerns me are the people who cannot afford health insurance. What are they supposed to do? Let's say you own your business and it's not doing well, and you get an AN? How will you afford your care without going bankrupt? To me, it seems that if you have a good job with insurance or are wealthy enough you would prefer the current health care system. But if you have a job that pays minimum wage or a little higher you won't have enough money to pay for food, housing, clothing. And most of those same jobs do not offer health insurance from their employers. My first concern would I found out about my AN was whether or not my insurance would cover all of the costs. Without my insurance I would be in debt for many years. It's not like I chose to have an AN. Through no fault of my own I could have ended up losing everything. At least if I gambled away my money I would have been responsible for my situation. I'm interested to hear ideas from others.
Jean
with the insurance we have now we pay premiums and still are going in debt ... the only way this insurance is going to pay for anything for me is if I go back in for something major ... we were doing things right and this AN has put my whole family in a bad situation ... through no fault of theirs my 2 kids still living at home and my husband are paying for my illness in many ways ...
I laugh , joke and go on to keep from crying some ... My sense of humor although a bit morbid at times has helped in my emotional survival … I do what I can with my kids to keep things as normal for them as I can ... I spent some money I could have put towards lyrica on wood for their 4-H fair projects ...Bo said let them skip this year ... why should they have to not do things normal to them because I have to swallow our money a pill at a time ??? … they didn’t do as many projects this year due to lack of funds but I did allow them $20 to buy supplies for some projects they wanted to do that we didn’t have something already here to work with … Hannah spent $15 on fabric a pack of 2 canvases to make a stuffed luck dragon and paint what she calls a ying/yang sun/moon and Sarah spent $9 for fabric for an octopus …Hannah gave one canvas to Sarah and she painted a monkey … how many kids ages 11 and almost 13 do you know who if given $20 and told to spend it would return any ??? I try not to burden them with our money woes but they know and worry along with us … a few years ago when things were better they would have spent it all and had more materials to work with …
with me bringing in little to no income ...( I did get in a full day at school today which will be a whopping $45 at the end of the month ) and extra money going to pay for my health care , a child with messed up legs that will eventually need surgery and one with a lymphatic malformation to her face that has surgery every couple years to keep her face looking normal , and things that just come up our savings is gone and getting in deeper every month …and the new debt is mine ... Hannah will probably get surgery done under Shriner program and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital has a program that when Sarah has to go in for surgery on her face they will absorb most of what insurance doesn’t pay since they are a teaching hospital
Bo works full time and makes good money alot of which goes into the farm which we get back at calf selling time ... but last year didn't really turn enough profit to make it worth while… but Bo is a farmer at heart and so the farm goes on .... we have been working on figuring a way to make the farm more profitable but honestly right now it is looking grim ... we have discussed bankruptcy which we qualify for but won’t go that route for fear of losing the farm …
We did have the house and 5 acres surveyed and removed from the farm to protect our home …and did the same with the in-laws house … so both homes sit on the farm but legally are not a part of the farm … but to lose the farm and have to live in this house with someone else owning the farm would kill Bo … he was born here and intends to die farming his land …
An option presented to me by people at the health department when I was turned down for disability was to divorce Bo , have him pay child support on the girls , sign house and my interest in the farm over to him and then rent the house from him and live happily ever after … even though I am not working aside from the occasional day at school , I have put myself instead of Bo down as financially responsible this when St Thomas Hospital told me that in case insurance didn’t pay for AN Surgery (our insurance changed a few days after surgery while I was still in hospital ) , they couldn’t garnish his wages for unpaid amount … don’t know if it would hold up in court but since then I don’t put his name on anything other than emergency contact …
If we were divorced I would qualify for Tenn Care (state insurance ) , food stamps , help with rent and other services … and I could file bankruptcy and not risk the farm and we could date and he become my live in boy friend … In my darkest hours this comes to mind but I am about 99.9999999 % sure we won’t do this …
It is sad to know that people do get divorced in order to get medical care and not lose everything they own … when my mom was working for the state keeping people in their homes who were older or disabled but not to extent of needing a nursing home , she had several clients who did just this … one old man she went in to help would cry every week when she showed up because he and his wife of 60 some odd years divorced to save their home and get her treatment … then she died shortly there after …he thinks from a broken heart …about a year later he followed her and the state got the house anyway
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I'm finding this an interesting discussion. There are some ideas that someone could possibly clarify for me. Being a teacher I currently have good health insurance, but who knows what is going to happen in the future. What concerns me are the people who cannot afford health insurance. What are they supposed to do? Let's say you own your business and it's not doing well, and you get an AN? How will you afford your care without going bankrupt? To me, it seems that if you have a good job with insurance or are wealthy enough you would prefer the current health care system. But if you have a job that pays minimum wage or a little higher you won't have enough money to pay for food, housing, clothing. And most of those same jobs do not offer health insurance from their employers. My first concern would I found out about my AN was whether or not my insurance would cover all of the costs. Without my insurance I would be in debt for many years. It's not like I chose to have an AN. Through no fault of my own I could have ended up losing everything. At least if I gambled away my money I would have been responsible for my situation. I'm interested to hear ideas from others.
Jean ~
If you choose to believe that misfortune (an AN, for instance) and the surgery or radiation treatment needed to deal with the problem should be paid for by other people more affluent than you, then socialized medicine, which is really a form of income distribution - taking money (via government taxes) from those who have more than those who don't and giving it to the latter - would be quite reasonable. Some hold that view - but I do not. It's a matter of opinion. I do not believe that life is always 'fair' and that because someone has more than I do I somehow have a claim on part of their money. I do not subscribe to the notion that the economy is finite and that because some people are wealthy, their wealth is taken from 'my share'. In fact, I find that concept to be absurd. However, we've been gradually 'socializing' medical care in America for decades.
It should be noted that there are tons of state and local programs available to help low-income patients pay their bill. It isn't always a black-and-white situation where you either have good medical coverage or you go bankrupt. I'm not wealthy but I've had to shoulder big medical bills (for my wife) and never expected other people to pay them for me. Why would I? The concept that if you're not wealthy other people should pay for your medical costs (via taxes) seems wrong to me, but I realize others would disagree. So be it. However, if one is poor, there is always help available. You just have to seek it. The current health care system needed reform, granted, but socializing' our medical system ('ObamaCare') - although it sounds wonderful ('accessible health care for everyone!') - is likely to have a negative outcome. Even now, private health care premiums are rapidly rising in anticipation of Obamacare kicking in full force in 2014. This is just the beginning, I'm afraid - but time will tell.
Jim
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Jim ... I have a thought or two in my head that are not going to type out well I am afraid
I don't want others to have to have taxes raised to help pay for my medical issues ... we cut out something and pay our own bills ...that is just the way we have always done things but this time it seems like bills may over take us ... that is why I am not divorcing Bo and going bankrupt then going on different programs that I could get but were originally intended for a select group of people ... mainly out of work pregnant women , children and disabled ... misuse and abuse of these programs is (I think) a big part of why things are so screwed up with the medical system ...
I pay my premiums and expect what was promised ... not for legalese twisting of words to skew things in the insurance companies favor ... we are locked in to this for now unless the co-op goes through and as a group of 50 or so families can get out of it as a group ...
an exception I would make is that if push came to shove I would do something in order to stay alive or to help my kids ...
I just want to be able to pay my way and not have to go to extremes to do so ... we are not rich ... but before AN surgery we had savings and had extra money for things we wanted not just things we needed ...
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Jim ... I have a thought or two in my head that are not going to type out well I am afraid
I don't want others to have to have taxes raised to help pay for my medical issues ... we cut out something and pay our own bills ...that is just the way we have always done things but this time it seems like bills may over take us ... that is why I am not divorcing Bo and going bankrupt then going on different programs that I could get but were originally intended for a select group of people ... mainly out of work pregnant women , children and disabled ... misuse and abuse of these programs is (I think) a big part of why things are so screwed up with the medical system ...
I pay my premiums and expect what was promised ... not for legalese twisting of words to skew things in the insurance companies favor ... we are locked in to this for now unless the co-op goes through and as a group of 50 or so families can get out of it as a group ...
an exception I would make is that if push came to shove I would do something in order to stay alive or to help my kids ...
I just want to be able to pay my way and not have to go to extremes to do so ... we are not rich ... but before AN surgery we had savings and had extra money for things we wanted not just things we needed ...
Soundy ~
Your point is well taken. In my life, I've also been put in a financial bind due to medical expenses so I can empathize with your plight. I realize that your situation with insurance companies effectively cheating you out of what you were promised when you paid your premiums is not an anomaly. My point isn't that the current system we have for medical insurance coverage and how we pay for it is just fine and doesn't need some serious changes, but that the government-administered health care financing system now set to replace it will be far worse and more expensive to run than anyone seems to realize. It's a fallacy that 'only the rich' will pay for ObamaCare. With 30 million+ people added to the U.S. health care system and many doctors fleeing the profession because they will not be forced to cede medical decisions for their patients to government bureaucrats using a cost/benefit analysis to determine who receives care, medical services will definitely be curtailed and/or long wait times will become normal as costs inevitably skyrocket far past the original rosy projections - just as they did for Medicare. At it's inception in 1965, Medicare cost the taxpayers 3 billion dollars. 25 years later, in 1990, when the proponents of Medicare back in the early 1960's projected that it would cost 12 billion dollars, the actual cost of Medicare was 107 billion dollars (you can look it up). There are now approximately 50 million Americans enrolled in Medicare. The 2010 budget for Medicare is 510 billion dollars. Clearly, these huge government programs eventually become unsupportable. With "Affordable Care' (ObamaCare) having a potential enrollment of some 300 million people and basically 'covering' everybody for everything imaginable, the costs will inevitably be astronomical. Many observers expect a national sales tax will be proposed to help pay for our new health care financing system. So, as I see it, and it's only my opinion, mind you, we'll soon be getting worse medical care, wait longer to get it and pay more for it...if, for folks my age, we can get it at all. This is why I was opposed to the sweeping 'reform' of our health care financing system and why I'm very skeptical about it's future.
However, I understand full well that medical insurance has gotten to be a hassle and some folks, like you and Nancy, are getting hammered financially, feel cheated and misused and assume that nobody cares. In that case, you might welcome what has been touted as 'reform' and the opportunity to get your medical services as 'a right', and at a price you can afford. Sounds great. I hope it works out that way (I'll be on the same government plan) but I can't see how it can because the numbers don't add up. Looking at other 'nationalized' health care services, as in the UK, they have long waits, spotty service and are cutting back on services due their national economic problems.
I'm not at all dismayed that some folks may not accept my opinion and feel that they need this new health care scheme because they're drowning in debt and losing needed services because of costs they simply can't afford. That stinks. As I stated earlier, I've been in that situation so I know how it feels. When my son was born I had a low-paying job and minimal health insurance with few benefits. The birth of my son, Christopher, went just fine (I was there) but I owed thousands of dollars to the doctor and hospital. The doctor agreed to accept about a third of his bill as payment in full (in monthly payments) and as I was attempting to make a payment plan with the hospital - roughly $20. per month for ten years - they sent me a letter informing us that the hospital had a special fund set aside (as part of their endowment) for the 'working poor' that would cover my bill entirely. We were unaware of this fund and never asked to benefit from it. Well, my wife cried and I had a hard time talking for a bit (it passed) but of course, we were both relieved and elated. I could offer a few other stories but I think I've shared enough of my personal life history here to make the point that I'm not opposing 'ObamaCare' on the basis of being wealthy and insensitive to other people's financial straits or because I don't like the president. I'm opposed to it because I think it's a bad deal for Americans and will make our health care system less effective as well as cost all of us more money. I also believe that we'll definitely lose much of our freedom of choice in our health care. No more multiple doctor consultations when choosing AN treatment and no more multiple MRI scans at our convenience with just a doctor's order. A government bureaucracy will make those decisions for us and if they say 'no', we'll just have to deal with it. No appeals to the state Insurance Commissioner anymore or the insurance company ombudsman. We'll be little more than supplicants. I don't look forward to that - but I can't guarantee it will be that bad. It could be worse - or better. I still think it's a loss of the freedom of choice and I very much resent that, but too late now. However, the next election may bring some unexpected changes, so I've not abandoned all hope - yet. However, I do hope your situation improves, soon. If anyone deserves a break, it's you, Soundy. You're in my prayers and those of others, I'm sure. Try to take some solace from that.
Jim
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It seems that no one on this thread has addressed the fact that many of the diseases and conditions which are breaking the back of the health care system are entirely preventable!!! Heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer are all linked to obesity and/or smoking. I was out at docs appt and then to lunch with hubby and noticed it was hard to find a normal-sized person in any crowd we were in. We are bombarded with unhealthy food advertisements and our grocery store shelves are stocked with fat and calorie-laden crap. Why aren't the fat and calorie-counts posted on fast food menus? Unless you are eating grass-fed antibiotic-free meat, you are eating animals fed hormones and antibiotics that do who-knows what to your immune system. Our fruits and veggies are sprayed with pesticides, especially if they come from other countries where pesticide regulations are lax. Thank God Michele Obama's mission is to fight childhood obesity. Perhaps a more nutritionally educated generation will considerably reduce our kids health care costs. We all need to take more personal responsibility when it comes to our health care.
Capt Deb
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I agree with you Jim ... I think things will be worse all around and that care quality and accessibility going down ... I fear that as time goes by more and more people will find themselves in situations like mine where they can't afford to pay for needed medical care ... if the government would help find a way to better regulate the insurance companies and somehow standardize medical charges so that one place didn't charge $1200 for an MRI and another using same type machine charge $4000 ... $600 to walk in an ER is ridiculous ... $8 for 4 onces of peroxide , $20 for a syringe to use to inject lidocane at $89 for the medicine ... I have a bottle we use with the cows that was $19 for 25 doses ... then the hospital tells me that I had to pay this much because of people who can't or don't pay their bill ... it has to be made up somewhere ...
I bet most of you know of circumstances where people are abusing systems in place to get out of paying for medical care ... like a family I know where the parents are not married , he is making about $10,000 more a year than we do but they have a court ordered child support order in effect and it is paid into her account and she only works part time and he is not required to have the kids on his insurance ... they had their kids and the state paid for it all ... the mom and kids are all on Tenn Care and have $10 office visits , $50 dollar ER visits , tests like MRIs and CT scans run from $75 -$150 ... and they brag about it ... and they get food stamps , free lunches , weekly ?Help Center boxes with food , TP , soap ect ... but they are within "legal boundaries" and so get by with it ... I wonder if when all is in effect if Tenn Care will go away as many have said it will and they will be required to buy insurance through the government plan ... I hope so ... and I wish that something could be done to close loopholes that allow people to pull scams like this and simply because they are not married and technically as in this case where all her income is from her part time job and child support , that they can free load off the government programs that are meant to help those in real need ... but this is not an isolated case and has been going on forever ... generations of families that are raised on the welfare system and think it is the way to go ...
some of us were talking at school the other day about the Bill and about several cases like this ...everyone present at our lunch time gab fest think things will get worse long before getting better ...
I think I need to stay away from this thread ...not that anything is wrong with it being here ... I don't see it as political but as all of use sharing problems and issues and fears for what is happening with us in regards to insurance and what will happen in coming years ...need to say away from it because it gives me a headache and stomach ache and I can't treat them
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Soundy ~
I'm sorry if seeing these health care issues upset you but I can understand why they would. You raise a good point regarding abuse of 'the system'. I agree that there is currently massive fraud in all the 'public' health care programs and I doubt that will change much, although I believe the individual state programs will be 'absorbed' into the one gigantic federal health care program. I contend that having a federalized, gargantuan-sized health care program will definitely encourage fraud, just as it does now only on a greater scale, which will increase costs and inevitably reduce services and raise taxes. As I stated, I believe we'll get less health care, wait longer for it, pay more for it and for folks like me (over 65) likely be refused any procedure that is considered 'drastic' or is just too expensive, such as heart/lung transplants and other dramatic, life-saving procedures because they'll be considered 'cost-prohibitive' and 'not a prudent utilization of available resources'. There will be no appeal - and that will be that. Grim. I'm not even sure younger people will be able to get transplants and the like, but it's too soon to predict with any certainty.
It's true that hospitals charge outrageous prices for every little thing because so many indigent people use their services and they have to make up the lost revenue by charging insurance companies (and uninsured individuals) much higher prices. As Deb noted in her post, Americans have become relatively unhealthy in some respects, much of it due to overweight. This overburdens the health care system, too. As you can see, it's a complex issue and it took many years to get where we are, today. Unfortunately, I think we're going to go from bad to worse in terms of the quality and availability of our health care. The linkage of employment to medical insurance and the proliferation of state and federal health care programs have all contributed to the problem. As you mentioned in your post, a sense of 'entitlement' with some segments of the population is also a factor in the problems with our heath care system. Those folks are stealing from the taxpayers and, to my regret, don't see anything wrong with that...because they don't see themselves stealing from people, but the amorphous 'government'. This makes dishonesty easy - for some. Unfortunately, I suspect that those looking for 'loopholes' to exploit in the new government-run health care plan will inevitably find them and this is yet another reason why it will rapidly outrun the optimistic cost projections (one trillion dollars over ten years) and end up costing many times that amount with more taxes added every year as services are either discontinued or we're forced to wait a long time for needed services. Not a bright outlook but one that I see as realistic, and I'm not happy about it.
I also disagree with the way this plan was rammed through congress but it's the law, now, so I'll have to allow my previous posts (last winter) to suffice as a testament to my opposition. That every American will be required, by law, to purchase medical insurance is also a sticking point with me and is being challenged by 20 state Attorney General offices as unconstitutional, so we'll see how that works out. Many (37) states are also rejecting 'Obamacare'. Simply put: You and I and most Americans wanted the U.S. health care system reformed, definitely, but not what they got, which is, under any other name 'socialized medicine' with it's attendant costs, restrictions and, at it's core, a government bureaucracy determining our level of health care while taxing us for it (at a high rate) , whether we get what we need, or not. That doesn't sit well with most Americans. It isn't, as you realize, just 'politics' and one 'side' being against what the 'other side' does. This is a serious issue that can and likely will have serious ramifications for all Americans. Depending on the November congressional election results, 'ObamaCare' could be repealed. That remains to be seen, but if it happens, I won't mind a bit. However, the current way we pay for our health care has to be reformed but using reason and logic, not used as a wedge to usurp people's freedoms by inserting the government into our health care decisions, which is where this is rapidly headed. The next few months should give an indication of what we'll see in our health care future by next year.
Thanks for your input Soundy and, like you, I'm about ready to abandon this thread because I believe I've made my opinion known and repeating it just bores people - and won't change anything.
Jim
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It seems that no one on this thread has addressed the fact that many of the diseases and conditions which are breaking the back of the health care system are entirely preventable!!! Heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer are all linked to obesity and/or smoking. I was out at docs appt and then to lunch with hubby and noticed it was hard to find a normal-sized person in any crowd we were in. We are bombarded with unhealthy food advertisements and our grocery store shelves are stocked with fat and calorie-laden crap. Why aren't the fat and calorie-counts posted on fast food menus? Unless you are eating grass-fed antibiotic-free meat, you are eating animals fed hormones and antibiotics that do who-knows what to your immune system. Our fruits and veggies are sprayed with pesticides, especially if they come from other countries where pesticide regulations are lax. Thank God Michele Obama's mission is to fight childhood obesity. Perhaps a more nutritionally educated generation will considerably reduce our kids health care costs. We all need to take more personal responsibility when it comes to our health care.
Capt Deb
Yes I definitely agree with fighting childhood obesity but I do not think it is totally the unhealthy food advertisements I was brought up on everything that was bad for you and I am in my late 50's and when I was young we were always out biking, skates, playing ball remember all the childhood games that were played outdoors and was never obese. The children now have 2 income families and are constantly on the computer, X-box, hand held games and every other sedentary modern technical games that are out there and is not helping the situation either. Thank goodness for the WII but how many children are really playing with that game I know first hand from my gandson and the video games that he is glued to the game and the T.V.
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Childhood obesity is so sad...
We were never allowed to have video games when I was a kid, and we didn't come in the house when it was nice out unless we had to get a drink, eat lunch or dinner, or if the street lights came on (which was usually the cue that it was time to come in for the night). We also weren't allowed to have soda or sugary drinks, or fast food. To this day fast food grosses me out and it should be outlawed to eat a burger from McDonald's period, disgusting (just my opinion).
When we had treats is was only after we ate all our dinner and even then it was 2 oreos, not half the bag. I believe its partly in the way you are raised, I don't care if both parents work, there need to be rules around food. Thankfully my parents instilled in me good eating habits and the importance of exercise, but today parents don't seem to care as much or don't take the time to care.
Another problem is that today kids are not allowed to go a 1/2 mile away to play in the woods, parents are paranoid and they have every right to be. Depending on where they live kids don't have the opportunity to play baseball in the street or go out for hours climbing trees or dodge ball. Its a shame, but this is the world we live in and technology has taken over partly out of necessity.
Just my 2 cents,
Liz
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Liz ~
Thanks for your input on the U.S. childhood obesity problem. Your '2 cents' offered us a good post with valid observations.
With a third of all American children considered obese (weight 10% higher than recommended for their height/age) the problem is growing (pardon the inadvertent pun). Although I think the standard for measuring childhood obesity is a bit high (a normally 60-pound child weighing 67 pounds isn't 'obese') the problem is real. I believe the causes for childhood obesity are myriad and certainly include the lack of kids simply being allowed to be kids. Parental fear of 'strangers' doing bad things to unattended children is one reason you don't see a lot of kids riding bikes all over town, as I did when I was a child, with no worries about molesters and murderers hiding in the bushes (this was the 1950's). Sadly, that era is long gone.
To be honest, as a child, I ate a lot of junk food (my parents were decidedly indulgent and hardly health-conscious) but I had a high metabolic rate and was very active so I never got fat. My younger sister was the same way. Unfortunately, eating a lot of candy and drinking then-surgery soda resulted in many hours spent in the dentist's chair having cavities filled. Fortunately, my parents sent me to the dentist every six months so I never had any big dental issues.
Today, as you noted, Liz, technology is the central focus of most kid's play, whether we like it or not. My (now adult) son, who grew up in the 1980's and 1990's, was a whiz at computer games and still plays them with friends on his wide-screen TV. However, my niece runs a popular dance school and always has a lot of kids taking lessons and even competing. The 'soccer mom' is practically an institution in America so the mom's kids must be playing a lot of soccer, which is fairly strenuous - and healthy. I believe that the majority of American families are relatively active and eating 'fast food' is not the norm for dinner. Fortunately, 'fast food' didn't exist when I was a kid. The first McDonald's didn't open in my area until I was 16 (in 1959), and it was considered second-rate because then, there was no dining area. You had to eat your 'fast food' in the car, which seemed a bit crude to folks used to the malt shop and later, the ubiquitous 'diner', which, even now, I still like to frequent. However, I've eaten many times at 'fast food' places but I don't make it a habit. They long since ceased to be economical and I'm well aware of their fat and calorie content, so I avoid them. I've noticed that many public playgrounds have had to eliminate the swings, see-saw, 'monkey bars' and most everything else due to the potential for parental lawsuits if a child injures themselves, playing. Another sad reality of the era we live in.
Another sad reality I've observed that it's mostly - but certainly not exclusively - low-income families that eat a lot of 'junk food'. The obesity rate is probably higher in poorer neighborhoods because some foods that are relatively cheap are also quite fattening and 'fast food' is also easier to buy than cooking a real meal. I suspect that reality may be part of the impetus for the First Lady, Michelle Obama, to champion the reduction of childhood obesity in America. It's certainly a worthy cause that everyone can support. I do.
Jim
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Back to ObamaCare. I made the mistake of saying Medicare instead of Medicaid. As far as the $2000 allowed in your bank account. Sorry.
In the end what is the hard facts?
Medicaid as it is. Will take care of ANYONE. But you MUST GO BROKE if you get sick and DO NOT have insurance. Its only for the needy.
Obamacare is about NOT GOING BROKE and controls on the medical health and care of EVERYONE. Including Bill Gates.
The last 6 months is the most costly of a persons life on average. Its a huge $$$ number. But no one really knows when they will die.
As it was before Obamacare. Medicare is paying that last 6 months. Throw in fraud and abuse of the system. And its already broke.
When its your Mother or Father and its near the end. You going to pull the plug? Insurance company will because they have a limit on claims amount of your lifetime. But it will pay out till that number is reached.
I wonder what the wonderful compassionate cushy government job human is going to do about it?
My answer is to keep Medicaid were you go BROKE if you need it and don't have insurance and get real about prison time for abuse and fraud. Or let the states do their own things (I like this). And let Cali and NH go socialist and everyone that likes that can move there.
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this thread still lives? ::)
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Liz ~
Thanks for your input on the U.S. childhood obesity problem. Your '2 cents' offered us a good post with valid observations.
Another sad reality I've observed that it's mostly - but certainly not exclusively - low-income families that eat a lot of 'junk food'. The obesity rate is probably higher in poorer neighborhoods because some foods that are relatively cheap are also quite fattening and 'fast food' is also easier to buy than cooking a real meal. I suspect that reality may be part of the impetus for the First Lady, Michelle Obama, to champion the reduction of childhood obesity in America. It's certainly a worthy cause that everyone can support. I do.
Jim
Thanks Jim! I totally agree with you, healthy food can most certainly more expensive and it can be hard to feed a family healthy alternatives. Michelle Obama is at least bringing this issue out into the open, and feeding kids healthy food at school is a great start. I could never understand why we had soda vending machines in our school?
I am worried about Obamacare, but I don't think we are going to have much of a choice, especially if he is elected to a second term. I don't claim to be any sort of a political savvy person and I don't sit in either wing as I like to make my own choices regarding my stance on a subject, but I think the only way around ObamaCare is to get someone in office who can cut the funding to the program and shut it down. I do believe that we need a healthcare system that allows everyone to have care, but it needs to be one that will work, not one that from the get go was set up to fail.
We shall see where this goes....
Liz