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Re: Thank you Dems for health care - Enumclaw Courier-Herald

Gina — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:16:21 -0000

Barbara,

Thank you for presenting the facts so clearly. You are absolutely correct that our current healthcare system is a mess. The Democrats are finally making a serious attempt to find a resolution to the problem. Unfortunately, Obama's attempt to find a bipartisan solution is doomed to fail, because most Republicans that remain in office are profiting nicely from the status quo and have no interest in any real change. This far-right bunch enjoys huge contributions from insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyists. Imagine what would happen to this well-oiled money train if 30% of the healthcare profits were no longer flowing into the pockets of the wealthy few. These Republicans are in an awkward position and must spin a web of confusion and outright lies to prevent uninsured Americans from receiving badly needed healthcare.

As for Jonbo's comments, they are sadly misguided. It is clear where he obtains his "news" in order to put forth such a skewed perspective. The "vast majority" of citizens opposing Obama's health care reform were the small, but well publicized far-right mob that descended upon town hall meetings in order to disrupt any attempt at reasonable debate and information sharing. There is nothing more frightening to extreme ideology than facts.

Re: Health care is not socialism - Enumclaw Courier-Herald

Gina — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:04:49 -0000

KomradCal,

Please cite your source regarding illegal aliens making up a large portion of the uninsured. Perhaps you heard it on Faux News? After reading your note, I did a bit more research and found that my numbers are sound. In fact, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (a non-partisan center, recognized for its research expertise) cites statistics for non-citizen immigrants, but these numbers are separate from the 47 million Americans. You raise a good issue though, about illegal aliens. Under our current system, illegal's cost taxpayers huge sums of money for healthcare. Do you think they are paying for visits to a primary care physician today?

I agree that young adults make up a portion of those without health care, but you cannot assume that they chose to be uninsured. Young adults get injured through recreational activities, have physical and mental health needs, and are far less likely to have jobs with health care benefits. Most young adults can not afford medical coverage. It is not a choice when you have no options available.

Our government can and should provide a health care plan. If you look at other countries, such as Canada, France, Great Britain, and Sweden (to name a few), you will find that their systems works very well. The citizens of these countries have a high opinion of their health care. However, if you listen to right-wing, conservative media sources you will hear just the opposite. You are told of long waits and shoddy care, but this is not the case. Conservatives have a vested interest in the status quo: there is a huge amount of money flowing from the bottom (you and me) up and into the pockets of the rich (CEO's of insurance and pharmaceutical groups, lobbyists, politicians on the take, etc.). Open your eyes, KomradCal – look at who and what you are fighting to protect!

As for the US debt clock, I do indeed look at it. We can thank George Bush and Co. for the massive numbers spinning out of control. When "W" took office, we had a balanced budget and surplus, but his tax-cuts for the rich, his corporate-friendly policies, and his unjustified (and illegal) war in Iraq left us reeling with a national debt increase of some $3.2 trillion dollars!

I really don't care how much a national health care plan will cost, because I am convinced that our current system will continue to cost us much, much more. I believe that we can spend our tax dollars with care and intelligence, taking money out of the hands of the greedy few and using it to provide health care to each every one of us. There is a reason why the World Health Organization ranks the US number 54 of 55 as the country with the fairest health system finance methodology. It is your opinion that we have the best health care system in the world. Why? Please cite your sources.

If you think I will waste a moment of my time crying for the private insurance companies, think again. They have one goal in mind: they want as much money from you and me as they can possibly get. If they can deny coverage for any reason, they will not hesitate to do so. If you have not yet experienced this fact, you are one of the fortunate ones. The private insurance companies have had their chance and we see what they are all about. No, Komradcal, it is time for a change – a big change!

Re: Health care is not socialism - Enumclaw Courier-Herald

Gina — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:41:22 -0000

Robert,

Thank you for presenting a well-balanced and thoughtful point of view on one of the most important issues of our time. Our society has been so indoctrinated into the religion of capitalism that anything that suggests another method is often met with hysteria. Those who benefit from our current system use scare tactics and outright lies in an attempt to derail this long-overdue effort.

As you point out, our current heath care system is primarily profit-driven. Health insurers are under constant pressure to lower costs and maximize profits. But when health care is forced into this business model the results are often inhumane. Basic health care is out-of-reach for low income families; people with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma or diabetes must pay exorbitant premiums or remain uninsured. Even those with good coverage can end up in financial ruin when a major illness or injury occurs.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, there are over 47 million US citizens without health insurance. Forbes magazine reported that many health care CEO salaries are in the millions-of-dollars range. A recent CNN report noted that 1.5 million US citizens are expected to declare bankruptcy this year; 60% of them will be due to medical bills. Most of those who file for medical bankruptcy are middle-class, well-educated homeowners.

Emergency room visits by the uninsured create huge costs that are passed along to the insured. US businesses shoulder spiraling costs, providing health care to workers while trying to compete in a global economy. Advertisers spend millions pushing specific prescription medicines. Bloomberg News reports that there are currently about 3,300 registered health care lobbyists working to influence the outcome of any reform. We can assume that the driving factor for most of them is money – not the health of our nation.

A national not-for-profit health care alternative will address the issues noted above. No American should be denied the chance to live a healthy life. We must all push aside irrational fears, educate ourselves with solid facts, and step up and do the right thing.

Gina

Re: Health care needs a checkup - Enumclaw Courier-Herald

Gina — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:27:24 -0000

I think that health care reform is one of the most important issues of our time. Our society has been so indoctrinated into the religion of capitalism that anything that suggests another method is often met with hysteria. Those who benefit from our current system use scare tactics and outright lies in an attempt to derail this long-overdue effort.

Our current heath care system is primarily profit-driven. Health insurers are under constant pressure to lower costs and maximize profits. But when health care is forced into this business model the results are often inhumane. Basic health care is out-of-reach for low income families; people with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma or diabetes must pay exorbitant premiums or remain uninsured. Even those with good coverage can end up in financial ruin when a major illness or injury occurs.

Gina, Enumclaw