What about the 47 million uninsured???

November 26, 2007 | General, Healthcare Debate

I was trying to decide on what to write about for my post here today and I was originally going to go through each presidential candidate’s plans for healthcare reform.  Well, as you might have expected, that became quite a colossal task to read through. 

 

One common concern among the candidates, which was mentioned over and over again, was the 47 million people that are un-insured.  I have a few questions that maybe you can help me answer…

 

1. Where did they get this number and who are these people that are not insured?

2. If they are un-insured, are they destined to die soon because they do not have health insurance?  I mean, both sides make it sound as if it is a life threatening situation.  Are we just waiting for these people to kick the bucket?

3. Do all these people need health insurance? 
 

There were many years I myself, did not have health insurance, simply because I did not need it.  We all have that fear that if something were to happen we would not get care.  That is an out and out lie.  The federal law states that no one can be turned away from health care – whether they have insurance, money or not.   So the problem is, according to the politicians, we have 47 million people without health insurance.  Does that mean they cannot receive health care?  The answer is no.  They are able to still get health care.  So now the question becomes how?  How does one get health care if they do not have health insurance?  Here is a website that may help:  http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc

 

In my own past experience, I have found a lot of these places will help with payment plans or sometimes they might even write off a situation.  The fact is most organizations will help in some way shape or form.  You may have to do some foot work, but is possible to get help.

There are also organizations out there that will help finance or pay for surgery or life threatening operations.  This is mostly taken care of through donations.  I also think there are avenues that have not been pursued fully to have to resort to a universal system. 
 

Think about the money raised during 9/11, or even during Hurricane Katrina.   Hospitals, before they were taken over by private business, were once run by religious organizations and funded through donations.

 

The fact is we do not have a perfect health care system, but it is one of the best in the world.   We think a free system may solve the problems, but there are many problems that arise by trying to have a government run universal health care system.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Politics and Healthcare: A Marriage made in Heaven or An Unavoidable Disaster

November 13, 2007 | General

As we approach the next Presidential election we will be faced with a myriad of topics that each candidate will take a stance on, some more than one stance.  Second only to Iraq, healthcare seems to be the main issue of the American people.  The question we have to ask ourselves is whether we want over involvement by the government in a universal healthcare system?  If we keep it private what will keep rising insurance and medical costs from their exponential growth?

There are pros and cons to both sides of the story and when you look at each candidate’s healthcare reform policy you can see that their versions have changed slightly from the previous.  This is a good thing.  We don’t want a healthcare policy derived from the beliefs of the candidates; we want one that resonates with each of us.  Whether you are a democrat or republican, or neither for that matter, the country needs constant scrutiny in an area of our society that requires an identity.  

There is one thing that is constant and that is change.  If we do our own part and question our leaders then maybe, just maybe we’ll get a policy that benefits the majority.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Here’s a thought… help the insured!

November 1, 2007 | General

Just once I would like to hear politicians address how they can help the insured, rather than the uninsured population.  Several years ago I read an article about a woman who needed a kidney transplant.  She was a working, taxpaying and insured single mother who was earning more than 200% above the poverty level.  The only catch was that her insurance did not cover kidney transplants.  At the same time there was a young girl visiting from Mexico who was hospitalized with renal failure.  This young girl also needed a kidney transplant but had no insurance.    The child’s parents did not work or pay taxes in this country but they did not have to absorb any of the medical costs.  Because she was uninsured she  qualified for a kidney tranpslant through the State’s Medicaid program.  Unfortunately for the single mother, she did not qualify for Medicaid because she worked, paid taxes, was covered by insurance, and made a little too much money.   There is no justice when we continually use tax dollars to fund programs for non- taxpaying individuals and families, but do not extend the same benefits to those that make the funding possible.

Your thoughts???

Popularity: 17% [?]