July 22, 2009 - 7:29pm
I know we're not supposed to say the 'P' word here but I think this is definitely Pharmer related material.
I don't know alot about specific reform suggestions but the president's plan seems to be headed in the right direction. Lowering costs and improving care without removing choice and increasing the deficit sounds good to me. I want to hear opinions from people who know more about the plan than I do. If you don't know anything about what is proposed please save your comments and read from those who have researched it....
So to those who have some knowledge of the plan...
What are some proposals that seem beneficial to Americans with health problems?
Those that are harmful?
Any other educated comments are welcomed.
Thanks for your input...
July 22, 2009 - 8:53pm
#2
You know what they say
..."everytime a politicians lips are moving..." Obama is no exception. What he's "trying to do" SOUNDS great. Will anything change? No.
July 22, 2009 - 11:55pm
#3
A couple things in the
A couple things in the proposal that I like...
Efforts to reduce unncessary retesting, thereby decreasing the number of insurance claims processed and decreasing insurance premiums. Before my last surgery I saw a few specialists before I found one that 1) was confident he could repair my injury and 2)I felt comfortable operating on me. Each of the four insisted on doing another xray. Ok the first one yeah maybe I can understand but I already had the MRI showing exactly what was wrong. I even brought CDs with the xrays on them to different appointments and they insisted on doing the xray again. Even though it didn't cost me a penny, they billed my insurance 4 separate times. Obama made the point tonight that this drives up insurance premiums. And for people on medicare/medicaid it really takes a toll on government healthcare spending.
It is is also proposed that insurance carriers can not deny someone coverage due to a preexisting condition or drop someone when they become "too sick". For people with health problems, the thought of switching insurance can be really stressful wondering if we will even be able to. Anyone who has worried about being dropped from their insurance after getting bad news about their health can understand how this would be a great change.
Obama proposes that 2/3 of the costs would be covered by reallocating funds that are already being spent and the rest come from sources other than middle class tax increases. This is good because the huge deficit is a serious problem.
He also made the point that the cost of healthcare has increased much more than the average wage. If this doesn't stop then the number of Americans without insurance will continue to skyrocket. This growing cost of healthcare is becoming more and more of a burden on the American people and the government alike.
Something has to change...what is proposed sounds great but the cynic in me has been saying the same thing about Obama from day 1. If he really means what he says, and can find a way to make even half of it happen, he will be the best thing to happen to American politics in my lifetime...
We'll see....
July 23, 2009 - 4:59am
#4
Fear of losing insurance
I fortunately have health insurance through my job. But in the past three years, I've probaby worked 1 solid year's worth of hours. I used to receive a salary, now I get paid by the hour. I can barely make mortgage payments and if I get fired altogether I can't afford cobra. I'm an attorney and never thought this would happen to me.
The road from "too sick" to "no health insurance" could easily run through chronic pain & failed back/neck surgery.
I hope this legislation offers concrete solutions to the preexisting conditions problem, too. If I'm ever uninsured, getting insured again will be a nightmare.
July 23, 2009 - 11:05am
#5
New Mexico's Health Insurance Pool
This is what literally saved my life, a well run privately operated State Health Plan. I'll lay down the basics here because I think it might even be worth discussing as a separate topic. What say you, good friend Oneir?
The Pool is subsidized by all of the Health Insurance Companies (HICs) doing business in our state. It is open to any state resident that has been denied HI due to a pre-existing condition, had their HI cancelled and cannot obtain new insurance, if they have a letter issued by their PCP stating that they have one of the qualifying medical or health conditions. There are a few other reason's for eligibility but for the sake of brevity, this will serve. In other words, everyone is given a fair shot at HI.
Now for the cost aspect. The premium cost breakdown is as follows for a household of 2. If your total yearly income is less than $28,000 you receive a 75% reduction. Income less than $56,000 receives a 50% reduction. This means that my wife and I pay a total monthly premium of $235 for our HI at the 75% red. level. I think that this is very affordable, it puts no strain on our extremely limited budget and our income is only $16,000.
Now for the good part, the benefits. The basic policy that we are paying only $235 a month for the 2 of us is as follows. There is a $500 deductible with a further $2,000 cap on out of pocket med. expenses. Until you reach that cap there is a 20% copay, after that it is 100% full coverage. Prescription coverage begins automatically, irregardless of the deductible and the copays are $10 for all generics and 30% for brand names. We are saving at least $6,000 p/m on Rxs alone!
You folks tell me what's wrong with this 'cause I think it's great. The policy coverage is completely handled by a private carrier, BlueCross BlueShield of NM. The rates and conditions that I have quoted come directly from their literature. The coverage is more than adequate and the policy and all statements are transparent and readable . . . I hate insurance and even I can make sense of what I'm paying for!
I know that this is off topic Oneir but I didn't see much info on the Nat. Plan so I hope that this generates some more discussion on this needed thread. I've attempted twice now to generate some discussion on HI on the board to little or no avail, let's see what this does, OK? I'll edit it out if you want.
Q
July 23, 2009 - 11:21am
#6
I have read that some states
I have read that some states allow people to "buy-in" to the medicaid program. They are people who would not normally qualify for medicaid. The buy-in cost is low. This may be what Q is talking about, not sure. I read this a few years ago in the Quest magazine for people who have muscular dystrophy. I think this could help many people who need it. Take care, htmom
July 23, 2009 - 12:11pm
#7
Nope, HtMom, this is different.
Hi HtMom, long time no talk. This program is so much better than a Medicaide buyin that it's like Chevys 'n Ferraris . . . no kidding! For one thing, it's not run by the spastic morons of the Federal Govt. It's not even run by our more benefficent State Govt. It's 100% private! The only input that our NM Govt. had was to legislate it into being. The basic concept is that if these HICs want to do business in our fair "Land of Enchantment" (Which, BTW, is the 3rd poorest state per capita income.), they have to pony up some of their ill gotten gains and subsidize this program. No taxpayer $s go into it at all, just a re-distribution of the HIC's heavy profits. Also, 'cause I know someone will ask this, there has been no corresponding rise in premiums for the rest of NM's residents. It's a GREAT PLAN!
Q
PS: Can you imagine if this was to happen in a wealthy state like TX or VA? It's perfect to me 'cause I'm a fiscal conservative and I truly hate the Fed's waste of our money which is what a Nat. Health Plan would turn into under their control. This is state mandated, privately funded, and privately run.
July 23, 2009 - 7:31pm
#8
Interesting, Q. That
Interesting, Q. That basically sounds like my company insurance policy. I pay a little bit less per month which makes sense because of the age difference. Same deductible, same copay percentage of 20%, similiar policy on prescriptions. My maximium out of pocket cost is 2500$ and I'm really close to passing it so thats good.
My state (AZ) has a decent medicaid program but I don't qualify for it because my income is so huge (lol yeah right). I make a few hundred dollars per month more than is allowed. My brother, who doesn't work and is under 21 years old, even has free dental coverage. He got like 10,000$ worth of dental work for free. Didn't even pay for the prescriptions afterwards. Needless to say I am jealous.
Unfortunately my company insurance has downgraded on its coverage so my physical therapy cost went from 13$ per visit to 50$ per visit. And I'm supposed to keep going 3 times per week for another 6 months? Seriously? 150$ per week for 26 more weeks? There is no way I can afford it. So basically I'm stuck, Just going to have to let my body fail to heal correctly and deal with a lifetime of physical ailments since my insurance $@$!$# me. (sorry, I try not to swear on this site but I am really upset)
Medical costs are driving me into the ground. I make 9.75$/hour and am going to end up with about 4 or 5 thousand dollars in med expenses this year. So outrageous....
July 23, 2009 - 7:41pm
#9
Please stop
...I will go into begin to sing the praises of socialised medicine to the high heavens and start another off-topic debate. Stories like yours make my blood pressure soar. This is despicable.
oneir, you, and millions upon millions of others in this country are being run into the ground by GREED. This dosen't just apply to the medical industry, but that's another can of worms.
Without private insurance companies taking tax paying citizens to the cleaners, the whole healthcare industry would collapse.
I liken this situation to the outrageous gasoline prices in the states. If people keep paying the premiums, what incentive do the insurance companies/ government have to change anything?
July 23, 2009 - 8:35pm
#10
Yeah. No kidding. But what
Yeah. No kidding. But what are my options? I have to have insurance so paying the premiums seems necessary unless I find a way to cheat the system and get on Medicaid. That doesn't seem right to me...
Still I have to do something...
July 23, 2009 - 8:42pm
#11
Feliks, yer a pinko!
Oh well, I guess we should all be glad you're not a red, huh? In truth though, that's what I like about NM's Health Insurance Pool . . . it redistributes the outrageously fat profits of the HICs to those that have been declined coverage for pre-existing conditions and other reasons that add up to, "You're sick and we won't make any $ off of you, so too bad, we won't insure you." At the same time, it satisfies the unwashed that think it's all socialized medicine since I've still got to pay a pittance. It's truly lovely and it did save my life 'cause there's no "Quality of Life" involved in hanging around the welfare clinics. This plan allows you to pick your Dr. and everything. Every Dr. that I was seeing before I got this HI is on the voluminous preferred carer list . . . is that cool or what?
Q
July 23, 2009 - 9:50pm
#12
Awesome, Q. I pretty much
Awesome, Q. I pretty much hate you...
haha just kidding, jealous really...well except for the whole cancer thing ;)
July 24, 2009 - 1:03pm
#13
A vote for Healthcare Reform is a vote for communism.
I guess everyone is going to watch their rights just be chipped away slowly around them.
"Lowering costs and improving care without removing choice and increasing the deficit sounds good to me." said onier.
Onier you are believing the BS 'hook line and sinker'. The money for this is astronomically high and I don't want the government to get involved with my healthcare. I don't have insurance, but I am not gullible enough to believe that this is good for the country or me. Just look at Canada and other countries with government run healthcare, and then tell me why this is what us in the US want.
I don't mean to offend you Onier. This is a very complex issue.
Obama knows nothing of his own bill, and he has done nothing to explain to Americans how it will work even though he has had plenty of prime time to explain it.
Don't forget he has an admitted communist in his cabinet. The company one keeps says a lot about what one's views are.
Czars... HMMM... sounds a little Russian to me, and they were not approved by Congress. Seems like it is just a way to circumvent the Constitution and the (majority liberal Democrats) Congress.
I don't come to this site for politics. I think this should be moved to Pharmer's "General Questions Forums", if not just flat out removed. Questions like this should be asked on other sites that deal with politics.
WAKE UP AMERICA! This is not the country our founding fathers would have ever wanted. If you don't care about your rights, just keep believing anything that Obama says is true.
July 23, 2009 - 11:15pm
#14
PRETTY HEAVY
I am going to avoid this snake pit!
July 23, 2009 - 11:52pm
#15
grrrr
Wake up America is right...allgood, I could say the same to you about "taking the bait." Instead of the chum they throw to the working classes, it's dreams of caviar.
Only minutes after Obama's speech aired, special interests were running lengthy television ads bashing Canada's national heathcare. Reason: They're in a panic. Their money tree is slowly dying.
As for caring about my rights, I not only care about MY rights, but I care about oneir's right to adequate recovery from injury since he is a citizen of the wealthiest nation on earth.
Since you are one of my friends here allgood, I'm going to refrain from commenting any further on this post...I don't want to burn any bridges...
This topic will light the fuse on my crazy bomb.
July 24, 2009 - 12:50pm
#16
FeliksD
I had to say something, because no one else would. I don't want your 'crazy bomb' to go off either. LOL
Have a great Friday,
allgood
July 24, 2009 - 2:18pm
#17
National Health care
With all things governmental all figures given must be taken with a pound (not a grain) of salt. I remember when Medicare began in 1966 the cost was projected to be 9 million dollars a year, 32 years later in 1998 the cost was actually 66 Billion dollars for that year. I for one do not believe the numbers provided by the people who are trying to get this legislation passed.
Medicare has just reduced the amount paid to health care providers across the board, they have been paying less than 1/3 of the billed amounts. What they pay out for their clients is less than the cost of the services rendered in most cases. In order to keep servicing everyone the cost differences must be made up. The way that the books are balanced is by charging the private sector even greater amounts. This is the reason that private insurance costs keep increasing exponentially.
The only thing that I can suggest is that if you can imagine the health care industry being run by the same people that run the Motor Vehicle Department (Registry in some states) or the famously efficient and well run Internal Revenue Service, or Veterans Administration Hospitals.
For more info go here http://multimedia.play.it/m/audio/25288040/the-sound-off-sister-on-the-healthcare-bill.htm?pageid=56151 .
July 25, 2009 - 6:41pm
#18
Allgood, consider the context
Allgood, consider the context and entirety of my posts here. The comment you quoted does sound good, doesn't it? But my very next statement was one of inquiry, not blind support for political rhetoric. Your comment seems to assume I believe the proposals are what he says they are.
My stance on this president is that if he means what he says and can accomplish even part of it then he will really improve things. The problem is how often do presidents mean or do what they say?
The fact of the matter is that something has to change. Obama represents a change so it definitely sparks my interest. We'll see what happens...
July 26, 2009 - 1:54am
#19
oneir
Not all change is good.
July 26, 2009 - 3:20pm
#20
Ofcourse not.Thats why I said
Ofcourse not.
Thats why I said it sparks my interest, not that he is the messiah others are claiming him to be.
(edited)
yeah sorry bout the comment that got edited. I had a feeling later it wouldn't stand... 
July 27, 2009 - 12:37am
#21
Ahhhh
I love you guys all enough to keep my mouth zipped....it's killin' me though....tic-tock-tick-tock... heh heh heh
July 27, 2009 - 2:36pm
#22
Feliks, I can not understand
Feliks, I can not understand why you can't deal with anyone not agreeing with your views. You threaten to go off and say things that you will regret. These are your words. I'm an adult. I CAN have an open dialogue with people I don't agree with. You are a very bitter person. Your bully ways have turned a few people away from this site because they think everyone is like you. You complain about everything that the mods do or don't do. I make a choice to come to this wonderful site. It is a choice.
August 1, 2009 - 1:11am
#23
So I guess after being
So I guess after being exposed to the media coverage of this plan my conclusion is that we don't have enough clear and specific information about what would change or how these changes would happen. We can interpret the things that have been said about the proposals in many different ways depending on what our bias is. To those who are opposed to socialized medicine, it doesn't matter what he says: its going to sound bad for everyone. To those who are in support of it the same applies, every word will sound like a gift from heaven.
Until we know exactly how the changes are going to impact our specific healthcare experiences I think we all need to reserve our judgements about the plan.
And btw to whoever moved the thread, I did consider the placement of the topic and decided that the Chronic Pain section was more fitting than General Discussion because the initial question was about how the changes might affect Americans with health problems, in this case chronic pain. It doesn't matter much to me where it is placed but just wanted to put that out there...
Sadly I don't have too much educated input in this matter but I whole-heartedly agree with and endorse what Obama is trying to do. I'm biased though because I lack insurance and find many others in my situations which are third class citizens even though we may be making a decent wage; especially when I was employed earlier this year.
Me and my better half were watching this on Fox News just for giggles earlier, she is Democrat and I'm Independent. Funny how that channel really trys to run this and everything related to Obama into the grown. Especially Bill O'Reilly, aka "Bill-O the Clown", saying he didn't understand what Obama was talking about during the entire speach. Wish we could eliminate all the misinformation which helps to form public opion, especially for those Americans ignorant enough to accept it.