Hi Bloggers!!
If you have been keeping up with health care news, then you would know that a few days ago the Senate Finance Committee voted to pass a health care reform bill. This means that Senate is headed in the right direction for health care reform. The bill is far from perfect, but it indicates that America is getting closer to a health care reform. Those who oppose this bill have opposition due mainly to the price tag of this bill. The bill that was passed will cost an estimated $829 billion, and it will cut the deficit by $ 81 billion over the next decade, but at the same time this bill would provide health coverage to over the 29 million Americans who are currently uninsured. Proponents of this plan are confident in its success because it will tax high-cost plans, cut Medicare spending and increase revenues from new taxes, which they proclaim will offset the costs of covering more people. According to freep.com, this bill is expected to face delay. Congress is still waiting on the House to move its health care reform bill, and once it does the House and Senate will have to pass bills back and forth until common grounds can be met. The House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi says, “We are on track, and I am hopeful that we will have a bill by Thanksgiving.” Many others say we shouldn’t expect a bill until sometime around Christmas.
I would like to know how you feel about the Senate Finance Committee passing a health care reform bill. Do you think that we are getting closer to much needed health care reform? Or, do you think it will be a while before we see reform?
Please leave your comments. Your opinions are greatly valued. Thanks.
http://www.freep.com/article/20091019/NEWS15/910190318/1001/NEWS/Health-care-reform-bill-delay-is-likely
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/10/16/the-doctor-is-in-senate-health-care-reform-bill-is-a-step-in-th/
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Comparing Health Care
Hello Bloggers,
Have you ever went to the doctor’s office and had to wait for hours although you had a “scheduled appointment”? Or, have you ever been charged a ridiculous amount of money for a basic procedure such as, a check-up? The United States has one of the worst health care policies when compared to other wealthy nations. Not surprisingly, it is due to the lack of a public run health care program. This blog will compare the United States current health care policy with that of other countries.
In recent studies done about health care, the United States ranked last among other nations who have public health care options. This study was based on access to health care, patient safety, timeliness of care, efficiency and equity. In the study conducted Britain ranked top followed by Germany. Britain’s health care policy is ran and funded by the government. Tax dollars are used to pay for doctor visits. All appointments and treatments are free to the patient (although paid with taxpayer’s money), as are most prescription drugs. The maximum cost of drugs in Britain averages around $12. The NHS (Britain’s health care program) came into effect in 1948, following World War II. The citizens of Britain have a higher life expectancy and a lower infant mortality rate than the United States. Britain accomplishes this all while spending relatively less on health care than the United States. On average Britain spends $2,500 per person on health, while the United States spends about $6,000 per person. The U.S outperforms Britain in some aspects, though. The United States has a lower cancer-mortality rate than Britain.
With these statistics, why should we question switching to a government-ran health care program? I believe the benefits of public health care outweigh the risks.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1916570,00.html
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/15/1198
Have you ever went to the doctor’s office and had to wait for hours although you had a “scheduled appointment”? Or, have you ever been charged a ridiculous amount of money for a basic procedure such as, a check-up? The United States has one of the worst health care policies when compared to other wealthy nations. Not surprisingly, it is due to the lack of a public run health care program. This blog will compare the United States current health care policy with that of other countries.
In recent studies done about health care, the United States ranked last among other nations who have public health care options. This study was based on access to health care, patient safety, timeliness of care, efficiency and equity. In the study conducted Britain ranked top followed by Germany. Britain’s health care policy is ran and funded by the government. Tax dollars are used to pay for doctor visits. All appointments and treatments are free to the patient (although paid with taxpayer’s money), as are most prescription drugs. The maximum cost of drugs in Britain averages around $12. The NHS (Britain’s health care program) came into effect in 1948, following World War II. The citizens of Britain have a higher life expectancy and a lower infant mortality rate than the United States. Britain accomplishes this all while spending relatively less on health care than the United States. On average Britain spends $2,500 per person on health, while the United States spends about $6,000 per person. The U.S outperforms Britain in some aspects, though. The United States has a lower cancer-mortality rate than Britain.
With these statistics, why should we question switching to a government-ran health care program? I believe the benefits of public health care outweigh the risks.
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1916570,00.html
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/05/15/1198
Monday, October 12, 2009
Myths About Health Care Reform
Since I am a first time blogger, I would like to do my best at creating a blog that is unbiased. The Health Care Reform Bill stirs up controversy among both sides of the political spectrum. This blog will tackle the some of the bogus myths that have sprung up from both sides of the debate. These myths are what cause many people to like or dislike the Health Care Reform Bill.
Myth #1: The House Care Bill Mandates or Encourages Euthanasia.
Many senior citizens are concerned with the fact that health care reform will result in shorter lives. One woman from North Carolina asked the president if health care reform would require Medicare patients to meet with physicians every five years and discuss ways they would like to die. This is simply not true. Health care reform will not result in senior citizens ending their lives abruptly.
Myth #2: Americans will lose their Private Insurance.
American citizens are concerned with the fact that switching to a government ran program will cause them to lose their coverage with their current plan. This is not the truth. Americans will be allowed to keep their current plans, but they will have the option to switch to the government plan if they would like. A study that was conducted showed that many Americans would, actually, want to switch to a government plan.
Myth #3: Abortions will be funded by taxpayer money.
Under the health care plan insurance companies will have a choice to fund for an abortion but not with federal funds.
Myth #4: Americans Don’t Want a Government-Run Health Care Plan.
Republicans have constantly insisted that America is not in favor a health care plan ran by the government. When polled many Americans have said that they are in favor of a government-ran health care plan.
Myth #5: A Health Care Bill Will Bring Quick Changes.
Many Democrats make it seem that it is urgent for America to reform health care. While the need is there, the change will not come overnight. It could take up to several years for America to see a change in health care, if the bill is passed.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Intro To Healthcare
If you happen to conduct a Google search on healthcare stories for America, you shall find many heart wrenching tales of those in desperate need for health care reform in today’s society. You will find people such as, Kimberly from Memphis Tennessee. Kimberly was out walking her dog one day when she tripped and fell over a tree root. Kimberly hit the ground and then passed out, she remembers waking up and being in an emergency room. When the emergency room staff found out that Kimberly was uninsured, they left her lying helpless to recover on her own. She says, “…no one even bothered to rinse the dirt out of my wounds.” Kimberly was released from the hospital still suffering from broken bones, a swollen eye, and a plethora of bruise on her body. If you do another Google search, you may also find women like Jeanie from Las Vegas, Nevada. Jeanie was attacked and stabbed by burglars. At the time of the assault Jeanie did not have insurance. After the attack Jeanie tried to obtain insurance, but she was denied because of the collapsed lung, she suffered from during her assault, was considered a “pre-existing condition”. Healthcare reform is a major topic facing America today. I feel the need for a change in healthcare is long overdue, and all American citizens should have the right to some basic form of healthcare. President Barack Obama has implemented a plan for all citizens to gain access to public healthcare. Under this plan no one should be denied basic health needs.
This blog will address the topic of healthcare, and why I believe we should adopt a policy that will allow citizens to receive efficient health services. This is my first time actually looking at the bills and legislation that is associated with health care, but I strongly believe that there is something we can do to help our fellow American’s gain adequate health. Many Americans can simply not afford the rising cost of health; therefore, causing many to go untreated and sometimes even die because they could not afford to see a doctor for something as simple as an infection. This blog will bring to light, what I think, is the effectiveness of the plan that President Obama is endorsing. I will also expose why insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies strongly oppose health care reform. As a freshman in college, I hope that soon healthcare will be reformed because when I graduate I do not want to have the burden of not being able to afford basic medical needs placed upon my shoulders.
This blog will address the topic of healthcare, and why I believe we should adopt a policy that will allow citizens to receive efficient health services. This is my first time actually looking at the bills and legislation that is associated with health care, but I strongly believe that there is something we can do to help our fellow American’s gain adequate health. Many Americans can simply not afford the rising cost of health; therefore, causing many to go untreated and sometimes even die because they could not afford to see a doctor for something as simple as an infection. This blog will bring to light, what I think, is the effectiveness of the plan that President Obama is endorsing. I will also expose why insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies strongly oppose health care reform. As a freshman in college, I hope that soon healthcare will be reformed because when I graduate I do not want to have the burden of not being able to afford basic medical needs placed upon my shoulders.
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