Speak now
Chuck Torres - Olpe
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
IT IS TIME for the American people to step up and make their voice heard in the debate on health care reform. We can’t fall for the horror stories again. Our health-care system is broken and needs to be fixed. Now is the time. It can’t wait any longer.
It is not just about the uninsured. It is also about the underinsured and those with insurance who are delaying their health care needs because of high deductibles and the failing economy. It is about companies, large and small who are struggling to provide health care to their employees.
Of course, the health insurance industry and the Republicans and so-called Blue Dog Democrats in their right pocket, are conjuring up the boogeyman once again. They don’t want to compete with a public health care plan that would cut into their profits and force them to redevelop their policies. Those Americans and businesses who don’t believe in government run health care don’t need to choose the plan. They can stay with the same health care plan that has been gouging them.
Providing health care to more Americans will help the economy. Those that provide health care will not have to raise their costs to make up for those that can’t afford to pay. Americans with insurance already pay for those who don’t.
The burden on businesses will ease, allowing them to consider adding staff. The economy will improve in the long run.
We have to start somewhere. Contact your senators and congressman and tell them that working Americans want the same coverage that we provide for them. Yes, we pay for their health insurance. Unless, they believe it is their privledge to have better care than the people they represent.
And we, the American people, need to do our part by embracing health care prevention and taking personal responsibilty for making the lifestyle changes that will improve health. Citizens need to become informed and aware of the issues. Decisions this important, should not be left in the hands of the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. No one has a higher stake in our health care than we, the people.
Chuck Torres
Olpe
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
If we took care of this:
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/a...
And took care of Tort reform........ it would go a long ways towards fixing the problem. Maybe then what was left would be something both sides could agree on and come up with a solution that wouldn't bankrupt the country any more than we already are.
But it seems kindof pointless to complain about all the clothes you have out on the clothesline continuously getting wet, and arguing about how to dry them, and how much $$ it will cost........ when just turning off the d**n lawn sprinkler right next to them would help tremendously.......
August 19, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
allintogether (anonymous) says...
I want to start this rant with this caveat. I am in no way in favor of insurance company business practices. They went from shared risk to the risk is all on the patient. I agree that insurers need to be regulated. I do not agree that government has a role or mandate to exceed their constitutional restraints.
Now.
I refuse to work my tail off and pay my taxes so that someone who does not contribute anything to the system can exist off of my labor. If they are that bad off they can apply for Medicare and Medicaid and break that dinosaur faster. I am all out of "have not" guilt. The worst thing you can do to someone is prop them up and have no expectations of them what so ever.
You want to pay for someone's healthcare who doesn't have the discipline to handle adult life and indulges in risky behavior? Pay for a person who eats too much and doesn't exercise enough? Pay for a person who smokes 3 packs a day? Engages in risky sexual behavior? We live in a world of consequences. I recognize that and do what I can to minimize my risk. Others almost beg to be hit by the truck that IS coming.
I am a compassionate person if a person is trying to improve their situation. If they are content to accept a level of existence then I say let them exist. Our government has set up a system where people become dependent on the government and they become content to live that way and even bring more recipients into the world because they were encouraged to do so. Obamacare is just another brick in the wall for more people to become dependent. Another concession to the zero liability voter. Whatever happened to tough love? The way out of poverty is education and acquisition of marketable skills. Fully fund public education for 50 years and then we will see about letting them mess with healthcare.
If I can't provide for children, I don't have any. If I can't afford something, I don't buy it. If I see something I want I work for it. I will have a tag on my toe before I ask someone else to pay my way. I wish the proponents of the government option felt that way.
August 19, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dale011 (anonymous) says...
Maybe we just need to put everyone on medicare or medicade and be done with it. The issue of paying for it remains though and no matter what side of this arguement you're on, you are putting out information that is either mistaken or intentionallly wrong. Make no mistake, someone will have to pick up the bill, and care will be rationed. Beyond that don't believe anything anyone tells you.
August 19, 2009 at 4:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Chuck,all thinking people agree there are great changes that are wanted and needed, but not the 1000 pg bill those @@##!@@ elected @@@@!##@!@ tried to slip by us.Cant wait for the 2010 elections, the masses are MAD AND AWAKE.
August 19, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BigRed (anonymous) says...
I would like to see some changes mandated: insurers cannot claim pre-existing condition; a limited number of approved healthcare policies that all insurers would have to adopt, either mandate that every American be insured or allow healthcare facilities to refuse treatment to non-insured people who cannot prove ability to pay.
Anyone want to add to the list?
August 19, 2009 at 4:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
BigRed, see my earlier post at 3:32pm
August 19, 2009 at 4:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/obam...
August 19, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoehorn (anonymous) says...
I would like to see "open borders" on insurance providers, and the ability to pick and choose what coverage and deductibles you want, similar to car insurance. I believe tort reform is import. I would also monitor billing to ensure that if relief on lawsuits is given, that there is a reflection of that in the charges from health care providers. Those leaning to the left believe that a family is no longer made up of a mother, father and children.They believe that a family is simply a collection of loving individuals. Perhaps they would be willing to intigrate those without any type of insurance into their family?
August 19, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoehorn (anonymous) says...
from a quick search
www.costhelper.com
For patients without health insurance, a total hip replacement usually will cost between $31,839 and $44,816, with an average cost of $39,299, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. However, some medical facilities offer uninsured discounts. At the Kapiolani Medical Center in Aiea, Hawaii, where the full price is about $33,000, an uninsured patient would pay a discounted rate of $20,212 to $23,581.
Hip replacement surgery usually is covered by health insurance, according to DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company and major manufacturer of orthopaedic devices. And, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, any necessary surgery, including hip replacement, would be covered, unless it is experimental or covered in a specific exclusion.
Patients with health insurance typically pay out-of-pocket expenses up to several thousand dollars, or their out-of-pocket maximum. For example, at Dartmought-Hitchcock Medical Center, a Medicare patient could pay up to $3,957, including deductibles and coinsurance. And a patient with health insurance that has a typical 20 percent co-pay for surgeries and a $3,000 out-of-pocket maximum would pay the full $3,000 at DHMC.
August 19, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoehorn (anonymous) says...
If I seek insurance on my car, the agent wants to look at the car to see if there is any prior damage. They also look at my driving record to determine their risk.On my life insurance, there is a probationary period excluding pre-existing conditions leading to death, and they require a physical exam to determine their risk. Why does anyone think health insurance should be any different regarding pre-existing conditions and lifestyle?
August 19, 2009 at 5:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoehorn (anonymous) says...
I have a 1979 pickup that I bought for $500.00. Do you know where I can get full coverage, cheap? What pre-existing damage?
August 19, 2009 at 6:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoehorn (anonymous) says...
I'm betting that you got full coverage w/ $50.00 deductible? Who is your agent?!
August 19, 2009 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Comparing people to cars now are we? Poor comparison, cars feel no pain and do not have an average life expectancy of over 70 years. Right or Left, this is common sense issue, tell me Observation, if you were to get cancer, then get dropped by your insurance company, or lose your job and obtain another provider, and anything related to this was pre-existing, you know what would happen? You would be be broke, likely in need of welfare, and your right back where we started, tax payers picking up your tab, or buy your analogy lets just take you to the junkyard and end your misery. Great plan, except I think there are a few people with assault rifles that will disagree with you.
PS. If Government was such a problem during the Reagan era then why did he run up our deficit while trying to shrink it? Again, left right, does not take any partisanship to figure it out. Facts are facts.
August 19, 2009 at 6:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChrisBatchman (anonymous) says...
Open_eyes, great comment! Since my days as a bagger at Dillons I have hated the WIC program. Not because I hate women, infants and children, but because people are irresponsible about bringing children into this world without a thought of how they're going to take care of them. A while back when my wife and I had our second child, they asked if we wanted to apply for WIC, and of course I said no, and added that I probably make too much to qualify. They asked me how much, I told them, and they agreed that I did in fact make too much. So now I'm paying for others to have WIC, but can't "enjoy" the benefits of it myself...of how I love government programs...paid for by the many, but only benefit the few who don't pay for it. The only people that I feel sorry for and am willing to help, are those that want to help themselves without government assistance. Have you looked inside any of these people's houses who live on welfare or receive foodstamps? How many own a big screen TV? How many have cable or satellite? How many own a car? Is it really that bad for them? Wow, makes me want to quit my job so I can sit at home and enjoy TV? The reason I don't is I have a family to take care of, an example to set for my kids. I will not mooch off of someone else, when I cannot take care of myself. I will make ends meet if it requires sacrifice. Healthcare is just another of those sacrifices that must be made. If you want to see the Dr when you're sick, maybe it's worth not having that PS3 or the cable TV. Heck, you can get a library card for free and use the internet there if it's that important. People need to stop looking around and trying to one-up their neighbor, and concentrate on taking care of their own.
August 19, 2009 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
I just think it's rather ironic that President Obama talks about cutting out needless and wasteful spending in health care which is driving up costs ................. right after passing the greatest porkulus bill in the recorded history of the human race..........
Politics makes me dizzy alot.
August 19, 2009 at 8:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoehorn (anonymous) says...
Posted by goodoleboy (anonymous) on August 19, 2009 at 6:37 p.m.
"You would be be broke, likely in need of welfare, and your right back where we started, tax payers picking up your tab, or buy your analogy lets just take you to the junkyard and end your misery"
This sounds more like Obamacare lol
August 19, 2009 at 8:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jcook66801 (anonymous) says...
Any of you among the Detroit Deisel 34? I wonder how they feel about health care, WIC and assistance programs? Seems to me that I'd be worried if I were one of them.
August 19, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Am I wrong in thinking that by some comments that have been made by some people about medicare, that people believe that medicare is free and costs nothing to be on medicare ?
August 19, 2009 at 9:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (Dale Linn) says...
Well, I've got to get on her before I go to bed. Have you heard the song "Obamanation"? It's by maybe, Ed Montana? I guess I could send it to you if you want. drlinn@sbcglobal.net
August 19, 2009 at 10:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
This is one area I think they need to concentrate on, for the DD34, for instance. In the much-ballyhood, twisted, spun and misrepresented 47 million number commonly thrown around, it includes everyone who is without insurance at any time during the year, and the average for them is 4 months. I am going to assume that many of that number are because they are between jobs. And this is one area I think the government should work on - plug the gaps and fill the holes in areas like this - make sure there is some extended and affordable insurance for people between jobs. Why can't they work on fixing or supplementing things like that instead of trying to monkey wrench everything else?
August 19, 2009 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
dalelinn, I certainly hope you meant to get on "here" before you go to bed. TOO much information about your private life..... LOLOLOLOLOL
August 19, 2009 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalelinn (Dale Linn) says...
Please don't turn me in to the .gov website, please.
August 19, 2009 at 10:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
My question is how in the world are we going to pay for all these grandiose programs? Even before Obama was sworn in, unfunded federal liabilities had blown past $500,000 per U.S. family of four. RON PAUL, recently wrote, the trillions of dollars created to bail out banks in just the past six months have added the equivalent of a whole new federal establishment to Uncle Sam's bloated obligations. Obama's new spending obligations stagger the imagination, amounting to more spending than the socialistic New Deal, more spending than the Korean War, more spending than the 1980s saving and loan bailout, more spending than the entire Iraq War. Taxpayers are now in debt to the tune of $12,8 trillion. These bailouts now amount to 90% of the gross domestic product. At the same time, the Fed will not disclose who has been on the receiving end of all its bailout dough, or what's now on its ballooning balance sheet. In recent Congressional testimony the Fed's own Inspector General admitted that she cannot account for trillions in off-balance sheet transactions and has absolutely no idea how much the secretive central bank is losing on its investments. The United States government is the tireless defender of the most gigantic Ponzi scheme ever invented and millions of Americians are holding the bag. Some monetary experts are warning that we're in the terminal stages of the world's most gigantic pyramid scheme A run on the dollar has been predicited by one Noble Prize WINNING ECONOMIST, which is already down by one-third against other world currencies since 2002. INFLATION and a catastrophic dollar collapse could change our nation forever. I THINK BY OCTOBER THERE WILL BE SOME SHOCKING NEWS AND REDDOG WARNED YOU FIRST.
August 19, 2009 at 11:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Go to You Tube-Money Masters.
August 19, 2009 at 11:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
If this health care plan is passed, there is no doubt in my mind that this will result in a financial crises, that will take down the U.S. and the U.S. dollar as the stable datum of planetary finance and in the midst of the resulting confusion, put in its place a global monetary authority. This will operate like a planetary financial control organization to make sure it will never happen again and guess who is spear heading the efforts, none other than [GEITHNER.}
August 20, 2009 at 1:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
We had all better learn to speak and understand Chinese !
August 20, 2009 at 7:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
"Reagan had to spend a little extra to bring the military back up to par after the idiot before him stripped it down to near nothing. I mean he did have the responsibility of winning the Cold War. Can't do that with peanuts."
But he wanted to shrink government, yet increased spending? But it is OK because it was the military? No, it was not all the military, but all the same, how did he pay for it? He borrowed it just the same as Obama and Bush did. The right grows government through the military and the left through social programs, guess we have to pick our poison eh?
"goodoleboy:
I won't under estimate you, if you don't under estimate me."
I don't under estimate you, I can appreciate and agree with a conservative POV, but the comparison mentioned above is poor one, would you not agree?
August 20, 2009 at 7:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
shoehorn:
"Posted by goodoleboy (anonymous) on August 19, 2009 at 6:37 p.m.
"You would be be broke, likely in need of welfare, and your right back where we started, tax payers picking up your tab, or buy your analogy lets just take you to the junkyard and end your misery"
This sounds more like Obamacare lol"
No No No, they yanked out all the end of life provisions in the bill, so it sounds exactly like what we have now, maybe we could enact "Cash for the Elderly" so the next generation can get back a little of that generational theft going on, aww shucks, too late, social security was already accomplishing generational theft.
August 20, 2009 at 7:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
The folks without health insurance aren't all deadbeats, and there are plenty of self employed who see their rates go up every year and are having an awful time paying their premiums. I share everyones contempt for people who want to live off the system, but don't oversimplify things by saying just bums are without insurance. I am no fan of Obama or the federal government, but insurance companies have never done anything to make me love them either.
August 20, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
"I mean he did have the responsibility of winning the Cold War."
Is the Cold War over? It's hard to tell these days. I know the Soviet Union collapsed but I don't think we're out of the woods yet.
August 20, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
"Cold War II, The Battle Within" Destroying a country near you.
August 20, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
open_eyes (anonymous) says...
Now that Barney Frank has told the American people exactly what he thinks of them, the Dems are prepared to go it alone. I'm not sure the "Party of No" label applies anymore. I think it's more the "Country of No". Agree with us, or we'll forge ahead without you and label you the "_______ of No". (Feel free to fill in the blanks with whatever you feel disagrees with the current elite).
August 20, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
moved to a forum:
http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/...
August 20, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )