My mother’s kidneys still won’t cooperate, so she is in the hospital. I have subjected her to my nursing skills for 4 days and frankly, I think she is sick of me. I’ve had to firmly insist that the doctor come INSIDE my mother’s room and talk to us instead of just writing orders (and not signing the chart) then dashing to the next patient.
Let me tell you about a huge waste that I pointed out to the nursing staff this morning:
The doctor was on the fence about giving my mother blood transfusion yesterday. Her labs were right on the bubble so he asked the nurse to take blood, cross and match her blood type and have 2 units ready. This hospital requires an arm band be placed on the patient that is receiving blood. The nurse yesterday placed the band around her arm and sent the blood sample to the lab for processing. Then, in a sudden change of plans, the doctor decided not to give her the blood. I was told, by the nurse that they had 2 units of blood waiting for her downstairs just in case. The nurse cut off the “blood” band and went about the shift.
This morning, the doctor comes in and orders 2 units of blood (I still am not 100% sure WHY he ordered the blood….i wish doctors would explain things a little better). The nurse informs me that mom will need a blood draw to type and match and get the 2 units from downstairs ( I wonder what else they keep in this mysterious downstairs area). I tell the nurse that we already had that procedure yesterday. She said that because the nurse took off that little band….they have to redo the whole cross & match test. You know me; I asked the (VERY) nice nurse- “how much does that cost?” I just pointed out to her how wasteful it was to redo the whole test, how ineffective it was to waste the time of the lab because there isn’t a chance in hell that my mom’s blood type changed in the last 24 hours. She agreed, but said that because the last nurse cut the band off, it was hospital procedure to redo the test.
I will find out how much that test cost and report in once I get the EOB for this little stay. I wonder if I can dispute that charge, since it was hospital procedure. Heck, at this point, my mother has blown through her deductible and max out of pocket, I’m sure. Of course, I still can’t get a pillow. I’m not complaining.
My mother is getting better, slowly. Her mind is beginning to focus a little more and she is steadier on her feet.
PS- I DID get permission to discuss my mother’s PHI for my blog. Of course, she was taking large doses of pain medication at the time….hope it holds up in court if she sues me.
Making jokes, so I won’t cry,
Misty B.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
If ever I thought about giving up the fight for good health care in the country, today was not that day.
Let me start my story by saying that I spend 90% of my working life providing a way for people to finance their health care dollars when they get sick. Sometimes, I become involved with the claims processing when my clients needs some help, do administrative duties, like ordering ID cards, changing beneficiaries, etc….but for the most part- I deal with healthy people making a financial decision so that when/if they do become sick…they won’t go broke to feel better.
That mouthful being said, I find myself sitting in a hospital room at midnight listening to my sick mother snore. She has been admitted for an acute infection. We spent about 4 ½ hours in the ER, not bad at all and were finally moved to a private room where we have a color TV with cable, free wireless internet, state of the art, automatic blood pressure machine, a thermometer that reads her temp in about 5 seconds, private bathroom and a nurse that checks on my mother every few hours.
What we don’t have is efficiency. We had to fill out a dozen forms (in triplicate), most of which asked for the same redundant information (name, DOB, sex, etc). Why is it that we can send a man to the moon and take video with our cell phones-posting them to facebook in seconds but we can’t store and give our medical information to the people that need it the most in seconds?
Wouldn’t it be cool if you could walk into the ER, have all of your prescriptions, doctor’s names, phone numbers (including after hours contact information), your last height, weight, past surgeries, allergies and other important medical information loaded onto a credit type card? All they would have to do is swipe the card, ask you some additional information and off we go to the land of making you feel better.
What am I missing here? Why is this so hard to get done? Who is holding up this process? The American Medical Association? Hospitals? Insurance companies? The technology IS there….Don’t you think we could save valuable minutes, avoid harmful medical procedures and eliminate waste-therefore making people feel better faster?
Is an of this in HB3200? Or any other piece of legislation that is being floated around Congress these days? I know that $90 million was included in some stimulus money to advance electronic medical records…but where, when will all of this happen?
Maybe I am just a little frustrated or tired tonight…not to mention emotionally raw from the day. It is hard to see someone you love in pain-not to mention seeing a solution so clearly in your mind to innovate an industry.
Sleeping in a hospital cot,
Misty B.
Let me start my story by saying that I spend 90% of my working life providing a way for people to finance their health care dollars when they get sick. Sometimes, I become involved with the claims processing when my clients needs some help, do administrative duties, like ordering ID cards, changing beneficiaries, etc….but for the most part- I deal with healthy people making a financial decision so that when/if they do become sick…they won’t go broke to feel better.
That mouthful being said, I find myself sitting in a hospital room at midnight listening to my sick mother snore. She has been admitted for an acute infection. We spent about 4 ½ hours in the ER, not bad at all and were finally moved to a private room where we have a color TV with cable, free wireless internet, state of the art, automatic blood pressure machine, a thermometer that reads her temp in about 5 seconds, private bathroom and a nurse that checks on my mother every few hours.
What we don’t have is efficiency. We had to fill out a dozen forms (in triplicate), most of which asked for the same redundant information (name, DOB, sex, etc). Why is it that we can send a man to the moon and take video with our cell phones-posting them to facebook in seconds but we can’t store and give our medical information to the people that need it the most in seconds?
Wouldn’t it be cool if you could walk into the ER, have all of your prescriptions, doctor’s names, phone numbers (including after hours contact information), your last height, weight, past surgeries, allergies and other important medical information loaded onto a credit type card? All they would have to do is swipe the card, ask you some additional information and off we go to the land of making you feel better.
What am I missing here? Why is this so hard to get done? Who is holding up this process? The American Medical Association? Hospitals? Insurance companies? The technology IS there….Don’t you think we could save valuable minutes, avoid harmful medical procedures and eliminate waste-therefore making people feel better faster?
Is an of this in HB3200? Or any other piece of legislation that is being floated around Congress these days? I know that $90 million was included in some stimulus money to advance electronic medical records…but where, when will all of this happen?
Maybe I am just a little frustrated or tired tonight…not to mention emotionally raw from the day. It is hard to see someone you love in pain-not to mention seeing a solution so clearly in your mind to innovate an industry.
Sleeping in a hospital cot,
Misty B.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Mr. Axelrod –
While I recognize that the insurance industry needs change of some kind, I have a hard time swallowing your health insurance pill. In none of your bullet points do you mention the COST that my new insurance will set me back. If I am going to have to pay for everyone (we will all be in one health pool, right) then that means that my premiums will increase and I will be left without a choice in what coverage meets my needs
Can you give me a price estimate on what an average 36 year old female’s monthly premiums will be?
Or, please, give me a call so I can pick your brain about what changes are needed and a better, less expensive way to solve the uninsured crisis in the U.S. today. I want to be a part of the solution, not just another thorn in the side of the administration- I just need some face time to get the facts.
I appreciate your time,
Misty Baker
512-472-6733 phone
512-476-9161 fax
512-797-3631 cell
misty@mistybaker.com
Email from Mr. David David Axelrod Senior Adviser to the President
Dear Friend, This is probably one of the longest emails I’ve ever sent, but it could be the most important. Across the country we are seeing vigorous debate about health insurance reform. Unfortunately, some of the old tactics we know so well are back — even the viral emails that fly unchecked and under the radar, spreading all sorts of lies and distortions. As President Obama said at the town hall in New Hampshire, “where we do disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that's actually been proposed.” So let’s start a chain email of our own. At the end of my email, you’ll find a lot of information about health insurance reform, distilled into 8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage, 8 common myths about reform and 8 reasons we need health insurance reform now. Right now, someone you know probably has a question about reform that could be answered by what’s below. So what are you waiting for? Forward this email.
Thanks,
David David Axelrod Senior Adviser to the President
P.S. We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on.
While I recognize that the insurance industry needs change of some kind, I have a hard time swallowing your health insurance pill. In none of your bullet points do you mention the COST that my new insurance will set me back. If I am going to have to pay for everyone (we will all be in one health pool, right) then that means that my premiums will increase and I will be left without a choice in what coverage meets my needs
Can you give me a price estimate on what an average 36 year old female’s monthly premiums will be?
Or, please, give me a call so I can pick your brain about what changes are needed and a better, less expensive way to solve the uninsured crisis in the U.S. today. I want to be a part of the solution, not just another thorn in the side of the administration- I just need some face time to get the facts.
I appreciate your time,
Misty Baker
512-472-6733 phone
512-476-9161 fax
512-797-3631 cell
misty@mistybaker.com
Email from Mr. David David Axelrod Senior Adviser to the President
Dear Friend, This is probably one of the longest emails I’ve ever sent, but it could be the most important. Across the country we are seeing vigorous debate about health insurance reform. Unfortunately, some of the old tactics we know so well are back — even the viral emails that fly unchecked and under the radar, spreading all sorts of lies and distortions. As President Obama said at the town hall in New Hampshire, “where we do disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that's actually been proposed.” So let’s start a chain email of our own. At the end of my email, you’ll find a lot of information about health insurance reform, distilled into 8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage, 8 common myths about reform and 8 reasons we need health insurance reform now. Right now, someone you know probably has a question about reform that could be answered by what’s below. So what are you waiting for? Forward this email.
Thanks,
David David Axelrod Senior Adviser to the President
P.S. We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
REFORM” OF HEALTH“CARE?” WHY I RESIGNED FROM THE AMA
By Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D. © July 21, 2009
Today I learned that the AMA has issued an “unqualified endorsement” of the House Bill for health insurance overhaul. In my opinion, the AMA has sold out doctors, and most importantly, our patients, in supporting this government take over of our most private and personal freedom – our choices about when, where, and with whom we will have medical care when we are sick.
As a protest against their support of the House Health"care" Bill, I have resigned from the AMA after nearly thirty years of membership.
Health “care” is a misnomer these days. It is more aptly called health “business” or services or insurance or policy. “Care” seems to have gone the way of the Dodo bird…every stakeholder in the game is looking out for their bottom line. Few seem to be looking out for patients. And reform? That's not accurate either. What's happening is a massive government "take-over" of all of your choices for your medical services.
In the current widespread concern about the health “care” proposals being pushed through Congress at the rate of a speeding bullet (and in my view, just as deadly), my patients have said to me over and over, “Can’t the AMA stop this government take over of our choices in medical services?" "Please write the AMA, they can help us!” Sadly, the AMA is not on the side of patients, or doctors either, for that matter when it endorses government run health care that outlaws private options. Surprisingly, only about one-third of the physicians in the United States are AMA members.
I used to think the American Medical Association, which I joined soon after graduating from medical school, was the “gold standard” of ethical guidelines for the practice of medicine dedicated to the care of patients. But the AMA as it functions now doesn’t really represent doctors or patients – it is in the business of medicine. Turns out the AMA is a gold mine, not a gold standard as I thought.
For example, one of its hugely profitable businesses is overseeing and selling the Coding Manuals doctors use to determine the insurance billing codes for procedures. It is so lucrative because they change the codes each year, and every doctor and hospital in the country has to buy new coding manuals and new computer software to use them or they can’t get reimbursements from insurance companies! The AMA wants to retain its revenues from its various businesses and data services, so it gave in and endorsed the House health “reform” bill. This “business” of medicine has co-opted the very values for which I originally joined the AMA.
I am only one doctor, and my membership fee makes little difference to such a massive organization. But the AMA endorsement of this take over of our health care system was the final straw. I no longer want to be a part of a professional group that has betrayed the people I care the most about, my patients.
Statistics from other countries with government run health systems make it clear how patients will be harmed under Washington’s draconian proposals. The House Bill clearly shows the big lie of the 2008 Democratic campaign promises: “If you like your health insurance, you can keep it.”
The 2009 House Bill specifically has a provision (see page 16) that would outlaw individual private health insurance coverage. Other proposals carry heavy financial or tax penalties for those who keep private insurance – if you can even buy it at all. The House Bill has specific language stating that no more new private policies can be written after the government plan “option” becomes law. That is a truly staggering violation of your freedom to choose your health care options for you and your family.
Most people will simply not have a “choice” about being in the “public” (meaning government run) plan. Various experts have estimated that 120 million Americans will lose their private insurance coverage as employers cut costs and send employees to the government plan that is 30-40% cheaper because taxpayers are providing the cost subsidies. Within two years, the private insurance market won’t have enough customers left to keep it alive. Another “dodo bird”…Extinct.
In order to pay for bringing more people into “free” care, Washington is already proposing 400-600 billion in further cuts for Medicare and Medicaid services. There is no way humanly possible that such massive dollar cuts can avoid causing long delays for access to care, rationing of services, and outright denial of certain treatments.
This is not just my personal opinion, nor is it hyperbole, as Democrats claim.
Rationing and denial of care are facts based on well-documented experiences of every country that has already been down this road of government controlling health insurance and access to medical services. Reams of published reports document these problems.
This House Bill will destroy excellence in American medical services as it substitutes committee decisions for private decision-making between patients and doctors.
As the government begins to further cut costs by denying and rationing medical services, we will see the outright harm to patients that British and Canadians patients have suffered for decades under their government owned health systems. Patients United Now, a grassroots patient advocacy organization, has many excellent videos of real people sharing stories about these problems.
Make no bones about it, governments always reduce costs by rationing your medical care. How? Examples from Canada and Britain abound: Bureaucrats in Canada and Britain prohibit use of new medicines that “cost too much.” Britain denies mammograms after age 70, dialysis after age 50, and Paps are only done after age 25. In Canada waits of 18-24 month for hip surgery are typical.
Even more alarming, I received this information from Arizona Congressman John Shadegg:
“Tonight, July 20th, in the Commerce Committee markup of the Democrats' Health Care bill the Democrats passionately argued against a simple amendment that would have prevented federal employees from ‘dictating how a medical provider practices medicine.’
Here is the actual text of the amendment the Democrats rejected: " (k) Construction.- Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow any federal employee or political appointee to dictate how a medical provider practices medicine." Democrats defeated this amendment! If you want your doctor to be able to practice medicine without being told how to do so by a federal employee, I urge you to get involved in this debate NOW!
Don't just communicate with your friends, family and members of Congress. Call your doctor today! Demand to know: 1) Is he or she a member of the AMA, which has come out in support of
the bill? 2) Is he or she aware that Democrats rejected this simple amendment? 3) Do they agree a federal bureaucrat should be able to tell them how to
"practice medicine?" 4) Have they spoken out in opposition to this outrageous bill? 5) Are they telling their patients they oppose the bill?”
The defeated Amendment means that the House health “care” bill will be in violation of the Hippocratic Oath every doctor takes when graduating from medical school, that says in part:
I SWEAR… that, according to my ability and judgment…I will keep this Oath and stipulation…I will follow that method of treatment which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.
In my view, it is “deleterious and mischievous” – and possibly deadly, to withhold care because a government bureaucrat has decided I cannot provide it because a person is “too old,” “too sick,” “too infirm” to be worth the cost.
Do you really want the government telling you what you can and cannot have for medical treatment if you are sick? For all its flaws, wouldn't you rather have the right to choose your doctor, your hospital, your type of treatment, and what type of health insurance best meets your needs?
Now is the time to speak out if you value your personal freedom. Contact your legislators and let them know you don’t want the government coming between you and your doctor. It may be the last chance to keep your choice.
For more information, I suggest two independent patient advocate Web sites on healthcare: http://www.joinpatientsfirst.com,%20www.patientsunitednow.com/
Today I learned that the AMA has issued an “unqualified endorsement” of the House Bill for health insurance overhaul. In my opinion, the AMA has sold out doctors, and most importantly, our patients, in supporting this government take over of our most private and personal freedom – our choices about when, where, and with whom we will have medical care when we are sick.
As a protest against their support of the House Health"care" Bill, I have resigned from the AMA after nearly thirty years of membership.
Health “care” is a misnomer these days. It is more aptly called health “business” or services or insurance or policy. “Care” seems to have gone the way of the Dodo bird…every stakeholder in the game is looking out for their bottom line. Few seem to be looking out for patients. And reform? That's not accurate either. What's happening is a massive government "take-over" of all of your choices for your medical services.
In the current widespread concern about the health “care” proposals being pushed through Congress at the rate of a speeding bullet (and in my view, just as deadly), my patients have said to me over and over, “Can’t the AMA stop this government take over of our choices in medical services?" "Please write the AMA, they can help us!” Sadly, the AMA is not on the side of patients, or doctors either, for that matter when it endorses government run health care that outlaws private options. Surprisingly, only about one-third of the physicians in the United States are AMA members.
I used to think the American Medical Association, which I joined soon after graduating from medical school, was the “gold standard” of ethical guidelines for the practice of medicine dedicated to the care of patients. But the AMA as it functions now doesn’t really represent doctors or patients – it is in the business of medicine. Turns out the AMA is a gold mine, not a gold standard as I thought.
For example, one of its hugely profitable businesses is overseeing and selling the Coding Manuals doctors use to determine the insurance billing codes for procedures. It is so lucrative because they change the codes each year, and every doctor and hospital in the country has to buy new coding manuals and new computer software to use them or they can’t get reimbursements from insurance companies! The AMA wants to retain its revenues from its various businesses and data services, so it gave in and endorsed the House health “reform” bill. This “business” of medicine has co-opted the very values for which I originally joined the AMA.
I am only one doctor, and my membership fee makes little difference to such a massive organization. But the AMA endorsement of this take over of our health care system was the final straw. I no longer want to be a part of a professional group that has betrayed the people I care the most about, my patients.
Statistics from other countries with government run health systems make it clear how patients will be harmed under Washington’s draconian proposals. The House Bill clearly shows the big lie of the 2008 Democratic campaign promises: “If you like your health insurance, you can keep it.”
The 2009 House Bill specifically has a provision (see page 16) that would outlaw individual private health insurance coverage. Other proposals carry heavy financial or tax penalties for those who keep private insurance – if you can even buy it at all. The House Bill has specific language stating that no more new private policies can be written after the government plan “option” becomes law. That is a truly staggering violation of your freedom to choose your health care options for you and your family.
Most people will simply not have a “choice” about being in the “public” (meaning government run) plan. Various experts have estimated that 120 million Americans will lose their private insurance coverage as employers cut costs and send employees to the government plan that is 30-40% cheaper because taxpayers are providing the cost subsidies. Within two years, the private insurance market won’t have enough customers left to keep it alive. Another “dodo bird”…Extinct.
In order to pay for bringing more people into “free” care, Washington is already proposing 400-600 billion in further cuts for Medicare and Medicaid services. There is no way humanly possible that such massive dollar cuts can avoid causing long delays for access to care, rationing of services, and outright denial of certain treatments.
This is not just my personal opinion, nor is it hyperbole, as Democrats claim.
Rationing and denial of care are facts based on well-documented experiences of every country that has already been down this road of government controlling health insurance and access to medical services. Reams of published reports document these problems.
This House Bill will destroy excellence in American medical services as it substitutes committee decisions for private decision-making between patients and doctors.
As the government begins to further cut costs by denying and rationing medical services, we will see the outright harm to patients that British and Canadians patients have suffered for decades under their government owned health systems. Patients United Now, a grassroots patient advocacy organization, has many excellent videos of real people sharing stories about these problems.
Make no bones about it, governments always reduce costs by rationing your medical care. How? Examples from Canada and Britain abound: Bureaucrats in Canada and Britain prohibit use of new medicines that “cost too much.” Britain denies mammograms after age 70, dialysis after age 50, and Paps are only done after age 25. In Canada waits of 18-24 month for hip surgery are typical.
Even more alarming, I received this information from Arizona Congressman John Shadegg:
“Tonight, July 20th, in the Commerce Committee markup of the Democrats' Health Care bill the Democrats passionately argued against a simple amendment that would have prevented federal employees from ‘dictating how a medical provider practices medicine.’
Here is the actual text of the amendment the Democrats rejected: " (k) Construction.- Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow any federal employee or political appointee to dictate how a medical provider practices medicine." Democrats defeated this amendment! If you want your doctor to be able to practice medicine without being told how to do so by a federal employee, I urge you to get involved in this debate NOW!
Don't just communicate with your friends, family and members of Congress. Call your doctor today! Demand to know: 1) Is he or she a member of the AMA, which has come out in support of
the bill? 2) Is he or she aware that Democrats rejected this simple amendment? 3) Do they agree a federal bureaucrat should be able to tell them how to
"practice medicine?" 4) Have they spoken out in opposition to this outrageous bill? 5) Are they telling their patients they oppose the bill?”
The defeated Amendment means that the House health “care” bill will be in violation of the Hippocratic Oath every doctor takes when graduating from medical school, that says in part:
I SWEAR… that, according to my ability and judgment…I will keep this Oath and stipulation…I will follow that method of treatment which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.
In my view, it is “deleterious and mischievous” – and possibly deadly, to withhold care because a government bureaucrat has decided I cannot provide it because a person is “too old,” “too sick,” “too infirm” to be worth the cost.
Do you really want the government telling you what you can and cannot have for medical treatment if you are sick? For all its flaws, wouldn't you rather have the right to choose your doctor, your hospital, your type of treatment, and what type of health insurance best meets your needs?
Now is the time to speak out if you value your personal freedom. Contact your legislators and let them know you don’t want the government coming between you and your doctor. It may be the last chance to keep your choice.
For more information, I suggest two independent patient advocate Web sites on healthcare: http://www.joinpatientsfirst.com,%20www.patientsunitednow.com/
White House said to have all but abandoned August deadline.
TODAY is the day to call your Congressman and Senators. Don't wait. Call them everyday and tell them to slow down on the healthcare bill. -mjb
ABC World News (7/21, story 5, 2:15, Gibson) reported last night that "White House officials have backed off their August deadline" for healthcare reform, "which they now say was a way to poke and prod Congress to act." NBC Nightly News (7/21, story 3, 1:45, Todd) also said the August deadline "is virtually gone. Expect to hear the President talk about just trying to get the committee work done by the August recess."
Likewise, McClatchy (7/22, Lightman, Douglas) reports, "Democratic leaders expressed doubts Tuesday that they can meet the deadline." Senate leader Harry Reid, for example, said, "The goal is not deadlines; the goal is comprehensive healthcare reform. Not piecemeal healthcare reform, comprehensive healthcare reform."
Rep. Jerrold Nadler said on Fox News' Your World (7/21, Cavuto), "I don't think we should be rushing this. We've only been talking about it for 60 years. I think we should be doing it. And you've got to understand about the CBO. The CBO did not say that the cost of this system would increase the deficit. They said it would be deficit-neutral. The increase in the deficit of about $239 billion over 10 years is from something that we're going to do with or without reforming the healthcare system, and that's stopping the otherwise scheduled reduction in Medicare reimbursement rate to doctors. And we're going to do that whether we pass a health bill or not. But the health bill will pay for itself."
Rep. Hoyer says lawmakers may recess before voting on health bill. Bloomberg News (7/22, Rowley, Jensen) reports that House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) "left open the possibility that House members may leave town this month without voting on healthcare legislation, saying lawmakers still need to reach a consensus." Rep. Hoyer said, "I don't think staying in session" is "necessary to continuing to work on getting consensus. ... We are continuing to talk about how to improve the bill." Roll Call (7/22, Newmyer) and The Hill (7/22, Soraghan) also cover the story.
Pelosi confident reform measure will pass. USA Today (7/22, Fritze) reports that Speaker Pelosi "said Tuesday she is confident Congress will advance an overhaul of the nation's healthcare system despite divisions within her own party and mounting opposition from outside groups over its cost." As House and Senate lawmakers "wrestle with how to pay the price of covering the nation's 46 million uninsured - more than $1 trillion in the first decade - the California Democrat told USA TODAY's editorial board that the best approach is to rely on savings rather than taxes." Pelosi said, "There's, I believe, more to be squeezed out. Many members think that there's more to be squeezed from hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and docs."
ABC World News (7/21, story 5, 2:15, Gibson) reported last night that "White House officials have backed off their August deadline" for healthcare reform, "which they now say was a way to poke and prod Congress to act." NBC Nightly News (7/21, story 3, 1:45, Todd) also said the August deadline "is virtually gone. Expect to hear the President talk about just trying to get the committee work done by the August recess."
Likewise, McClatchy (7/22, Lightman, Douglas) reports, "Democratic leaders expressed doubts Tuesday that they can meet the deadline." Senate leader Harry Reid, for example, said, "The goal is not deadlines; the goal is comprehensive healthcare reform. Not piecemeal healthcare reform, comprehensive healthcare reform."
Rep. Jerrold Nadler said on Fox News' Your World (7/21, Cavuto), "I don't think we should be rushing this. We've only been talking about it for 60 years. I think we should be doing it. And you've got to understand about the CBO. The CBO did not say that the cost of this system would increase the deficit. They said it would be deficit-neutral. The increase in the deficit of about $239 billion over 10 years is from something that we're going to do with or without reforming the healthcare system, and that's stopping the otherwise scheduled reduction in Medicare reimbursement rate to doctors. And we're going to do that whether we pass a health bill or not. But the health bill will pay for itself."
Rep. Hoyer says lawmakers may recess before voting on health bill. Bloomberg News (7/22, Rowley, Jensen) reports that House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) "left open the possibility that House members may leave town this month without voting on healthcare legislation, saying lawmakers still need to reach a consensus." Rep. Hoyer said, "I don't think staying in session" is "necessary to continuing to work on getting consensus. ... We are continuing to talk about how to improve the bill." Roll Call (7/22, Newmyer) and The Hill (7/22, Soraghan) also cover the story.
Pelosi confident reform measure will pass. USA Today (7/22, Fritze) reports that Speaker Pelosi "said Tuesday she is confident Congress will advance an overhaul of the nation's healthcare system despite divisions within her own party and mounting opposition from outside groups over its cost." As House and Senate lawmakers "wrestle with how to pay the price of covering the nation's 46 million uninsured - more than $1 trillion in the first decade - the California Democrat told USA TODAY's editorial board that the best approach is to rely on savings rather than taxes." Pelosi said, "There's, I believe, more to be squeezed out. Many members think that there's more to be squeezed from hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and docs."
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Letter Glenn Beck Read on National TV...
The following letter, read on Glenn Beck's show, is rapidly circulating around the country. Americans everywhere identify with this 53-year-old woman. She has given us a voice. Once you read this, you will want to forward it to all of your friends... GLENN BECK: I got a letter from a woman in Arizona. She writes an open letter to our nation's leadership:
I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?
Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:
One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.
Two, the TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.
Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.
Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.
Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!
Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.
Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.
Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why -- what do you have against shareholders making a profit?
Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.
Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band-Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.
Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try -- please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.
Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.
Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.
I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.
From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.
We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when he will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.
Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.
I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?
Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:
One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.
Two, the TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.
Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.
Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.
Five, universal healthcare. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!
Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.
Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.
Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why -- what do you have against shareholders making a profit?
Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.
Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band-Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.
Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try -- please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.
Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.
Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some nonpoliticians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law. I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.
I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.
From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back. You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.
We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you? We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come. Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us when he will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.
Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us. If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you. If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming. We the people are coming.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Let me ask you a question....
If(when) the government takes over the health care system, who do you think is going to pay for it?
Yeah....YOU are.
a few ways the government can raise the kind of money we are talking about to pay for everyone's health care:
-doctors will have to cut their fees. No way can a doctor tell the government what the price is...the government will the tell the doctors EXACTLY what they can can charge. Why are doctors okay with this?
-YOUR taxes will increase.
-Services & drugs that might save your life will be unavailable to you. A new cancer treatment, a breakthrough drug or fancy MRI machine will not be made available to you because you might be too old, too overweight, too far "gone" to save. Seriously- you want a board of government employees telling you and your family what treatment that they will pay for?
I am not saying that our system is perfect, it is far from perfection....BUT....a government run system is not what most Americans want. 
Email me some solutions that you think could change the system for the better.
Get out your checkbook,
Misty B.
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