Health Care Debate

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Added: Thu. Aug 20, 2009 10:18am
Posted in: Politics

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With the health care debate raging in grand style, fueled by the people who call themselves newscasters at Fox and by such stellar intellects in the politiscape as Sarah Palin, I have to wonder how many how many people have actually read the proposal. The misconceptions about it are so prevalent that its no wonder people are shouting down the speakers at the town hall meetings who are trying to dispel the myths. Why listen to information when you can work yourself into a fine frenzy of righteous (emphasis on "right") anger based on manipulation?

I've said this before, it bothers me that conservative newscasters, especially those pretending to be "fair and balanced" are spreading what is tantamount to lies in order to gain audience. They are use their bully pulpit to prey on the fears of the public, and then give the resulting outcry massive coverage. If you listen to the words of the town hall protestors, you will realize you have heard them before, straight out of the mouths of Foxcasters. Why would they do so, you ask? The answer is obviously in the ratings. People love scandal and sensationalism, and today, if that means sacrificing truth, so be it.

Before you rail against health care, ask yourself: what do you have now? Trust me, it cannot get worse for the majority. I have excellent health insurance provided by my husband's work, probably the best plan in the country. But my two grown children have none, and there's no way they - or I - can afford it. If either of them gets sick, I guess our choice will be to move into a box under the freeway to pay for care, because we certainly can't spare a dime right now. My children are hardly unique, in fact, people who are uninsured and underinsured may be in the majority.

Part of the President's plan includes incentivizing wellness. He's going to reward your doctor for making sure you stay healthy. at least half of the leading causes of death are almost entirely preventable with diet, exercise, non-smoking and less alcohol. Doctors will have a vested interest in education and follow-up. Your care will become personal again.

I'd like to see subsidized health programs for diabetes and heart patients. Catch it early, educate the patient, and get them into a program that includes supervised diet and exercise. Do you have any idea what an impact that would make on cost of health care in this country? There are private gyms operating now that charge $20 a month or less and make a profit. Suppose that profit was spent on monitoring the health of the patient, perhaps staffed with a nurse practitioner, a dietician, and a few trainers to monitor activity, track progress and encourage the patients.

From the American Diabetes Association web site:

"The total annual economic cost of diabetes in 2007 was estimated to be $174 billion. Medical expenditures totaled $116 billion and were comprised of $27 billion for diabetes care, $58 billion for chronic diabetes-related complications, and $31 billion for excess general medical costs. Indirect costs resulting from increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, disease-related unemployment disability, and loss of productive capacity due to early mortality totaled $58 billion. This is an increase of $42 billion since 2002. This 32% increase means the dollar amount has risen over $8 billion more each year."

Diabetes type 2 can be almost completely wiped out with preventative care and education. Health care reform can more than fund itself on that single concept.

Before you form an opinion about health care reform (or attend a meeting), read the facts. Don't rely on the news or on opinions, blogs (even mine) or gossip. Assume that anyone who is in tears, throwing a tantrum, or blowing his own horn is trying to manipulate you. Understand the issues...and remind yourself to compare what we have now to what the democrats really want. Think for yourself...and consider the hidden costs of poor health, its impact on business and what that means to you, no matter who you are in the business food chain.

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JustPLainWill
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Posted 2:31pm September 5th, 2009
This is well written ...and so true. It AMAZES me that the folks on Fox as well as some of the pundits on the right wing are acting the way that they are. It is probably not possible to please everybody---it never is---- but the manner in which Fox and the right wing are purposely muddying the waters on an already complex issue is SHAMEFUL and most assuredly does not exhibit real adult behavior.( I am not a very religious person ---not outwardly anyway...but I think that what they are doing might even be sinful, if one believes in that kind of thing.) I guess that Rupert Murdoch's philosophy truly is "Say and do anything for a buck...and ratings."

I KNOW that there are a LOT of Americans who REALLY are SINCERELY concerned about the course of healthcare in this country. They have real concerns. I've got a couple of very mild/minor concerns myself but I hope that the demos is smart enough to ignore the child-like behavior of the right wing and allow us all to settle our differences on this issue in an adult manner.
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Posted 7:48am August 24th, 2009
Well-written, logical and non-aggressive. Expect to be ignored or shouted down by those who are so opposed that no facts or logic will ever succeed with them.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be ignored."
linda k
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Posted 8:55pm August 22nd, 2009
Sheri, great article! Well, written
Ginger!
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Posted 1:32am August 21st, 2009

I'm so glad you posted this, Sheri, and I think you and Jackie just said it all. (It also complements the blog Marc Middleton posted a few days ago.) If people want to scream and yell about something, the very least they should do is know what they're talking about!

As for the political newscasters....I wouldn't give you a dime for most of them. It's all about ratings, and truth or justice be damned. I long for the days of old when reporters simply reported the news....not made it their own personal soapbox.
Jackie (JCB)
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Posted 7:22pm August 20th, 2009
Thank you for your intelligent, informed commentary. You might be amazed, as I was, to find on the discussion site that a great majority of responders are actually believing the lies rather than bothering to search for or even listen to the truth. JCB

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