Lies of Junk Insurance

by: jdwolverton

Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 16:43:34 PM PDT

It's another lie that John McCain fully promotes.

Junk Insurance costs almost as much as the "Cadillac" plans. Junk Insurance has high deductibles and copays. Junk Insurance excludes and limits health care services. Employers decrease the coverage of their plans every year to stay within their budgets, which is pushing most of us from the comprehensive health insurance plans of 5 years ago into Junk Insurance today.

'twas the night before christmas and all through the senate...

by: los anjalis

Thu Dec 24, 2009 at 17:50:43 PM PST

• Today (Christmas Eve) marked the 25th straight day of debate. This is just short of the record for the longest number of consecutive days that the Senate was in session, in the winter of 1917 (thanks to @wonkroom on Twitter for this fact).  The extended debate in 1917 was due to anti-war legislators stalling debate about whether or not to arm US merchant ships during World War I ... (more below)

a bizarre process & a historic vote: healthcare reform

by: los anjalis

Mon Dec 21, 2009 at 08:00:00 AM PST

So what exactly happened?  Well, the US Senate voted 60-40 NOT in favor of PASSING the bill -- but in favor of ending debate and stopping further filibustering on a specific set of amendments put forth by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  Yes, they voted for "cloture" -- to end debate on the bill.  Were the debate to continue, Republicans (or Sen Lieberman or Nelson) would have more and more chances at filibustering the bill (a process by which they are allowed to read every page of the phone book aloud or do other things a 2nd grader wouldn't even do, in order to stall the process of moving a bill forward)...  

reprise: is health care a right or a privilege? (CNBC)

by: los anjalis

Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 16:08:17 PM PDT

One of the speakers was Dr Mai Pham, senior policy advisor at the National Physicians Alliance (NPA).  The NPA fimly believes that health care is a human right and its campaigns and mission speak directly to that.  The other speaker was Michael Cannon, director of health policy at the CATO Institute, a free-market, libertarian organization.

Make your own conclusions about some incendiary statements made in this debate, but I must highlight one here.

"Saying health care is a fundamental human right is one of those simplistic nonsense slogans" -- Michael Cannon, CATO.

Unbelievable. No it's not. Saying health care is a fundamental human right is an important statement that we must embrace fully as a society (and to an extent have already embraced).

As guerillamamamedicine recently blogged:

i do not deserve a good job, or a beautiful home, or health care because i went to school and got my degree.  i deserve them because i am a human being.  if i were to say that i deserve them because of how many years i spent in school, or how much money i paid to go to school, or the number of letters behind my name, then i am saying that i deserve basic human dignity because of my educational privilege.

- - - - -

I applaud Dr. Pham's calm and composure in the debate. I think we could learn some tips on how to stay on point and how to debate an issue, from her.

In any case, it was a pleasant surprise to see this issue covered by CNBC; perhaps the station will cover such issues in the future.

lots of shoulds and wills for obama and health care

by: los anjalis

Tue Dec 23, 2008 at 23:13:20 PM PST

Seventy-seven percent of adults believe that Obama should make major reforms to the health care system, compared with 20% who said he should not, the poll found. Of those supporting major reforms, 51% of adults believe that Obama should seek them immediately after he takes office, and 26% believe that he should wait until later in his presidency, according to the poll. Sixty-eight percent of adults believe that Obama will have the ability to make major reforms to the health care system, compared with 28% who believe that he will not have the ability, the poll found.

Lots of shoulds and wills here. What stands out is that the desire for status quo is being filed in the big red file named "trash". let's see if that desire transforms into something greater.

RIP Levi + Standing in the Shadows of Care

by: nightowl724

Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 22:35:37 PM PDT

I often pass by hospitals and pharmacies. I pass by because I can't afford to enter. For two months, my best friend was in the hospital receiving complex, long-term treatment paid for by her insurance. Without insurance, I wouldn't get that kind of care - if any.

I've survived thanks to a few kind doctors who gave me free care and drug samples. Recently, one of them moved away. Prescription samples are scarce these days, too. I've applied for pharmaceutical "indigent programs" with no luck. My scripts are $1000/mo, so I often do without. And, forget lab work, let alone a hospital stay.

Saddened by Levi Stubbs' death, I revisited the great music of The Four Tops. Listening to Standing in the Shadows of Love, something clicked.  I realized that I, too, am standing in the shadows - in the shadows of some of the best health care in the world.  From that came my modest tribute to Levi and to the 47M of us without health insurance.

Great hope lies ahead; Kennedy brings people together

by: los anjalis

Sat Oct 25, 2008 at 00:12:01 AM PDT

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) has been organizing and overseeing meetings with members of both parties to draft health care legislation to present to the new president and Congress next year that would extend health insurance to all U.S. residents, the Washington Times reports.

The talks have included 14 roundtable meetings attended by Kennedy aides and staffers for both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate Budget Committee, Senate Finance Committee and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, chaired by Kennedy. Kennedy has monitored the talks, which started in June, through telephone updates from his staff.

The talks also were attended by representatives from a broad array of groups with an interest in health care, including the:

   * AARP;
   * AFL-CIO;
   * American Medical Association;
   * America's Health Insurance Plans;
   * Business Roundtable;
   * Consumers Union,
   * Families USA;
   * Federation of American Hospitals;
   * National Federation of Independent Business; and
   * National Retail Federation.

In addition, Kennedy aides have started meeting regularly with consumers and small groups of people representing each area of the health care industry.

The Times reports that the conversations are "extraordinary" because they are bipartisan and have "managed to put in the same room interests that rarely meet -- let alone agree with one another."

Bold emphasis is mine.  It truly is the beginning of a new era.  I'm going to try to be less cynical too :>

From California Health Line, October 24, 2008.

Election ads and health

by: los anjalis

Fri Oct 24, 2008 at 23:16:33 PM PDT

I saw this ad for Tom Udall's congressional run (New Mexico) while checking out a progressive political site and the post was titled "Wow".  That's exactly the same reaction I had, after wiping my tears away.  I've seen more health-related ads in this election cycle than ever before (in my lifetime).  

And again, wow, very effective ad.  Thanks Army Sergeant Erik Schei for doing this ad. And best wishes for continued recovery to you sir.

Obama says health care is a "right", slams McCain's plan

by: los anjalis

Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 16:00:10 PM PDT

The fire quotes of this past week on health care were these two by Senator Obama.  On McCain's health care plan:

It's like those ads for prescription drugs. You know they start off, everybody's running in the fields, everybody's happy. Then there's the fine print that says, "Side effects may include..."

And on right vs privilege:

I think every single american has a right to affordable, accessible health care.

Of note, this statement received the largest roar of support from the crowd he was speaking to.  Some video footage of a speech Obama gave last week:

Some things that Obama mentioned:

Senator McCain wants to pay for his plan by taxing your health benefits for the first time in history...

But the Wall Street Journal recently reported...it turns out Senator McCain would pay for his plan by making drastic cuts in Medicare -- $882 billion worth.  $882 billion dollars in Medicare cuts to pay for an ill conceived, badly thought through health care plan...

Time and again he's opposed Medicare.  In fact, Senator McCain has voted against protecting Medicare 40 times.

When you've worked hard your whole life, and paid into the system, and done everythign right, you shouldn't have the carpet pulled out from under you when you least expect it...

Future Primary Care Shortage

by: jdwolverton

Mon Oct 13, 2008 at 18:23:58 PM PDT

Retail clinics work. They are quick, have long hours and have reasonable quality as long as you don't have anything too exotic and the ARNP knows when they have an inappropriate patient. The only issue is that there's no long term patient/doctor relationship. Then again, there doesn't seem to be a patient/doctor relationship in traditional medical settings anymore either, but that's my point.

These clinics are here to stay

Uninsured and Lucky to be Alive Part 2

by: nightowl724

Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 10:18:02 AM PDT

If you've read my other diaries, you know I usually don't write about myself and I usually approach my subjects with snark. I laugh to keep from crying. However, this time I was asked specifically to write a serious and personal post. I hope those who have insurance get a sense of what it's like not to and those who don't pick up a valuable tip or two. I invite readers to share their stories and suggestions in the comments section.

In Part 1, I related the background of my story. In Part 2, I am revealing the rest of my story, starting with the onset of my medical problems.

10 Survival Topics for the Uninsured Part 2

by: nightowl724

Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 12:43:01 PM PDT

The topics are important whether you're a patient or a caregiver. They'll help even if you have insurance; co-pays and uncovered items kill budgets. And, you never know when you might lose your coverage.

It took years to find this information. Unfortunately, I learned much of it too late to help my family. Since it's hard to do when you're stressed, I hope you can learn from my experiences now. I invite you to share your stories and suggestions in the comments.    

In Part 1, the subjects included planning for the unthinkable, the Hill-Burton Act, and ways to avoid paying full price for prescriptions, OTC drugs, and medical devices. In Part 2, the topics include finding and asking for help, dealing with long-term illness and debt, as well as some final thoughts and a resource list with links.

Health Care Series: Uninsured and Lucky to be Alive Part 1

by: nightowl724

Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 10:40:38 AM PDT

If you've read my other diaries, you know I usually don't write about myself and I usually approach my subjects with snark. I laugh to keep from crying. However, this time I was asked specifically to write a serious and personal post. I hope those who have insurance get a sense of what it's like not to and those who don't pick up a valuable tip or two. I invite readers to share their stories and suggestions in the comments section.

In Part 1, I relate the background of my story. In Part 2, I will reveal the rest of my story, starting with the onset of my medical problems.

10 Survival Topics for the Uninsured Part 1

by: nightowl724

Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 05:46:51 AM PDT

The topics are important whether you're a patient or a caregiver. They'll help even if you have insurance; co-pays and uncovered items kill budgets. And, you never know when you might lose your coverage.

It took years to find all this information. Unfortunately, I learned much of it too late to help my family. Since it's hard to do when you're stressed, I hope you can learn from my experiences now. I invite you to share your stories and suggestions in the comments.    

In Part 1, the subjects include planning for the unthinkable, the Hill-Burton Act, ways to avoid paying full price for prescriptions, OTC drugs, and medical devices, and dealing with long-term illness. In Part 2, the subjects will include handling debt and getting help, as well as some final thoughts and a resource list with links.

Single Payer Health Care: what your doctor read this week

by: river

Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 23:24:35 PM PDT

Several months ago I subscribed to Medscape, a weekly web medical journal. Subscriptions are limited to the profession, but I lied and said that I was a nutritionist, so I get this publication in my inbox every week. It's full of interesting articles on various medical issues; my main areas of interest are usually endocrinology and diabetes, and nephrology.

This week's lead editorial is by Dr. Quentin Young, National Coordinator, Physicians for a National Health Program. I have permission from PNHP to reproduce this here in full, as most Kossacks probably do not have access to a Medscape subscription. I have followed this with a few excerpts from the comments from both health care professionals and laypeople. This is what your doctor is reading this week.

(click on "there's more")

YOYO v WITT : McCain v Obama in Song with Poll

by: nightowl724

Sun Jun 01, 2008 at 07:00:24 AM PDT

You're on Your Own (YOYO)
(sung by McCain to the tune of To Each His Own)

So, to those who disdain and won't vote for McCain:
BushCo's lovely promise has come true.
You're on your own.  You're on your own.
And, we now own you.

We're in This Together (WITT)
(sung by Obama to the tune of So Happy Together)

Imagine me and you.  I do.
We'll stick together day and night.  It's only right,
To care about the world we love, yo use our might.
We're in this together.

Complete songs below the fold...

Healthcare: Got No Heart (Young at Heart movie/song parody)

by: nightowl724

Fri May 30, 2008 at 22:18:58 PM PDT

I created a contemporary version of this story. The Tones, a musician and a housewife, have no health insurance. Barney and Laurie are wildly happy until Barney is in a terrible car accident. He almost dies because the hospital demands cash before treating him. He survives, but the Tones lose everything. In a bad economy, they must work as live-ins for room and board and get second jobs to pay the medical bills. Barney becomes a bar entertainer and Laurie becomes a prostitute.

Scary tales can come true. It can happen to you,
'Cuz they've got no heart.

Oh no! Things don't look good for Old Blue Eyes and Clara Bixby...

The "Change You Deserve" (hilarious)

by: los anjalis

Sat May 17, 2008 at 14:56:54 PM PDT

In response to Barack Obama's calls for change, the Republican's have unveiled their new "Change You Deserve" campaign for 2008. It turns out the slogan was also used to market the popular anti-depressant, Effexor. Sometimes those Republicans just get things so right.

Check out the link to the drug's possible side effects!  (akathisia, elevated blood pressure, memory loss, brain zaps, vertigo, nausea, wow!  How telling, about the GOP's proposed change we deserve...)

And here's more information about the "Change You Deserve" intiative, from the republican house leader's website.  Make your own conclusions...

KCET reschedules "Unnatural Causes" Sat. May 17th 9-11

by: diannah

Tue Apr 08, 2008 at 15:25:40 PM PDT

Thank goodness!
And a somewhat believable story on how the whole thing may have gone down. See the story...  

The Death of Primary Care

by: jdwolverton

Tue Feb 19, 2008 at 20:21:16 PM PST

1. Uninsured,

2. Don't have a regular physician,

3. Have an acute condition that really shouldn't wait the 2-3 weeks to get a new patient appointment at a doctor's office.

4. Have a regular physician, but their acute condition really shouldn't wait the 6 days to 2 weeks to get an established patient appointment at their doctor's office.

5. Need care, but can't wait for the doctor's office to open.

It's a good thing. These people are more comfortable while they wait for care, but from another perspective it's just another band aid on the gaping wound created by our broken health care system.