Many folks have to choose between medicine and other expenses like eating

[bigtree]

but, Bush says that informing them about their 'health care options' will help them make that choice . . .


President Bush's Radio Address to the Nation for Aug. 19

8/19/2006

"American workers also need affordable, high quality health care, and more transparency in our health care system can help. Next week, I will travel to Minnesota to discuss ways to ensure patients have access to more information about their health care. When patients know the facts about the price and quality of their health care options, they can make decisions that are right for them."

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=70981


'facts' . . .


"Over the next nine years, Medicare physician payments are scheduled for cuts of 37 percent, while at the same time the cost of caring for patients will rise 22 percent," said AMA President-elect Ron Davis, M.D. "Physicians want to serve senior patients, but they cannot afford to accept an unlimited number of new Medicare patients into their practices if Medicare payments do not keep up with the cost of providing care."

"Nearly half (45 percent) of the physicians surveyed by the AMA say that next year's Medicare cut will force them to either decrease, or stop, seeing new Medicare patients," said Dr. Davis. "These are difficult decisions that physicians don't want to make. If Congress doesn't act soon, Medicare patients could have a hard time finding a physician."
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=70658



John F. Kerry, Commentary, Boston Globe:

Healthcare for a family of four now costs more than a minimum-wage worker earns in a year.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/07/31/getting_moving_on_healthcare/



U.S. Senator Russ Feingold:

Nearly 50 million Americans are without health insurance, and the federal government spends $32 billion per year for emergency room costs for the uninsured, Feingold noted.
http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2006/08/15/news/news01.txt



George Lesser, a reporter who has covered international political and economic developments for both U.S. and European publications, writes in a Washington Times opinion piece:

According to Lesser, most U.S. residents "think Americans have 'The Best Health Care System in the World'" and "think 'socialized medicine' doesn't work," but "we spend a lot more for a lot less health care." He concludes, "The bottom line: We pay 43% more for health care than the French do, and we get a whole lot less for our money" (Lesser, Washington Times, 8/16).
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=49859&nfid=rssfeeds

[sandnsea]

1. Translation

When you know the price of health care leaves you with no option, you'll decide not to go to the doctor leaving quality health care to the rich folks the way God intended it.

[gator_in_Ontario]

2. If only it wasn't for that pesky hunger drive...n/t

[ChiciB1]

3. Just A Quick Comment On This... I'm On Disability Now, But Was

offered a "part-time" job recently and I think I'm going to have to take it. I realize I can't make that much money, but ANY money helps. And the job is with LifeLine which does home health care. I wouldn't be a care-giver, but would work in the office entering data on the patients.

I haven't worked in a while, and we have my mother-in-law living with us who has Alzheimer's and it will put most of the care-giving up to my husband. He retired early because of this situation. Even though I HAD health insurance, I was FORCED to sign up for Medicare because of my Disability. I was always covered by health insurance through my husband's group policy from work, but the rules say I HAVE to go on Medicare! He is still able to keep his insurance until he reaches 65 I guess. But from what I understand, he will then have to switch too. In the long run the switch will cost us MORE money!

I find this procedure a little ridiculous because my previous health care was sufficient and had a good drug plan. I don't know what kind of drug policy my new insurance is going to have. Because Verizon offers it's employees a different Medicare plan WITH a drug plan included, I still won't have to pay the outrageous prices... still I wonder what kind of increase I'm going to be facing.

[bigtree]

4. It has to be insane sorting through the different plans

figuring where you'll be penalized for accepting one . . . trying to figure out what you'll lose on the other.

That's why we need comprehensive, universal health care. There's too much shuffling of folks needs around in Bush and the republican Congress' shell game. All we can fathom from them is that they're (we are) spending more and we are getting less.

[Bjornsdotter]

5. Let them eat cake!

Time to storm the Bastille!

* is such an idiot, he has no clue.

Cheers

[RebelOne]

6. I am well past retirement age, but this why

I continue to work because my employer's health insurance covers move than Medicare ever could. I have full medical coverage with a low co-pay, dental and eye care, which Medicare does not cover. I guess I will be working until I die. At least, I also have life insurance through my employer, so my kids will collect.

[grilled onions]

7. Dr Mr. Transparent

We don't need information. There is plenty running around--sometimes so much it boggles the mind. We know the facts. We simply cannot afford any reasonable coverage unless we have unlimited cash and or excellent health. The two seem to go hand in hand. Poor health;poor coverage and higher costs. You are so screwed in this country if you are sick,poor and or elderly. Options? What options? We could pay the rent or we could pay for the meds...On the other hand we would like to eat every day or so..Yes it's these kind of decsions we have to face Mr. Transparent. Have you EVER had to face ANY of these? Now many seniors will also have to face whether or not they will even have a doctor. Once more doctors opt out its either pay as you go or don't go because going on Medicare is the modern version of being a leper in our society. They look upon you as a huge drain of resources--even a waste of space. It's wonderful to be so loved by the government as you age. What a comfort it is to know they will be their for us in our golden years--seeing what they can take away next and create medical plans worse then any shell game in town. No matter what shell you pick you won't find any help,coverage--not even an 800 number that pretends to address your needs. No, Mr Transparent I can see thru your sham...

[Double T]

8. The health care system in the USA has gone the way.........

of everything else; pay one hell of a lot more, and get one hell of a lot less. The money grab HMO system, with its annual double digit cost increases set up by the criminals of wall street, combined with the reduced funding for Medicare to pay for tax cuts to the rich, Weapons of Mass and other Destruction and endless bushco initiated wars will leave even more people without adequate health care services. bush has a total disconnect from reality about everything and listening to his 'public service announcements' gets me going #@!%& crazy.....

[bigtree]

12. Reports: The Excess Cost of the Bush Prescription Drug Plan

http://ourfuture.org/issues_and_campaigns/medicare/partd_reports.cfm

The Republicans' prescription drug program sell-out to insurance and drug companies will cost tax-payers and beneficiaries $80 billion annually more than a direct Medicare benefit with negotiated prices. Learn what the cost of this corruption is to taxpayers, seniors and disabled across the nation and in your area.

State by state, linked reports and news releases: http://ourfuture.org/issues_and_campaigns/medicare/partd_reports.cfm

[sutz12]

9. Yeah, people enmeshed in life critical situations....

just love to make "choices" about the efficacy of their health care, don't you know. :sarcasm:

[MisterHowdy]

10. So glad I don't live in the US

So sad.

[intaglio]

11. I have (other) online acquaintances in the US

One of them is diabetic, for some reason hi is not adequately covered. He is having to re-use his needle because he cannot afford more he is also having to ration his use of "Metformin" to less than the dose needed because of the expense. He can access the internet because he is at college.

Another has a husband who suffers from an illness that causes degeneration of the joints - notably the hip. He was able to have one hip replaced, the operation was botched and he now requires constant pain medication. His insurers no longer cover the cost; his other hip is going and the only surgeon in the area who is qualified to do the op is the same one who fouled up last time.They have never been able to get medicaid to cover the cost of his pain meds.

:-(