Last night, President Obama addressed the congress (and by default the American people) about HCR.
His speech was the clearest that we've heard from him to date on this matter. Yes, I know people are looking for specifics. Frankly, we won't get that until they sit down, roll up their sleeves and actually put the package together. Yep I said it, GET TO WORK!!!!
This really shouldn't be tied up in politics. You know the kind of politics that aimed at my party coming out on top of yours without regard for the issue. As an outsider that's what it looks like to me.
So many average Joes express their passionate views against this issue daily. Last night when Senator Joe Wilson yelled, "You Lie", at the president during his speech many were shocked. Yes it was disrespectful and unprofessional, but past that, it epitomizes the division in DC and out here with the regular folk. Let's not persecute Mr. Wilson. Let's forgive (not forget) and move on. I actually want to thank him. I've decided to give he and his colleagues a little advice:
Hey Congress... yeah I'm talking to you.... stop for a second... clear your mind... roll up your sleeves... and GET TO WORK! I'm talking to both sides of the isle... clear your mind of all the cobwebs and critters and listen to each other... it's not that hard to solve this issue... I laid it out for you in July... weren't you paying attention?!
Alright already, here it is, again!!!!!
Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!
T.
CHIT-CHAT ABOUT THIS AND THAT. 'CAUSE I'VE GOT AN OPINION ABOUT EVERYTHING!
Showing posts with label Mr. President. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mr. President. Show all posts
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Are “those people” in a healthcare crisis or a political tug of war?
Those of you that know me, know that I am passionate about access for ALL to health care. Universal insurance is not a new concept but in the United States coverage for all is a long time coming...and the citizens are still waiting. I touched base with some everyday Americans with no political affiliation. (Well except when they express their views every few years in the voting booth.)
I’ve asked countless people for their opinion on this and sorting through the answers I got everything from sarcasm to reality. “Lets charge people for their health insurance based on body weigh". This obviously indicates that the overweight, in the US, are taking the system down - not true. Move along the spectrum, “Everyone has access to health care just go to the emergency room”. Or, my personal favorite, “Well something needs to be done for ‘those people’, I just shouldn’t have to pay for it”. Relatively healthy people, with insurance, made these comments.
Okay so that’s a comical look at what insurance companies think about us. Let’s face the facts, America does need health care reform. The health care provisions that are in place are limited at best: Medicare for those over 65. Medicaid for the indigent. Veterans Affairs for those that have served the country. Cobra continuing insurance from a former employee, for the jobless. "Health discount cards", which gives a discount to cash payments. Of course if your lucky you'll have a job that provides the benefit of health insurance.
This debate however, gets bogged down with how to pay for it. Meanwhile the cost of health care is going up, up, up and availability is going down, down, down! With the unemployment rate in the US just short of 10% and the systems that are in place on the edge of exploding...what's to come?!
I personally know doctors that are doing their part by volunteering their services to uninsured people in communities in need. This is fantastic for those with the common cold but if you have a major chronic illness such as Cancer, not so much. What do you do then?
Don’t be fooled, even if you have insurance, this issue is about you. It’s not just about the countless unemployed, uninsured or poor. You know, “those people” that you didn’t want to pay for. In some respects you’re more at risk because the hospitals’ and your doctors’ hands are at the mercy of the insurance company. God forbid you find yourself in a catastrophic position, a bunch of strangers looking over your files and deciding if you’re life is valuable enough for them to spend the money on. I have heard countless stories about people who have died while waiting for a decision from the board of random insurance companies.
I’ve heard stories of the over 65, who had their primary insurance replaced by Medicare. The primary then becomes the secondary with diminished coverage. That's right, the insurance companies follow Medicare’s lead. I’ve heard stories of people loosing the homes they paid for because they couldn’t afford the out of pocket health care & medication cost. Some go penny less while others win the lottery and go on Medicaid, food stamps and other services traditionally held for the indigent, further stressing the system. Hmmm..., sounds like you are already paying for, “those people”.
Think of it this way, if you had a massive stroke and had been hospitalized for 30 days (from intensive care to your transport to the nursing home) the cost could be around $2.5M at one of the best stroke hospitals in NY. Think your insurance will cover it all, think again. What’s your out of pocket? Now you’ll move on to a nursing home. Depending on how sick you are and how much cash you’ve stashed, if your not already broke, you’ll slowly become one of “those people”. Well there’s always Medicaid right? Remember, you have to be poor to be on Medicaid!!! This not only means emptying your bank account but it also means getting rid of your assets, which includes that home that you paid off. Most people don’t realize this possibility until they become one of, “those people”. This may seem like extreme examples but I’ve come across at least three people, not poor people, who lost their homes. My hope is that health care reform will help to alleviate some of these issues.
I’m familiar with Chron's disease which is one of those chronic illnesses that leaves you in the ranks of the un-insurable. Without insurance and with a continuum of health issues, insurance is just out of reach. Well after around $60K out of pocket doctor’s services & surgery, my friend was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. {Thank God for credit cards…I won’t get into the credit card debacle that may be the only way for some to be able to set foot in the door of a hospital.} In a nutshell the maintenance of this disease can be quite expensive and it may eventually lead to colon cancer.
What does that translate to? If you live in the USA and you don’t work for a company that provides health insurance you have to purchase yourself. If you can't afford to do so you are most likely without coverage. I have yet to meet someone with a chronic illness that is self-insured. My friend was turned down 15 times after losing company coverage. If not for the savior of COBRA he would have been SOL. But what happens when it expires or he can’t afford the $450+/mo/pp bill?
Here are some thought for the capitalist society to consider to provide health care for all “those people”, immediately:
1. - Extend Cobra benefits to expire when the consumer gets a job with a company that extends insurance as a benefit.
3. - Apply regulations to health insurance companies:
A) Allow affordable health care consideration to those that apply
B) Provide policies for those with pre-existing conditions
4. - Allow the general public to buy into the insurance policy that the president &/or any government employee receive.
http://www.opm.gov/insure/
5. - Replace Medicare tax with 10% flat insurance tax
6. - Federal Sales Tax on discretionary items. {EX: Sales tax on clothes, etc.}
7. - Change HIPAA so that it extends insurance not only to the "new" company you work for but, to any insurance company regardless of pre-existing condition.
8. - Take a good look at what other countries are doing, take the best of it and then do it better! It's not all free!
9. - Consider fixing the option on the table.
10.- Last and certainly not least, have interest bearing HSA with no max that roll over so that those without insurance can always have access to money that they aren't paying taxes on. (Of course one would have to prove that they had a pre-existing condition.)
Anyone who has had a loved one with a chronic illness knows the last thing you want to be involved in is a hassle with the insurance company. Worse you don’t want one of your doctor’s assistants hovering over you with a receipt book, waiting for you to awaken so that they can get payment. (Sorry I didn’t bring my checkbook into surgery with me!) Yes that really did happen to me once. You don't want a doctor telling you, I know how to help you but your insurance won't pay.
No system is perfect, from the Taiwanese to the Americans, but at the end of the day something needs to be done for the countless un-insurable and uninsured Americans. I do think the government has to have some involvement because they seem to be the ones in the center holding the strings.
Catch President Obama tonight, on most stations except FOX, and make your own decision.
Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!T.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
"W" says goodbye to Washington.
As I watched the former President and First Lady bid farewell to D.C., it struck me the sadness that "W" must feel. Imagine doing your job, to what you believe is the best of your ability, and getting no respect for it...Does that sound familiar? Everyone judging what you did and the way you did it. The night of the election he ended a meeting with his staff with, "May God bless whoever wins this election". That made me realize, the truth is that none of us will ever know what it was like to sit in his chair because we haven't seen the playbook. It makes me think of a phrase that someone recently shared with me. "People will remember the things you didn't do well before they will remember the things you knocked out of the park".
In some ways 9/11/01 defined his presidency before it began because his entire focus shifted to war and defence of the country. How sad that he had to remind us all, of all the positive things, that happened under his watch. I'm not defending him or denouncing him, but history will tell his story. History will tell if he utilized the information at hand correctly. We should all remember that he was the CEO, who without the support of the board of directors (govt) couldn't have gotten anything done.
Below President Bush addresses the nation 1/15/09 part 2
Below Bush last Q&A in white house with the press core - Part1
Below Press core Part2
The Q&A with the press core showed the true G.W. Bush, funny, pensive, direct, etc. Let's hope now that he's back in Texas he finds something to occupy his time.
CHECK BACK THROUGH 1/28/09 FOR UPDATES
T.
(c) Photos from AP
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Mr. President - Part 2: With a 39 word ending in "So help me GOD" Barack Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States of America
WELCOME MR. PRESIDENT
Washington D.C., under massive security, had a massive crowd converge this morning awaiting the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States of America, Barack Obama. Meanwhile, following a long standing tradition for president elects, Mr. Obama attended a private service at St. John's Episcopal
Church with his family and Vice-President Joe Biden.
He and Michelle, along with the Biden's and other officials had Coffee, in the blue room, with George & Laura Bush this morning. Upon arriving, for the first time ever from an incoming presidential family, the Obama's presented Mrs. Bush with a gift. It is reported to be a journal and pen for the upcoming memoir she is writing.
The Bush, Obama, Biden & Chainey couples departed the white house for the ride to the capital. The ceremony ran late. Rick Warren gave the invocation; followed by Aretha Franklin singing "My country, 'tis of thee" A.K.A America; followed by the swearing in of Joe Biden; then a stirring performance of "Air and Simple Gifts" by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill & Gabriela Montero and finally the swearing in of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack H. Obama. The white-house website was changed to reflect President Obama as president of the United States, but he actually took the oath of office at 12:06PM EST.
The oath was taken on the same bible that Abraham Lincoln took his oath on. This is the first time an incoming president has used Lincoln's bible. The tiny bible is encased in a fireproof, waterproof container and was carried into the ceremony by First Lady Michelle Obama.
The Library of congress asked that the bible not be opened because it is so fragile. (The tiny bible was actually purchased at the last minute for Lincoln because his family's bible did not arrive on time for his swearing in.)
Following the official swearing in Barack Obama delivered his speech which called for all Americans to look back and embrace their history. Then unite and move forward to solve the many problems that are at hand. "The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation; the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve ta chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." The occasion was closed out with Rev Lowery's moving benediction.
After seeing the Bush Family off, President Obama went into the President's room in the capital to sign some immediate orders regarding cabinet nominees and interim agency heads, continuity of government, etc. to keep the country running . Then on to a private lunch. (The one draw back, Sen. Ted Kennedy, possibly due to his brain tumor was sent to the hospital because he had a seizure during the lunch. His good friend Sen. Robert Byrd also left the luncheon due to stress over Sen. Kennedy's incident.)
Finally on to the parade in his new vehicle. (One of a fleet of four.) The Cadillac is always available to the president, even when he travels outside D.C. The President and First Lady got out (between 7th and 8th) and walked down Pennsylvania Ave., and waved at the massive crowds. Meanwhile the senate reconvened to approve several of Mr. Obama's nominees.
During the festivities the white house staff rids the white house of the balance of the Bush touches (most of their belonging except President Bush's grandmothers chest-of-drawers had been previously removed) and apply the Obama touches. Even the children's toys will be perfectly placed in their toy chests.
Over the weeks leading up to today's inauguration. Mr. Obama has been working closely with Mr. Bush and his team to have a smooth transition. He even had a meeting with the exclusive "Ex-Presidents" to assist him with ideas as prior to assuming the position.
The President & First Lady attended 10 Balls tonight including two hosted by the first couple. Let's hope that once the parting is over, now that "change" has arrived in Washington, we can start to see less finger pointing and more work done by the government.
Departing President Bush, escorted by President Obama, to an awaiting helicopter executive 1 (known as Marine 1 when the president is on board) that took the departing Bush to an awaiting press conference at Andrews Air force base. Then onto the familiar blue and white aircraft "Special Air Mission 2800 (normally called air-force 1 because air-force 1 only carries presidents. The plane will deliver Mr. Bush, family and friends to Midland Texas. Once there he will address a crowd in ceremonial square the same place he made an address 8 years ago. He then continues on to Crawford where he will remain a few days before moving into his new home in Dallas. Prior to departing the white house Mr. Bush followed a long standing tradition of leaving a private note in the desk for President Obama. We are all assuming that it states the same things that he stated to him on election night. President Bush's staff gift to him. The first flag that flew over the Capitol on his first day in office in 2001 and the flag that flew on 1/19/09.
.................
Check back for daily post through 1/28/09
T.
(c) All photos from the A.P.
UPDATE 1/21/09: DO OVER: 37 Word Oath of Office...Finally
So there was that little flub in the administration and execution oath of office by President Barack Obama and Justice Roberts. Let's take a look:
On white house legal advise, between 7-8P EST, Justice Roberts re-administered the oath of office to Barack Obama. This alleviates any potential controversy over the presidency. The brief ceremony was witnessed by a handful of aides, reporters & white house photographer. Let's take a listen as no cameras were available at the time.
Mr. Obama is the forth president to have an oath flub but only the third to re-take the oath.
Chester Arthur (1881-85) was sworn in by Chief Justice of NY Supreme court at his home after the assassination of James Garfield and then again by the U.S. Supreme court two days later. Calvin Coolidge (1923-29) also found himself in the same position. His father a justice of the peace administered the oath after the death of Warren Harding and it was re-administered later in Washington.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Mr. President - Part 1: The changing of the guard
What a wonderful irony, today we celebrate Martin Luther King day and tomorrow President-Elect Barack Obama will take the oath of office, assuming the title 44th President of the United States of America. Each man has found his place in history. What a wonderful thing to be alive at this time and realize history in the making. Meanwhile, George W. Bush will join the ranks of the most elite club known as the ex-presidents.
Let's take a photo journey back in time to election night 2008.
There were tears...
and there were cheers all around the world...
...for the election of the first African-American to be elected President of the United States of America.
Comeback tomorrow for Part2...
Check back all week for daily post through 1/28/09
Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!
T.
(c) All photos from the A.P.
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