Blue Dogs, Big Money and Healthcare: Not Healthy for Americans

So, The Hubby was at the doctor's office today and had some routine tests done. Naturally, being the fabulously supportive spouse that I am, I paid off the children to behave (not draw blood or kill each other for two hours) and accompanied The Hubby to the appointment. It gave me some time to think about the state of healthcare in our country and give it its own "check-up." (Do your own check-up and fact-check here.) I know we all hate it when the doctor tells you to lose a few pounds, maybe exercise more...But frankly, folks, our system is waaaaay over its healthy BMI, and bloated beyond belief! It needs to be exorcised, and we need to exercise some serious oversight. (All right, all right, no more bad puns...) Without further ado, here are my

Top Ten Reasons Our Health Care System Isn't Healthy:

1. Insurance billing is so complex, and claims are so often denied or slow-paid, that medical offices have to spend a fortune on billing departments just to recoup payment for care.

2. Doctors don't get to practice medicine, spending time with each patient as needed to assess the person's overall health; if they do, HMOs consider them to be ineffective physicians.

3. Doctors don't get to select treatment options unless they fit the insurance companies' protocols. "Expensive? Sorry, not a necessary procedure, or it's experimental. Feel free to appeal. We'll be happy to deny your claim."

4. Appropriate drugs cannot be prescribed unless they are carried on the insurance companies' formularies. "Expensive? Sorry, not an appropriate drug. Try the cheap one."

5. Drug prices have gone through the roof. Pharmaceutical companies blame the high costs of research and development, while, in reality, the bulk of research is done by the National Institute of Health (NIH). Our current system does not allow for any negotiation of price, or importation of drugs from other countries with reasonable prices.

6. Those who work on the front lines, with patients, are spread so thin it's a wonder that they continue in the field. (I know of whence I speak, as I come from a family of nurses, the hardest working, unsung heroes of healthcare, by the way. Nurses ROCK!)

7. HMOs, touted as a boon to everyday Americans, turned out to be a great way for corporate entities to save money (read: run exhorbitant profits) by denying essential services when needed. In other words, HMOs are a terrific deal until you're sick. (Kaiser was first begun in the Nixon era, with HMOs actually discussed in his office, as a boon to big business. Just some health care trivia for ya...)

8. Not everyone is covered by insurance and the cost of those emergency room visits for those without coverage is astronomical, as uninsured Americans are forced to delay care until their illnesses are advanced significantly. Guess who pays for that? You guessed it: you and me.

9. Real reform is never made because the Healthcare lobby is so virulently strong that no one, and I mean, no one, has the cash to compete.

10. Our Dear Legislators, with their government-sponsored healthcare, take far too much cash from the insurance industry's lobbyists to ever give that up. "What? Turn away contributions and fix the system? What's to fix? We're fully covered."

Speaking of which, the Conservative Dems, the so-called Blue Dogs, have now stated that they will not support a single-payer system. Let's be clear: there were 40-46 of these Dems In Name Only (DINOs) who signed a letter to Nancy Pelosi, refusing to support this extremely important piece of legislation. I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to get specific names, wanting to exclude those who did not sign off on this missive. (I left off those I could actually document did not sign; my apologies to the rest, and I politely suggest that they be more vocal and speak out against the others!) I did find a list at of all the campaign contributions given to Congress, by healthcare category, and the official list of Blue Dogs from their website, so I cross-referenced them both and came up with this little beauty:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tzvhtYCpj1hiXui5GwGlHfw&single=true&gid=0&output=html

(Sorry, Gang, I couldn't figure out how to bring the table in from Excel - best I could do on such short notice! Link is slow, please be patient...)

What I couldn't get over was the tremendous amount of cash that's going toward keeping the status quo: making sure the rich get richer, the poor get poorer and that the middle class foot the bill for everyone. $38,175,443 is a whole lot of cash, Ladies and Gentlemen. And those millions are just a drop in the bucket, just the money we know about. Not the trips, the dinners, the sports tickets...Even so, it's all chump change to the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries:

Kaiser Permanente, one of the oldest and largest HMOs, reported net income forlast
year increased by 59% to $1.6 billion on revenues of $28 billion.

Yep, billions. By the way, Kaiser calls itself a "non-profit." Yeah, there's an oxymoron. Actually, just morons, no oxy. (They also took over outlocal clinics and ruined them, so I thought I'd highlight them here to return the favor.)

That's the profits of only one company out of tens of thousands. Health care costs are rising four times faster than income. Businesses are being bankrupted by healthcare costs for their employees. We cannot move fast enough; our economy will never recover if we don't deflate the bloating private healthcare system. And if that makes me a Socialist, I guess the 40 million plus seniors on MediCare are socialists, too, right? Uh…hey! Wait just a doggone minute here...doesn't that make our Senators and Representatives Socialists, too? With a capital S???

What is the resistance to government-sponsored healthcare like the rest of the industrialized world? Why not have a system in which even a visitor can be given necessary care? If Cuba can pull it off convincingly, well, hey, we may as well give it a shot! There are already Americans who, every day, cross the border to Canada to receive care and get prescriptions refilled. If the Congress wants to check it out, Ed Schultz isready to take legislators on a field trip to see firsthand what Canadian healthcare looks like, on his dime! Dinner included! (Any takers yet??? No Blue Dogs, you can bet!)

And why no takers on Mr. Schultz' generous offer? The answer is clear and simple: Greed and cowardice - Legislators won't give up the money, and the Blue Dogs are too scared to standup in their primarily conservative districts for what is right. Both reasons are shameful, and it's about time we told them so. Take the time to email, write or call your representatives on the list above(see link), and tell them you've had enough. Tell 'em to grow a pair. Tell them we'll never solve our economic woes until we rein in the big business of healthcare and provide care for all Americans. And, since they don't seem to know or care, tell them that taking care of others when they are ill is just plain the right thing to do. If our people don't have the same healthcare security as our elected officials, in the greatest nation on earth, then there's something terribly wrong, and Congress needs to fix it. Let them know, in no uncertain terms, that it's their job to make it happen.

'Nuff said. As always, I'd love to hear your take on this. Are the American people so fed up finally that the pressure is on? Will we get real change that is so overdue? Or has the insurance industry got an iron grip on us all? Thanks for taking the time to read my rant, and feel free to rant along right here!

P.S. Thought you'd like to know: Children alive, no blood. Actually playing together! (I know!) Best 20 bucks I've spent in a looooooong time. Now, come on, If that can happen, universal, single-payer healthcare can, too!

Palin for Prez? Yet Another Politician Who Needs To Stick To The Script...

So, when did the rules of politics change to allow poor rhetoric and rambling, stream-of-consciousness speeches as the standard? First Sanford keeps blathering on about his personal mess, much to the embarassment of his poor wife and family, and now Palin steps in front of the camera and just keeps yammering away, no written speech in place. Don't believe me? Check out this transcript. Seriously. Read it now. It won't take long. I'll wait right here...See what I mean? Couldn't her speechwriters have convinced her to go out with an outline, at least? An index card??? Sad. Very sad.

What ever happened to the art of oratory? What has become of the American rhetoric that has made this country great, has inspired and restored hope in our darkest hour? What happened to hearing a speech and getting goosebumps or tearing up over the kind of inspiration, the beautiful crafting of words, that bring out our better nature? One of the reasons I am so happy to have an actual literate, thinking person as president is the fact that he speaks so eloquently to the issues at hand. Look back at so many of the Democratic speeches throughout the last campaign. When John Edwards lost the Iowa caucus, his speech roused his supporters to great heights. When Hillary vowed to continue on until the race was all over, we cheered. As far back as political speeches go, they have been known to make or break a candidate. The link above to American Rhetoric, will remind you what speeches used to, and ought to, sound like. Maybe Palin needs a reminder.

Some say that Palin is announcing her resignation today in order to focus on a 2012 presidential bid. Some say that she realizes she's a distraction to the work her party and state are trying to accomplish. Others still say she's actually had it with the nastiness of politics. (I have a hard time believing that one, as she propagates it constantly...) If that was her last set of remarks as a governor, if that was the best she and her handlers could do, as I said before, it's very sad. Sarah, stick with short, sweet, and tasteful. And try to avoid the use of ad libs, and don't use all caps in your transcript next time. Let the words you deliver have the power to move us, instead of the typeface.

Now I ask you to indulge me and listen to another farewell speech. Think of Palin's, and then listen to this former president's remarks. Beautifully crafted rhetoric, writing that flows and rises and falls. No all caps necessary.

Delivering a speech is a challenging task. Writing a speech is daunting at times, I have experienced that as well. But if you expect us to have respect for you as a public figure, then either learn to write and speak well, or find someone whose words can rise above your poor delivery. And if Malibu Barbie expects to run in 2012 with the big boys, she will need to find a good speechwriter and polish her skills. Folksy only gets you so far.

Okay, We have 60...Can We Do Something NOW? ...Plus My Rants For The Day

Still working, but had to rant about a few things that have been sticking in my craw...

First of all, hooray for Al Franken! He has held the line, done his due diligence, and his perseverance has been rewarded (as has ours). Okay, so now can we move forward on the issues we've been waiting on??? Time to use that political capital, Mr. President, and put aside the sadly single-sided bipartisan efforts for some real progress. Use it or lose it, that's how it works. And with poll numbers starting to wane, the time is now!

Speaking of timing, can somebody please tell Sanford to just shut up? Puh-leeze..."Soul mate, sparking, crossing the sex line"...that's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much information, thank you very much. Just be quiet, and go away. No one wants to hear about it. Quit putting your poor wife through this public humiliation. For the public airing of all this nonsense, for that alone, he should leave office. Because, frankly, I don't care how many lines he crossed in how many countries. Does this idiot have no handlers? Does he not write anything down before spewing io the press??? Good God, he should be fired for a lack of common sense. Now that I think about it, The Mrs. seems to be a smart, savvy gal. Whaddya say we just let her take her husband's seat? All those in favor, say "Aye!"

And we begin to withdraw troops from Iraq today. Another finally. Actually, we are only withdrawing to our bases within Iraq. The Administration has stated that they will keep at least 30,000 troops in Iraq until after the election. Richard Clarke said today that "what is in the best interest of the Uniteds States is to get the Hell out!" Simple, but it says it. We will see if there is any forward progress on this front in the time to come.

Meanwhile, with a majority in the Senate, the time has come to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." How can we look at the brave men and women who are being asked to either resign or be thrown out, (Fehrenbach and Choi being two fine examples), when they have served their country with honor and dignity. Y'know, last time I checked, folks weren't exactly lining up outside the recruiting office. Mr. President, having a GLBT event at the White House is, indeed, a step forward, but how many fine soldiers (266 since January) have to lose their life's calling before we remove this discriminatory policy? When it is repealed, will we at least retroactively restore their position in the armed forces and all benefits? Mr. President, please, sign an Executive Order, while you push the bill through Congress, which has a majority ready to pass it. I have no doubt that Civil Rights were granted to African-Americans before the "generational issue" was settled. How is this any different? Is it repercussions from the Religious Right we fear? As a Navy brat, I know how much it meant to my father to serve. It means just as much to gay and lesbian soldiers and their families today. While I appreciate the symbolic gesture that was made on the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, I am still left with too many questions unanswered.

And health care, health care, health care...please, everyone, call, write or email your representatives and tell them that there needs to be a public option. This may be "so last year," but if you haven't seen "Sicko" yet, rent it today. When we are the only industrialized nation without universal, quality, state-sponsored health care, then something is terribly wrong, and our system is in the pockets of the insurance companies. The question becomes, are we in so deep we can't get out? If we Democrats cannot change this one crucial matter, then everything else is affected: the economy will continue to falter as people file bankruptcy because of medical costs. We'll be unable to pay for other debts. And the insurance companies will continue to glean corporate welfare off the top. This may be the most crucial issue of our time, and may be the thing that either keeps us in power or disgusts the American People to the point where we are kicked out in the next election cycle. People are that adamant, that angry...Even The Hubby, who is not the politcal fanatic of the house, mind you, is now threatening to change parties if we can't pull it off, though I think that's cutting off his nose despite his face. (Hope this doesn't get as bad as when I was a Hillary supporter and he was for Obama. Could be interesting times ahead in the Politico household! Stay tuned for further developments!)

Whaddya think of the events of the day? Now it's your turn to rant and rave! I look forward to hearing your views on all of the above, and anything else that strikes your fancy, so post your thoughts below. And, as always, thanks for stopping by!

Revolution in Iran, Violence Live: The People's Media Bring It To The World

I have been amazed by the remarkable images coming out of Iran. Not on the television or radio, but from Flickr, twitter and other social networking sites. Despite the efforts to abolish, or at least derail, protesters' communication with the outside world, there has been a strong, steady and revealing stream of information out of this closed country. The images are striking and often disturbing; but getting the truth out to the world is more possible than ever before due to this decentralization of media into the hands of the people.

It is a theocracy in Iran, but one that has, traditionally, been a relatively "civilized" place in the midst of the Middle East. A place with universities, a modern capitol city, libraries, cell phone and the Internet. I remember marveling with Iranian friends in high school that our grandmothers watched the same soap opera, "Days of Our Lives." This has been a country that has sent students abroad, and has not been terrified and dictatorial about Western influences being brought inside their borders. Quite a liberal outlook for the region.

But we are now seeing the line in the sand between theocracy and democracy being pushed, and now, as of this morning, just plain stepped over. There is a huge difference between the President stating that people should stay home and avoid protests and the Supreme Leader specifically spelling out the "Do Not Protest" message. It's a little like us Catholics going against The Pope over a political/religious issue (and there are many...another post for another time), if The Pope were heavily armed and ready to disperse our protests with force. There may be some give and take with the President, as he can throw the protesters a bone, but once you go against the Supreme Leader's decision, you are really taking on more than the status quo: this is the guy who has the Islamic Revolutionary Guards under his control. This is the kind of thing that reminds us how truly theocratic and dictatorial Iran truly is. A direct warning yesterday to cease and desist, and pure defiance of that order today. By the thousands.

Reports from Twitter, Flickr and Facebook now talk about the immediate danger that protesters face:
"They're using real bullets."
"Do not go to the hospital - injured protesters are being arrested."
"There is a military tank in Azadi Square."
"My leader is the innocent girl who was shot in cold blood if front of his father for freedom." "Useful Google Map: Embassies Accepting Injured in Iran."

There is fighting in the streets. People beaten and bloodied, men and women alike. Protesters are now chanting "Death to the Ayatollah." That is the first time in thirty years that the Supreme Leader himself is being threatened openly in the streets - there is no going back. The video coming in on YouTube is graphic and disturbing, and the story is growing before my eyes, faster than I can document it in print. The wave of this protest has become revolutionary overnight, and we witness it here in our own country with electronic media.

Violence is breaking out in Iran. But the world is watching, and it's going to be impossible to cover up what's happening by banning foreign media. The Citizen Journalists in Iran will make sure of that. This appears to be just the beginning...stay tuned to YouTube, Twitter and Flickr for further developments.