We invite you to join the conversations posted here by sharing your ideas, energy, and suggestions for how we move forward in this process. Let's think about big picture issues in health reform and how they impact all of us.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Follow the Meeting on Twitter
In addition to using this blog for virtual participation, you can follow the meeting conversation on Twitter! Follow and contribute to the conversation by using hashtags#healthreform and #hcrmtg for your tweets.
I will be working tomorrow and unable to participate -- except for right now.
The concept of capitalism is the pursuit of profit for shareholders. This is in direct opposition to the concept of affordable health care. Health insurers look to "cull the heard", separate the very healthiest and not offer coverage to anyone who may have used health care in the past. These providers hire doctors and pay them bonuses based on the number of claims they turn down.
Now there is nothing wrong with capitalism per se, and yes, it needs a bit of regulation or some of the "crazies" will take advantage such as Ken Laye of ENRON, Bernie Madoff, and the CEO of WorldCom that thought company funds were his private piggy bank, but we can do some things to safeguard the public from this fringe element.
What we can't do is find a way to grow a health insurance company and it's thrust for continuing quarterly earnings, and serve mankind fairly in their quest for medical attention. These two items are just at opposite ends of the spectrum and can never be brought together without a little push from the public who sees this (someone please tell the Emperor he's not wearing any clothes) incongruity.
Having a public health care system keeps the private health care systems "honest" in terms of their continually wanting to raise prices. Having a public health care system means eliminating the underwriters and those in the payables department who don't want to pay claims that might affect quarterly profits. It will eliminate most marketing costs. It will eliminate sales commissions (and the need for sales agents). It will eliminate multi-million dollar salaries for CEOs as no one in government service makes nearly as much as any of the CEOs at large health care insurance providers.
The administrative savings will be so large that we can afford to take care of those without insurance now with the savings. And the reduction in emergency room costs -- due to so many uninsured using this as a first call -- will reduce our overall health care costs and may well reduce your private health care premiums in the process.
In the meantime, preventive initial care will prevent many needless medical services when the patient becomes seriously ill. We do a lot of pre-pregnacy exams so the birthing process will go well. The same is needed for denistry, mental health, and healthcare in general. Getting on some medication to prevent serious illness and possible futue operations is cost-effective for everyone involved. Plus we have a healthier population.
Did you know that 60% of all personal bankruptcies are caused by a medical emergency that pushes the person or family over the edge? You'd think the banks and credit card companies would like to see universal health care.
Oh, well. So it all makes sense. Let's get started. You have our support.
And it's got to be better than the system in place now. A system unlike any other country in the world that we know of...
On June 17, 2009 from 12-4pm EST, individuals in the health community came together for an urgent meeting on Healthcare Reform. This meeting was convened in an open partnership between health organizations, in response to the growing dialogue on health reform.
The impetus to pass comprehensive health reform legislation continues to grow as an energetic Congress and new leadership in our federal health agencies provide unprecedented support for expanding access to quality healthcare. The road ahead is both exciting and full of the unknown. Congress is promising passage of healthcare reform this summer.
Now is the time for us to come together in urgency and openness to articulate our shared principles that focus reform on what truly matters: improved health for individuals, families and communities.
Bloggers representing each of the co-conveners, posted on this blog in preparation for, during, and after the urgent meeting on June 17th. We invite you to join the conversations posted here by sharing your ideas, energy, and suggestions for how we move forward in this process. Push each other to think about big picture issues in health reform and how they impact us all.
I will be working tomorrow and unable to participate -- except for right now.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of capitalism is the pursuit of profit for shareholders. This is in direct opposition to the concept of affordable health care. Health insurers look to "cull the heard", separate the very healthiest and not offer coverage to anyone who may have used health care in the past. These providers hire doctors and pay them bonuses based on the number of claims they turn down.
Now there is nothing wrong with capitalism per se, and yes, it needs a bit of regulation or some of the "crazies" will take advantage such as Ken Laye of ENRON, Bernie Madoff, and the CEO of WorldCom that thought company funds were his private piggy bank, but we can do some things to safeguard the public from this fringe element.
What we can't do is find a way to grow a health insurance company and it's thrust for continuing quarterly earnings, and serve mankind fairly in their quest for medical attention. These two items are just at opposite ends of the spectrum and can never be brought together without a little push from the public who sees this (someone please tell the Emperor he's not wearing any clothes) incongruity.
Having a public health care system keeps the private health care systems "honest" in terms of their continually wanting to raise prices. Having a public health care system means eliminating the underwriters and those in the payables department who don't want to pay claims that might affect quarterly profits. It will eliminate most marketing costs. It will eliminate sales commissions (and the need for sales agents). It will eliminate multi-million dollar salaries for CEOs as no one in government service makes nearly as much as any of the CEOs at large health care insurance providers.
The administrative savings will be so large that we can afford to take care of those without insurance now with the savings. And the reduction in emergency room costs -- due to so many uninsured using this as a first call -- will reduce our overall health care costs and may well reduce your private health care premiums in the process.
In the meantime, preventive initial care will prevent many needless medical services when the patient becomes seriously ill. We do a lot of pre-pregnacy exams so the birthing process will go well. The same is needed for denistry, mental health, and healthcare in general. Getting on some medication to prevent serious illness and possible futue operations is cost-effective for everyone involved. Plus we have a healthier population.
Did you know that 60% of all personal bankruptcies are caused by a medical emergency that pushes the person or family over the edge? You'd think the banks and credit card companies would like to see universal health care.
Oh, well. So it all makes sense. Let's get started. You have our support.
And it's got to be better than the system in place now. A system unlike any other country in the world that we know of...