HR 3962 Has Passed the House.

*herring_RN* · Nov 08, 2009, 10:59 PM

Thank you Leslie!

*Kolohe99* · Nov 08, 2009, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by herring_RN

The CareAmerica Medicare Advantage may be responsible for my Daddy's death. His PSA kept rising. Every year for seven years it was higher than before.
I told him to see a urologist. His "Gatekeeper" physician did a needle biopsy and told him he didn't need a specialist. 1 1/2 years later he thought he had hurt his shoulder. It was bone mets, primary cancer was prostate.
He lived three more months.
October and most of November he was good with minimal pain meds. He still played in two bandsThen he couldn't feel his feet. He planned to play from a wheelchair but never did.

He died on Christmas Eve.

THis Medicare Advantage plan the we taxpayers and individual Medicare beneficiaries paid for not only paid "gatekeeper" physicians a bonus for not referring patients. I talked to his doctor after assuring him I was not planning a lawsuit. He said he had put in a request for authorization to see a urologist two years before. Because it was denied he told my Dad he didn't need to see one. These doctors signed a "gag clause' that they would not even tell the patient they could pay to see a specialist.

So my Daddy died. I was blessed to be able to care for him at home with amazing hospice nurses and caregivers help.

Herring, I know you support this health care reform, and I believe you to be much more knowledgable than me on the subject. But I'd like to ask you a question. Does the $500 billion in medicare cuts imply that you will now receive a lower level of care to ensure more people receive basic care? If that is the case it doesn't surprise me that you support the bill despite that, but it will sadden me just the same.

*herring_RN* · Nov 08, 2009, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by Kolohe99

Herring, I know you support this health care reform, and I believe you to be much more knowledgable than me on the subject. But I'd like to ask you a question. Does the $500 billion in medicare cuts imply that you will now receive a lower level of care to ensure more people receive basic care? If that is the case it doesn't surprise me that you support the bill despite that, but it will sadden me just the same.

I don't really support this bill. It is far from what we need. Even the bragging supporters estimate it will only cover about half the uninsured.
But it will put restrictions on denial of insurance.
We could do so much bettrer.
I'm still angry that single payer was off the table while insurance and pharmaceutical executives were at the table.

And I'm concerned about the final compromise with the Senate.

I do not think mandatory insurance is right.
I do not think tax money should be paid to insurance companies.

I do pray I'm wrong and that this will improve healthcare.
Do not think it will cut Medicare benefits. I would be OK because I can and hopefully will be able to afford the Medigap coverage that along with Medicare is accepted by almost all the physicians I know.

But I think EVERYONE deserves a single standard of safe, effective, therapeutic care delivered with compassion.

A nurse at a hospital with basic ER told me about a teen who came in after an accident. Paramedic told the staff he didn't go to the big level III trauma center because he didn't have insurance.
The kid needed emergency surgery and died in route to the other hospitral.
Turns out he was insured but didn't have a card with him.
MAYBE he could have lived if we had the SAME excellent standard of care for members of congress and children of single mothers. (and all of US!)

I just posted the bill and summary so people can read it rather than listen to the "talking heads".

*Kolohe99* · Nov 08, 2009, 11:43 PM

Thank you Herring for your response. It is sad to hear about that young boy. I agree that the system is broke; but I'm not sure how to fix it. I know I've told you privately, but I want to acknowledge publicly that I have the highest regard for you and your opinion. "Goodnight, and God bless" (You know I stole that from Red Skelton, but I like it.)

*herring_RN* · Nov 08, 2009, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Kolohe99

Thank you Herring for your response. It is sad to hear about that young boy. I agree that the system is broke; but I'm not sure how to fix it. I know I've told you privately, but I want to acknowledge publicly that I have the highest regard for you and your opinion. "Goodnight, and God bless" (You know I stole that from Red Skelton, but I like it.)

I liked Red Skelton.
Admired him too.
I love your kindness and your wit.

**HM2VikingRN** · Nov 09, 2009, 04:28 AM

the bill isn't perfenct but it does do a couple things right. (Provided some of the key reform pieces survive the Senate)

Medicare advantage is a boondoggle. Most of the "cuts" to medicare are the overpayments to Medicare advantage. Beneficiaries under medicare advantage cost 15-20% more than traditional Medicare. We are paying more for no better service or outcomes.

Mandating participation in health insurance isn't ideal but it is the approach used by every other country in the world to a. make sure that all participants are paying into the system and b. making health care open to public debate and decision making through the democratic process. (one of the things that struck me about TR Reids book was the common phenomenon that patients in all countries complain about the structure of their health care system)

Ends rescission

Ends preexisting condition limitations

Consistent benefit sets across state lines

Most importantly: Access to health care is becoming codified as a human and civil right for all Americans.

*Spidey's mom* · Nov 09, 2009, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by HM2VikingRN

Most importantly: Access to health care is becoming codified as a human and civil right for all Americans.

Well, most importantly I don't believe in the argument for it being "a human and civil right" per the Constitution.

I guess we shall see what the American people decide.

There is still a huge split - and as you say, everyone under every system complains about the structure of their health care so that argument works for my side too.

steph

*tntrn* · Nov 09, 2009, 09:31 AM

I just placed calls to my two very liberal Senators' Washington DC offices because I didn't want to leave a voice mail. Both screeners seemed very "cold" to my message of VOTE NO!

*Spidey's mom* · Nov 09, 2009, 09:33 AM

"If the public option plan is in there, as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote," Lieberman said on "Fox News Sunday."
Republicans and some moderate Democrats have balked at the House bill's $1 trillion price tag, new taxes on the wealthy and what they call a heavy-handed government intrusion in the private sector.
The overhaul would lead to the biggest changes in the $2.5 trillion healthcare system -- which accounts for one-sixth of the U.S. economy -- since the 1965 creation of the Medicare government health insurance program for the elderly."
http://www.reuters.com/article/sarah...23070020091108

All legit concerns . . . . I simply can't understand the Left wanting the government involved in private decisions since they are all so upset about the bedroom and the womb.

I have to say I've always admired Lieberman even when I disagreed with him . . I thank him today for what he is doing.

steph

*Spidey's mom* · Nov 09, 2009, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by tntrn

I just placed calls to my two very liberal Senators' Washington DC offices because I didn't want to leave a voice mail. Both screeners seemed very "cold" to my message of VOTE NO!

Last week I sent emails to all of mine here in California - even the Governator.

I've heard back from one, the conservative Republican. I'm not complaining about not hearing from the others as I know they are probably inundated with letters, emails, phone calls, visits from their constituents on all sides of this issue.

steph

HR 3962 Has Passed the House.

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