HealthSpring Reform

Single Payer Not For Profit Health Care

2009-07-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

Reining in costs, can only be accomplished by eliminating the insurance  companies, and going toward a single payer system. We could spend  either what we do currently, or reduce it by $1.6 for every $2.6 we do  spend. But even if we maintain at current levels over the next 3~5  years we will be ahead of the game. The problem is throwing more money  on a broken system. The plan will deliver a captive customer base to  the insurance companies. Do you think they are going to reduce cost.  Imagine what their board of directors would say if the CEO went in and  said he was going to mount a severe cost reduction program eliminating  profit, and insuring each and every person at less than 50% current  cost. He would be thrown out of the board room which is why we should  throw the insurance companies out. Take time to introduce the single  payer plan. Tell the truth to people. Don't get your "knickers" in a  twist. Rationing, bunk. We are rationed today by the insurance  companies, or the lack of doctors, etc. Nobody else is going to die  waiting for treatment. No more than currently do. It took my wife 6  weeks to get a mammogram, and that was rather expensive insurance  policy. So please tell the truth. We already have "socialized" medicine  in Medicare, and it doesn't scare the doctors, nor the patients. Think  about the bail out of the banks that Bush proposed, that is socialized.  Again if you were to transition to the single payer plan say a decade  at a time, beginning with those over 60, then a year later those over  50, then 40 and so on. It would give the insurance companies time to  get into new businesses, and the inevitable bureaucracy time to get up  to speed, converting all records to digital format etc. It is the only  solution, not for profit health care, and the quicker we learn that the  better. Beware when "Harold and Louise" are for the plan, that is not  good for the people. Tell the Truth.

Republicans & Plans

2009-07-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Well it is true that the "best laid plans of mice and men...." Oh maybe that is not exactly what the author of that saying wrote, but when listening to the Republican Energy & Commerce Committee have been saying during their press conference today, it is what came to mind.

Each and every member said they have a plan, they have worked their entire careers working on health care reform. That they are completely amazed that Chairman Waxman and the Dems, will not consider their ammendments at the Markp-up hearings of the last several days.

Listening to the President and CEO of the Mayo Clinic the other night on the Charlie Rose show, one thing he said got me to thinking. He said we don't have a system. If we did, we could blame the guys who designed it. So if we don't have a "system" then we are not going to fix it, we have the opportunity to create it. Like an artist with a blank canvass.

But back to the Republican Congressmen, and their "concerns" regarding the direction of the Health Care reform, that bill working its way through the Energy and Commerce Committee.

A couple of things that need to be considered, bear with me:

~Even the Republicans, enmasse have stated that Portability, Pre-Existing Conditions and the concern of unlawful, illegal Aliens, as defined, must be addressed. I am confident that Chairman Waxman shares these concerns.

~The President's statement that "If you like the coverage you have, you can keep it." But I believe it was Rep Shadegg of Arizona, said that there is a provision that states, after 5 years, any insurance plan that does NOT meet the minimum standards set forth by the governing committees, that plan will no longer be available to the public. Who could complain about this? Who would want to pay for a plan that does not offer or meet minimum standards? So that plan would no longer be available, and the participant, the individual would be offered a better plan. That is good, that is better, I want that! It assures each person that someone is looking after you, assuring you that the insurance companies have had sufficient time to meet minimum requirements, and guarantee you that you coverage will be available.

~The Republicans are complaining that their ammendments are not being heard. I have personally listened to hours of debate at the mark-up hearings. I have heard numerous ammendments offered and debated by the Republicans. But even when they say how simple their ammendments are, after a short period of time you can see how devestating they would be to the reform. I guess this is politics as usual, but it is not their best moment. The point is Henry Waxman has gone out of his way to be fair, and to hear each of the ammendments the opposition has come up with, and in virtually every case, theirs would derail the good being offered the public. We are so close to getting reform we deserve.

~The Republicans are asking for Liability Reform, Tort Reform, Mal-Practice reform. This is something that the Chairman should agree to. The savings would be significant. Let us have tort reform. Knowing that the ABA is probably the next strongest lobby group in washington. It should be something we all strive for.

This edition is not closed, but posted anyway. A kind of diary of work in progress. Read it well. Tell your Senators and Congressman, that what President Obama said last wednesday as he opened his question and answer period that you want what he said. Single Payer system is the only solution. We want it about anything. Let us have Single Payer Not For Profit Health Coverage

Thank you

Shakespeare and Capitation

2009-07-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

The moment I posted by last edition of HealthSpring Reform, I realized that I had misquoted the Bard, what I should have written was: "There's more Horatio to heaven and earth, than is dreamt of in all your philosophies..." That quote means a lot to me. Years ago I was privileged to know a couple, who were true academicians. Both were phd's, he a statistician, who ran manufacturing for one of the founding semiconductor companies. She in mathematics, though she doubled, and had also received a doctorate in computer sciences. She from Singapore, he from Pismo Beach. While he was running the manufacturing of this company, I was a couple levels below him. I asked my supervisor about this guy, and was told, " no one gets close to him, he's just that way." So the challenge was on. One of my first conversations with "Mike" he told me he was a misanthrope, and if I didn't know what that was, go look it up. Well I did, and the challenge grew. Turned out we became best of friends, and I cherished that friendship. She, we called "Woody". That had to do with her Chinese name, being something like Misty Forrest. I also called her Fred. This was because she was indeed the most friendly Hokkien I had ever met! She had been educated in Singapore, and worked for the EDB, which was the power behind Singapore and its growth. Mike ran a factory in Singapore, which is where the met, and when he was transferred back to the states, she came with him. She then attended Stanford to add to and ultimately complete her education

We used to spend Friday nights at their place high in the Los Gatos woods, in a beautiful townhouse, sitting in front of a roaring fire, listening to the crackling of the dry oak. Having our drinks, pouring through a new complete edition of the O.E.D. listening to the great rock and roll, and opera of the day. Here I learned that value of words, the beauty of them, and the value of taking time to study. I have always told my children of these days, and explained how much fun we had, and what a tremendous value I gained from those days.

I miss those days, and I miss my friends. I haven't yet gone to college, though one day I STILL hope to! I have gone many places, and had many successes, but I always wondered how much more I could or would accomplish had I taken time out for myself, and gone back to school. Mike and Irene (her real English name) gave me a a granite foundation to an education. One that I hope to build upon. A real irony is that I went back to Singapore, because of work, and lived there about as long as Mike did. It was a fantastic experience. I know Mike loved Singapore, I also know why. It is a country to behold. What they have done there, amazing.

And now I am about to move to a place only a few miles from Pismo Beach. I want to look Mike up. I pray he is still with us. Mike if you read this, its for you!

Yes I declared at the beginning of this blog that it is one man's journey....Mike and Irene were as critical to that journey as any other life experience I have had. I will share those with you. But know that my full force and energy are for the reform of our health care system. I will do everything in my power to effect that change. I know this is not easy nor will in reality, be much I can do. If I spark your interest, or cause you to write to your congressman, then it was all worth while. Please do write

and to Mike and Irene......my love and gratitude

Transparency and Capitation

2009-07-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Obama's emphasis on transparency is at minimum a comforting philosophy, but as Shakespeare said : "there's more to philosophy that is dreamt of in all your worlds" of something like that. The point being, the words sound great, but the application of same appears to be wanting. What I am getting at is not in fact what Obama is doing or said he would do, but rather to expand on the thought and apply it to the health care reform. Think about it, the Hospitals, the Big Pharma, the Doctors all are agreeing to give something. Big points the press had reported, but like always the devil is in the details. And whats worrying me more, is what these organizations get. Note I said they are all willing to give something. So what are they getting. Lets face it, we'll never know. So what to do.

Would you be against forcing the industry to have full disclosure on the agreements they reach? Think about the very well accepted practice in the industry of Capitation. The definition of Capitation is "an amount paid by an insurance company to a hospital per person covered. Regardless of services rendered. Now theoretically this sounds like a good idea, but depending on your perspective it could be a very bad one. For example you are a patient of a clinic that gets a capitation fee from Insurance Company BS. It would behove the clinic, or doctors, etc. to forego care, or tests, whatever, because by saving the expense, the profit of the clinic goes up.

Surely there can be safeguards, but the problem is who is looking over these agreements? Take the Tuft's/Blue Shield situation. There is no way to know who got what, and who got not! If the agreements were open and transparent, then there would be no question. But to be a patient at a clinic that is paid capitation, you have to wonder if you are really getting the benefit of the doctors training and experience, or the concern for the doctor's portfolio.

Since there are so many people tugging in so many different directions to reform health care, I am concerned that the President is looking only for that "Kodak moment" when, with pen in hand, he signs a bill entitled "Health Care Reform" wondering how much he gave away, what was negotiated behind closed doors, or curtains, in boardrooms, or operating theatres.

It is for this reason, and the myriad of others, that we need leadership from the Executive, open strong obvious leadership. At the moment that seems to be lacking. The only conclusion I can offer is that Obama is trying to see the direction of support, and that of the opposition, so that when he finally enters the arena of the Congress, he will be able to manoeuvre them all to the perfect solution, undiluted, unadulterated. And we, all of us, will know the details, those pesky little devils that mean the difference between whether we will have the security of medical care the rest of our days or not. Imagine not having to worry about whether or not you can afford your insurance premiums. They are tailored to fit your income. No worries. Wonderful!

Health Reform and How to Pay for It!

2009-07-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

Article after article clamor about the cost of reform and how this is going to be paid. Is the Middle Class going to be stuck with the bill? Are you middle class only if you income exceeds $250,000/year? I don't think so. And that was the level above which Candidate Obama assured us would be taxed to cover his program. I wonder if we even need that.

Today the totality of our Economy here in the States is reported to be somewhere between US$14.2 and 14.3trillion dollars per year. This according to various think tanks, such as the CATO and the Heritage Institute. The cry from opponents to the Public Option, goes something like this: Are you willing to put "1/6 of our economy in the hands of the government?" That would equate to something like $2.3trillion per year currently being spent on Health Care. OK now we have our basis. Here is the problem. We are spending over twice the amount of the next nearest democratic industrialized country. TWICE the DOLLARS!

Then the claim is that by covering the uninsured and under insured would add $1.6Trillion over 10 years. Put another way, $160billion per year. Now since we already overspend, what if the savings we could realize by restructuring the health care system, not reform but complete restructure, and save say 10% over current expenditures, we would have a surplus of $70billion per year. Why would we need to add new taxes on any one's back? We just need to streamline our delivery system.

I don't have the figures, how many people are having to purchase private individual policies, but I read that of the premiums paid, a full 60+% goes to admin costs. This versus 5~7% of premiums paid for by "large employers" defined as any company with more than 1000 employees. I have to purchase a private individual policy for the members of my family, and I can tell you the cost increases an average of 25% per year. We have "pre-existing" conditions so we are stuck where we are. This is wrong, and needless to say getting to the point that we will have to drop our coverage. That will put us among the "uninsured". I think the insurance companies know this, and count on it! They will not reduce cost without some "inducement"!

There is an old saying in the agricultural industry, and used also by consultants: "Pick the Low Hanging Fruit First!" I believe that this is true in the Health Care Industry as well. If we concentrated on the most obvious expenses first, we could get our 10% savings on expenditures quite easily.

But who is talking about this? I don't hear it anyway in any forum. Spread this around, get it into the mainstream of the media. Let those you know benefit from your new found knowledge. Because as you know, "a little knowledge goes a long way."

More to follow, but did I remind you first to write your congressman and senators. Their websites are really easy to find. And I know they want to hear from you!

Thanks for taking the time to have a look at this

Health Reform, Public Options or dare I hope, Single Payer System is approved.

2009-07-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

Health Reform, Public Options or dare I hope, Single Payer System!!

So many people, so many thoughts, but amazingly only few categories of opinions! If you were to search Health Care Reform, Public Options or Single Payer System on the Social Network's like Twitter and read the comments for just a few minutes you too could see the pattern. It goes like this: the contributors are either wildly in favor or just as passionately against.

Those that do oppose, while in the minority, are no less enthusiastic about their position. But how can we direct all this energy. I think about the methods used in labor strikes in the past. Simple men and women whipped up into a frenzy by their leaders to take on big business and the law, to ensure their demands could first be heard, and then, hopefully, put on the table for negotiations. But it took major strikes. In the early part of the 20th century, the major confrontations were the auto workers, the longshoremen in San Francisco, and the Farm labor strikes, again back in the 30's all the way up to the late 60's and early 70's. Remember Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Movement. He was a hated and hunted man in the moment. Later he became a hero, a martyr. The labor unrest actually was the backbone of the middle class. Why was it Big Business, initially so against paying its labor livable wages, ultimately realized that these people would become the consumers of the product produced. And benefits, oh benefits. Yes they secured benefits for themselves and their families. Isn't this how our health care system evolved? I mean the employer's were the conduit to reasonably priced health care. When you have virtual full employment, then you could make the assumption that everyone is getting benefits, therefore all are insured. It was all a fantasy though. There was a huge percentage of the population off the charts. I know I was working as a fruit picker in Washington State in the late '60's. I was doing it as a youth, helping my brother and his family put food on the table. My brother was in the Army, had served two tours of duty (funny how that sounds like a vacation, tours!) in Viet Nam. Fought in some of the most horrible battles (for another blog) was shot up pretty badly, and finally shipped back to the States. Only one problem, they lost his pay records. So all money stopped coming in from the government. A wife, 4 children and a young brother. Living on what we could scrape together. Scavenging for scrap to sell. Pawning everything of value we had. Finally heading for the strawberry, raspberry and blueberry fields to pick fruit. No I assure you there were no benefits. Just extremely hard work for virtually nothing. I remember one day, my brother and I had picked blueberries for about 3 hours and earned combined $1.25. Fortunately gas was about $0.30 then, so we had enough to get back to our rented shack. We lived on "hamburger helper". Lord we were lucky none of us got ill. I have to believe conditions have not improved much since then. Oh maybe the pay is a bit better, but never enough to really have anything. And certainly no benefits. No health care. Is that right? There have to be hundreds, no hundreds of thousands of stories just like that. People know but they don't want to think about it.

Those that are against any thought of universal health care, they know. They must. Maybe they got cheated some time. Or a member of their family was hurt by the system. Maybe they finally got theirs, and they do not want to share for fear it will impact them personally. But what if those that came before us felt that way?

What if people like Harry Bridges or Cesar Chavez cared only for themselves. Where would we be. These people were not socialists. They just wanted honest pay for honest work. Isn't that the way it is today? People would much rather work, than take a handout. You must understand how humbling it is to take charity.

I worked all my life, but there were a couple of times when I just couldn't make it without help. It hurt awfully bad. I remember once having to take food stamps so that my children could get a nutritious meal. My head hung so low. But when I saw the sparkle of my children's eyes when the bellies were full, well lets just say it helped. I kept a $1 food stamp. I folded it and kept it in my pocket. I promised myself once I got back on my feet I would never ever have to ask for help again. I remember taking that food stamp out of my pocket and showing it to my friends, who could not believe the stories I would tell them. I gained success again, but I never forgot. In fact, and in large part that is why I write today.

The unthinkable happened. I was working hard, accumulating "stuff"! Investing for the future. But then the Asian Currency Crash happened in '97~98, and I was wiped out. Got back up on top, continued investing, then the Dot Com Crash. Again pulled myself up, only to be stricken down hard with a physical disability. Lost my job, my house, all my investments, everything. Now I live on a meager amount of fixed income. I can barely put food on the table and pay my health insurance premiums. When I learned that 60~80% of my premium goes to administrative expenses at Blue Shield, and they raise my premium yet again, the 5th straight year, and claim that health costs increased again, I had had it. I knew something had to be done. And in my small way, I promised to write. To research and write. To tell the truth, to tell my story. To ask everyone I come into contact with how they feel about reform. And I promise to continue reporting here, if only for the good I get out of it. I pray that you will get some good too. Oh sure I need an editor. But that is what you are for. Yes you. Follow my journey. You may find it is your journey as well.

Should I tell you how I feel about the "success" announced yesterday by VP Biden in negotiating with the AHA (American Hospital Association), no maybe I will wait until tomorrow. When I have had a chance to digest just what it is they are agreeing to. I will wait to see how people are reacting to all the chatter that is going on. Then I will give you my side. I don't think I will disagree as much as I initially thought. But I will save that for later.

What I will tell you though, it is the morally right thing to do, insure our entire population. No I am not for insuring those here illegally. They cannot sap our limited resources. Somehow they will have to secure some limited help in cases of emergency. They will have to become citizens, and pay taxes like the rest of us. Maybe this is a way to reform the immigration problem we have. I am not against charity. Even when I was down and out, the place my family worships received a contribution. And when someone needs, really needs medical care, it cannot be refused. But we can't automatically insure those that have come here illegally. This does need to be addressed.

In the meantime, consider the expense for not providing universal coverage for our citizens. For those so inclined consider the moral objection to not offering your fellow man a hand. Think about it!

Thank you for reading. And Please do not forget to write your congressmen and congresswomen. It really means a lot.

write: www.house.gov for congressmen and www.senate.gov for senators

What Cost (?) Health Care Reform?

2009-07-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

O.K. I have had it. I find myself screaming at the TV. Just now it was the ED Show on MSNBC. Big Ed was interviewing Senator Barrasso (R., Wyoming). The good Senator said he spoke with all these workers at a hospital. Claims that they were all for reform on health care, except they didn't like the price tag. What price tag are they talking about? The cost generated by the Congressional Budget Office's half baked cost of incomplete bills, being prepared by Senator Kennedy (D., Mass.) and Senator Max Baucus (D, Montana) claiming a cost of $1trillion and $1.6trillion respectively over 10 years.

First I find this amazing, that a)the work on the bills is far from complete; and b)the Democrats are allowing the Republicans and others to mis-direct the nation from the fact that 70% of the entire population wants a public option. That's right a full 70% and the make up of this number is 90% democrats and more than 50% of the republicans. So what are these guys waiting for? Another $1.4million spent each and every day by the lobbyists? According to Senator Bernie Saunders of Vermont the Pharmaceutical Lobby has NEVER lost a fight. They have ALWAYS gotten their way. That is why they can double the cost of our prescription medicines tomorrow and we can't do a thing. It is why the Medicare Part D drug bill was passed, it was their bill, they wrote it. Did you have a say? Did anyone other than their lobbyists?

If each and everyone of you does not immediately get on with writing your congressman and your senator, then you deserve the bill we get. Problem is, everyone is going to get it, right in the spot we least want it. WRITE AND FIGHT!

On the Precipice of the HEALTH CARE Abyss

2009-07-06T10:56:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder why you get the feeling that you are not getting the whole story, or perhaps it seems one sided? Me too, so, as promised, I have been doing some research on my favorite subject, Health Care Reform. I found a report on the OECD website. Actually the link came to me through a tweet! The name of the report is: "HEALTH CARE REFORM IN THE UNITED STATES, ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT WORKING PAPER No. 665", written By David Carey, Bradley Herring and Patrick Lenain. The person that "tweeted" (?) me just mentioned the long lines in Europe. He was trying to make the point that "why would we want the European system, the waits are so long!"

Well I read the entire 44 pages contained in this report, and did not find any statistic that measured the wait time. What I did find out first though, through Wikipedia is the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or OECD is an international organisation of 30 country that accept the principles of representative democracy and free-market economy. Most members are high income countries and regarded as Developed Countries. This is important so you understand the source.

Anyway they conducted research in its member countries (The USA is also a member) on the various health care systems, its cost, effectiveness, capacities, utilization's, etc.

Many of the "talking heads" make outrageous claims as to the state of our system. Perhaps what they are referring to is the amount we spend per person here, versus what is spent overseas. Let me quote a few numbers: The US spends more than $6,700/year per person. The next highest expenditure is <$4,000. Japan and Italy each spend about $200.00 more per year than the average (excluuding the US) of $2,800.00. France is higher still at $3,500. and the UK spends $2,900. So we are higher than all the rest, about 114% higher than the average. Now to my mind that should mean we have a better system, and I believe this is what these "Talking Heads" are trying to spin. People like Minority Leader, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. He keeps repeating that we have the worlds best Health Care system. I think he means we have the worlds most expensive system!

The facts, those feisty lil critters that you just can't get rid of, are what they are. And the facts in this case indicate the following: The costs are increasing at alarming rates here in the States growing at >26%/year vs the OECD average (again excluding the US, because this would skew the data) of 12%, again more than double. Are we getting twice the service, or results as the rest? NO is the answer.

Take infant mortalty rates, where the average, over the period measured, and data was available (i.e.2004 through 2006 the deaths per 1000 live births in the US is the highest at >7/1000; the UK 5; France and Italy <4>

Lets look at another measurement, sophisticated medical equipment. MRI's and CT Scanners per million Japan: 40.1 MRI's and 92.6 CT Scanners vs in the US 26.5 MRI's and 33.9 CT Scanners per million population. I wonder if this means Japan does more diagnosis than the US, finding and curing more problems. I do have personal knowledge about this. Remember my story of the woman who was refused an MRI several times, who then travelled to Japan ostensibly on a vacation with her Japanese husband. The day after she arrived in Tokyo, she was rushed to the hospital, and immediately given an MRI, allowing the doctors to discover the tumor at the top of her spine just under the brain. The doctor here told her she had "stress". I would have to agree. If I had a tumor sitting on top of my spine, I would have a lot of stress too!

Yeah, the best system in the world. Lets be honest. For once.

It's the best as long as you have deep pockets. If you are like the what 45 million without insurance, or the great many that are under-insured. In fact over 25million are currently under-insured. That number doesn't get reported, but its costing each and everyone of us more money, because in the end, either the person gets treatment or dies. Its as simple as that. Just another statistic, another death. Doesn't mean a thing, unless you are the family member left behind. I remember when my brother died. It hurt, bad. He didn't have insurance, lost his job, was homeless, and died under a bench in a small suburban park. I tell you every person, human being, that dies because of our system, should hurt each and every one of us. The reason my brother was out on the street? The hospital discharged him. The benefits of the county ran out I guess. Maybe they needed the bed.

Another statistic in the OECD report is average length of stay in the hospital. The median is 8 days. The US again leads in this category at 6.4 days. France 13.2 days, even the UK beats the US at 8.7 days. The country with the longest average stay is Japan at 34.7 days. Its funny when you think about it. Intuitively you would think the shorter the stay the better the system, but if you think back to the Life Expectancy at Birth rates the US is <77>82 years! The average is 80 years. I read somewhere that a respected Think Tank converted years to dollars, stating that 1year of life was valued at US$100,000.00 When you think of it that way, the 5 year difference between the US and Japan is about half a million dollars! We have the best system?

I cannot find a single metric that shows the US leads, in any category, any measurement. Well except say for cost of medication. You realize that on the backs of each and every one of us that has had to get a prescription from our doctor, the rest of the world gets a discount on that very same medicine. Yes the pharmaceutical companies have no cap on what they charge here in the states. Their claim is the unlimited profits help fund the necessary research to find new, better, more medicine to combat disease. Now I don't mind a company making a profit, nor do I begrudge research and development. That is the life's blood for these companies. What I do mind is the imbalance in costs.

To conclude today's post, don't take anyone's word on the state of health care in the United States today. I have given you some general statistics, that indicate in as unbiased way possible, that we rank near the bottom in many of these areas that measure capability and outcome.

Check out what these people, the ones that say we don't need reform, or they offer so much more of what we are already getting, it amounts to no reform at all. The system doesn't need to be improved, it needs to be removed.

By the way, out of all the member states of OECD, there are only 3 countries that currently do not offer universal health care. Bet you can guess one of them, yep the good ole US of A. The other two, Mexico and Turkey. Can you believe it, the highest cost in the world, unable to offer universal health care. And I would be happy if we can get a Public Option that competes against the Private Insurers. We need to get these guys under control. They are like the bankers of Wall Street. We are getting close to the edge of the Abyss, and once we fall over, its over!

Remember, WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMEN and SENATORS. Let them know how you feel. ITS NOT A WASTE OF TIME. PLEASE do your part. You Matter!

Health Independence Day?

2009-07-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2009.

The deserts of Southern California. We sit in blazing heat, rising higher every time I see or hear of KKKarl Rove's rantings about what this administration is doing. My dear old mom used to say, that he who complains of other's actions, are really only seeing himself. I guess that's right because if Rove thought the President was orchestrating the questioning at the Town Hall Meeting the other day in Virginia, he had to be seeing his own foibles such as the Mission Accomplished Banner emblazoned across the tower of the aircraft carrier Bush claimed to have piloted the A6 upon. You know the one. Well anyway, it just gets my blood boiling, when I think that guy is still free on the streets. But then I think, well consider the source. He is a Senior Contributor on Fox News. Do they really have news on that network? I never ever heard of any other show, on any other network get so lathered up about ratings. But you hear it on nearly every show on Faux News. That ain't news. That's SHOWBIZ. Anyway like my son would say, I wish he would STFU.

But now, I want to share a couple of stories, ones that may sound personal. The first one is about a woman, mother, wife and a friend. She had some serious problems several years ago, that let to a hysterectomy. Had to make sure she got regular check up to ensure no spread of the nasty disease. Well nothing for years. She had coverage under her husband's health insurance, until he became disabled, and could no longer work. She was able to get a new policy, but not a group one, because she couldn't get into a group, not a family one, because the head of the family, her husband, was covered under Medicare. She had to purchase a single individual plan for herself, and a plan each for her two children. Every year she paid her premiums, and every year the cost increased. In the last 4 years it has doubled, from just under $220.00 per month to well over $470 per month now. That is 114% increase in 4 years. Not bad for the insurance company. Better still because this lady had to reduce her coverage, increase her deductible, so as to minimise the increases. Every year she asked why the price went up, and every year she was told, "Cost of everything" is going up. That is except her income. She didn't use her policy much, actually she was afraid to. Which by the way should have kept her costs down. Anyway, her husband insisted that she go in for her check-ups. This year her doctor told her she needed to have a more thorough test. The doctor ordered an ultra-sound. But when she made the appointment she was told she would have to pay for the test, because her policy would not cover it. The cost: $1,250.00. Now I would just bet if she were in some group, the cost would be maybe $100.00, and the hospital would gladly take it. Problem is she never got the test.

The second story is about a woman, who presented headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness to her Primary Care Physician (PCP). The doctor examined her, and said she just had too much stress. She was to take some anti-depressants, get some rest and everything would be OK. This went on for several months, the headaches getting worse, and the dizziness, well she fell down the stairs to her apartment. She went again to the doctor and again the doctor said stress. The woman asked for a 2nd opinion, but in her HMO she was not allowed this. She then asked the doctor if she could have an MRI. See she was really worried. The doctor told her the the plan rejected the requested test. But she did increase her medication. It became necessary for this woman to travel with her Japanese husband back to Japan. There was some family business, and they thought they could make a vacation out of it. She asked her doctor if it would be OK to travel and the doctor told her she thought that would be great for her. Well off they went, but en route her headaches became worse. And upon landing she complained to her husband that she could bearly stand it. The next day her husband took her to the hospital, and the doctor immediately ordered an MRI. Because her husband is Japanese, she was covered as were all the costs for the tests. They found a tumor at the base of her brain, and wanted to operate immediately. The woman though didn't feel comfortable going through with the operation in Japan. So she flew back to the states and carried with her the MRI and test results. Armed with these she went back to the PCP and demanded that she see a specialist. The woman had to threaten a law suit if the doctor didn't approve immediately that she be referred to a specialist.

This story may sound familiar, it was one of the cases depicted in Michael Moore's "SICKO". And that woman is my sister in law. She did sue the doctor, the hospital and the insurance company. And I will tell you about that in another post.

The point I wanted to make here, is rationing. The Conservatives try to scare us into believing that if a Public Option were available as part of the Health Care Reform, that we will experience medical procedure rationing. I am telling you that you already experience it. You may not see it as such, but its there. Its insidious too because you don't think it exists. It may end up killing the woman in the first story I told you, it damn near did in the second story. Now I don't know if by having a public option, or better yet a Single Payer Option, in this hopeful reform, rationing will be any greater than it is now. Some polls show only 28% of the population would opt for a public plan anyway. And this refers to those already insured. It means perhaps that 28% are disgusted with their current coverage. I am sure the two woman I write of are fed up. Paying more and getting less.

I'll see if I can find the compensation the executives of the insurance companies are getting. Lets see if that's not a source of increase costs.

Until then, like always, please write your congressman/woman or your senator. Please let them know how you feel. Me, well I write them all the time. I tell them what people are telling me. That they want reform, now. They want a Single Payer option, coverage for all. They are willing to pay. It costs me over $14,000/year to cover my wife and two children. I would gladly continue to pay that if I knew my family could get the treatment they need without having to go broke!. Sure I would continue to pay my premiums so perhaps everyone else would get coverage. Its the right thing. Its morally right.

Now go write your Representatives. I'll be back!

Obama's Townhall Meeting July 1, 2009

2009-07-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

Did you catch President Obama's Town hall Meeting at the Northern Virginia Community College in Annadale, Virginia? Classic Obama. Cool, articulate, a sense of humor, sincerity, man he had it all. Some of the questions were good, direct and to the point. Problem is how to eliminate all the skepticism. I read on another blog how untrustworthy he, Obama, and the government are. I asked if they were proposing the elimination of the whole government or only that part that is suggesting some reforms, long over due, that actually can help virtually everyone? Well I couldn't get an answer to that. But the right to express that opinion, belongs to each and everyone of us. It's just a shame more people don't share their opinions. Why I would bet you that if everyone did that, we could find commonality, something that we could categorize into groups, limiting the number of variables, and eventually come up with a common thesis that then everyone could agree to. No it wouldn't be or have everything each and everyone of us wants. But it could just be hitting on the central problem with a solution.

Does anyone argue that Health Care is in a sad state? Anyone out there who feels that everything they actually pay provides them in return value equivalent to that cost? Does anyone feel that the increase of their premiums is justified? I would be so thrilled to hear from that person, and learn how they do it. Because as I have stated here before, each and every person I speak with tells me of some issue they have. Like the school administrator who complained that the cost of insurance for their non union personnel has increased another 28% this year, this after the increase of 23% last year. He cannot continue to afford to cover these costs. He is going to have to tell his personnel that they will have to pay a greater share of the premium, and unfortunately will have higher co-pays. When he asked the insurance agent why the increase this year, given the state of the economy, he was told that health care costs are rising.

I got to thinking about this. If this school administrator, albeit of a private school, cannot negotiate a cap on his costs, how can the individual. The answer is you can't.

I have the same situation, but my costs have gone up overall a greater amount. I think I told you that my children's increase this year was 27%, last year it was 34%. My wife, well she got a deal because her premium only went up 22%. Income flat.

Anyone getting a 23% increase this year? How can costs in Health Care go up exponentially when compared to any other aspect of our economy. Oh perhaps with the exception of Energy.

What is the Oppositions position to reform? It will cost too much. do they tell you how much it costs now, or how rapidly it is increasing?

I don't disagree with those sceptical about the veracity of our government officials. Time after time we get screwed. Just think of the TARP, from our previous administration. Or I will even give you some concerns with the Economic stimulus. But if nothing is done, what is the cost?

Lets assume we leave reform entirely in the hands of the Private Insurers. Is it not a reasonable assumption that past practices will provide the direction to the future? Isn't anyone in the opposition even curious as to why the Industry Leaders offered savings in the future? If it were not for the public discourse, do you honestly believe they would have done anything different? Oh and do you know what they are offering? Any specifics.

If you have concerns about the honesty or reliability of the government (Obama) don't you have the same level of concern with the insurance industry?

How to wrap this up: Cost, yes a plan is going to cost money. It costs us today, but a re-allocation of today's costs, taking into consideration an amalgamation of reforms and remedies, may result in the goal: Universal Coverage for our population. Paid for by premiums, and co-pays just like today. I would be more than happy if the cost were capped. If the exclusions were done away with. How do we reduce the price charged by the providers? If you don't want to cap awards for malpractice, how about the government subsidise the cost of insurance? The amount paid by the government would be paid for by the amount of savings the provider would realize, net net lower cost. Can this be considered? Again the opposition screams about the failure of Medicare and Social Security. I wonder how their parents, their elderly loved ones are getting by? Bet they like the Medicare, their Social Security. But we should be open to reform there as well. So don't get up in arms. Don't base your argument on something that is likely to be remedied. It makes the argument baseless. Enough for today. Write your congressman at: www.house.gov/writerep/

and your senators at: www.senate.gov/general/contact .

Finally write the President at: www.whitehouse.gov

Let them know how you feel. They really do care. They need to know that they have your support. That they can get along without the insurance company campaign contributions. Then our voices can be heard over the din of all the lobbyists. DO IT!

Healthspring OMG Imagine my Surprise

2009-06-27T13:49:00.001-07:00

June 27, 2009

Well I guess it had to happen. In searching the Internet for the name Healthspring, the name of this blog, what do I find, but a Health Insurance company with the same name. What to do? Well of course for the astute observer, recognition that this is anything but a supporter of the health insurance industry would be obvious. But here, today, I want to announce, that I and this blog are in no way connected with the industry that is and has caused the financial ruination of multitudes of our populace. Its not than I am against free markets, capitalism, etc. etc. It has served me well in the past, and pray it will do so in the future. But it will not serve 300million people now. Now that we have an opportunity, a real and rare moment in history to basically re-write the way and manner we can care for everyone. I know that sounds so "Utopian". But somewhere someone is doing it, and if we can capture the best practices of the UK, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, Japan, etc. and combine those best practices, we, the most innovative people on this great planet of ours, should be able to come up with a solution. I just need to come up with a way to inspire the few, the brave, the aware, to take to the streets. To let our voices be heard enmasse, so that the elected officials in Washington don't sell out, or sell us out to the deep pockets of the precious campaign contributions. The only way to accomplish this is threaten the members of congress with a vote against them in their next election. And why not, like the wise man said, "what have they done for us today?" Oh we could save them, but they would have to be bold. Take bold actions, place their trust in us. Know that we will continue to support them, if only they will sign up for, co-sponsor legislation, like that offered by Bernie Sanders of Vermont, for example. Like I said the other day, one of my, our Californian senators, Diane Feinstein, says it may be "too Hard" now to get reform passed. It really made me sick. You know she, the wife of Richard Blum, the largest single owner of Bank of America shares, thinks it may be too hard.

All she would have to do is ask her husband for the resources to fund a campaign in support of Health Reform. I am sure he could figure out a way where he could maximise his investment return, set an ideal percentage on his most important measure, EBITA, earnings before interest tax and administration. Oh I know this guy so well. Perhaps only at arms length. He and his partner, David Bonderman, created a JV for the purposes of investing in Asia. This venture, Newbridge Capital, purchased the company I was involved with, making great promises of the cash infusions they would make, in order for us to grow into the top tier of our industry. An old story! They really had no plans of making new, fresh infusions, rather their intentions were to drain our resources, using the cash we had on hand, to actually finance the deal. So it cost them nothing! Well except forcing us on a nasty downward spiral. First indication of how bad it was, came when then began charging the employees a significant portion of the cost of their (my) health insurance. Once they started that, the whole atmosphere changed in the company, that once felt like a family. A strong family that could conquer any challenge placed before us. We had grown the company from a dream, a plan, to well over $300million annual revenue, with extremely high margins. Creating a real "cash cow". Unfortunately our original owners, PT ASTRA had a problem with cash flow, and since we were the only entity producing US Dollars, strictly for export, we were placed on the block. This is where Sen. Feinstein's husband entered, with his partner and all their Stanford and Harvard MBA's. You know the type, they know everything, and their way is the only way. I am sad to report that this fast growing family environment failed. And all the kings MBA's couldn't put ..... us back together! The point here is two-fold: First If it aint broke, don't fix it; Secondly when you pressure and place new concerns, such as the cost of health care, on a functioning entity, be careful. You may not know everything, especially human nature.

Back to the issue at hand, write your senators, your congressmen/women. Let them know what you want. They will listen. There cannot be in excess of 70% of the entire population clamoring for reform in our health care system, and the legislators not listen. Our voice must get through. But you have to take action. I have posted the link to all the members of congress, I will do it again: www.writerep.house.gov/ for house of representatives and: www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm. Just click on the link. If it fails, or does not work, copy the link, open your web browser, and paste the link and go. You will find it quite easy to locate your representative or senator. Tell them to support broad, bold reform. It will help you, and all those, who truly need your help.

Thanks, and keep coming back here. I promise you to be honest, if a bit evocative!

Health Care is A Right

2009-06-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

June 25, 2009

Public Option, is creeping into the mainstream, the President made a point of this in his press-conference. Did he go to far some ask, while of course on the other side, he's gone to far is the mantra.

But have the people really been given all the options? Have you heard of the concept of Single Payer Plan? The conservatives would have a fine time of it, claiming Socialism, and, what right has the government got entering into that sacred nexus of Doctor~Patient. But come to think of it, the name says it all, it says Single PAYER. What this means is a system is established and all providers of health care bill their services to a single entity. Uniformity of price point, oh of course there would be adders or deductions based upon certain criteria, such as cost of living, ratio's of Doctors to Population in a given area, etc. But here is the thing, instead of having to deal with several, tens, hudreds of different plans and companies, they have to deal with but one. That is one for the basic universal coverage. Everyone would be covered. Doctors earnings and incentives would be based again on any number of criteria. The cost again for the education of the doctor could be subsidized to as low as nothing, if they would provide their services in areas desparately needed. This would be real reform. And as always, where an individual would want more, would not want to wait his or her turn, and they are well off, well sure they could purchase the oft called Cadillac Policy. But for the 99+% of the population they would have coverage. No wait for critical services. You want a breast implant, well you will have to wait your turn. You need a socket replaced, it is not a life or death issue, but one that causes discomfort, you may have to wait, but certainly not as long as those all important breast implants. Seriously though, why has this not been put on the table. Is it because our elected officials are afraid if they support such a proposal their contributions may dry up. Is that representing us, or is it self-serving? Are these elected officials more concerned about job security than they are the welfare of our people. Think About it. Hard. What is more important the re-election of members of congress that we are not too thrilled with anyway, instead of open honest debate of all the various options. I think not. I think we have to make our voices heard. Please write your congressman, or senator. Here is a link that will assist you in locating the email address for your members of congress: www.writerep.house.gov/ for house of representatives and: www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm. Just copy and go, or copy and paste in your web browser. Its easy. It will make you feel involved, empowered, nearly as much as it does when you vote. And keep in mind, if you do not get what you expect from your elected officials, you do not have to vote for them again. I know that sounds simple, but it is the true power of a democracy.

So today I begin a journey, a journey into Health Care and its reform. The first and most important step and accepting that our health is a right, not a privilege. Why has it taken us so long to understand that. Why have we allowed ourselves to be tricked into believing we don't deserve good dependable quality health care. Each and every one of us. Employed or not. And today more probably not employed. Particularly when we see the ever increasing growth in the ranks of un-employed. Before I was determined permanently disabled, I was layed off. I remember having to transfer the care of myself and my family to COBRA. Which is really aptly named because they snatched the life out of me. The cost of continued health care was a premium of 20% over what I was paying when I was employed. Now let's see, is one more or less able to pay additional for health care or anything else for that matter when you have lost employment? Nuts isn't it!

Well anyway back to the journey. In this space I want to develop some basic premises, answer some questions, and hopefully convince those who will decide our fate. It seems that those "decider's of our fate" are the US Senate.

But first the issue of Health as a Right. First, what is a Right? Well, according to Oxford University : • plural noun rights which are believed to belong justifiably to every person.

The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights: On Dec 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed among other articles the following:

Article 25.

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

Wow it seems that both Oxford and the United Nations have got it. Now Lets see what and how other nations provide the resources so that their citizens can enjoy the RIGHT of HEALTH!

Dont Go Away For Long. I am Researching, and will return

Well I am back. Have you heard the results of the latest polls on Reform: 72% All Respondents to Wall St. Journal/NBC News poll want a Public Option; if you narrow the scope of respondents to Democrats the number reached 87%! Who says we don't want it? But we need to go to Single Payer. check out this site: www.pnhp.org/change/. Listen to what Dr. Margaret Flowers of PNHP has to say on therealnews.com.