Sunday, June 21, 2009

About Healthcare


Since I am so opinionated and proud of it, you may be wondering why I have not been blogging about healthcare. Usually, I don't mind hammering away at a subject about which I am intensely interested. But, to tell the truth, I'm almost afraid to write about the healthcare issue. I'm too busy holding my breath, crossing my fingers and toes and praying that Congress and the Senate won't water it down to practically nothing in order to placate the insurance companies, drug companies and the AMA.

In this particular case, I don't think something will be better than nothing. That's what we usually get when a bill that is supposed to help people doesn't really help at all. Remember how wonderful Medicare Part D was supposed to be? At last, seniors would be able to afford both their medicines AND food. We ended up with a bill that might work six months out of the year, and the other six months, there's that abomination they whimsically called the "donut hole", whereby we have to pay the entire cost PLUS keep on paying the premiums.

Folks, we simply have to have a public option as well as the private plans. If we don't, there isn't any point in having healthcare reform. What we'll end up with is a law requiring everyone to carry health insurance from a private source the way we are required to carry auto insurance. There will still be millions of people who can't afford it and they will be breaking the law, to boot.

So, I'm going to continue to watch closely and see how thing go, and if the bill they submit doesn't contain the points that I want to see, I'm going to make a real nuisance of myself with a barrage of e-mails, tweets, blogs and snail mail to my state representatives and senators (and a few in some other states). In Arkansas, almost all of our congressmen and senators are Democrats, but I'll still make my voice known. I doubt I can do much good writing to John Boozman, our lone Republican, but I'll try. And Senator Blanche Lincoln, who is a Democrat in name only, having been bought and paid for by Walmart and a few other big corporations, will be a hard nut to crack, but I'll include her if only for the pleasure of annoying her.

I'm realistic enough to know that a single-payer plan will never go over, although it is what I would like to see, but I think healthcare reform with a public option and doing away altogether with that donut hole should be doable.

So limber up those arthritic fingers, seniors, and get ready to inundate your congressmen and senators with your opinions. Don't be shy. Don't hold back. Go get 'em! And, write to Obama. What could it hurt?

This is not my final word on this subject. But, you know that, don't you?

Stay tuned.

9 comments:

Darlene said...

You go girl! Keep on calling and writing your representatives and make your voice heard. I am ranting about it on my blog, too.

With 76% of voters wanting a Public Option and 56% willing to pay higher taxes for it you would think that the Republicans (and a few blue dog Democrats) would be afraid to oppose it. I guess the election is too far away to scare them, but we need to remember who they are when election time rolls around and we need to remind them of that.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on this, Betty. Don't stop.

Cazzie!!! said...

I am interested to hear what it is that goes on with helathcare world wide, so I will stay tuned to you here.

Arkansas Patti said...

You go girl. I have my list of senators and representatives glued to my desk wall by my computer for quick reference.
Never hurts to let them know what you think.
Enough voices will make a difference. Keep us up to date.
I tend to let you do some of my research for me. Thanks.

Ima Wizer said...

Excellent post! Thank you!

Jay said...

There's almost no way that don't eff this up.

Margaret said...

Actually, it is like a 'catch 22', and we are the ones that are guinea pigs! If only people could get on their feet and get good income, then the insurance world would be able to continue, but NOT at INFLATED premiums as before and now! You harrass whomever you feel is appropriate, Betty! I will too!

Queen-Size funny bone said...

I do nothing but write hoping something will change or at least make me feel better about it.

Tincanman said...

I'm afraid true healthcare reform is going to be a dead issue with all the high-priced lobbiest gettting their way and us taxpayers and citizens getting no relief. But that prospect will not keep us from writing and calling our Senators and Representatives and letting them know how we feel. Keep up the good fight.