Last month, testimony in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation by a former health insurance insider named Wendell Potter made news even before it occurred:
CBS NEWS headlined: "Cigna Whistleblower to Testify." After Potter's testimony the industry scrambled to do damage control: "Insurers defend rescissions, take heat for lack of transparency.
Not sure where to put the above link. I have only listened to part of it so far.
The part about changing business hit home with me. When I was in the process of trying to get a dx, the state of CA was also in the process of raising our monthly premiums.
I would need to pay $1200 a month for one person for health care. Before this, I was paying $800 each month from my pay check.
It took over 35 doctors and 18 months for me to finally get a dx and start treatment.
The monthly premium did help to eliminate MS, Myasthenia Gravis, Parkinson's, Al's and other conditions that were considered, but the system let me down as far as lyme and company.
And I did notice that our health care system needed help. Business was coming first over my health.
So this is kind of lyme related and kind of not.
Going back to listen to the rest of the video now.
If you feel I need to post this under off topic, let me know and I will.
Posted by Cold Feet (Member # 9882) on :
This topic is featured (right now) on Bill Moyers journal...
Posted by annxyzz (Member # 20404) on :
I agree and support Obama's efforts to reform . If the reform is put off , it will not be long before most businesses refuse to offer coverage for employess anyway and the healthcare industry will have no sufficient customer base .
I was at a healthcare reform meeting ( ina very republican area ) where two doctors agreed the system HAS to change .
I respectfully do not agree with the insurance companies getting away with discriminating against those who have preexisting illnesses . I told my Republican doc that I believed the healthcare providers were crooks , and he replied " I agree ."
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Yes it has to change. We know that. But at what cost and direction. If the US goes in the way of
Europes health care in which all are covered under one plan it will be a sad day. All have something
to complain about. Cap agencies here. I don't think any will agree to that. So where does that lead?
Posted by pryorka (Member # 13649) on :
Pinelady and everyone else really. Go watch "Sick Around the World" on Frontline PBS website. I see your comment on what you seem to have been told about Europe so you could learn a lot from this video. I'd say watch Sicko but some people don't like the way whatshisname adds in humor.
Posted by Cold Feet (Member # 9882) on :
Pryorka, right on the money! The PBS documentary is leaps and bounds better then sicko for so many reasons...
Posted by Gabrielle (Member # 5329) on :
quote:Originally posted by Pinelady: If the US goes in the way of Europes health care in which all are covered under one plan it will be a sad day.
Pinelady,
You are not well informed. There are many countries in Europe and every one has a different health system.
Some of these systems are better and some are worse. But I wouldn't want to trade any of them in for the US-system.
The US has now the unique chance to examine all these different systems and pick the best one for you. Or to come up with an even better one.
In my opinion it can only become better for you.
Gabrielle in Europe
Posted by Cold Feet (Member # 9882) on :
Gabrielle,
I don't think America has the collective will to simply "assess, build and replace" the current health care system. Just because Taiwan (and other countries) did, it doesn't mean we can. It's a grossly disorganized system, with business interests defining the game rules. The business dynamics (umm, entrenched business interests?!) and very different in this country than in others.