richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
Is it good for us? I have to go read through the bill but has anyone seen the impact on doctor/patient autonomy?
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
richedie I think its a foot in the door.
This is one of the most important things that should not have come down to this time of crisis.
Unfortunately I think it will be a learn as we go experience. With other countries who have already
taken this on, that should give us a shot at not implementing the things they got wrong. But I do
believe we could not afford to wait any longer. Just my opinion.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
My opinion is that anything the government runs does not go well! We as lyme patients already have troubles getting treatments and doctors who can or will treat us. I don't see how this bill helps us and I actually believe it may make it worse for us. My 2 cents
-------------------- My lyme disease blog: http://lymetimes3.blogspot.com/ One BIG Lyme family! I tested CDC + 10/08 My mom Igenex + 11/08 & My brother Igenex + 4/09, My 2 boys some + & IND bands, clinical diagnosis 3/09 (youngest has Aspergers too) Posts: 470 | From Painesville, Ohio | Registered: Mar 2009
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richedie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14689
posted
Pinelady, I agree. I would have to be a heartless individual to sit and watch people, kids without health insurance suffer any longer. I hope this is a huge step in the right direction in helping others! I am excited. What some people don't understand is that this is not socialized health care - it is a public option for those who can not afford. As long as docotr/patient autonomy remains or gets better without the evil insurance companies getting in the way...I am game.
For those who are afraid of the government running anything, pick your poison - the government or the evil insurance companies. Insurance companies insuranced less people this year than the year before but broke records for profits. Insurance companies have enough money in esgrow to buy their own country, but I have to pay out the you know what.
I have to laugh when people say they are afraid of socialized anything. Half of our society in thie country runs on socialism, fire departments, police departments, schools, etc.
-------------------- Mepron/Zith/Ceftin Doxy/Biaxin/Flagyl pulse. Artemisinin with Doxy/Biaxin. Period of Levaquin and Ceftin. Then Levaquin, Bactrim and Biaxin. Bactrim/Augmentin/Rifampin. Mepron/Biaxin/Artemisinin/Cat's Claw Rifampin/Bactrim/Alinia Plaquenil/Biaxin Posts: 1949 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Feb 2008
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
MSNBC news was comparing it to the civil rights
acts of the 60's when the opposition then was as it is
today. Ironic. I did not know this was tried 3
times throughout history. Ya gotta wonder if it had
not been so highly rejected would our kids now
face the surmounting debt?
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
I am hoping it means that if Lyme caused me to lose my job, I could still get health insurance somehow, at a price I would have some chance of affording.
I hope it also means that my current insurance company couldn't decide to dump me because I have Lyme, and that if my employer changes insurance companies every year looking for lower premiums, a future company couldn't refuse to cover the Lyme as a pre-existing condition.
-------------------- Don't forget to laugh! And when you're going through hell, keep going!
Bitten 5/25/2009 in Perry County, Indiana. Diagnosed by LLMD 12/2/2009. Posts: 756 | From Inside the tunnel | Registered: Jan 2010
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lightparfait
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22022
posted
From what I have read myself and understand from running a business...I believe it is the beginning of the demise for our nation financially, as well as health wise. The train will not be able to slow down once this gets going.
There were some good things in the bill...but the majority will hurt us all big time!
My insurance will not cover my treatments in the future as they are not now anyway. The gov.gives grants to big Pharma...and they will not have a cure for lyme...so do not be dupped into believeing this is good for the chronically ill.
Most of all of our problems are toxin related anyway...our immune systems are malfunctining pre-lyme... so changing preservatives, and pesticides, etc in our food supply and environment is not a part of this...they can't see the root of our situation. This bill just compounds our health situation big time.
The gov. does not believe there is chronic lyme anyway, so no concern of anyone here being dumped because of lyme...there is no conclusive test for chronic lyme and it is unfortunately not on the horizon.
Private research through donations of generous individuals have gotten us so far...and that will also change when the generous are taxed too much to keep donating to causes and their churches, and those less fortunate. Many programs will go down the tubes...and we will all have to pull in our spending big time....and live extremely simply in the future.
society will all be hurt by this. WE have very selfish people pushing this bill down our throats...its all about them politically...dont full yourself.
My connections politically tell me about some of the "private meetings" sweet deals offered personally to those who may not get re-elected due to their unpopular vote...they were told not to worry...they will be remembered...they will be taken care of for this!!!
Our current leaders should be jailed for this sort of bribery!
And those like me, and I dont consider myslef wealthy...as I Live on a budget...and help others with health conditions finaancially...will no longer have enough money to donate to lyme disease cures or other things as I am now to be taxed out my kazoo! I will be paying for those of you who take advantage of this program.
The best and brightest will not want to go into the medical field now to be a part of this for their lifes' work.
More people will be living longer chronically ill, and draining our economy with this particular medical plan. Its a domino effect that will have horrific ramifications.
There is no part that addresses healing the root causes of American chronic illness, only the ability to go to the DR. for tests and surgeries.
It would be much cheaper and more effective for our gov. to hire private business people to monitor and find the current fraud in the medicare/medicaid plans...which is causing a big problem...This is why I believe the insurance co's question so many claims...because there is rampant fraud already...I have witnessed this in my own family....
Especially when people are sent to the hospital for tests...knowing they may not really need them...because they are not paying for them. Thats what the nurses tell me each month at my inlaws nursing home when they send them to the hosp. They find nothing wrong after a $10,000.00 bill! I complain asking why send them without a diagnosis...as this is done so much by them.
They respond, dont worry, you aren't paying for this...medicare is! I say you are wrong...All americans including myself are paying for this in our insurance rates! This type of behavior caused the insurance rate issue! This is scary as this happens all day every day!
The truth is...the insurance co's make very little profit already, as they raise their rates to pay for the chronically ill already, especially those living longer on Medicare and Medicaid...the boomers will add to this in the next two decades...and the costs will be outrageous for those of us who have to pay for the insurance and the businesses who have to supply it, will continue to cut jobs so they can afford to insure less employees...ask anyone who already is effected like my husband who constantly is told to downsize..cut people to keep the business afloat...
Then with less people, productivity is down, and profits are lost! Its a domino effect...everyone looses.
This plan will cost jobs, and give sub-standard care to everyone...ask you LLMD!
WE need a business person running our country...not politicians who need consultants to figure things out! It common sense to the business world.
Posts: 1009 | From NJ | Registered: Aug 2009
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
That sounded sorta like what was said when we had our last civil war over slavery. The North vs The South.
Can the denial of a ever increasing illness to thousands of Americans be compared
to the denial of human beings just because of their color to protect the rights they so cherished as slavery vs insurance profits,drug companies profits,guidelines makers.
I think yes.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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massman
Unregistered
posted
"The truth is...the insurance co's make very little profit already"
Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
quote,"Private research through donations of generous individuals have gotten us so far...and that will also change when the generous are taxed too much to keep donating to causes and their churches, and those less fortunate. Many programs will go down the tubes...and we will all have to pull in our spending big time....and live extremely simply in the future."
They are the reason for this in the first place.
If there was not such corruption they would not
have to be making donations!
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Honestly, I wouldn't doubt that insurance companies aren't making much. How could they, with how expensive healthcare is?
Sure, they get discounts....but still, the price is unreal. The price of a night in the hospital. The price of some of these drugs.
In my mind, the whole problem is the prices that have gotten out of control.
I would rather see the government step in and regulate the PRICES as opposed to regulating what the people do (aka, telling individuals they have to purchase insurance, telling states they need to pay for more people to be insured on Medicaid, etc). The gov is hoping that what they are doing will have an indirect effect on prices, but why not just directly regulate prices (or at least practices of the drug companies) and save everyone the hassle and take out the what-if's?
In general I hate to see too much regulation, but healthcare needs it. The insurance companies aren't as evil as the drug companies, IMO. The drug companies make a product just to "sell" it.
I don't think we need a huge bill with a bunch of mandates for people and states, I think we need some price caps on the drug companies. They need to be forced to tighten their belts. No more paying tons of drug reps to drive around the country, pimping free samples. No more prime-time advertising on TV. WE, the dying, pay for that stuff when we buy drugs!
I don't understand why the drug companies aren't being asked to be held accountable, through all this uproar about healthcare reform. Unless it's because of the lobbyists.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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emla999/Lyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12606
posted
quote: Massman said:
"The truth is...the insurance co's make very little profit already"
Source please ?
Thanks !
Lightparfait may have been talking about profit margins. Overall profit margins are lower for the health insurance companies than for many other health care related companies. ***Profit margins basically reflect the percentage of revenue left over after paying salaries, expenses, taxes and lots of other things.
posted
Not great percentages BUT when the math is done the dollar amounts are very high.
Can anybody post those amounts ?
Using %s is like comparing apples to oranges. Well, last year my profit margin was only 12% (which in dollars was 674 million dollars) so it really wasn't much
And i was only paid 4% (about $224 million (Disclaimer the above is an EXAMPLE.)
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
When you look at those percentages though, it's easy to see who needs more regulation.
I don't think there's anything wrong with making a lot of money, in some cases. (like if you make a product that people love (not need), there is nothing wrong with the rewards)
But when people's lives are on the line and it's a need, they don't have a choice...they have to buy your product. So taking advantage of that by upping your margins is not cool.
I'm not saying that pharma shouldn't make money, but why can't they keep it in line with a normal company's profit margins?
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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glm1111
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 16556
posted
Just google Blue Cross (or any insurance co) profits 2009 + your state and you can see the profits.
Gael
-------------------- PARASITES/WORMS ARE NOW RECOGNIZED AS THE NUMBER 1 CO-INFECTION IN LYME DISEASE BY ILADS* Posts: 6418 | From philadelphia pa | Registered: Jul 2008
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
I'm very pleased with the bill.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
anyone with lyme likely will be in a bad way. the president believes that evidence-based medicine will be a part of what will lead to a reduction in health care costs.
For Lyme patients evidence-based treatment is dictated by the IDSA guidelines. Given this, I can't see how we will not end up being told "you've had your 28 days of treatment" and then told we have post-lyme syndrome and sent on our merry way.
-------------------- Misdiagnosed and untreated from 1993-2008. - iGenex positive western blot for LD: 9/08 - Clinical diagnosis for Babesia: 2/09 - Positive blood smear for Bartonella: 3/09
Started treatment: 1/09 Posts: 91 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Jan 2009
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emla999/Lyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12606
posted
Massman said:
quote:
Not great percentages BUT when the math is done the dollar amounts are very high.
Can anybody post those amounts?
I agree, the health insurance companies still make a large net profit.
For more about their net profits click on the link bellow:
And Hoosiers, I agree with you. Why are the drug companies profit margins so high??? And why aren't they being held more accountable for the contributing rise in healthcare cost??
Personally, I consider profit margins to be an important indicator on which companies are actually price gouging the consumer and in what industries we should also be looking at to lower the cost of healthcare.
When you look at the net income and the profit margins you can see which companies are contributing the most to the high cost of healthcare in this country.
Most of the health insurance companies profit margins are slightly bellow to slightly above what is considered to be normal for a successful business. ***Roughly 95-98% of the money that the health insurance companies collect from enrollees is not even pocketed (net income). They only net between 2-5% of what is collected from their enrollees.
But the drug companies, laboratories, medical supply companies and biotech companies profit margins are usually MUCH higher than what is considered normal....they are essentially price gouging. And they often have MUCH higher profit margins and a higher net income than do the health insurance companies.
And in my personal opinion those industries listed in the paragraph above contribute much more to the high cost of healthcare in this country than do the health insurance companies.
cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
I was wondering the same- I got the msg this topic doesnt exist, but saw there were a few notifications of replies in my inbox.
was it deleted?
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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Dekrator48
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18239
posted
From what I have heard, people who pay for their health insurance privately will likely pay more.
That IS NOT good news for my husband and I.
Insurance co's will likely raise their rates to make up for taking on people with pre-existing conditions that will cost them lots of money.
We already pay a ton of $$$ for just my policy which does not cover prescriptions or Dr visits.
I do not want to pay more.
-------------------- The fibromyalgia I've had for 32 years was an undiagnosed Lyme symptom.
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 6076 | From Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Nov 2008
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Dekrator is right; those who pay for their health insurance privately will most likely be paying more, and its already so expensive.
Rates will continue to rise since the health insurance companies now have to take on those with pre-exising conditions, and can not decline anyone.
Eventually, the health insurance companies will be out of business and we will all be on a government run program....just like Canada!
Posts: 490 | From TX- Go Cowboys! | Registered: Aug 2009
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
What I am frustrated with is the Medicare physical therapy cap was supposed to be done away with ...but that was not in this bill. ...instead Obama choose to create another bill and just extend the exception process for Physical therapy(which most dont qualify for) Medicare only pays for roughly 21 sessions of PT...maybe less depending on cost of treatment. IMO if he was really looking out for those who are sick this would have been the first thing he would have corrected.
Almost all insurance companies now follow Medicare guidelines and with these caps in place on treatment...the government is in control.
I would have liked to have seen him try to correct what was already in place.. figure out why costs are so high... make it so Dr cant opt out of Medicare or Medicaid..
what is the sense of offering Medicaid if Dr can choose not to take it?
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
I suppose the other post was deleated as well, I couldnt find it.. Im sorry as I had written a reply which I wont go into but I am sorry some of you wont beable to see it.
In short, it said I am sorry if I offended anyone I did not mean to...no I am not mad at whoever posted something they were afraid would make me mad...this is America and everyone is entitled to disagree and think differently...thats what makes us Americans. (:
With that being said...I just wanted people to do their own research on the matter and make their own decisions.
I agree, we should all stick together here to give each other help and support (Lord knows we get enough opposition from outside the Lyme community)
Perhaps I get too emotional such as I do with the passion I have when trying to get people to understand lyme----sorry
What others above have mention is in fact right...about medicare, insurance, medicaid, govt run insurance like Canada has, etc.
but hopefully with the help of lawmakers and our votes we can help make sure some of the changes dont take place. After all....all we want is to be able to get treament for ourselves and our children.
Take care,
Karen (:
P.S. Just so everyone knows I do not condone violence and I think what some are doing because they didnt like the outcome is just a total shame!!!! That is No way to act. Ever.
Posts: 423 | From Virginia | Registered: Nov 2009
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If insurance only pays for 1 month of Lyme coverage now, and the government doesn't acknowledge Chronic Lyme where does that leave us?
Just where we are now... paying for our own treatment and looking to alternative medicine.
Our premiums will go up until government regulations put insurance companies out of business.
Then we will die for lack of government treatment(unless we have found alternative care that works) because we are too old and sick to be cost effective.
I think they want us to die so we aren't able to collect social security ;-(
Has anyone heard that Doctor salaries will be regulated by government(cut) and then left that way for 10 years? If that is true who would want to go into medicine with huge school bills, long hours, and low pay (not to mention sick crabby patients)?
Preventative medicine is the key; not giving "basic" coverage to everyone.
If the government were really wanting to reform "health care", focus should have been put on exercise, nutrition, raising taxes and prices on alcohol and tobacco consumption and place extremely tight regulations of preservatives, esp MSG.
Focusing on Preventative medicine will lower acute and chronic illness, thus lowering the amount of people needing medical care. This, in return, will lower the physician 'shortage', as less people will be needing to see their medical doctors so often.
Regarding us being able to get what we lymies 'need': Honestly, don't we all see cash practice physicians right now anyway?? As long as physicians can maintain running a cash practice, thus avoiding the insurance nonsense, our lyme physicians will remain.
However, I will personally be in 300k when I'm done with my decade of schooling. If physician salaries are cut, we won't be able to pay off our debt. Thus, people will not be able to afford being physicians, unless someone already happens to be wealthy and thus can afford going to medical school.
I did NOT go into medicine to make a lot of money. This bill will force us newbies in hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, however, to become cash for service.
Not only that, but the physician shortage is going to rise DRAMATICALLY. ...with everyone having insurance and less people being able to afford becoming a physician, it's a plan for dissaster.
and as for people not being able to get medical care b/c they dont have insurance... even if you have to wait a while, you can always walk into an ER and see a physician. And waiting a few HOURS beats waiting 6 months to get an MRI of your brain for the brain tumor that MAY just take your life in... oh wait. 6 months...
this type of health"CARE" no longer remains as a triage system, where those with the more life threatening concerns are treated first. Rather, it becomes first come first serve... nonsense....
-------------------- ...trying to be the coffee bean, not the egg. Posts: 420 | From East Coast | Registered: Jun 2008
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my health insurance PAID $20,000 in 2009 for my PRESCRIPTIONS alone.
I really dont think a government regulated 'basic' insurance plan would even TOUCH that.
and in regards to the previous statements about profit margins being low for insurance companies, my ins. co surely lost a boat load of $$ on me...
Now i'm not sure just how this new bill is going to regulate prescription co pays and what have you, but in Canada, prescriptions are not covered . period. youre on your own....
at least now we can get Some coverage on our Rxs...
-------------------- ...trying to be the coffee bean, not the egg. Posts: 420 | From East Coast | Registered: Jun 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Green,
I agree with pretty much everything you said. This is "insurance reform." We're not reforming health care! We might make some changes, to be fair, but nothing that would be actual reform of the nation's level of care. Except for those that couldn't afford it and now will get it, because by default having something is better than nothing.
What we need is better prevention.
I cringe when they use that statistic of our life expectancy in the U.S. compared to other countries, and imply that this bill will fix that. Americans live a totally different lifestyle compared to most of those countries, so it's not a fair comparison. The lifestyle factor is so different, that you really can't draw any conclusions about the state of healthcare, only the state of HEALTH. Healthcare and health are different, because health includes lifestyle.
If the government really wants to get involved in the U.S's health in a meaningful way....they will stop subsidizing things like corn (which makes corn oil and high fructose corn syrup which leads to diabetes), soy (which can lead to cancer in some cases b/c of hormonal effects), and wheat (which is over-consumed in America in lieu of nutrient-dense foods).
Think about it....the government is PAYING farmers to grow those 3 unhealthy crops! Why can't they subsidize leafy greens? Those PREVENT disease, they don't cause it!
That is where reform begins, in my opinion. Lifestyle. Why are we incentivizing being unhealthy?
Yes, I believe the poor, disabled, elderly, (currently existing programs) and those with pre-existing conditions should have access to health care. And I believe everyone else should have access to something that makes sense....basically, the logical reforms that both parties agree on.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
ps---the government also subsidizes tobacco. The horror! Why are we shooting ourselves in the foot?
Corn (read...corn syrup and oil, and low-quality food for cows that are meant to eat grass), soy, wheat, and tobacco? Consume those things, and you'll die younger than someone not consuming those things... of an expensive chronic disease that takes a lot of money to manage...I can tell you that.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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