Real SCHIP losers: Kids exploited by Democrats
Today House Democrats failed to override President Bush’s veto of their thinly veiled scheme to codify universal health care by expanding SCHIP.
That was a relief. But their shameless exploitation of children during this debate was inexcusable and should not be given a pass.
It should come as no surprise. If liberals exploit preborn children for power and money, why not postborn?…
And this isn’t new for them. Most recently liberals paraded sick children before cameras and in legislators’ faces to try to force federal funding of human embryo experimentation.
But to get their way on SCHIP they went beyond the pale. I previously discussed how they used 12-year-old brain damaged Graem Frost.
But there were others. From the Washington Post, September 26:
Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) spoke of his daughter’s cancer and an uninsured boy with leukemia. [Democrat House Majority Leader Steny] Hoyer spoke of his grandchildren and of an uninsured Maryland boy who died when an abscessed tooth caused a brain infection. Rep. Vic Snyder (D-AR) brought his 16-month-old son to the floor for the vote.
Republicans objected to this technique. “This bill uses these children as pawns,” protested Rep. Pete Sessions (Tex.). But pawns have their place….
And Democrats were not about to let down their human shields….
They even exploited a 2-year-old. Here’s one of several SCHIP ads by MoveOn.org that House GOP leader John Boehner today called “so misleading and disgusting they have no place in our nation’s political discourse”:
“Don’t veto me”? What a great concept for an anti-abortion ad.
Gotta close with this repulsive tirade today by CA Rep. loser Pete Stark, so bitter over the SCHIP expansion veto override defeat he accused President Bush of being amused when soldiers are killed:
This trash talk and these trash ads are much of the reason the Democrat-controlled Congress is experiencing approval ratings that have now plunged twice as low as President Bush’s. The latest Reuters/Zogby poll has it at a mere 11%.
[HT for MoveOn ad: Illinois Review; photo of Nancy Pelosi with young Bethany Wilkerson and her mother, featured in the above MoveOn ad, courtesy of Washington Post, October 19]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Republicans do plenty of exploitation. Remember, the kids that W used to say “don’t kill me” (against the stem cell research initiative)? The use of all of those cute pleading kids are okay though, because Republicans do it.
Children want medicine!?
Next thing ‘ya know, the little bastards will want food!
The only blessing greater than the fact that I never became a nurse, is the fact that Jill no longer is one…
“California Nurses Association Co-President Zenei
Cortez, a registered nurse, argued Bush
SEIU Leaders Denounce Failure to Override SCHIP Veto, Vow to Continue Fight for Children’s Healthcare
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Leaders of the largest healthcare union in the nation today blasted Members of Congress who refused to override President Bush’s SCHIP veto, and pledged to continue fighting to win healthcare for 10 million uninsured children.
Anna Burger, Secretary-Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), applauded those Representatives who stood up to President Bush by voting “yes” on the veto override.
“It takes guts to stand up to the President of your own party, and these leaders deserve credit for doing the right thing for the children of this country,” said Burger. “But many did not. And a handful of politicians in Washington, DC, must not be able to take health insurance away from 10 million children.”
As part of a national grassroots and advertising campaign supporting the SCHIP legislation, SEIU spent $1.9 million on print, radio, and television ads, helped tens of thousands of people to send emails and make phone calls into congressional offices, and orchestrated hundreds of press conferences, rallies, and vigils in targeted districts around the country.
SEIU Healthcare Chair Dennis Rivera promised to continue the fight for children’s healthcare. “This fight is far from over,” he said. “We cannot let politics get in the way of priorities. There are millions of uninsured children in this country who are depending on us, and we will not rest until they get the coverage they need.”
Burger and Rivera said that SEIU would continue to pressure the Members of Congress who voted against the override to change their position and support healthcare for kids.
The fastest-growing union in North America, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and its 1.9 million members are uniting workers to improve their lives and the services they provide. SEIU Healthcare unites over 1 million nurses and healthcare workers in the hospital, nursing home, homecare industries in a national union dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of care for every patient, fixing our broken healthcare system, and improving the lives of healthcare workers, their families, and their communities.
Website: http://www.seiu.org/
As far as I understand, Jill still has her nurse’s license. A nurse doesn’t lose her license unless it’s revoked by the state. Am I correct, Jill?
BTW, at present, I don’t have medical insurance, but I certainly don’t want socialized medical care in this country. If I really need to see a doctor or be hospitalized there are many clinics and a few hospitals that provide free and/or sliding-scale medical care. And the same places treat children.
I must say that I don’t agree that the uninsured should be able to be treated at a hospital emergency room in lieu of not having the money or insurance to see a regular physician at a clinic.
And anyway, I thought your answer to all health care woes was supposed to be Planned Parenthood, which is supposed to provide a variety of services. Why don’t they use part of their $300 million in tax dollars to treat sick children?
I must say that I don’t agree that the uninsured should be able to be treated at a hospital emergency room in lieu of not having the money or insurance to see a regular physician at a clinic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Great! We provide comprehensive health care for all Iraquis using American taxpayer dollars, but don’t provide for American children?
Good job!
I don’t understand how expanding on SCHIP is taking the big step towards universal health care. And as an individual who’s unisured because of prior health conditions and who’s barely had the money to pay for routine health care and is $10,000 in debt to the hospital for 2 life-threatening emergency admittances, I understand what it’s like to not be able to afford health care. I see only the children without health care being hurt in this political game for/against universal health care.
Correction:
I see only the children without health care being hurt in this political game for/against universal health care.
was supposed to read…
I see only the children without health insurance being hurt in this political game.
A few noted about the crisis in health care;
“A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that the average out-of-pocket medical debt for those who filed for bankruptcy was $12,000. The study noted that 68 percent of those who filed for bankruptcy had health insurance. In addition, the study found that 50 percent of all bankruptcy filings were partly the result of medical expenses (14). Every 30 seconds in the United States someone files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem.”
Yes, Paul, I still have my RN license.
Rachael, 1:24a, said: “I don’t understand how expanding on SCHIP is taking the big step towards universal health care.”
Rachael, read the previous post I linked to.
Laura, there is absolutely no comparison between the dastardly ways liberals/Democrats exploit both preborn and postborn children for their own gain nor the words they say for same, to how conservatives regard children. Let’s start with abortion, for example.
“dastardly” — oh man, there have been some good words put forth of late.
Doug
Hey all,
Try this fun easy political quiz.
http://www.politicalcompass.org/
Laura, there is absolutely no comparison between the dastardly ways liberals/Democrats exploit both preborn and postborn children for their own gain nor the words they say for same, to how conservatives regard children. Let’s start with abortion, for example.
Jill, exactly.
My political score from the quiz I posted.
Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: -4.00
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.05
Basically very liberal on economics and almost right on the line moderate socially.
Hippie, my political compass: Economic left/right:-1.75 and Social Libertarian/ Authoritarian:-1.64. I guess that would make me slightly left of center on economic and social issues.
Well, something needs to be done to fix health care in this country. I find it sad and appauling that people in CUBA live longer then we do in what is supposed to be the “greatest country on earth”.
Of all western nations we are the only ones without socialized Health Care. we also have the lowest life expectancy and highest disease rates. Obesity, Diabetes, cancer…. basically everything.
Something needs to change. and who knows, maybe something that is tried and proven to work…. might just work.
Liam.
Liam,
I know nothing about Cuban health.
However there are some super cheap ways to improve health.
One way is exercise or do physical work.
Another is to eat more fresh fruit and vegtables instead of high fat, high salt, highly processed foods.
These lifestyle differences can increase longevity 2-5 years on average for a population.
Hippie:
Very true, and im sure that helps, but there are also places like Canada, Norway, Britain…. that live similar lifestyles to ours, and have much longer lives.
For better health, indeed something needs to change.
We need to change.
My dentist had this sign in his office:
There is nothing the dentist can do that will make up for what the patient will not do.
Laura, there is absolutely no comparison between the dastardly ways liberals/Democrats exploit both preborn and postborn children for their own gain nor the words they say for same, to how conservatives regard children. Let’s start with abortion, for example.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finding money to help sick children is exploiting them? Making sure that their families don’t end up homeless because of medical costs is exploitation?
Gee, it turns out that many women HAVE abortions because they can’t afford to care for a child. You and yours just sent the message that that’s a pretty sound decision…
Laura wrote,
“Gee, it turns out that many women HAVE abortions because they can’t afwhford to care for a child”
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I am not sure that really makes sense since you don’t need a lot of money to give your child for adoption.
Abortion is quick, easy and legal and many people close to the woman pressure her to choose abotion to make life easier on themselves. I think that is why they choose it.
Tugging the heartstrings with sick children is not the issue as much as misleading or outright lying by using sick children. Furthermore, this is exploitation because they are not using the children’s illnesses to garner support to help the children, but to push their larger agenda.
What disgusts me is that they paint those that oppose the SCHIP expansion as anti-children or anti-poor children, when SCHIP would have passed with bi-partisan support had the bill simply covered the poor kids and not attempted to put middle class kids on welfare. Republicans in congress are 100% for helping poor children. It’s the middle-class kids insured by their parents who would be dropped from that insurance and covered by a government program that is seen as poor stewardship.
I have been a student 98% of my life and uninsured. I have been to the ER several times and not paid, simply because I couldn’t. Even as a child, my self-employed father didn’t have insurance for us because it was too expensive (and my mother, the nurse, could handle most everything anyway). My father paid 40 grand out of pocket to remove his gall bladder. 40,000! I’m also going self-employed, so I will be unisured yet again. So I understand the phlight of the uninsured, but I recognize that SCHIP is a dangerous precedent on many fronts.
People don’t analyze policies enough before the extend their support. Those people are called ignorant. Other people extend their support to dangerous bills knowing full well that they are dangerous. Those people are called evil. I am neither ignorant nor evil. It’s nice. :)
I am not sure that really makes sense since you don’t need a lot of money to give your child for adoption.
Actually, an adoption plan costs nothing. Agencies are also there to help with expenses in carrying the child to term (rather than aborting her). So any expenses that a woman might incur by remaining pregnant rather than aborting are FULLY COVERED, as well as other expenses she would have had anyway like food and rent.
Abortions on the other hand cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Not being able to afford a child is not absolute reason to kill that child, since the woman can place the child without expense. Moreover, if a woman feels like she can’t have her baby and must kill him/her because of money, that’s where we need to rally around her and support her, not shred her fetus and kick her back out on the street poor and bleeding, as pro-aborts suggest. So who’s more compassionate?
Okay,
So I stink at math and now apparently I stink at politics…can someone explain that test to me? I just don’t get it.
Nice try, Jill, but polls also show that 80% of the population supports the SCHIP expansion. I’m amazed that anyone who considers themselves “pro-life” could disapprove of health insurance for children. It’s pretty sick.
Here was my score, which surprised me a little:
Economic Left/Right: -1.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.51
MK,
I think it just tests where one is politically (left-right, etc)…
tp,
should families making up to 80k per year receive government welfare?
I’m amazed that anyone who considers themselves “pro-life” could disapprove of health insurance for children.
Pro-lifers do not disapprove of health insurance for poor kids. What we disapprove of is putting middle-class kids on welfare, while ushering in universal healthcare that denies care to the ill and disabled.
If 80% of Americans approve of the SCHIP expansion, then 80% of Americans are blooming idiots, TP.
Rep. Stark must have had a momentary blackout and thought he was posting on this blog! His lack of civility and restraint was over the top. He should resign in disgrace.
Representative Stark is simply echoing the frustrations that we all are feeling after 6 disasterous years of Bush. Bush should resign in disgrace.
Alright.
So you guys are against expanding SCHIP and universal health care in general.
So what do you propose in your infinite conservative wisdom we do to help the people that cannot afford health care? What plan do you have that helps uninsured families get the health care they need?
Until there is a better, realistic alternative that has some remote chance of working I will continue to loosely support universal health care because right now, that’s the only plan besides saying, “Screw the poor. They should work harder,” or something on that order (hyperbole I know…).
Which families get screwed when it comes to health care?
Mostly the middle class.
The assumption that because they are above the poverty level they can pay for everything fully is really getting to me.
Rae:
It’s called bootstraps.
“Now some people might say that it’s callous not giving food stamps to poor people. They would say it’s just another example of class warfare. Well there is no class war in this country. The Upper class have such a tactical advantage that if the Lower class makes a sudden move we’ll have a class massacre.”
I really want to post this hilarious diagram but it might take a while. Oh well. I’m going to do it.
@PiP: Especially considering how ridiculously low the poverty level in the US is. Isn’t it like $20,000 a year and under = poverty? It’s absolutely ridiculous…in many other countries in the world, they consider $40,000 dollars to = poverty.
But of course, the rest of the world is just blithering idiot liberals who looooooooove sex, death and drugs and dancing about in their heathen, non-religious ways.
*eyeroll*
And who’s to say Republicans *never* exploit anybody? I’d have to say the Republican party has exploited religious folk, the military, and children as well.
But it’s okay when Republicans do it, because they support “Family Values”.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
Lowerclass: Sound of your own weeping
Middle: Growing suspicion you’ve been duped
Upper: “Should my topiary animals be alphabetized by plant or by animal they represent?”
Q: Retirement Activities?
L: Diabetes
M: Unable to retire thanks to children’s educations
U: Alternating round of golf and plastic surgery
Q: Your annual Federal tax bill?
L: 0
M: $25,000
U: 0
Q: Favorite drink?
L: Grain alcohol and Robitussin
M: Chardonnay (off the record: this really is my favorite wine)
U: Human Growth Hormone
Q: Plan for accruing wealth?
L: Powerball ticket
M: Scrimping and saving
U: continuing to breathe
Q: What did you eat for breakfast?
L: High fructose corn syrup
M: whatever Jenny Craig said I could
U: Scrambled faberge eggs
Q: Where did you go on your last vacation?
L: The fire escape
M: Mall of America
U: Private island that is shaped like me
Q: What sports do you play?
L: Gun Ball
M: Softball team sponsored by bar you hide from family in
U: Training show dogs to play polo
Q: What TV show best reflects your life?
L: Any broadcast with Anderson Cooper on the edge of tears
M: Everybody Loves Raymond
U: History Channel: Finding Nazi gold!
Q: What kind of shoes do you wear?
L: $175 Nike Air Force 25 Supremes
M: Whatever Payless had in my size
U: No shoes. Had the yard leathered.
I pretty much laughed my ass off just typing this.
Rae-
hear, hear. I especially love it how Republicans parade our armed forces around, unless they disagree with the war, in which they are traitors.
Jacque, I thought you were the one complaining about how we treat children…and here you are saying that we shouldn’t supply them with health care. Way to go, fetus-centricism.
Real SCHIP losers: kids who die because their parents can’t afford to get them the medical treatment they need.
Chardonnay (off the record: this really is my favorite wine)
PIP, it’s a favorite of mine too. IMO one of the best values is J. Lohr – usually around $10 a bottle, and remarkably buttery.
Have always loved Far Niente, but it’s $40+ and really isn’t 4 times better than the Lohr and many others.
The last couple years have been getting Columbia Crest Reserve from 2003 – oh Baby – so good and a little cheaper than the Far Niente.
Last month had an awesome Rombauer – found it in a tiny little shop in St. Simon’s Island, GA. It blew everybody away. Over $30 though, and with the “expensive” ones I don’t think they hold their worth after the first couple glasses. Might as well drink the cheaper stuff then.
My wife’s family is Italian and really big on wine. I fit right in.
Doug
Wow, Doug, I am going to write that down!
I’m a poor college student so unless I’m a visitor (oh man) I have to settle for cheap ones. Barefoot is a decent cheap brand that is available at the local grocery store!
“thinly veiled scheme to codify universal health”
no, it isn’t. and, I sure wish it was.
“thinly veiled scheme to codify universal health”
no, it isn’t. and, I sure wish it was.
Posted by: Hal at October 19, 2007 1:59 PM
Hear, hear. No kidding. Every decent analysis that’s been done comparing our system with universal/single payer systems puts them way up over us. Those stupid frickin’ myths about having to wait for emergency healthcare in Canada and Britain are just that, myths.
Pip,
That reminded me of this one:
> > Are you a Democrat, Republican or Southerner?
> >
> > Here is a little test that will help you decide.
> > The answer can be found by posing the following question …
> >
> > You’re walking down a deserted street with your! wife an d two
small
> > children. Suddenly, an Islamic Terrorist with a huge knife comes
around
> > the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, praises
Allah,
> > raises the knife & charges at you. You are carrying a Glock 40
caliber
> > semi-automatic & you are an expert shot.
> >
> > You have mere seconds before he reaches you & your family. What do
you
> > do?
> >
> > ………………………………………………………
> > Democrat’s Answer:
> > Well, that’s not enough information to answer the question!
> > Does the man look poor! Or oppressed?
> > Have I ever done any thing to him that would inspire him to attack?
> > Could we run away?
> > What does my wife think?
> > What about the kids ?
> > What does the law say about this situation?
> > Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway? What kind
> > of message does this send to society and to my children? Does he
> > definitely want to kill me, or
> > would he be content just to wound me?
> >
> > Why is this street so deserted?
> >
> > Should I call 9-1-1?
> > What can I do to understand his behavior, to relate to his
concerns?
> >
> >
> > Republican’s Answer:
> > B A N G !
> >
> > Southerner’s Answer:
> >
> >
> >
> > BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
> > BANG! BANG! BANG!
> >
> > Click….. (Sounds of reloading)
> >
> > BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
> > BANG ! BANG! BANG!
> >
> > Click
> > Daughter:
> > ‘Nice shootin’, Daddy! Were those the
> > Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points?’
> >
> > Son:
> > ‘Can I shoot the next un?!’
> >
> > Wife:
> > ‘You ain’t taking that to the taxidermist!’
> >
PIP,
Funny hyberole, PIP. I take issue with this, though.
Q: Your annual Federal tax bill?
L: 0
M: $25,000
U: 0
The upper class pay the lower class’s taxes for them. Thus if you put a tax bill of 50,000 for the upperclass (more like 500k or 5 mil), then it would be accurate.
Jacque, I thought you were the one complaining about how we treat children…and here you are saying that we shouldn’t supply them with health care. Way to go, fetus-centricism.
Damn right I complain about how we treat children-but I was talking about the youngest ones who only get to live based on the parent’s whim. If people could abort their adolescents, my focus would be on the imperative need to protect those children. If that made me adolescent-centric, so be it.
Kids that survive the womb in this country have it better than kids in 90% of the rest of the world. For the record, though, I have no problem with supplying poor kids with healthcare. Poor kids. Poor kids. Not minivan, surburban, soccer-playing middle class kids. It’s a moral obligation to care for the poor kids. We MUST take care of those children.
My issue are the middle-class families taking their children off their private insurance and putting their kids on welfare. That’s money that is not going to the poor; It’s going to families than make more than I do! How is that good stewardship? Expecting middle-class families to make their own solutions and bear their own burdens rather than falsely believing that we can provide expensive services for all is the only way to get the poor any sort of help.
My primary concern with this is not a problem so much with middle-class welfare- it is euthanasia-happy socialized medicine that this ushers in. In universal healthcare, the disabled, elderly, premature or chronically ill are euthanized to save money. That’s the hell that expanded SCHIP is paving for us, but apparently only a few people have the analytical minds to grasp that.
HAHA nice!
Jacq-
It was a joke!
I think i’ve read that page a bajillion times (as well as the “are you gay?” diagram)
And I still laugh ridiculously hard.
Laura,
The only blessing greater than the fact that I never became a nurse, is the fact that Jill no longer is one…
Exactly what did you become? You’re some kind of vet tech or something, right?
Exactly what did you become? You’re some kind of vet tech or something, right?
Posted by: Jacqueline at October 19, 2007 4:41 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes, I’m a veterinary technician.
So what do you propose in your infinite conservative wisdom we do to help the people that cannot afford health care? What plan do you have that helps uninsured families get the health care they need?
Posted by: Rae at October 19, 2007 1:05 PM
I think the money from SCHIP (not the money from cigs the dems want to tax) but the money we actually have and Bush wants to use, should help pay the healthcare premiums to get children covered. They would have healthcare, the premium cost would be covered and it would cost less that how SCHIP is in its current state. What’s wrong with that? Several repubs have offered it as an alternative plan and have asked dems to look into the research but apparently they aren’t willing to.
Yes, I’m a veterinary technician.
Fun! I’m a stray-orphaned-pregnant-ill-animals-come-to-my-doorstep-and-I-care-for-them. I’ve had a baby squirrel, 3 kittens, countless birds of all types, dogs and cats come in and out of my “lay clinic”. It’s very rewarding.
And that’s my cue to go fill up the Fudgesicle’s food and water before I leave for the weekend. He’s a stray puppy that lives behind my office.
Several repubs have offered it as an alternative plan and have asked dems to look into the research but apparently they aren’t willing to.
It doesn’t fit the backdoor attempt at socialized medicine for all. Kids appear to be their LAST concern.
@Kristin: I was talking about all those who cannot afford proper health care (meaning both children AND adults). Yes, that will help children (which is excellent and I would fully support that), but what about the adults and elderly that cannot afford their medications (ie psychiatric medications, diabetes medications, etc).
Yes, it’s a crime that children are not getting the health care they need, but that goes for adults too who aren’t getting the necessary health care (especially so for pregnant women).
What do you propose to help both children AND adults?
Rae, SCHIP is for children only so that’s what I was addressing.
As far as adults there are a couple of things to that question. First, I have insurance. BUT my insurance does not cover ANY “well care” visits. Meaning, no paps, no routine mamograms, not even a yearly check-up. I do have coverage if I had cancer or another catastrophy, but apparently my insurance thinks it’s better to pay if I notice it stage 3 rather than try to find it stage 1. So even insurance isn’t perfect.
Second, when I was 21 I had an accident. I had just moved back to Illinois, had no job and wound up in the ER and admitted to the hospital for days. I was in a panic about how I was going to pay thinking I’d be doing it for the rest of my life. When I finally did get the bill it was over $30,000. I called the hospital to figure out some kind of payment plan and they said the bill was taken care of by the state b/c I had no insurance.
Now, I don’t know if every state is like that but I can’t tell you how grateful I was for that. Hospitals cannot refuse treatment for life threatening issues.
I don’t have all the answers and of course I’d like to see everyone have coverage, but even those of use that do have coverage have a lot of out of pocket expenses. My children’s immunizations are not covered by my insurance, their well baby visits were not covered. That’s why I think that money to help pay the premiums is a good idea.
@tp,
this is WILD … put what tp says “Nice try, Jill, but polls also show that 80% of the population supports the SCHIP expansion. I’m amazed that anyone who considers themselves “pro-life” could disapprove of health insurance for children. It’s pretty sick. [Posted by: tp at October 19, 2007 10:12 AM] together with what Liam posted earlier “Of all western nations we are the only ones without socialized Health Care. we also have the lowest life expectancy and highest disease rates. Obesity, Diabetes, cancer…. basically everything.
Something needs to change. and who knows, maybe something that is tried and proven to work…. might just work. Posted by: Liam at October 19, 2007 9:30 AM.”
Expansion will mean BETTER _______. Not likely, just more of the same, just bs in a bigger package! You love kids so much you want to give them just what American adults embrace? You’ve got to get out of the mentality that throwing more money at something improves ______ … a dead horse will remain dead, even if you pile on the cash! I only see the $$$$$$$, but no imagination, nor direction for improvement.
Ask yourself honestly who has the most to lose from single payer universal health insurance?
I think it is the insurance companies who make huge profits.
You may not like to hear this, but Social Security has overhead of about 2-3%. Virtually all the money goes to the recipients.
No private annuity companies or insurers or brokers have fees that low. They are all in the 20-30% range and post profits which go to shareholders the majority of whom are already rich.
The health care system in this country profits the rich who will lobby using fear tactics so they can continue to profit.
I think it is obvious.
hey hippie,
I’m from Canada & what might seem foolproof -isn’t. In recent years, governments have been getting into some phenomenal money-raising things like lotteries. On the surface this seems beneficial, but because there are no strings attached to this money, they are not as responsive to tax payers, becoming less and less accountable. It is the same as corporate taxation. If 90% of operating revenues comes from corporations, will they listen to you … who total only 10%?
In Canada, there is one province that is so fithy-rich from oil and gaming revenues that it need not tax any citizen. It is also highly unresponsive to citizen complaints. I wonder why?
Excellent points Anon.
There is no perfect system.
There has to be a mechanism for accountability.
We would need to invent one and have it incorporated into the social health system.
Anonymous and Hippie,
Death rates from obesity and its serious complications have nothing to do with government or private health insurance and everything to do with people who do not take responsibility for their own lives and health. Aren’t we the fattest nation on earth? Maybe that’s why our life expectency isn’t the best.
You notice no one today is responsible for their own obesity. Its “genetics”, its a throwback to our ancestors who had to store fat,( and who by the way were never this monstrous) its today’s lifestyle, but is it anyone’s personal responsibility to eat properly and exercise? NAH!
When I see obese children, some morbidly, I can only ask “where are their parents”? I’m supposed to subsidize irresponsible parents?
Sorry, but I don’t see why I have to subsidize the health care of children who’s parents are very capable of providing for their children. I have no qualms about helping anyone of any age legitimately in need of help.
Kristen,
I’m glad to hear you rec’d the help needed. Hospitals also allow for payment plans and sometimes a patient will qualify for assistance and not realize it. That’s where the hospital social service dept. comes into play.
Also, about insurance companies. Keep in mind the lawsuit happy society we live in. One is not even responsible for their own stupidity or for the fact they eat at McDonald’s.
Exactly where do people think this money comes from? You guessed it, and the cost is passed onto consumers in decreased services and increased rates. I recall when insurance covered everything. It was badly abused. Same with medicaid and medicare. I remember when resuce squad services in our city were free. They were so badly abused the city had to start charging. This is what usually happens when people think they’re getting something for nothing.
It might also be a matter of prioritizing. How many paps does one need? I believe its now recommended every two years. There’s no way one can scrape up the money needed? Contact the health dept. Is there a local free clinic, a sliding scale doctor? Well baby checks are how often? Does the health dept. offer them? I know Health depts. offer free immunizations.
The resources are there, its usually just a matter of finding them.
Concerning medications for people in need, I have seen advertisements of pharmaceutical companies and private pharmacies joining in efforts to lower costs to the elderly and low income. Again, it might just be a matter of talking to your pharmacist.
If everyone is concerned about what health insurance companies rake in, just imagine what another bloated government bureaucracy will cost.
Just who do you think will be footing the bill?
@Kristin: And it should not be like that. Insurance should cover preventative care because in the long run it saves them money if you and your children are healthy and catch illnesses early when they are most treatable.
I think another avenue is vitamin and nutritional therapy. I am a firm believer in alternative medicine and various therapies and much of it has to do with prevention. I strongly recommend this route to everyone to research on their own.
For instance, Vit.D shows great promise in cancer prevention and grandma’s favorite, cod liver oil, is highly beneficial. There was also something to the theory of chicken soup being beneficial for colds.
his typekey is driving me nuts – Jill fire these SOB’s
Mk, I read that joke to my husband …too funny!!
haha pip I liked yours too! :)
Rae,
While we have you here, an update please on your new treatment. I haven’t read anything in while or its possible I just missed a posting. I’ve been thinking about you and have been very anxious to hear how its working.
@Mary: It’s not going well. I started DBT just about a month ago and I don’t think it’s the right fit. I feel really uncomfortable in the group because a lot of the women in that group come from abusive relationships and had in the past attempted suicide and were generally very…unstable. I don’t have problems with things like abusive relationships because I don’t take people’s crap (as much as I hate myself, I believe the only one who should punish me is me).
A lot of it has to do with assertiveness and while I am very passive (most of the time, and voluntarily too), when things get tough or I get upset, I darn well make sure to speak up. I’m assertive when it matters, and I don’t mind being people’s “doormat” because I know when I want to draw the line and what not.
I have been having trouble lately though. I cry a lot more now without the meds and I cry a really silly things. For example, there are a few songs on my new Darren Hayes’ album that have just one teeny lyric that makes me just start bawling. I’d be driving to and from work and I’d be singing along to the album and without a moment’s notice and without really realizing what I was singing, I’d start crying. I cry over the dumbest little things and before I was on the meds I never cried. I cry almost weekly in my individual therapist’s office, something I never used to do.
So in short, the DBT isn’t working and I’m considering going back on to some anti-depressants (because crying for literally no reason is a sure sign of depression…among other things). I am thinking of dumping the DBT group and look for an individual CBT therapist because my problem isn’t so much a lack of assertiveness but an inability to think rationally at times leading to a constant downward spiral of more and more irrational thoughts that mostly aim to make me feel worse about myself and situations.
Sorry for the long-winded report! A lot has gone on…
Rae,
Please don’t be sorry for the “long winded” report. I appreciate the very thorough update. I’m only sorry the news isn’t better.
It sounds like you’re taking the best course of action by seeking another therapist and returning to your medications.
To try another course of treatment was a major and difficult decision. It took a lot of courage and you deserve to give yourself a lot of credit for trying. If its not working then obviously it wasn’t for you. At least you tried.
Again, thank you for the update. You are in my thoughts, as I’m sure you are in the thoughts everyone else on this blog, and I know I can speak for the others, as well as myself(!) and wish you the very best. Please keep us updated.
By the way, I never got the impression you took crap from anyone!
Yes, Paul, I still have my RN license.
Rachael, 1:24a, said: “I don’t understand how expanding on SCHIP is taking the big step towards universal health care.”
Rachael, read the previous post I linked to.
Laura, there is absolutely no comparison between the dastardly ways liberals/Democrats exploit both preborn and postborn children for their own gain nor the words they say for same, to how conservatives regard children. Let’s start with abortion, for example.
Posted by: Jill Stanek at October 19, 2007 6:12 AM
………………..
I still have my first passport. It doesn’t mean anything. Let’s have a look at your lisense to nurse Jill. Let’s take a look at your credentials in your supposed expertise. When was the last time that you actually worked as a nurse or attended classes to enable you to requalify as a nurse if you actually ever have qualified as a nurse to begin with?
If you want to be taken seriously, you might want to be really really honest.
Anonymous Idiot-
Nursing licenses are public record. LOOK!
Licensee Name: JILL L STANEK
License Number:041280496
License Status: ACTIVE
Status City: MOKENA, IL
Date Current: 04/14/1994
Date Expiration: 05/31/2008
Ever Disciplined: N
Looks verifyably honest to me. Here’s the link:
https://www.idfpr.com/dpr/licenselookup/results.asp
Yay Jacqueline!
Rae, I am so sorry to hear how things are doing for you lately. I really wish things were better. I am glad you will be taking the right steps towards getting better. It doesn’t sound like that medication is helping at all…quite the opposite. Hugs for you, Rae. Please keep us updated!
Hey all,
Try this fun easy political quiz.
http://www.politicalcompass.org/
Posted by: hippie at October 19, 2007 8:30 AM
…………………………….
You may call me Ghandi.
Democrats using children as decoys
The criticism of Democrats exploiting children to push SCHIP continues, as well it should. This cartoon by Mike Lester in yesterday’s Townhall.com was fabulous: The days of Democrats pulling this trick from their bag are waning. As Rush said yesterday:…
Rae, please get well.