HEY GOP: Attacking Hillary Isn't a Health Plan

Nurses Activism

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when even [http://www.amconmag.com/2007/2007_10_22/cover.html a magazine called "the american conservative" counsels] the republican presidential candidates that they can't live on hillary-hate alone, something is happening.

as nurses fighting for guaranteed healthcare, the california nurses association/national nurses organizing committee tracks this trend in terms of health policy. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rose-ann-demoro/memo-to-the-gop-stopping_b_69472.html i will let our executive director rose ann demoro sum it up: attacking hillary clinton is not a health plan.] you can click through to the full article, but here's a taste:

apparently taking their leadership from karl rove who warned that the republican candidates must focus on healthcare because the issue is "on the mind of a lot of swing voters," the republican candidates for president have now latched on to healthcare.

but in the true spirit of their mentor rove, it appears they think our biggest healthcare crisis is the potential election of hillary clinton.

hearing their fulminations about "socialized medicine" and "hillary care" almost makes you wonder what they've been drinking.

in a new report, george lakoff's rockridge institute aptly describes the approach of clinton and the other top tier democrats as the "neoliberal mode of thought" in its dubious reliance on regulation and technocratic changes to an industry that needs to be dismantled, not tweaked.

but at least clinton and company are talking about comprehensive reform. the republican candidates' healthcare policies recall the words attributed, probably erroneously, to marie antoinette whose infamous solution to mass shortages of bread was "let them eat cake."

...cross-posted at the [http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org/blog national nurses organizing committee/california nurses association's] breakroom blog, as we organize to make 2007 the year of guaranteed healthcare on the single-payer model.

This is their plan: (Thompson, Giulani and Romney)

All three have offered proposals with the stated aim of helping the 47 million people in the U.S. who have no health insurance, including those with preexisting medical conditions.

But under the plans all three have put forward, cancer survivors such as themselves could not be sure of getting coverage -- especially if they were not already covered by a government or job-related plan and had to seek insurance as individuals.

"Unless it's in a state that has very strong consumer protections, they would likely be denied coverage," said economist Paul Fronstin of the Employee Benefit Research Institute, who has reviewed the candidates' proposals. "People with preexisting conditions would not be able to get coverage or would not be able to afford it."

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-gophealth20nov20,1,5643352.story?track=rss&ctrack=4&cset=true accessed today.

The plan is no plan to increase access. Heaven help you if you are unfortunate enough to have cancer or a chronic illness. Your on your own buddy.

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I rather like Gullianni, what's his take on healthcare reform? He seems more middle of the road. I'm suspicious of Hillary because she's obviously part of a huge political machine. She's senator of a state where she never lived before deciding to become senator. Gulliani is really a New Yorker. I'll vote for him over her.

I rather like Gullianni, what's his take on healthcare reform? He seems more middle of the road. I'm suspicious of Hillary because she's obviously part of a huge political machine. She's senator of a state where she never lived before deciding to become senator. Gulliani is really a New Yorker. I'll vote for him over her.

Paul Krugman has a rather pithy observation about Mr. Giulani:

The fact is that the prostate affair is part of a pattern: Mr. Giuliani has a habit of saying things, on issues that range from health care to national security, that are demonstrably untrue. And the American people have a right to know that.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/02/opinion/02krugman.html?_r=1&n=Top/Opinion/Editorials%20and%20Op-Ed/Op-Ed/Columnists/Paul%20Krugman&oref=slogin accessed today.

So again you don't know anyone that did this just heard it. Seems a lot of Dems just hear things. Having been in the military I have never seen one. Enough of the platitudes give us some substance. Put forth all these 4 minimum wage job earners, let's see the people one paycheck away from being homeless. Let's see all the elderly alpo eaters. Let's see the 47 million uninsured. I don't want to hear about them I want to see them.

I do. My good friend Tina F. (won't disclose her last name) graduated from Post Falls H.S. in 1999 with good grades. Ward of the state (her mother died of breast cancer with NO INSURANCE in 1986. Her father is in prison). Her only option; ONLY option was the military. Once she turned 18 her social security checks stopped. She worked 2 jobs throughout highschool to try and save for college. Housekeeping at a hotel and Hollywood video. In the end, with no parents and no "safety net" college just wasn't an option, and she already wasn't making it on 2 minimum wage jobs WITH social security, so she knew she couldn't make it on her own without social security. She HAD to join the military. YES, to put a roof over her head and food in her belly. She's not the only one I know either, just the best story.

I'm looking at my most recent pay stub. Federal income withholding was $591.71.

This does not include Medicare or social security insurance which totaled $334.92. I am glad to pay for these insurance programs. I may die and never collect Social Security or use Medicare health insurance. If that happens other Americans will benefit from my participation.

Then again I may live to 100. Hopefully then I won't have to die homeless on the street because SS and Medicare will allow for basic needs.

So why not let working people buy into Medicare?

It is much more efficient already than private insurance.

Yes, this is my question as well... I'm admittedly not well versed in healthcare reform, or current policies or anything. I agree that our country desperately needs healthcare reform, but I'm not sure which system would be best. I'm admittedly a little afraid of total universal healthcare; but that said: why can't those who want/choose pay an affordable premium each month and enroll in medicare? Wouldn't that solve the majority of the problem?

I'm a college educated, working US citizen. I earn $65k a year and get employer paid group coverage. I'm going back to school Fall, 2008 to enter the nursing program and I will be totally and completely uninsured. I'm not complaining, it's just a fact. I have to put my home, retirement savings and livelihood on the line and gamble that for 2 years I won't have any major medical problems. I'm prepared to do that; but wouldn't it be nice if I didn't have to? I'm even willing to pay, but COBRA is just too expensive and is only short-term anyways. I can't qualify for private single coverage (pre-existing condition)....but I would be elated to contribute a $75-100 a month "premium" into medicare; even if just to get catastrophic coverage; the peace of mind alone would be well worth it.

What's wrong with an option like that?

Specializes in med/surg;ortho/HD/OB;NICU/Hospice/ER.
when even [http://www.amconmag.com/2007/2007_10_22/cover.html a magazine called "the american conservative" counsels] the republican presidential candidates that they can't live on hillary-hate alone, something is happening.

as nurses fighting for guaranteed healthcare, the california nurses association/national nurses organizing committee tracks this trend in terms of health policy. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rose-ann-demoro/memo-to-the-gop-stopping_b_69472.html i will let our executive director rose ann demoro sum it up: attacking hillary clinton is not a health plan.] you can click through to the full article, but here's a taste:

apparently taking their leadership from karl rove who warned that the republican candidates must focus on healthcare because the issue is "on the mind of a lot of swing voters," the republican candidates for president have now latched on to healthcare.

but in the true spirit of their mentor rove, it appears they think our biggest healthcare crisis is the potential election of hillary clinton.

hearing their fulminations about "socialized medicine" and "hillary care" almost makes you wonder what they've been drinking.

in a new report, george lakoff's rockridge institute aptly describes the approach of clinton and the other top tier democrats as the "neoliberal mode of thought" in its dubious reliance on regulation and technocratic changes to an industry that needs to be dismantled, not tweaked.

but at least clinton and company are talking about comprehensive reform. the republican candidates' healthcare policies recall the words attributed, probably erroneously, to marie antoinette whose infamous solution to mass shortages of bread was "let them eat cake."

...cross-posted at the [http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org/blog national nurses organizing committee/california nurses association's] breakroom blog, as we organize to make 2007 the year of guaranteed healthcare on the single-payer model.

please understand know more about your candidates means know all they stand for and represent prior to going all out for them. one good idea does not make a great candidate for president. sorry, just my opinion!

With no parents around she would have had pretty much a free ride through college with grants, and if she needed more then student loans would have worked. So she couldn't get a job and get an apartment???? This is patently ridiculous she did not have to join the miitary she was already working two jobs. Working 2 minimum wage jobs? Maybe at the housekeeping position but I bet Hollywood video pays more than minimum wage. I know McDonalds pays more than minimum wage. So I find your story suspicious at best.

I do. My good friend Tina F. (won't disclose her last name) graduated from Post Falls H.S. in 1999 with good grades. Ward of the state (her mother died of breast cancer with NO INSURANCE in 1986. Her father is in prison). Her only option; ONLY option was the military. Once she turned 18 her social security checks stopped. She worked 2 jobs throughout highschool to try and save for college. Housekeeping at a hotel and Hollywood video. In the end, with no parents and no "safety net" college just wasn't an option, and she already wasn't making it on 2 minimum wage jobs WITH social security, so she knew she couldn't make it on her own without social security. She HAD to join the military. YES, to put a roof over her head and food in her belly. She's not the only one I know either, just the best story.

Your not getting the point. They don't want to pay anything for the healthcare out of their own pockets. Hillary isn't going to make the poor pay for the health care she wants everyone else to pay for it. The New York times will just write a typical Jason Blair op ed about the family that can't afford the $75 each month. What do you say to the family that can't afford $75 a month for the healthcare between their five kids and their 2ppd smoking habit their just isn't enough money to go around for luxuries like health care.

Yes, this is my question as well... I'm admittedly not well versed in healthcare reform, or current policies or anything. I agree that our country desperately needs healthcare reform, but I'm not sure which system would be best. I'm admittedly a little afraid of total universal healthcare; but that said: why can't those who want/choose pay an affordable premium each month and enroll in medicare? Wouldn't that solve the majority of the problem?

I'm a college educated, working US citizen. I earn $65k a year and get employer paid group coverage. I'm going back to school Fall, 2008 to enter the nursing program and I will be totally and completely uninsured. I'm not complaining, it's just a fact. I have to put my home, retirement savings and livelihood on the line and gamble that for 2 years I won't have any major medical problems. I'm prepared to do that; but wouldn't it be nice if I didn't have to? I'm even willing to pay, but COBRA is just too expensive and is only short-term anyways. I can't qualify for private single coverage (pre-existing condition)....but I would be elated to contribute a $75-100 a month "premium" into medicare; even if just to get catastrophic coverage; the peace of mind alone would be well worth it.

What's wrong with an option like that?

Specializes in ER, ICU, cardiac.
With no parents around she would have had pretty much a free ride through college with grants, and if she needed more then student loans would have worked. So she couldn't get a job and get an apartment???? This is patently ridiculous she did not have to join the miitary she was already working two jobs. Working 2 minimum wage jobs? Maybe at the housekeeping position but I bet Hollywood video pays more than minimum wage. I know McDonalds pays more than minimum wage. So I find your story suspicious at best.

wow, you must have never had it bad huh??? i had my first child at 18, in nursing school full time with academic scholorships and grants. I worked on the weekends as a waitress to barely make ends meet. Yes, I ate ramen noodles and had 10 dollars a week for groceries. I had to take my daughter to the free clinic and foot her doctor bills alone. I would have appreciated some sort of help. I wasn't looking for handouts. I could have gotten welfare but chose not to. Not everyone wants to milk the system. I would very happily pay an extra $100-$200 a month to be sure EVERYONE has health care and that my grandparents never have to chose betweeen food or medicine.

With no parents around she would have had pretty much a free ride through college with grants, and if she needed more then student loans would have worked. So she couldn't get a job and get an apartment???? This is patently ridiculous she did not have to join the miitary she was already working two jobs. Working 2 minimum wage jobs? Maybe at the housekeeping position but I bet Hollywood video pays more than minimum wage. I know McDonalds pays more than minimum wage. So I find your story suspicious at best.

CRNA2007 why are you so cold?:o You claimed that no-one could possibly enter the army for the purposes of a "safety net" or because they had "slipped through the cracks" of the system and I showed you someone. don't believe this story if you don't want to; she's a real person; she spent holidays with my family.

Fact is, we're on the internet here, I don't know what kind of "proof" you want. It doesn't really matter. I'm not going to ask her for her tax returns from 1999 to prove that she worked a butt-load for minimum wage; I don't need to I was there. I saw how hard she worked. And YES; both jobs paid minimum wage to start. You don't think minimum wage jobs really exist out there? You seem to have your eyes closed. That's fine' keep them closed. There's no point in me or anyone trying to open them for you and until you are willing to consider the possibility that some people in this country have it really tough because they fell through the cracks; well then there's no point in this debate continuing.

CRNA2007 why are you so cold?:o You claimed that no-one could possibly enter the army for the purposes of a "safety net" or because they had "slipped through the cracks" of the system and I showed you someone. don't believe this story if you don't want to; she's a real person; she spent holidays with my family.

Fact is, we're on the internet here, I don't know what kind of "proof" you want. It doesn't really matter. I'm not going to ask her for her tax returns from 1999 to prove that she worked a butt-load for minimum wage; I don't need to I was there. I saw how hard she worked. And YES; both jobs paid minimum wage to start. You don't think minimum wage jobs really exist out there? You seem to have your eyes closed. That's fine' keep them closed. There's no point in me or anyone trying to open them for you and until you are willing to consider the possibility that some people in this country have it really tough because they fell through the cracks; well then there's no point in this debate continuing.

There IS a point in keeping this debate going, but we cant let ourselves( those who REALLY give a damn) be sidetracked by some of the posters here. WE know the TRUTH, and it looks like the American people are catching on real quick, lets see what happens in Nov 2008. Dont let the naysayers detract from a worthwhile cause, keep on truckin' Dental Hygienist, we need you and your kind.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Appears this thread has run its course and way off original topic so closing.

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