If Congress were to take a vote on a health reform bill today, Democrats and Republicans would find a surprising level of agreement-so much so that the broad outlines of a consensus plan already are taking shape.
Sick or healthy, rich or poor, all Americans would be guaranteed access to health insurance.
In fact, they'd probably be required to purchase it-perhaps through mandates in the law that would include stiff tax penalties for anyone who tried to opt out.
Newly created insurance marketplaces would make finding a plan as easy as shopping for cheap airfare. People could keep their coverage, even if they switched jobs. And they might be able to choose between private insurers and a government-backed plan.
But here's the catch-none of this would come free, with the wealthiest Americans likely to face higher taxes to help pay for coverage for all.
It's hard to believe that only three months ago, health care advocates worried that President Barack Obama would drop the health reform issue from his first-year agenda. Now, with an August deadline to pass a bill, a compromise that once seemed unimaginable is considered quite possible, both sides say.
Hi, UKRNinUSA! I'm just a woiking goil - RN for 35 years, predominantly in Critical Care and Home Health. I've been meaning to ask you -- (which may be asking the obvious): are you from the UK? If so, how long have you worked in the US, and what areas?
I've always been 'too busy' for political issues. But when the health care debate started cranking up, I went to whitehouse.gov & reviewed the Open Forums. I applaud the Obama administration for making the process accessible. Then as HR 3200 was posted, I reviewed it and the markups.
When the ANA promoted 'Obama's plan', I asked them for their rationale. I'm just trying to differentiate spin-vs-fact.
I think the Health Care debate is just the watershed for much of American citizenry that the federal government has far overstepped its Constitutional authority. And this pre-dates the Obama administration.
Specializes in burn, geriatric, rehab, wound care, ER.
Hi, UKRNinUSA! I'm just a woiking goil - RN for 35 years, predominantly in Critical Care and Home Health. I've been meaning to ask you -- (which may be asking the obvious): are you from the UK? If so, how long have you worked in the US, and what areas?.
I am from the UK -I have been an RN for 25 years -I came here 18 years ago on a wild whim and currently work in a not for profit, unionized, community hospital ER. I want healthcare reform because
1. I have an innate aversion to injustice
2. I believe I have a duty as a nurse to advocate for my patients, that include the insured, the underinsured and the uninsured.
3. I am sick of getting ripped off by the current system -the health insurance companies have way too much power and its way too expensive.
I have seen national health insurance in action and believe me it's no boogeyman. It continues to work well for the friends and relatives that both my husband and I have back in Europe. They cannot comprehend support for a system that allows for prohibitively expensive insurance policies, failure to cover people with pre-existing conditions, medical bankruptcies, denials of care and cancellation of insurance policies (during chemo, for instance). I can't either.
I welcome the open debate on healthcare reform -its been a long time coming. Personally I am pro single payer and believe that "Obamacare" does not go far enough, but at least its a start on much needed regulation of the health insurance companies.
Thank you for your reply WORKINGWOMANINTN -its a relief to be able to have civilized debate on these issues. The escalation of recent events re the healthcare debate -violence at town hall meetings, comparisons of Obama to Hitler is very concerning to me and is leading us along a dangerous path.
Specializes in burn, geriatric, rehab, wound care, ER.
Why does it matter? She is a taxpayer that's all that should matter.
It matters. Rick Scott of "Conservatives for Patient's Rights" is a taxpayer too, you must have seen his ads on TV recently
"Scott Departed Columbia/HCA Amid "A Rash Of Civil And Criminal Fraud Inquiries." Modern Healthcare reported: "Richard Scott left HCA in July 1997 as a rash of civil and criminal fraud inquiries into what was then known as Columbia-HCA Healthcare Corp. became public. Scott resigned less than two weeks after investigators raided 18 Columbia-HCA hospitals in six states. The HHS' inspector general's office issued the company three subpoenas and five of its employees received grand jury subpoenas. Ultimately, HCA brokered two massive settlements in 2000 and 2002 worth a combined $1.74 billion to wrap up fraud charges." [Modern Healthcare, 7/11/05]"
This is just part of a rather informative webpage that can be accessed at
Thanks for sharing this site, laborer. I'd never seen it -- you could 'mine this thing for gold nuggets' for a long time! For example, I would have thought the big ticket 2008 Presidential campaign suppporters would have been the typical USA power brokers (like oil & gas, insurance companies, banks, etc). But the really big ones were entertainment, gambling/casinos, & computers.
I hate to be a party pooper, but I'm working all weekend. Here's the $64M question (chump change nowadays): What data strikes you the most?
Specializes in He who hesitates is probably right....
UKRNinUSA;3791830]I am from the UK -I have been an RN for 25 years -I came here 18 years ago on a wild whim and currently work in a not for profit, unionized, community hospital ER. I want healthcare reform because
1. I have an innate aversion to injustice
2. I believe I have a duty as a nurse to advocate for my patients, that include the insured, the underinsured and the uninsured.
3. I am sick of getting ripped off by the current system -the health insurance companies have way too much power and its way too expensive.[/b]
I have seen national health insurance in action and believe me it's no boogeyman. It continues to work well for the friends and relatives that both my husband and I have back in Europe. They cannot comprehend support for a system that allows for prohibitively expensive insurance policies, failure to cover people with pre-existing conditions, medical bankruptcies, denials of care and cancellation of insurance policies (during chemo, for instance). I can't either.
I welcome the open debate on healthcare reform -its been a long time coming. Personally I am pro single payer and believe that "Obamacare" does not go far enough, but at least its a start on much needed regulation of the health insurance companies.
Thank you for your reply WORKINGWOMANINTN -its a relief to be able to have civilized debate on these issues. The escalation of recent events re the healthcare debate -violence at town hall meetings, comparisons of Obama to Hitler is very concerning to me and is leading us along a dangerous path.
None of this is available in the UK? Why did you leave? I don't understand why you left your home, friends, etc. to move to a foreign country, what that you seem to disapprove of at that, if things were so wonderful in the UK. Please enlighten us.
I agree, HM2Viking.... it is hypocritical to disparage this new govt entitlement program whilst holding your own hand out.
Let's d/c Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP AND the Public Option. Maintain tax-relief to beef up our charitable institutions to support those with true needs. Each person is responsible for his/her own needs. This system will work in America.
Specializes in burn, geriatric, rehab, wound care, ER.
None of this is available in the UK? Why did you leave? I don't understand why you left your home, friends, etc. to move to a foreign country, what that you seem to disapprove of at that, if things were so wonderful in the UK. Please enlighten us.
As I mentioned before, I came over here on a wild whim. I had enjoyed traveling in my 20's and living in different countries. I had a sense of adventure, a "pioneer spirit" if you will and the desire to get as far away as possible from a destructive relationship. My RN license made it easy to get a job, H1A visa, green card and then citizenship.
I am unaware of any clause in the Constitution or Bill of Rights that states that I, as a taxpayer and naturalized citizen do not have the same right to voice my opinion as a citizen born on American soil.
From time to time I get a little homesick and get a yearning to go back, but I am no longer a free agent (wife, mother, homeowner).
Usually a trip back there to experience UK weather sets me straight -the LA weather has spoiled me and I can no longer tolerate rain for 3 weeks on end.
.thumb.gif.041bac93584716f6dc9882dcd8cf500a.gif){kind=small}
WORKINGWOMANINTN
30 Posts
Hi, UKRNinUSA! I'm just a woiking goil - RN for 35 years, predominantly in Critical Care and Home Health. I've been meaning to ask you -- (which may be asking the obvious): are you from the UK? If so, how long have you worked in the US, and what areas?
I've always been 'too busy' for political issues. But when the health care debate started cranking up, I went to whitehouse.gov & reviewed the Open Forums. I applaud the Obama administration for making the process accessible. Then as HR 3200 was posted, I reviewed it and the markups.
When the ANA promoted 'Obama's plan', I asked them for their rationale. I'm just trying to differentiate spin-vs-fact.
I think the Health Care debate is just the watershed for much of American citizenry that the federal government has far overstepped its Constitutional authority. And this pre-dates the Obama administration.