OPRAH "Sick in America: It can happen to you"

Simplepleasures · Sep 29, 2007

Ever heard of Karma? Our country may be facing what we as Americans have done to ourselves,or what we LET others do to us.Greed. Hope it isnt too late to turn this trend around.One way is to start with ourselves, the Golden Rule, etc, etc., "trite" some would say, but change begins with grassroots strength.

How will we feel when we remember how unfeeling we were to someone in need, when our turn for sympathy and understanding comes? And if you think you are never going to be in a similar situation, I say dont tempt fate.

sharona97, BSN, RN · Sep 29, 2007

I can relate to that exactly. A hand shake and face value mean nothing to some people.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Sep 29, 2007

Yes, the "I've got mine so to heck with you" syndrome.

It's not necessarily that.

I think most Americans with health insurance are VERY cognizant of the fact that one catastrophic illness can wipe them out. I know I am. I've been uninsured and underinsured during several periods of my adult life, and I've even been through a bankruptcy in part because of large medical bills I couldn't pay, despite a good income.

Yet I remain unconvinced that government control of health care is the way to solve inequities in the system. I do believe that health insurance companies need to be taken out of the equation entirely, for many, many reasons; however, I also fear that federal control of health policy would be disastrous.

Think about it for a minute: would those of you who are advocating for government-sponsored health care want the current administration to make healthcare decisions for you? The same administration that openly admits to spying on U.S. citizens, thinks it's above the law of the land, and trashes the Constitution in order to get what it wants? Are these the people you want in charge of YOUR medical care?

Even if we vote in a more moderate administration next fall, I still don't believe the feds are well-suited to making health policy. If government is to be involved in any way, I'd much rather see it at the state level, where policy makers are generally more aware of the distinct needs of their populations. Is it such a stretch to understand that Florida, which has a high census of elderly and a warm, humid climate, is going to have different needs than, say, North Dakota? It would be for the federal government, which tends to take a one-size-fits-all approach to almost everything it touches.

I don't have the answers, although I have plenty of ideas and a certainty that federal takeover of healthcare would interfere with our individual freedoms in a way that makes warrantless wiretapping look like a cakewalk. :down:

Simplepleasures · Sep 29, 2007

I agree that we have had many problems with government run programs, BUT I HAVE to BELIEVE we can reform our country's programs that dont work for us.We must have HOPE that this can be done, or else what will we do?Will we allow our country to give up, to throw in the towell and throw ourselves upon the mercy of other countries? I am SCARED for our country, but I think we are capable of CHANGE.We need to gain strength in numbers and get the people into the seat of power who will enact the nessessary changes, or face the consequences. This IS after all OUR government, or IS it?

HM2VikingRN, RN · Sep 29, 2007

The PNHP plan calls for a state run plan with federal funding streams. That means the states run the show and design plans for their populace.

bakpakr · Sep 29, 2007

Think about it for a minute: would those of you who are advocating for government-sponsored health care want the current administration to make healthcare decisions for you? The same administration that openly admits to spying on U.S. citizens, thinks it's above the law of the land, and trashes the Constitution in order to get what it wants? Are these the people you want in charge of YOUR medical care?

I have to answer yes to this. Also have to say that I have already been and still am a participant in a Government sponsored health plan. Also at this very moment there are probably a million or more American citizens participating in a Government sponsored health plan. Our military members have government sponsored health coverage. Also our vets as well. Do both of these plans have problems? Yes they do. Does the system work? Yes it does. I have found I receive better care through the military and VA then I have ever received in the civilian sector. Now that last statement is purely my opinion. But for all the faults in either system it works so much better than what the civilian sector has to offer.

As for the States running the show I don't feel that is going to work either. I am of the opinion we need universal one plan for everyone type plan. There should not be different plans as then there will be no equality as there should. Why should I be denied a certain procedure and someone else gets it because someone decided my location did not need that included in the plan? We need one plan that covers everyone the same. Am i willing to pay higher taxes for this? YES Am I willing to wait longer for non life threatening procedures? YES

Ok I will get off my soapbox now.

smk1, LPN · Sep 29, 2007

I don't understand why insurance companies don't have to have a truth in coverage statement. When you read through your policy and you see bone marrow transplant is covered up to 150k, the average person isn't going to know that in reality that isn't covering anything because the cost of a bone marrow transplant is upwards of 300k. They need to be held responsible for letting people know these things because in essence they aren't really covering anything because they know that the majority of people don't have an extra 200k laying around to makeup the difference. It isn't right. There doesn't need to be more taxes spent to have a national basic health plan. Reallocation of funds already being given to the government would probably cover it. The insurance rep had a lot of circular responses that didn't amount to much.

nservice · Sep 29, 2007

I'm all for government run health care as long as restrictions are made to protect the tax payers who are paying for it. People should not be able to have multiple children when they can't afford to feed them, much less take care of their health care needs. I've limited the number of children I have, so that I can pay for other people's children. You can't possibly say that's fair.

Also, If govenrment run health care limits income of caregivers, I will no longer be a caregiver. If people who made poor choices in life (no college, teenage pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, etc) deserve everything that I have, then I'll just have a drink and quit my job. There would be no incentive to be a productive member of society.

I've given much to the poor. I've paid electric bills for home health patients, bought groceries, even fed their dogs. I do this because I chose to and I know the individual is not scamming the system. Unfortunately, there are more people scamming the system than those who truly are in need. Therefore, until there are tighter restrictions to ensure that those who receive assistance are truly deserving, then I don't want to participate.

bakpakr · Sep 30, 2007

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lamazeteacher · Sep 30, 2007

Does anyone know if there is a recording of this episode? If so where can I veiw it?

Go to www.Oprah.com I had to look through several pages before finding something about that show, before it aired. The local station that airs her show might have the disc containing that episode. It's worth viewing, and they said it is free! It's very easy to spot the self serving insurance company lobbyist. It would be great to have that shown at an inservice or unit meeting.

In Canada, doctors initiated their plan. Here, doctors worry that they'll lose their incomes of privilege, and fear retribution from insurance companies. So "if it's to be, it's up to you and me!"

"The truth will set you free" :balloons:

bakpakr · Sep 30, 2007

Go to www.Oprah.com I had to look through several pages before finding something about that show, before it aired. The local station that airs her show might have the disc containing that episode. It's worth viewing, and they said it is free! It's very easy to spot the self serving insurance company lobbyist. It would be great to have that shown at an inservice or unit meeting.
In Canada, doctors initiated their plan. Here, doctors worry that they'll lose their incomes of privilege, and fear retribution from insurance companies. So "if it's to be, it's up to you and me!"
"The truth will set you free" :balloons:

thanks for the info. I was able to obtain a copy and have made a dvd of it and am letting all my friends view it. I think Oprah's show and Sicko should be mandatory for all to see. Many may not agree we have a problem but at least get all sides of the story before forming an opinion.

In my opinion as soon as we take money out of the equasion we will be well on our way to fixing the problem.