Town Hall Confrontation Re: Health Care ( or lack of it )

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Aug 11, 2009

we promote the idea of lively debate. this means you are free to disagree with anyone on any type of subject matter as long as your criticism is constructive and polite.

why shouldn't meetings with our elected officials be any different? i've attended many town hall meetings, state capital rallies and 2 in washington.

what i see going on in some news channels and links posted here is

fear mongering (or scaremongering) is the use of fear to influence the opinions and actions of others towards some specific end. the feared object or subject is sometimes exaggerated, and the pattern of fear mongering is usually one of repetition, in order to continuously reinforce the intended effects of this tactic, sometimes in the form of a vicious circle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/fear_mongering

this father had legitimate concerns about disabled son with cp not receiving care under current government plan after getting info that he would not be covered ---falsehoods spread by those who don't want to see legislation passed. tis very hard to keep your cool when someone right next to your podium starts screaming at you. screaming is counterproductive as one tends to tune screamer out......only helpful in horror movies imho.

those with disabilities & pre-existing conditions will actually have more protections under this bill as unable to deny these persons healthcare, especially when changing insurance plans.

in the 1960's my parents had intercounty insurance, later merged with blue cross plan. they still have that coverage today as secondary plan to medicare. in my area patients are being forced to join medicare hmo's as retirement benefit, by state due to medicare/medicaid dual eligible along with "sales agents" making door to door visits unsolicited, signing patients up for "added vision coverage", not realizing medicare hmo/advantage plan will replace medicare, not be secondary to medicare.

i've had many patients be on 3 different medicare plans in 3 months time!

we need to stop the revolving door of changing insurance plans as the paperwork and time i spend trying to get payment for homecare patients in philadelphia is easily 8 hrs a week , just for those forced or coerced to change plans.

retirees in my area are forced by their former employer into medicare advantage plans ( cause plan gets paid 10% more to manage patients care + drug benefit over traditional medicare---squeaked through congress in 2006, less cost to employer). now they can't see the doctor who's been treating them as major philly teaching hospitals won't accept the plan!

medicare homecare benefit provides the most service for patients overall, best reinbursement of all our payers and helps prevent hospitalzion/ snf placement for truly homebound frail client. aetna medicare now has a $20.00/copay per day which most cannot afford, will refuse care and often are rehospitalized. they also deny patients care that other insurer's provide....

don't be fooled: read the legislation yourself:

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h3200ih.txt.pdf

fat cat · Aug 11, 2009

Listen to this man confront representative re: medical coverage under Obama's proposed health care plan and decide for yourself how this may not only affect his son but ultimately maybe even you:

http://www.breitbart.tv/father-of-handicapped-son-received-threats-after-confrontation-with-rep-dingell/

AltruisticRN · Aug 11, 2009

Honestly, there are better ways to get your point across then to stand 5 feet away from some one and scream at the top of your lungs like that. I'm just wondering but who insures his son now?

emsboss · Aug 11, 2009

This is a message that needs to get out... I agree, if it is such a good plan, why do there need to be amendments?

AltruisticRN · Aug 11, 2009

This is a message that needs to get out... I agree, if it is such a good plan, why do there need to be amendments?

Because no plan is perfect, and new issues will eventually be brought to light. Doesn't mean that this plan is not a good starting point.

just_cause, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2009

I think the largest health care plan ever initiated should have those details in it... along with who is eligible, coverage constraints, how it will be paid for.....

I keep hearing senators say it is 'deficit neutral' ... that is a red flag.. if its a HUGE cost and it won't add to the deficit... then where do you think the money will come from?

emsboss · Aug 11, 2009

if its a HUGE cost and it won't add to the deficit... then where do you think the money will come from?

I can tell you.... Out of pockets, yours and mine.

Big ol' *SIGH* I am so TIRED of being taxed to death, it is almost not even worth going to work any more:banghead:. Almost 25% of my pay goes to taxes just to be wasted (let the flaming begin) in some government program.

Jubilayhee · Aug 11, 2009

what does he even know about the obama plan? Medicare is a government run health care insurance, you don't hear many complaints about that. I say down with all FOR PROFIT health insurance plans. I dont like my Blue Cross, thats for sure.

madnurse2b · Aug 11, 2009

The only thing I can say - when was he going to specify the coverage deficits? I didn't hear it in the argument or in the interview. I have no problem with someone bringing up valid issues with any bill but why would you bellow? Our first healthcare meetings in Las Vegas were civil, people brought up their points, and panel members answered them. I don't understand why people are using scare tactics - c'mon you really think they are going to deny coverage to someone with CP? And as far as amendments to bills - did noone watch Schoolhouse Rock? All bills have amendments, they are proposed and then amended to cover all of the bases that's how they get passed.

Can't we take it down a notch and act like civilized adults?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Aug 11, 2009

this plan scares me because there are so many unanswered questions. Also, I oppose paying for non-americans to be covered. When I go out of the country I take money and insurance with me as I do not expect handouts. Another thing, are you aware that Congress and the President are not going to be covered by this plan? If it is so great, why not? They get VIP coverage.

jean36 · Aug 11, 2009

"also, i oppose paying for non-americans to be covered".

[color=#556b2f]

[color=#556b2f]if you've ever worked in an er, you would know that every human being in this country get's treatment once they get through the door, at that point, no body ask the patient if they're americans or not, and who do you think pays for their coverage?