The relentless push for healthcare reform has become much more complex than just a commendable attempt by lawmakers in Washington D.C. to look out for the health concerns of those citizens they represent. It is hard trying not to make this a politically motivated issue when all but 52 "blue dog" democrats, including the Executive Branch of this administration, will do or say anything to hastily pass this legislation. Recent history should ring true in the ears of the American voters using the stimulus package as a gage for catastrophic urgency. After only 10% of the stimulus spent, there is little to show for how effective it is short of the rhetoric used to the contrary. Then months later a Cap and Trade bill was narrowly passed by the House of Representatives with such urgency that it was passed a majority that didn’t’ even read the bill before voting. How irresponsible is that? Now we are faced with a healthcare reform that unless acted on responsibly could negatively effect your family, your parents, your grandparents, and many generations to come. Yet it has to be done TODAY! Ever ask yourself why?
It is a harsh truth that many Americans refuse to deal with reality and will often journey to the far side of it because, well it’s just not fun, or a slice of it is already consuming them, and more would be too much to deal with. If I were to ask an unmarried 24-year-old who recently entered the job market, what his/her views were about healthcare or retirement, I may be met with a puzzled stare. For starters a vast majority are healthy, close to a half century away from retirement, invincible, and likely part of the 47 million uninsured that choose to be that way. The furthest thing from their mind is this healthcare fiasco, and how it may effect the older folks, including their parents and unfortunate victims of health ailments in spite of what their age is.
The current healthcare reform that is in the House and Senate right now, being obsessively pushed by Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and Waxman is clearly a matter of power and control. As I write this there has been an appeal from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for a donation to combat what they call an attack from the Republican Party, citing fear mongering, misleading attacks, and downright dishonest. Translation: There is opposition, Democratic I might add, to the stealth program the power brokers want pushed through, and they don’t like it! I need to qualify that I have no Party affiliation, I think they are both despicable. My concern is for comprehensive elderly healthcare, uninsured citizens, no denial for pre-existing condition, ability to choose provider, no government involvement, and at the lowest cost possible. Addressing these issues for positive change is true genuine healthcare reform, and anything less is disingenuous politicking.
The costs of healthcare is outrageous, everyone knows that. Healthcare providers will pass along costs to insured and yet nothing has been mentioned about legislation to address these hidden costs like tort reform to reduce malpractice insurance and frivolous lawsuits. Have you seen what the cost of an aspirin or Band-Aid is during a hospital stay, you get my point. There are many services in healthcare, which are provided that prove to be unnecessary. Why does this go unmentioned? Medicare and Medicaid are out-of-control programs, run by the government that could use major attention to get costs under control. Instead, the government wants to assume a new undertaking that will grow government and take control of our lives to a degree that is unhealthy. If the government can’t offer a solution for what is a current failure, how can it entertain something new and even more insidious than its counterparts.
If I would ask a 24-year-old voter to opt out of the Social Security and Medicare system, and offer a comprehensive retirement and healthcare benefit that would provide far more than the current system, it would more than likely be well received. It would be an entirely different story if I went to a 60-year-old worker, or someone who was already a recipient of Social Security and Medicare, and tell them what they have is in jeopardy, and there may be dramatic changes. I promise that it will not be well received, and the prescriptions for Zanax will go through the roof. Your parents and grandparents count on Social Security and Medicaid, and some have worked 50 years contributing to the present system trusting in those that represent them in government to protect them, and have their best interests at heart. You see, back in the day, a handshake or a man’s word meant something. Nobody ran to a lawyer to have a contract drawn up for something that was considered ethical or just the right thing to do. Today there is a lawsuit for everything. Honesty just isn’t very popular anymore, especially when it may be uncomfortable, or restrictive to achieving an ultimate goal. Almost sounds like something Saul Alinsky would say!
Your parents and grandparents have an ability to bolster their healthcare provisions under Medicare with a private insurance plan (Medicare Advantage) that allows them much greater freedom to choose their doctors, go see specialists, etc., and under the new healthcare plan could be in jeopardy according to the CATO Institute. The point they make is that it impedes the ability for a government-run single-payer health care system and it could effect 9 million seniors and I have read numbers as high as 10.5 million. Your parents and grandparents don’t want their healthcare micro managed by a Federal Health Board or whatever they would call it, dictating the extent of coverage that would be provided. This is where the decision could be made to deny a knee or hip replacement to an 80-year-old because it is just not a prudent expense, and they should double-up on the ibuprofen instead. Or, ignore the doctor’s recommendation for cancer treatment because it would just prolong the inevitable, and pain management should suffice. Your parents and grandparents worked hard and sacrificed to arrive at this point in their life and they deserve far better than what is being proposed by politicians that are not even effected by it. In an open letter from the President of The Heritage Foundation, Edwin Feulner, Ph.D. he challenged President Obama to debate or discuss the plans, but I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen. Obama never goes further than the rhetoric of his challenges.
Your parents and grandparents need you now to stand up and not only be their spokesperson but your own as well. There are other options and alternatives to this healthcare reform. If no one is willing to take the time to logically discuss all the options in the House and Senate then you need to smell the rat too! Nothing this important, for all citizens, deserves to be rushed through Congress and the Senate. The perfect test for good legislation on healthcare would be the mandatory participation of ALL federal employees (including the President) to become a part of the public option that was offered should the Healthcare Bill pass.