September 25, 2013
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Affordable Health Care
There has been awful amount of chatter these past few days about the Affordable Health Care Act - http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/rights/index.html. The House and the president are at odds over funding "Obama Care". It used to be the Clinton's cause but now it's Barack's baby. I see the health care reform bill as merely another way in which the federal government can levy new taxes and add yet another layer of bureaucracy to our already overly stressed health care system. No one can refute that health care reform has been long over due. Refining existing laws by closing loopholes in abusive practices with regards to both care providers and recipients is most certainly necessary. However, I view the imposition of certain aspects of the Affordable Health Care Act as a violation of our individual liberties. After taking a long look at the legislation as it is written I am decidedly glad that my health care is currently provided to me by my employer through our local union. You can read all 955 pages in entirety for your self at http://housedocs.house.gov/energycommerce/ppacacon.pdf.
Here is what I take away from the whole debate. If you want to reduce the cost of health care, start by eating right and exercising. Get plenty of rest, work smart and pay attention to your surroundings. Pay attention to your body. Get regular check ups. A routine physical, following your good doctor's advice can help prevent major health related expenses later on.
But what's that you say? "John, I can't afford to eat healthy, or see the doctor once a year." Really? I say, " You can't afford not to!"
"I have too much to do, and no time to rest or exercise!"
"That's ok. You might just find your self resting in peace that much sooner!"
If Americans spent a little more time and effort taking care of themselves, we wouldn't need the government to step in and try to do it for us, and in the end, we'd all be much better off. Also by the by, it's apple season and as the saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". So, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and take long walks.
In 150 words or less tell me what you think of the Affordable Health Care Act, or "Obama Care" as it is commonly called?
Comments (26)
Third party payers drive the cost of health care up for everyone. Every dime of profit for the insurance company comes out of the dollar you pay for "medical care"; every insurance employee's paycheck comes out of your health care dollar.
People need to grow up: accept responsibility for their own HEALTH (eat that apple, ride that bike!); save up for catastrophic emergencies (yes, that may mean going without cigarettes & gas for the car); build a network of friends, family, and acquaintances who will help out when disaster hits; not have children they can't afford to care for; stop suing health care providers for human error or outcomes beyond their control; demand that our government allow us to buy prescription medication where we please; stop looking for a pill to cure the things an apple a day will do better; and when all of those best laid plans fail, ask the government to help.
Sorry if I went over the 150 word limit...it's the red wine.
I'd recommend this post if that was still an offered feature of Xanga. Man do I miss the old Xanga. I hardly 'see' anybody anymore. Conversations dead end because we never know when someone replies to our comments anymore.
It all seems like the choice between a rock and a hard place to me. When it comes to big decisions for the government, I wish we had a chance to vote and then make the representative go by the outcome. Too unwieldy and expensive, I guess.
I heard somebody say that members of Congress should have to wear the logos of their big donors like race car drivers. Then we would know exactly who we were voting for.
I have never heard of anyone dying because someone refused to treat them. The Republicans he's talking about must be from Iran.
Harry Reid is a buffoon in snake's clothing. Ugh. It's like a blackboard with fingernails raking it whenever I hear him talk. Really. We have a cousin in Germany. Trust me if there is something wrong, you wait and wait for the procedure. It's probably because of their health care that they have to take classes to go fishing and you know, stupid stuff. I say keep the non essentials shut down. It's a good thing.
Wow! Wish I had time to read all of these! We have socialized medicine here in Denmark, and it works fine, albeit a bit slow. There are long waiting lists for surgery, etc. I agree that we have a responsibility to ourselves and our families to take good care of ourselves. Two years ago I lost 40 pounds and have kept it off. I feel better. I walk better. My blood pressure is better. I have more energy. I think the U.S. needs to do SOMETHING, but I am not sure OBAMACARE is the something. Everyone should have health care. When my daughter worked in NYC for a Christian ministry that didn't pay much, she had no healthcare. She got really sick and almost died. She went to a disgusting free clinic and was misdiagnosed. They gave her the wrong medication and she had a very bad allergic reaction. I know poor people who have cancer, but can not afford treatment. I know poor people who need glasses and medication, but they can't afford it. Sure, I know people abuse the system. Sure, there are people who could work and don't. But EVERYONE has the right to health care. As a Christian, I feel it is the right thing to be willing to help with that. I know I am over my word limit, and I know my point of view is not appreciated by many, but that is the way I feel!
It's not about the cost of healthcare. It's about caring for your health. I'm sick of seeing people say they can't afford to eat healthy. That's a lie that has been perpetuated for years. Which costs more? A bag of apples or a bag of oreos? Which is healthier and which will feed more?
That apples are cheaper, healthier and feed more. Yet, people will buy the oreos.
The AFA does nothing to address the real root cause of the high cost of healthcare. That's why it needs repealed.
Why is health insurance so expensive? This bill does not address that issue at all.
The most sickening part is how the President is scolding the republicans for holding on to ideologies. Isn't that exactly what his party is doing? Sorry folks, the republicans have made more concessions in this current debate than the democrats have. As an independant, neither will still get my vote, but it's something people need to realize.
By nature, government is nothing but the power to make rules, the power to enforce the rules and the power to judge whether or not the rules are followed.
So by nature, the government does not belong anywhere near charity, medical care, the elderly, the poor or the disadvantaged.
Also, by nature, politicians are self-serving. Everything they do is for the acquisition and maintenance of political power.
That's not what I say.
That's a first principle of politics discovered by Renaissance politico Niccolo Machiavelli.
That means the purpose of all social programs is to buy votes and secure campaign cash which allow the politician to acquire and maintain his political power.
Clearly, turning over medicine to the government is the last thing a free people would want to do.
I think it is interesting that 8% more republicans polled approve of the Affordable Care Act than approve of Obamacare.
catastrophic care costs somewhere close to catastrophic. overall care sucks for most not already used to medicare and that set of premium shannanigans. the only beneficiaries are forced health care profits for some other entity - not the common person...save the limited step forward saying you'll only be burnt the cost of a late model good pickup truck.
Well, my Mother always said if you can't say something nice just don't say anything..
Good Night!
I think if everyone were insured then medical procedures, pharmaceuticals and healthcare in general would have to come down in cost. If the hospitals and doctors get paid, there's no excuse to charge such exorbitant prices. Also, the level of care you receive in an emergency room when uninsured is no where near what it is if insured. Basically, you'll be stabilized and able to leave the hospital to go die somewhere else. I don't have a problem with being charged a penalty for refusing to opt in or obtain health insurance on your own; you can be healthy today, and tomorrow something catastrophic happens costing all of us a lot of money for that emergency room care the GOP says is good enough for the uninsured.
I wish that people would stop spreading the lie that health insurance is health care. It is NOT. It is a method of paying for health care. Real health care is doctors, hospitals, nurses, choice of medicines etc etc. When people started thinking insurance was there to pay for every little sniffle, every cold, everything instead of taking responsibility for their health it was a slippery slope. The ACA does not add a single doctor, a single nurse, in fact it limits medicine, limits doctors in your network, limits treatments to what your policy covers. It is NOT health care. It is insurance. Thinking health insurance is there to pay for your health care is like thinking car insurance is there to pay for your car on a monthly basis, when it is there for catastrophic damage.... not for oil changes and filling your gas tank.
The cost for a single person per month will be between $130 and $250. What?!?! As someone who avoids docs like the plague and would much rather die than rack up a big medical bill, I would not find this worth it to me. I'd be paying into something that I'd hardly ever use. I much rather like picking my own level of healthcare and knowing what I can afford.
And, as someone above said, if Canadians are coming here for surgeries and whatnot, then is it *really* that great up there with its healthcare?
I think the ACA is fine in principle. My biggest issues are:
A: Insurance companies and hospitals are treating doctors poorly and causing costs to inflate and reducing doctors' flexibility in treating their patients.
B: If I'm not happy with insurance companies, I would like the right to vote with my wallet and seek care in the manner I choose. The ACA punishes me for abstaining from the traditional medical care path.
Concise enough for ya?
Also, as an artist, I don't have any money to spare for insurance, nor am I able to provide proofs of income that the gov't accepts so I have no idea what's going to happen to my family.
That healthcare plan is going to be the death of many, why?
Because of the different rates.....There is Bronze, Prime, Silver, and Gold.....
Bronze is 200+ a month, and the deductions are 3,500 for Medical, and 3,500 for Medication, a total of 7,000 needs to be paid, before the insurance kicks in....
Prime is 300 + a month, with deductions of 3,000 for Medical, and 3,000 for Medication, a total of 6,000 needs to be paid, before insurance kicks in...
Silver is 400 + a month, with lower deduction, a total of 5,000 needs to be paid, and Gold 500 + a month, with a deduction of 4,000 deduction.....
Either way you go, oh brother!!
What's going to happen to those who already have insurance? Will there be changes in their insurance?
I sure hope not....You see, I've had insurance now for going on 4 years.....And I chose a high deductible (2,000.00), but I chose it for a reason.....
The reason being, that at the end of 3 years, that deductible goes away....No more deductible after December 31st. I'm praying that it doesn't change....
Doctors will opt out of treating people with government health plans because the government doesn't pay it's bills well.
I once heard that 80% of people get better anyways, 10% need treated and 10% are beyond help by being chronic complainers of ill health so.......I agree with you. Let's stay healthy! Laughing is one way to start. Let's laugh more! 
What @we_deny_everything says is true . In France there is an universal coverage and this is very generous but meantime the social security system is in a huge deficit and the government of France has a giant debt . Where is the equilibrium point ?
I like the last picture : Rve and the apple.Very appropriated .
In friendsjip
Michel
No comment. 148 left
Good topic just rather keep my thoughts private.
Several friends of mine are Vets...they tell me all the time "You do NOT want government health care."
I love apples. And I love sharing apples. And your painting makes me smile really big! Tis beautiful!
HUGS!!!
I'm afraid of it. If Canada's medical system is that great, why do Canadians come to this country for medical care? My brother lives in Madrid where they have universal health care. They also have Very high taxes. Luckily he has enough money to buy a private insurance too. That meant when he needed surgery for a hiatal hernia he didn't have to wait 3 months to get it. I agree with you that our medical care needs major changes. Excuse me while I go eat an apple to offset the white chocolate covered pretzels I just ate. I would run around the block too, except that it's dark out, and our block is about 2 miles long.
Sorry about that. Apparently no delete comment option. I just can't believe that there are people in our society who would refuse medical care to people in need.
No tickie No laundry. let them die. Hurray for the Republicans who fight for this.
I had my first heart attack when I was 40 and thanks to God, lost over 60 pounds and started exercising. I am now 80!!
However, my employer provided affordable health insurance and now I am on Medicare.
We need both---an emphasis on healthy living and well managed low cost health insurance.
In this country, when a person gets sick, he pretty much goes broke. Be honest. You've seen it happen.
Have you shared your cozy little health theory with a Canadian? A Swede or a Frenchman? Try it, and see what they say.
Our life expectancy is 78.1 years. Isn't that good?
USA
78.1
United Kingdom
79
Germany
79.3
Netherlands
79.4
Sweden
80.9
Spain
80.1
Italy
80.2
France
81
Canada
81.2
Australia
81.6
In America the percent uninsured is 15.4%, or 48 million. The other countries listed above have UNIVERSAL FREAKING coverage. So talk to a Frenchman. Tell him he needs more apples and fewer physicians.
it wouldn't take me that many words.lol
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