I understand that this must remain non-political, and I agree. Yet all of us who are ill need to consider the actions and consequences of issues facing us.
Most everyone here has had some type of
protest of the
control over their healthcare. Some are opposed to the
insurance companies' control, and some, the government's.
I agree that we need major changes. But I also think that the belief that the government's control over our
health care is going to improve for those of us who are currently denied coverage for many aspects of our diseases are mistaken in believing that the government will grant us MORE coverage.
The government cannot afford to give us greater coverage for alternative approaches and treatments which some in the medical profession state are not necessary.
I believe the issue here is control. Somehow, health care, treatments and cures needs to be put in the hands of our doctors and in ours. And this is a very difficult issue when it comes down to who must pay for it.
The government will not pay any more for certain treatments than
insurance companies will. In fact, it will probably need to be less. I am not insulting or name calling anyone, but I heard this statement out of our President's mouth, myself. It is almost a direct quote: 'There will be cases in which pain pills can be prescribed rather than surgery to correct the problem.'
Anyone who believes there will not, by necessity, need to be rationing, I believe is sorely mistaken.
And btw, overall, the smoker
does not cost anyone more money than anyone else. The smoker dies earlier and is no longer a burden for society and the
insurance company. The smoker
does not cost any more than those who consistently drive carelessly, those who abuse members of their family, those who go to the ER for every
health complaint, those who eat nothing but fat and sugar, and the list goes on.
Our increasing longevity is already proving to be a burden on
health care and tax dollars. Picking on certain groups will not prove to be the answer,
nor will it be productive.
The fact is, that
our healthcare IS genuinely extremely expensive. We have elaborate and expensive diagnostics never before available. WE have extremely expensive treatments that were never before available. Recommended yearly and constant testing for all kinds of illnesses and cancers are extremely expensive. The payment for all of this is extremely difficult, and it will be no
easier for the government than it is for us now, without some kind of rationing and/or denial of diagnostics and treatments.
In spite of the fact that the pharmacutical (?) companies are raking in millions, they are also working very hard and discovering new drugs and treatments that can save millions more lives. Perhaps it is greed that drives them forward, but they are pushing us forward just the same. How do we put a price on this and who should have the authority to control them? If there is too much control, then the progress ends.
I do not claim to know any of the answers and I don't know that we will ever be able to find them. open discussion, sharing of info and opinions and debate, speaking OUT LOUD, as well as educating oneself on the facts is the only answer -- which we will most likely not learn in our lifetime.
100% agreement w/ Dejavu's statement that we must look at the 'big picture' in the proposed legislation. Follow all the results and consequences all the way thru while you think about it. Control over our health by the Federal Government is not the answer.
I maintain this is as much a health issue as much or more as it is political.