Time to Chime in on Healthcare

Published by admin under In The Begining on November 2, 2009

I hate talking politics with people, but I called my state’s representative’s offices  today and gave them a few reasons why I feel they should not vote to pass health-care reform legislation.  Before you point your finger at me, and call me a horrible person I would like to share why with you. I’d also like to state that I have been uninsured and in need of medical care. I’ve even filed for bankruptcy because of ENORMOUS hospital bills. I now currently have health care through my husband’s employer. This is in jeopardy because if the government offers a cheaper plan (even if it’s not as good) the employer will more then likely jump ship on offering health care to save money. So you see, I’ve been on both sides of the fence.

• It’s not that I do not feel that everyone is entitled to be seen and treated by a doctor.  That is just the opposite of what I believe. The human life to me is the most valuable thing on this planet…..not gold,money, or that car or house I really want.  It’s that I disagree with how they are executing this so called “reform”.  It’s that I believe that a “public option” is not the answer, and they are rushing to find one vs. taking their time and making a sound decision. This decision will affect my child, your children, and their children.Take a long look at medicaid and medicare. That is a “public” option. Is that what you want? Where you’re looked down upon by doctors for having it? Some offices do not even accept it. Not to mention that from an insurance agent’s (that’s what I did pre-Vera) standpoint getting claims passed by the government is like pulling teeth.

• It’s frustrating to me that I can not even comment on the logistics of this legislation because they won’t share that with us. If this is for we the people, why are they not telling us the exact details of the bill?! What happened to the transparency that Obama promised?

• I don’t know if you’ve been to the doctor lately, but I have & I go often because I have young children who need vaccinations (I do vaccinate, but do not flu vaccinate. Whole OTHER blog post) and occasionally have some affliction that needs to be seen by a doctor. Every time we go we wait in the waiting room (after our appointment time) a good hour to hour and a half. Our doctor does not even accept medicare patients. Our previous pediatrician did, and the wait time there was out the roof.  My point being, I’m not alone in this aspect. I hear people bitching on twitter all the time about the wait at the doctor’s.  What is the cause for this wait time?  Simply put there are not enough health care professionals for the amount of people seeking care and that is right now. Imagine if we add those billions of uninsured into our doctor’s offices. You say, well Brittany, just because it’s going to crowd the doctor’s office isn’t a good reason to not agree with it. To that person I say, it is because it’ll be opening Pandora’s box. Why not focus on getting the health care system ready for something of that magnitude? You think well it’ll get people treated and taken care of & I beg to differ because it’ll take forever to get an appointment and be seen. People will still be thrown under the bus in the long run if the personnel issue is not addressed first. You can lump in lawsuit caps into this too.

• I think that if there is an issue with how people view Health Insurance it should be taken up with the Federal Trade Commission. Isn’t that that bureau’s  job? To protect American consumers? After all when you are purchasing insurance you are a consumer. They’re wasting their time going after bloggers when they should be focusing on how health insurance will not cover certain things or offered to certain people. Or going after the health insurance premiums since everyone argues that they’re not affordable.  I’m not arguing that Insurance Agencies are crooks. They seem to be a necessary evil…..that is why I left the insurance industry.

• To fine someone because they don’t take health insurance is criminal. Hello, there’s usually a reason why they don’t have it (*cough*can’t afford it in the first place/don’t qualify for medicare*cough*).

• That’s another thing…we have a public option in place. It’s called Medicaid and Medicare. It’s not working. Just ask your grandparents.  Why not “reform” that, and make the qualification more reasonable so people are not slipping between the cracks of Medicare and Private Insurance.

• Because I love my parents and grandparents and do not believe that they should receive death counseling vs. medical treatment.

Now that you’ve heard(read) me out ask yourself do you want that? Yes they say that it will not affect you if you already have insurance, but think about that too. Everyone is struggling financially. If someone is offering something cheaper elsewhere, what would you do? A good rule of thumb is you get what you pay for; In our case we get what we vote for.  My mother always taught me to be careful what I wish for, and I have learned that to be true. I would love to live in this perfect utopia where all of our needs were met, but I don’t. Certain strings are attached with having everything handed to you. I’m glad I live in America. A democracy. If you don’t like that your government isn’t taking care of you I say get out of my country there are plenty of others that are more then willing to take away your rights, monitor everything you do, and offer health care to everyone.

For the record for all you democrats attacking republicans….I am a democrat and am brave enough to stand and say I do not support this health care reform. Do I think something needs to happen? Yes, but if this “reform” is so great like the President would like you to believe why can’t he share the details with us?

I welcome all your comments on this. I would LOVE to hear what you think, even if you don’t agree with me…..because HEY! It’s American and we are entailed to speak our mind and have individual opinions. However I don’t support tearing into other people/flaming.