Hi to All,

I live in Louisiana. I have been active in writing/e-mailing my Senators, Congressman et al about healthcare issues including medicare, disability, long term care and AD/Dementia.

I received a message on my home recorder Saturday from Senator Vitter inviting me to a meeting on healthcare yesterday in Metairie where I live. When I arrived for the meeting it was outrageously crowded so much so that me and hundreds others could not even fit in the meeting room!! It was ridiculous! We missed the entire meeting!!

Now what??

Healthcare in America.

Has anyone else had similar problems?

Lisa,
It's awesome that you are taking an active stand. I got lucky and my representative had a townhall meeting that was pretty small.
You could request a private meeting with one of his aides. Also, I email my state reps too and they have more intimate gatherings. I'm going to one in the fall at Panerra Bread (I think that's the place.) Maybe try that as well. Benefits for those with AD vary widely from one state to another, so I think it's important to work both the federal and the state angle.

Interesting little side story...my mother called to tell me she had contacted AARP to drop her membership because she had heard our president say AARP backed his plan. My mother is very much against a major overhaul of the health care system!! Anyway, she was told by AARP that they did not endorse the plan nor had they ever indicated they did. My 5 foot, 95 pound mother took herself to her congressman's office and actually got in to see him!! She stated her facts, he disputed the fact that AARP was not "on board" with the president. My mother pulled out her cell phone and her AARP card and called the AARP office. The congressman reluctantly took the phone and heard the rep repeat what my mother had heard. Was it a "learning" moment for the congressman? Apparently not. He told my mother this plan was the best for the country, he appreciated her time and interest but the majority of the people were behind the plan and quote "we will get it passed."

My fietsy little mother replied, "I hope to see you 'passed' by your opponent next year!"

I think my mother's daughter will be off to see her congressman tomorrow! LOL!!!

Here are a few interesting facts with some added conjecture:

Take a look at total dollars (US dollars adjusted for purchasing power parities (PPPs)) spent per capita for advanced countries to see just how bad the situation is:
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/46/4/38980557.pdf
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According to a Census Bureau report published in August 2008, there were 45.6 million persons in the United States who did not have health insurance in 2007 (the latest year for which figures are available). Even after subtracting the 9.7 million of the uninsured who were not U.S. citizens the total of 39.5 is shameful. Under current economic conditions, I suspect that the number of uninsured Americans rises daily.
------------------------------------------
In 2003 the head of Health Care Financing Administration (they are responsible for Medicare & Medicaid Services) was paid $135,000. According to Forbes William McGuire the United Health Group CEO is rumored to have made as much as 124.8 mil. (includes stock gains). in total compensation in 2005. In my opinion users of Medicare & Medicaid Services are getting a bang for their buck while the policy holders of United Heal Group are getting banged for their buck.
---------------------------------------
According to the World Health Organization, America ranks 37th in the world in terms of the main measures of health care quality, losing even to Cuba.
---------------------------------------
Under the current system every American pays additional money to cover uncompensated care in every medical bill and insurance premium. This cost comes from both the uninsured and the 62% of all bankruptcies in America that stem from medical costs.
---------------------------------
In 2011 Mexico hopes to have a cheap, single payer system. If they meet that goal US companies probably will flock there to take advantage of the savings. I suspect that our current health care system could be one of the reasons why the U.S. auto industry is falling apart...They find themselves competing on price against countries whose industries did not have to spend huge sums to provide health care for their workers because their government provides that.

Sorry, have to disagree: Media outlets incorrectly claimed the number of uninsured to be 40 to 50 million Americans. The actual total is open to debate. But there are millions of people who should be excluded from that tally, including: those who aren’t American citizens, people who can afford their own insurance, and people who already qualify for government coverage but haven’t signed up.

Government statistics also show 45 percent of those without insurance will have insurance again within four months after job transitions.

Accounting for all those factors,places the total for the long-term uninsured as low as 8.2 million – a very different reality than the media and national health care advocates claim. There are many that choose not to buy health insurance, they would rather purchase a big screen tv or a new car.

The US has the best healthcare system in the world, that's why people flock here for health care. Why change or fix something that "ain't broke"?

We cannot afford for the government to take over anything else! Especially not healthcare! There in too much now!

And, who can you really trust these days??

Jeanne---The 9.7 million of the uninsured who were not U.S. citizens was subtracted from the figure. The figures are for 2007 before the economic downturn of 2008. Unemployment in my county (a bedroom community outside of Charlotte)is in the neighborhood of 13% because people whose unemployment benefits are running out are being dropped from the figure. I honestly do not see many people getting new job or receiving decent major medical insurance coverage.

Here are my sources:

US Census Report Dated 08/08
http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/p60-235.pdf

Web MD
http://www.webmd.com/medicare/...ack-health-insurance

In this debate words like health insurance coverage mean different things to different people. Every side and everyone seems to have a spin depending on the depth of their pockets.

I can even counter your response about people coming here for medical treatment with an article stating that more US health insurers are paying for citizens to seeking cheaper treatment outside of the US with the following link.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com...re-abroad/?uniontrib

When my COBRA expired I learned the cost for coverage in the newly established NC health insurance pool for those with preexisting conditions that protected me from economic extinction would have dwarfed my Social Security check by several hundred dollars I decided to do without. There is not a big screen TV, a DVD or cell phone in our household.

Those who can afford the cost think that they are getting a bargain. Before leaving my place of employment I checked with their health insurance carrier and learned that the potential cost per individual for coverage in this pool while it was being run by BCBSNC was in the neighborhood of $5,000.

------------------------------------

Lisa---I honestly do not know who to trust...but...My experience has caused me to trust our government more than our health insurance providers.

In my opinion...Unless something is done to rectify the current situation the US will not be able to successfully compete abroad.

Here are some stats from Nature about who the uninsured are. I am currently uninsured, but I'd much rather be uninsured than have the government plan. I have contacted my representatives about my thoughts on a national health insurance plan.
Ok- here's the quote from Nature-
http://www.nature.com/ncponc/journal...cponc1046.html

"So, let’s take a look at a rough breakout of the 47 million statistics. First, 12.7 million (27%) of the 47 million are uninsured for only a part of the year in which they are counted, and are, therefore, ultimately insured. This is an issue of portability of health insurance. Second, around 10.34 million (22%) of the 47 million are listed as “not American citizens’’. Surely the solution for this group has more to do with immigration reform than reform of the health-care system? Third, 19% constitute a group of roughly 9 million people, half of whom earn $50–75,000 a year while the other half earn more than $75,000 a year. Many of these individuals are healthy young people who can afford insurance but choose not to buy it. Fourth, a group of about 8 million people (17% of the 47 million) are actually eligible for health insurance under a variety of existing plans but don’t take advantage of them, sometimes owing to ignorance. The lack of insurance in this group is surely a problem of patient education. Finally, 15% make up a fifth group of approximately 7 million people who might actually represent the true “uninsured’’ or those‘‘without insurance whatsoever’’. This situation is certainly a tragedy for a country as rich as the US. When the 47 million uninsured figure, is quoted it implies that all of these individuals represent the fifth group of uninsured individuals, which seems incorrect. It also implies that fixing the problem of the uninsured will fix the problem of access to care when, in reality, they are two separate issues."

Jeanne---I forgot to ask. What were your sources?

Jellybean---The link that you supplied to the article in "Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology" (that caters to onocologists a/k/a cancer doctors)does not work. I found another at: http://www.nature.com/nrclinon...full/ncponc1046.html but was unable to access the article because I am not a member. If they list a source to the 47 mil. uninsured figure, as well as the $50 to 75 plus figures could you post it.

I wonder if the "ultimately insured" group quoted in the article consider themselves insured if they happen to incur large medical expenses during the period when they are uninsured.

I wonder if their solution to immigration reform would be to require that all individuals entering the US legally furnish proof of major medical insurance prior to entry?

The words "many" and "can afford" are general and "spin worthy" depending on the users pocketbooks.

I'm glad that you are happy with your status of uninsured. Perhaps your pockets are deeper than mine. Frankly...I will be uneasy until January when I qualify for Medicare coverage. I've heard that the the program has a high satisfaction rating.

quote:

Originally posted by skericheri:
Here are a few interesting facts with some added conjecture:

Take a look at total dollars (US dollars adjusted for purchasing power parities (PPPs)) spent per capita for advanced countries to see just how bad the situation is:
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/46/4/38980557.pdf
---------------------------------------
According to a Census Bureau report published in August 2008, there were 45.6 million persons in the United States who did not have health insurance in 2007 (the latest year for which figures are available). Even after subtracting the 9.7 million of the uninsured who were not U.S. citizens the total of 39.5 is shameful. Under current economic conditions, I suspect that the number of uninsured Americans rises daily.
------------------------------------------
In 2003 the head of Health Care Financing Administration (they are responsible for Medicare & Medicaid Services) was paid $135,000. According to Forbes William McGuire the United Health Group CEO is rumored to have made as much as 124.8 mil. (includes stock gains). in total compensation in 2005. In my opinion users of Medicare & Medicaid Services are getting a bang for their buck while the policy holders of United Heal Group are getting banged for their buck.
---------------------------------------
According to the World Health Organization, America ranks 37th in the world in terms of the main measures of health care quality, losing even to Cuba.
---------------------------------------
Under the current system every American pays additional money to cover uncompensated care in every medical bill and insurance premium. This cost comes from both the uninsured and the 62% of all bankruptcies in America that stem from medical costs.
---------------------------------
In 2011 Mexico hopes to have a cheap, single payer system. If they meet that goal US companies probably will flock there to take advantage of the savings. I suspect that our current health care system could be one of the reasons why the U.S. auto industry is falling apart...They find themselves competing on price against countries whose industries did not have to spend huge sums to provide health care for their workers because their government provides that.

We pay over $6000 per year for our supplemental insurance alone, plus the additional $1200 medicare charges. I resent paying for those who think they are entitled w/o an effort on their part to take care of themselves. This is America, no one has to do without, the opportunities are out there. I am no smarter then the next, but I also don't want or feel the need for others to pay my way. It took much sacrifice to accomplish what we have today and I don't want our medical benefits removed or compromised. This is all I will say on the matter of health insurance.

Sources regarding our current medical fiasco, that are too numerous to mention. Sources are not important, VALIDITY of content is. Sources are just another name for someone giving their opinion. If the opinion comes from a source you believe it, than it becomes fact, IE, call AARP they will deny they back Obamacare. You want to believe it, so you do.

I actually copied that info when I had access to the journal without having to pay for it.
I don't see what you saw as being "spinworthy." It's a very trusted journal.
I don't have deep pockets, I wish I did. I know that the government has a finite amount of money and I'd rather be without insurance for now so that healthcare rationing with the elderly and others doesn't occur.

Jellybeans---I never said that your source "Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology" (that caters to onocologists a/k/a cancer doctors)was not respected. I even did not mention that they (as well as almost every group reporting on every side of the health care issue) seems to have a horse in the race.

I found a link supporting their income figures. Someone is spinning something...somewhere and I honestly do not know who. The link that I found uses a graph and the word households ...not individuals . Here is the link:

http://www.kansasprogress.com/...-or-more-every-year/

I believe the spin worthyness of the words "many" and "can afford" is their subjectivity. For example...How many is many? The same applies to affordability. Affordability is in the eye of the beholder. Some households with many children,and/or those burdened with college debts, car or house payments might question its use.

Oh, no I wasn't saying you were saying it wasn't reliable. I just didn't want you to think it was some sort of propaganda journal. They have their "horse" in it, but they're pretty neutral.
"Many" seems to be broken down by the numbers. I think that affordability is really not something that is spun. If one opts to have material objects that are very expensive in lieu of health insurance, they could afford health insurance, they're just not living within their means, IMO. I found a shorter document earlier, I'll try to post it if I can find it again. It's not the HR bill, but something congress published.

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/99x...18-HealthOptions.pdf
There it is. I didn't read the whole thing, but I did glance at some of the pages. They are talking about a lot of hoops for healthcare providers to jump through for patients with Medicaid and Medicare. Some doctors are going to just stop taking Medicaid and Medicare, it's a lot of hassle. From a patient's perspective, I don't like that it says that radiologic studies need prior authorization. Right now, my Grandma gets xrays or CT scans if her doctor authorizes them, not some person without even a high school diploma sitting at a desk. And I also glanced at the part about nursing homes- it sounds like it will be more difficult to get a person into a nursing home with a longer look back period.
I'm quite a long way away from qualifying for Medicare, but for those who are close to getting it or already get it, I would definitely not want to change Medicare.

Jellybeans---Thanks for the link. You must have been reading my mind. While I was cooking dinner I was thinking about the part of your post that mentioned your fear of health care rationing for the elderly and was going to ask you for your source of information.

Would you please give me the specific pages or a link to the article so that I can hit some keyword in a searh of the actual document text.

I've read up until what they seem to call page 13...It translates into page 27 on my acrobat reader. It was an interesting read because it explained things like the proposed Health Care Associations, purchases across state lines, and pay or play. Funny, I'm normally a speed reader...but...The grasping the potential end results of those terms sometimes made me angry and caused me to reread the material to make certain that I understood it correctly.

Either having no frills supplemental Medicare insurance makes a difference or we have been lucky. All of the doctors that we have visited are more than happy to treat Charlie. If it is the supplemental insurance, I happy that I demanded that Charlie continue it. Does your Grandmother have any? If not...You might consider it. Charlie's policy at a bit over $3000 a year is his greatest expense...but...gives me a great deal of peace of mind.

In all honesty my gut thought is that some cost saving changes to Medicare would not frighten me even if they took effect immediately. 1/2 of the tests that they want to run on Charlie are repetitive and/or stupid. Why would I want him screened for conditions that at his current age he would normally elect not to treat? Sometimes I get the impression that their goal is for every senior citizen to glow in the dark.

One good thing that came out of my reading is that I came to the conclusion that the use of the word household on the link with the graph that I furnished was correct.

We appreciate and value the discussions our members bring to this community. We would like to caution these discussions as politic debates often become heated, and can lead down a path not focused on the community’s purpose. The community’s purpose is to offer a safe and supportive environment so that all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias can find the resources and support.

If you are interested in becoming an Alzheimer's Association advocate Join the Cause at www.alz.org/advocacy/ This is a great way to become directly involved with these important issues.

I think the info about nhs was on the pages between the 70s and 80s. I don't think it's all that important to read that or the HR bill all that closely, if passed, they'll change and probably not for the better(and I'm usually not a cynical person).
You elect not to treat Charlie for certain things and that's fine. That should be a decision between you, Charlie, and the doctor, IMO and not someone sitting at a desk that has little or no education. You are treating his AD and AD meds aren't covered by the socialized health plans in some countries.
My Grandma has Blue Cross and Medicare, so she's fine right now. But we shouldn't be fooled into thinking that Medicare won't change if there's a national healthcare plan or some version of it. There's a finite amount of money for the government to spend.
Most of my opinions about this comes from looking at healthcare in countries with socialized medicine and even Massachusetts where they have something similar to what has been suggested for the country. Many people in countries with socialized medicine are denied care for conditions that are covered in the US(cancer, macular degeneration covered only when sight in one eye is completely gone, AD meds). I'm sure some countries with socialized medicine are better than others.
Right now, there are a lot of doctors who don't take Medicaid. Some don't take Medicare. But the thing is, a lot of doctors are saying that it won't be worth it to them financially to take patients who just have the government healthcare plan. A lot of doctors don't take the government health insurance that was introduced in Massachusetts in the last few years because they actually lose money taking it. So, the politicians feel good, so many people in MA are insured, but if they can't find doctors willing to accept it, what good does it do them?
I'm not going to post a ton of links because this board isn't supposed to be for political discussions and I don't want to get booted from the board and I also don't want to spend the time posting it all just to have it edited by the administrators, but if you're interested, you can just use google and type socialized medicine and a particular country and condition or wait times.
p.s. I started this post before the one above mine by the admins. I think this will be my last post on the subject so that I don't "get in trouble."

For those who might be interested

Today I came across a video discussion by some doctors sharing their opinions concerning the condition of the US health care system, their opinions of the causes, and some potential solutions.

http://www.ourailinghealthcare.com/

The entire video is about 48 minutes long. Thankfully there is an option that allows it to be viewed in chapter format.

Just found a 10 page PDF file called "Summary Of Key Medicare Provisions In HR 3200, America's Health Choices Act of 2009" put out by Henry J Kaizer Foundation that briefly outlines the proposed changes contained in the bill.

The link is:

http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/7948.pdf

The home page: http://www.kff.org/ appears to offer some articles dealing with other aspects of HR 3200

My parents have Medicare HMO and I think that will be one of the first thing the government wants to target. Sad. My parents have had great doctors and loved the policy.

quote:

Originally posted by whitney:
My parents have Medicare HMO and I think that will be one of the first thing the government wants to target. Sad. My parents have had great doctors and loved the policy.

Contact your representatives and let them know how you feel.

quote:

Originally posted by jellybeans:

quote:

Originally posted by whitney:
My parents have Medicare HMO and I think that will be one of the first thing the government wants to target. Sad. My parents have had great doctors and loved the policy.

Contact your representatives and let them know how you feel.

We've kept the phones busy! Also emails...

Whitney--Unless your grandmother's Medicare Advantage HMO is offering enhancements like no charge for MA policies, free or reduced priced Medicare Part B and drug coverage, free vision care, free dental care, free fitness center memberships, no or reduced co-pay to see their primary care doctor, low specialist visit fees, enhanced hospital coverage little will be changed...and...these changes will occur over a period of years.

Since those Medicare Advantage enhanced benefits can cost the Social Security pot as much as $3 for $1 spent for them, I honestly cannot understand why they should be allowed to continue at their present rate.


I guess that we'vee been canceling out each other...We've been active too.

quote:

Originally posted by whitney:

quote:

Originally posted by jellybeans:

quote:

Originally posted by whitney:
My parents have Medicare HMO and I think that will be one of the first thing the government wants to target. Sad. My parents have had great doctors and loved the policy.

Contact your representatives and let them know how you feel.

We've kept the phones busy! Also emails...

Hooray! It's good to see that someone with similar thoughts is actively contacting their legislators.

In my opinion those pushing for the continuation of the current formula of reimbursing of Medicare Advantage issuers are either afraid of the unknown or greedy.

Here is a quote from the Center On Budget and Policy Priorities that outlines the effects of the 14% overpayment/subsidy per enrollee given Medicare Advantage plans:
------------
Medicare Advantage provides health care coverage to Medicare beneficiaries through private health plans as an alternative to the traditional Medicare fee-for-service program. Private plans were brought into Medicare to introduce competition and reduce costs, but MedPAC’s findings show they have actually cost the program much more money.

MedPAC recently estimated that in 2009, Medicare will pay the private plans 14 percent more per beneficiary than it would cost to cover these beneficiaries in traditional Medicare. The Commonwealth Fund estimates that the overpayments average over$1,100 for each beneficiary enrolled in a private plan.

By increasing Medicare costs, the overpayments drive up premiums for beneficiaries in traditional Medicare even though these beneficiaries receive no extra coverage in return. The chief actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reported that the overpayments now raise premiums by $3.60 per month per person (or $86 a year for a couple).

The overpayments also weaken Medicare’s long-term finances. They advance by 17 months the date when the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will become insolvent, and they ultimately will require larger benefit cuts and/or tax increases than otherwise would be needed to restore long-term solvency to the program.

https://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=2712
------------------

quote:

Originally posted by skericheri:
Whitney--Unless your grandmother's Medicare Advantage HMO is offering enhancements like no charge for MA policies, free or reduced priced Medicare Part B and drug coverage, free vision care, free dental care, free fitness center memberships, no or reduced co-pay to see their primary care doctor, low specialist visit fees, enhanced hospital coverage little will be changed...and...these changes will occur over a period of years.

Since those Medicare Advantage enhanced benefits can cost the Social Security pot as much as $3 for $1 spent for them, I honestly cannot understand why they should be allowed to continue at their present rate.


I guess that we'vee been canceling out each other...We've been active too.

My parents have BCBS Medicare HMO throught the pharmaceutical company my dad worked for. All I have heard was Medicare HMO would be the first the new health plan was targeting. My parents have a regular policy, copay for vision, no dental. In addition to the payment for Medicare coverage they pay each month along with what the employer pays. I'm sure if employers find out they can put retirees on the government plan they will do so.

Now they are trying to push the bill through without the opportunity for the public to know what is in it or how much the CBO is saying it will cost.

Back to the phones. LOL!

For better understanding of the processes at work, check out how much money from existing insurers that, e.g., the so-called Blue Dog Democrats are getting. Heck, with any of our legislators, you can look at the money flow and know which way they'll vote.

Alan--Thanks for sharing your thought. I checked on the net and came to the conclusion that the Blue Dog Democrats may have been bought off by the health insurance industry. Here are some of the statements I found at http://www.campaignmoney.org/threevotes :
---------------
Members of five committees working on health care reform legislation received $187.1 million in campaign contributions over their career from health and insurance interests

Elected officials who voted against health reform legislation received 65% more in contributions from health and insurance interests than officials who voted for reform

The seven Blue Dog House members lead by Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) negotiating with Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman have received significantly more money from the industries than their Democratic colleagues on the committee.

Health reform legislation is bottled up in two committees whose members have received nearly $100 million in campaign contributions from vested industries

The one thing I do not see in any debate over health care reform is what we, as a country, need to do about Big Pharma, Medicare and other insurance fraud and overbilling.

Take care of those things, and medical care in this country will change for the better.

I think it is shameful that any real debate on this topic is constantly skewed by red herrings about "death committees". Geez, give me a break.

Are we so dumbed down as a country that we will swallow this tripe? Must we resort to scare tactics for the sole purpose of making the public turn our collective heads from the real debate?

Health care is broken in this country. If you have insurance and you like it, you might not agree, but it isn't working. I don't know what the answer is, but I suspect that we aren't going to even try to find out until we can stop the scare tactics and have an actual dialog about health care in this country.

I truly don't know who to believe anymore!

Politicians will say and do anything these days.

Insurance companies just want to make money. Drug Companies just want to make a lot of money.

And here I am,(worked all my life. always had medical insurance, now with a Medicare PPO plan and I can't afford the medications my doctors want me to take to treat my EOAD/YOAD.

What's wrong with this picture??

Oh, I just received an e-mail from a nursing magazine that states babies born now to upper class parents in this country should live to be 100!!! How can we prepare for that??

Until about 2 weeks ago I did not realize that the Health Insurance industry was exempt from Sherman Anti-Trust legislation. How could this exemption be allowed?

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt sponsored : H.R. 3596, the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009 Below is a quote that explains his reason for sponsoring the legislation.

"There are many proposals to bring competition to health insurance providers," Leahy said in a statement. "While we are debating these solutions, we should not lose sight of the fact that the health insurance industry currently does not have to play by the same, good-competition rules as other industries. That is wrong, and this legislation corrects it."

His legislation would strip the Health Insurance industry and Malpractice Insurance industry of various Sherman Anti Trust exemptions for violations, such as price fixing, bid rigging and market allocation.
The hearing on: H.R. 3596, the "Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009" started today at 11:30 A.M. Whether you are for or against health reform, please take a minute to contact your Congressmen to voice support passage of this bill.

I'm not sure our Congressmen listen to anything we have to say. Malpractice reform has been mentioned over and over and I don't think (last I heard) that is being considered. But who knows what will be in the bill...or if anyone will read it before voting.

Lisa, I agree with you that politicians will say and do anything. Our representative always votes along party lines. Not quite, but 98% of the time. I don't agree with my DH 98% of the time! LOL!

Whitney---Every penny counts...but...Tort reform is not that fertile of a field. The Central Budget Office calculates that tort reform does not have much effect on health reform since it only represents 0.4% of health care costs.

Supporting the H.R. 3596, the "Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009" would require Health Insurance & Malpractice Insurers to adhere to Sherman Anti Trust against price fixing, bid rigging and market allocation.

This change could encourage competition and could eventually lower prices especially in the field of Malpractice insurance.

Skericheri,

Now, that's something I can understand and vote for!

We must contact our legislators now!

When I tried to make a few comments about the current health care reform issue, I was told it was not appropriate for our boards. I'm glad to see that some form of discussion about health care reform is now being allowed because it is so important to us current receivers of health care as patients or caregivers and to our nation.

I saw something above about immigrants. When I sponsored my husband and step-son to become permanent residents in the U.S., I promised the Immigration and Naturalization Service that I would be responsible for their living expenses and medical care. I enrolled them both as my dependents on my HMO insurance plan. I believe that this policy should continue. Green card holders should be supported by their sponsors with private funds.

Thanks for the discussions and the links.

Iris L.

Iris,
I do not remember what you had previously posted.

In general, discussions about healthcare, and bills, proposals, etc., I believe, are acceptable. What is frowned on are political statements-for or against certain political parties, officials, etc.- although some have developed a knack for subliminal messages.

Someone once wrote that two things are like deadly viruses to a message board-politics and religion.

One needs to keep in mind that our purpose is to provide support and education to those affected by AD.

Iris---You obviously are more familiar with immigration legislation than I am. The only thing that I know about Green Cards is that the holder is permitted to be employed. Must a foreigner also have a Green card to open a business? Do earnings/profits by foreigners fit under an entirely different tax code than a US citizen? Are their earnings subject to the usual Social Security deductions as a US citizen?
----
Lisa---Thanks for your support of Sen. Patrick Leahy's H.R. 3596, the Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009.

Skericheri, What you've asked I can't answer but I will tell you what I do know.

There are several different types of visas to enter the U.S. My husband and step-son both received an "immigrant" visa because I was married to him in his country and I applied to sponsor him from his country. I could sponsor them because I was the wife and the step-mom. As part of my application I had to supply bank records and tax records to document that I could support my new husband and step-son without them receiving welfare. As part of his application my husband had to provide a resume that included a health report, police report, tax report from his country and character references. The same was required of my step-son minus the tax report.

When my husband arrived at JFK Airport, immediately he could work or start a business, travel anywhere and do anything he wanted except vote. He had the same legal protections as any American.

After 24 months we were interviewed separately at the INS so they could determine that our marriage was legitimate; then he received permanent residency and became eligible for citizenship in 3 more years after taking the naturalization classes. However, a person does not have to apply for citizenship; a person may choose to remain a permanent resident indefinitely.

There are other types of visa. A student visa allows a person to attend school for a set period of time but they may not earn an income. A tourist visa is for tourism and is for a limited time. There are temporary work visas so that people may enter the U.S. to work temporarily. They all have different requirements and rules.

I don't like the term "illegal immigrant". An immigrant is a person who has been given government permission to enter the United States for the purpose of living here permanently. The term "immigrant" should be limited to those people who have an immigrant visa. In fact, the government doesn't use the term immigrant so much, they use the term "permanent resident".

A permanent resident files the same tax forms as American citizens.

The easiest immigrant visa to obtain are family reunification visas, for spouse, children, parents or siblings of an American citizen.

There are millions of screened people around the world who already have applications on file at American Embassies for an immigrant visa. If they have no family members who are willing and capable of sponsoring them, they must try another way or wait for their number to come up.

There are some people who will come to the U.S. on a student, tourist or temporary worker visa and overstay their welcome. Others enter the U.S. without any permission at all.

This is all that I know and is based on my personal experience with the Immigration and Naturalization Service in the mid-to-late 1990s.

Iris L.

Hi to All,

President O'Bama visited our fair city for a brief period today. I didn't get any answers to my questions about Health care or help from Katrina. Of course, I wasn't able to see the president, either.

I do know that he didn't pay for my $100 pill (Boniva) to help re-grow my bones so I don't fall down and shatter my hips or any other bones for that matter. (By the way I am an avid milk drinker and take Calcium and vit D supplements) Nor, did he offer to pay for the meds I couldn't afford (so I didn't fill them) but that Jet sure looked pretty!! (I wonder how much it costs to fill it up??)

Ah, Healthcare in America!!!

Lisa
Some of the different drug companies give free medications to people that are struggling to buy their meds. There are different forms to fill out with each company and you have to meet their income requirements. If you've already tried this, then nevermind. But, if you haven't tried, it might help with some of your medications.

quote:

Originally posted by Lisa 428:
Hi to All,

President O'Bama visited our fair city for a brief period today. I didn't get any answers to my questions about Health care or help from Katrina. Of course, I wasn't able to see the president, either.

I do know that he didn't pay for my $100 pill (Boniva) to help re-grow my bones so I don't fall down and shatter my hips or any other bones for that matter. (By the way I am an avid milk drinker and take Calcium and vit D supplements) Nor, did he offer to pay for the meds I couldn't afford (so I didn't fill them) but that Jet sure looked pretty!! (I wonder how much it costs to fill it up??)

Ah, Healthcare in America!!!

LOL!! I don't think that 747 uses regular unleaded but we'll get the bill!!

Good luck on your meds, maybe you could check on what jellybeans mentioned. It wouldn't hurt to give it a try...

CEO Insurance Company Total Compensation*
Ron Williams........Aetna................$24,300,112.
H. Edward Hanway....CIGNA................$12,236,740.
Angela Braly........WellPoint............$ 9,844,212.
Dale Wolf...........Coventry Health Care.$ 9,047,469.
Michael Neidorff....Centene..............$ 8,774,483.
James Carlson...... AMERIGROUP...........$ 5,292,546.
Michael McCallister.Humana...............$ 4,764,309.
Jay Gellert.........Health Net...........$ 4,425,355.
Richard Barasch.....Universal American...$ 3,503,702.
Stephen Hemsley.....UnitedHealth Group...$ 3,241,042.

*From what I can tell this includes things like wages, bonuses, stock options, and perks

quote:

Originally posted by skericheri:
CEO Insurance Company Total Compensation*
Ron Williams........Aetna................$24,300,112.
H. Edward Hanway....CIGNA................$12,236,740.
Angela Braly........WellPoint............$ 9,844,212.
Dale Wolf...........Coventry Health Care.$ 9,047,469.
Michael Neidorff....Centene..............$ 8,774,483.
James Carlson...... AMERIGROUP...........$ 5,292,546.
Michael McCallister.Humana...............$ 4,764,309.
Jay Gellert.........Health Net...........$ 4,425,355.
Richard Barasch.....Universal American...$ 3,503,702.
Stephen Hemsley.....UnitedHealth Group...$ 3,241,042.

*From what I can tell this includes things like wages, bonuses, stock options, and perks

I don't see my parents insurance listed there but I'm sure the CEO of their Medicare Advantage plan is right in their with the rest.
We can go round and round about the excesses made by CEO's of insurance, drugs, cars, banks or whatever...but lets also consider the amount our elected officials collect...for life. I'd like to have their 'golden fleece' instead of our social security. When it is decided that senior citizens don't need a cost of living increase this year, how much of an increase was congress getting?
My parents worked for a pharmaceutical for many years...they both know what goes into getting a drug on the market and they both know that the bottom line in any business is money. Unfortunately, that includes government, the people that we elect to take care of our needs. They cry "foul" when they see CEO's taking money out of citizens' pockets but don't hhesitate to do the same.
This whole discussion is pointless.

I have attempted unsuccessfully to get free or low cost meds.
I now stick with older generic meds that I can afford.

The world has its priorities mixed up! Especially here. We pay actors, athletes, and high officials millions yet people still starve on our streets or not be able to afford medications!

What's wrong with this picture?

Since my hubby is now on SS I got a notice that I no longer can get help with my medications.I'll have to buy a plan i guess to get discounts or whatever.Until then i'll get meds from my Drs.........

Jan.1,2010 all Drs medicare payments will be reduced 21.5%.Hope you won't need a new Dr.as they won't take on new patients with medicare........

SnowyLynn---Our doctors plan to keep accepting Medicare patients. It could be that they are counting of HR3200 passing.

Those proposed Medicare provider cuts are the pits. Physician payments by Medicare are based on a formula established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which based physicians' payments on the status of the economy, specifically the gross domestic product. Unfortunately, America's GDP has been dropping, and as a result medicare provider payments according to current law must drop also.

The January 1010 21.5% decrease is due to the fact that since 2002 legally mandated provider payment cuts have either not been made or contrary to law Medicare provider increases have been pushed through. Unfortunately nothing was done to replace the legal formula that made cuts necessary.

There is a provision in Obama's HR3200 that reverses the 21.5 cut and will establish a new payment formula for Medicare providers.

Since my husband is on medicare now we make too much money so I do not qualify for help with my medications.I will have to pay full price so i will have to stop taking the Galenimine as it's still over 200.00 per month I can't afford that.....Same with my inhaler.......But I do get Albuteral & Perforomist for my nebulizer the medicare pays for.........
I will see about a medication polocy before the period ends in Nov.......