Canadian Health Care

Health Care Quote

I read a fantastic article about Medicare on NPR. It is basically about how Medicare actually succeeds. This frames my opinion about the Healthcare debate so awesomely well:

"Bernfield says she's not at all worried about claims that the bills now under consideration in Congress might cut back on her Medicare benefits. In fact, she thinks the country would be better off if everyone could have the same Medicare benefits she enjoys.

"I think people don't understand that instead of government in their business, they have health insurance companies in their business," she says. "Somebody is overseeing your health care no matter what your status is. Whether it's to tell you you can have it or you can't have it, somebody is there checking off a box."

I know that insurance has to examine claims to stop fraud. But the profit incentive to deny claims... it sickens me. I hope congress really starts to change things about health care in the United States. Mandated coverage and a public option... it just makes me excited to think about this.

I'm excited about a mandate because it may prevent costly visits to the ER that are paid for by those who actually pay bills / have insurance. Because of a mandate, hopefully we will see more visits to the primary physician to prevent illness and treat disease before it becomes an emergency.

I'm excited about a public option because of its lack of profit incentive and the proven low overhead of government administered health care. That means I'm getting bang for my buck. Plus, Medicare is portable and actually affords extensive coverage. What a dream that a poor student like me can have access to that kind of care... it just makes me happy. And all the people working day after day without health benefits for big companies like WalMart, Target, or small companies like Downeast Outfitters, Cafe Rio, or Yogurt Land -- YOU WILL HAVE GOOD HEALTH CARE IN YOUR REACH!

It just makes me excited! So come on congress! Work together! Bring the great Republican ideas about malpractice, and trimming wasteful government spending (ie. subsidizing drugs at a RIDICULOUS COST). Bring the great Democrat ideas about mandates and a public option! Let's do it!

And to all you lousy, lying, and filthy lobbies, right-wing radio idiots, self-serving politicians, and liberal snobs... stop stirring the pot of contention. Do something useful and actually present both sides of the problem we face in health care! Or better, just go away.

Obama's Speech

I wish I graduated BYU when Dick Cheney spoke at the commencement. Unfortunately, I needed the following Fall semester to wrap up and finish all my needed classes. Anyways, I bring this up to pose this question to my fellow cougars: Remember the protests?

I remember when I heard Dick Cheney was coming, I though "Really? That is so cool. The vice president." And at the same time I very much enjoyed the protests and the alternative commencement. By the way, I totally went to the alternative commencement and it was awesome (like in a funny and serious way).

So, really, the behaviour that took place happens on BOTH sides. But at the same time, I became really frustrated over the reaction that students had about the president.

I mean, who cares about politics. It is the PRESIDENT. The Commander in Chief. The leader of your country. Doesn't that position alone make him someone worth supporting to some degree. I mean, even if it is just to hear him out. JFK, FDR, and Reagan all belonged to political parties... but they were also something greater.

Obama may not gel with every political belief you may hold... but his motivation is the same as yours. He wants to make this country better. So ya vote him out at the next elections. But when he wants to tell your kid to stay in school, why don't we let them listen to this important historical figure.

Your thoughts?