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NEWSROOM * CIRCULATION * ADVERTISING
Friday
March 2010
12
NOTE: I tried to post a comment responding to the comments of readers --- and it would not post !! So I have posted it below in "bold - italics" --- the original post is below the response to comments -- and of course the comments are below also. I guess I have to get our 13 year old to show me how to use this computer :-)
It is good to see a vibrant discussion on this topic --- it can only benefit the country in the long run. Regarding Dave Casper's question concerning medical care in France -- I do have a mea culpa for a faux pas ... I try very hard to verify before I print, and although I did that in this case, it was not with the right person and the story was distorted a bit from the original telling (the old heard it third hand).
As it turned out, it was not our daughter who had the treatment, but a friend of hers ....... BUT I did find out and verify the following:
1) Our daughter like many if not all students who travel abroad through one of the student programs, had an International Health Insurance Program coverage.
2) With that coverage, if she had needed care in France, it would have cost very little or nothing at all --- and definitely NOT as much as in the USA with normal private health insurance coverage here.
3) She did have a friend visiting from another country where she was studying, and she fell and hit her head --- ambulance and ER care and NO charge ... she also had the International Coverage, but as I found in my research since DC's inquiry, most ER visits in France do not result in a charge ... although not necessarily the technical design of the health care program there.
As for Gordy 1's assertion that the Republicans want the new plan to cover the politicians and the Democrats don't --- I don't really trust EITHER party or most ANY of the politicians, regardless of party affiliation. I have been active in both, and found the only difference is the "red meat" each party throws to its true believers !!!
But I have not found any substantiation that what Gordy asserts is true --- or for real, not forgetting that there have been no lack or Red Herrings being tossed around over this issue.
I am going to post a new blog about the French Health Care program, which is really very interesting. But I wanted to wait to give everyone a chance to make their comments on this posting
Our daughter in college spent a semester in France and traveling around Europe not too long ago.
While in Paris, she was not feeling well, and went to the hospital.
They quickly diagnosed her ailment, gave her medication for it.
When she walked out of the hospital, she hadn't paid anything, and she didn't owe anything.
A couple years ago, a friend of mine was really down on his luck, and he was very sick --- I think it was pneumonia?
I took him to one of those urgent care places, and he was back out the door in 5 minutes --- saying they would not treat him as he had no insurance and not enough money ($200 some dollars).
I insisted he go back in, I went with him, and asked how they could turn away someone with a serious ailment, and if it was legal? As soon as the word legal came out, they of course treated him, verified he was very sick, and gave him a prescription.
We went to Walgreens and I lent him the money for the prescription which cost over $100 !!!!!
That is the difference between health care in the rest of the "civilized" world and here in the United States.
And the differences go far beyond who can and cannot get health care ..........
Our economy is being torn apart by the exhorbitant costs of health care here --- we are becoming a country of "haves' and "have nots" in who gets to be healthy and who gets kicked to the curb.
Many of our corporations here "outsource and outshore" work that Americans use to do, in part because of the high health care costs here.
Even Corporations who provide health care for their employees have made the deductibles and co-pays so high, that it is not affordable for the average worker making a modest living.
Yet those same corporations (you know, the ones that pay their CEO's millions) cover the co-pays and deductibles for their high ranking executives --- true Cadillac Plans !
We are very close to "beginning" to solve this century old dilemma (Teddy Roosevelt tried over 100 years ago) -------
But the HIGHLY PARTISAN REPUBLICANS CANNOT BEAR TO SEE THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION DO ANY POSITIVE --- DESPITE WHAT IS GOOD FOR REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE .......
And as for Lieberman --- I guess the only explanation is DEMENTIA .......... but at least he --- like every Republican Politician out there in DC, has Cadillac Health Care Coverage --- so he will be a well cared for, Smiling Idiot !!!
WHAT DO YOU THINK --------- PLEASE SIGN IN AND LEAVE A COMMENT
I agree with some of what you say but with reference to Lieberman you lost me. EVERY POLITICIAN HAS THE CADILLAC PLAN AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHY THE DEMOCRATS ARE PUSH THIS INFERIOR CRAP THAT WILL COST $2.5 TRILLION. The Republicans brought an amendment to the floor saying that all of Congress would take whatever bill passed and the Democrats voted unanimously NO while Republicans all voted Yes. How do you explain that? The only people that don't get it are the Democrats as the polls show but they must pass something. This is not about health care but only for more power and control. Would you buy a car today and pay cash and take delivery 4 years from now? THAT is the health bill, which hasn't even been seen by most of the Congress YET! Why rush? Because more Americans are finding out the facts and waking up. Just do the reform the Republicans want but have been turned back. Tort reform, buying insurance across state lines, health care tax credit etc. The bill was written behind closed doors by the Democrats and SEIU. Now that is what I call real transparency and bi-partisanship. It is all a joke so start over.
The Republicans also want to eliminate the Medicare fraud which cost US $98 billion in 2009 alone.
So why not just fix the problem for the uninsured rather than mandating everyone be impacted by it? Wouldn't it stand to reason that helping 10% of a population is easier than forcing help on 100% of it?
Exactly right David. However, the Democrats MUST pass this bill because it provides them complete power and control. If they were really interested in fixing health care they would first cut the $98 billion fraud in Medicare alone in 2009. It is SO obvious, their main concern is not health care but it sounds good. Keep following the story on Joe Lieberman and Ben Nelson. Bribery is now main stream for these people. Mary Landreiu of Louisiana got $300 million for her state for her vote. Our money!
Dear David you need to look into what the dems say and not take what the say as gospel . Also that story about your daughter sounds fishy to me . Has she stayed in France to help pay for the services rendered or did the citizens have to pay for her (FREE) Health care. Better yet Lets start having free schooling from this point in time teachers should work for free. I keep on running into euro want to bes. few stay
Getting government out of the health care business altogether would be a very good first step towards reform. New laws of any kind usually make the problem worse and erode our freedoms. They rarely do anything positive for the American way of life.
Over 61% of Americans disapprove of government run health care but Senator Reid and Feingold and their fellow Democrats consistently ignore the will of the people. They’re truly the domestic enemies the Founding Fathers warned us of.
The part about your daughter keeps bothering me. I get the feeling she just skipped out on paying!
http://www.french-property.com/guides/france/public-services/health/receiving-treatment/hospital-treatment/
ii. Visitor
If you are admitted as a visitor to France, then you will need to produce either your European Health Insurance Card, or private health insurance policy. iii. No Health Insurance
If you have no health insurance, and it is an emergency, you will still receive treatment, although you will be responsible for the costs.
If it is not an emergency, you are likely to be asked to make pre-payment for the treatment.
Nothing is free.
Ares, I see you have found a rational location to comment on. At least one can make a comment and not be accused of being a bigot or hater. How nice!
Not only 61% of Americans don't want THIS reform but 62% of Nebraskans don't want it and that is where Ben Nelson has a problem. He is the man right now. Job after 2010 or no job. Yes vote means NO job. Give him a call. I did!
And when your elderly parent needs care and they decide they are too old/expensive/sick to treat. Let's just rework the insurance system so it is affordable for everyone.
David, I don't trust either party either but this bribery 101 that is going on with the health bill is a joke. I'm sure that you are aware that 8-10 states are exempt from paying Medicare taxes? Nebraska alone is exempt forever. The rest of the states pick up the tab. All for those votes. Texas alone will pay $20 billion over 10 years for Medicare. Where is the outrage from the rest of the states about these sweetheart deals. This is truly a travesty and bordering on tyranny. It is also unconstitutional and there is presently a lawsuit against Harry Reids actions. This 2700 page bill will pass and go into affect in 2014 but we pay starting January 1. Time will tell but the Democrats HAD to pass something to show some type of success even though it goes 100% AGAINST everything Obama said in the campaign. Power and control trumps partisanship, no doubt!
I must also add that if the Democrats really wanted Republican input they wouldn't have slammed the door in their face and kept them out of the closed door meetings.
Gordy
I don't think the Dems came up with a great plan, but I also think the Reps pushed them into it by not agreeing to anything --- again, the Dems are NOT pure in this .... In DC PARTISANSHIP HAS REPLACED POLITICS
(hope this posts !!)
David, I don't know your opinion about ACORN but, as of yesterday, it was discovered that Reid snuck into the health bill the re-funding of ACORN. Another tyrannical move along with sneaking in the no-repeal clause into the health bill. You can't make this atrocity up. This country is prime for a revolution and it just might happen soon.
David, I appreciate your clarification. There are a lot of folks in this debate who would have just left it, which then perpetuates more of the myths we don't need.
I think there's a lot of confusion over the true nature of health care and how it's paid for in many European countries. One of the worst of these is that some people believe, without question, that just because they don't see a bill it must be "free." In their minds, then, they compare one system they perceive to be "free" to one in which making even the smallest payment is bad. Even before considering all the facts, they base their entire argument on one huge assumption. This happens on both sides, and it doesn't do anyone any favors.
Thanks again for clarifying.
Might I suggest everyone read Michelle Malkins "Culture of Corruption. A lot of things will be cleared up with reference to the corruption in this administration and how they got there. Malkin has inside people who have exposed everything in this book. She took off months to write this book. I know many people don't like her but the reason is she is an investigative genius. We are in serious trouble with these people (Obama's team) in charge.
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Tags: Health Care : Lieberman : Partisanship : Economy : Corporations : Cadillac Health Care
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