This blog is meant to allow people in Maine to communicate their thoughts, events and news of special interest to Mainers about HR 676, Single Payer Healthcare - the movement to create a National Healthcare System in the United States.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Open Discussion
Please post your ideas and messages here on any subject you want.
Today, as I write, nearly 5000 Americans have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here at home, where you might have imagined yourself safer, from 2000 to 2006, 137,000 people have died because they lacked healthcare. A war on two battlefields ; money that might have been used to save lives here is used to kill people there. It’s hard to imagine anything more insane, but let’s try:
If you imagine yourself safely above the fray because you’re neither fighting a war AND you have health insurance, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise if, heaven forbid, you become ill or injured. By a conservative estimate, the number of underinsured is up by 60% from 2003. That’s because your wonderful ‘health insurance’, which is costing more and more, is covering less and less. A Harvard study found that 75% of people who filed for “medical debt bankruptcy” had ‘health insurance’ when they got sick or injured. That’s what’s known as adding insult to injury. Can it get any more insane? I mean, why aren’t people up in arms?
Actually, more and more of us are, including nurses, doctors, and even business people! Our President, who sees the problem as well, appears to be hampered from enacting the changes that are actually needed by the power and greed of the insurance and pharmaceutical monoliths who block the way. Sadly, his attempts at desperately required reform look like they will only tweak the fringes of the problem. Nothing less than Medicare for all is needed and it is past time.
On May 30th, in support of this issue, a rally will be held at the State House in Augusta from noon to 2 PM. Try to come. Your life may depend on it!
I read that HR 676 already is defeated, being sneered at by Michaud and others. Maybe we can send a message if all Americans drop their for profit only not truly "health" care insurance? We have to educate the people how this new system HR 676,will work for ALL people living and working in this country.And then we can stand united and oppose the abuse by the insurance and big pharma corporations.
Recent letter to the editor:
ReplyDeleteWAKE UP CAll
Today, as I write, nearly 5000 Americans have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here at home, where you might have imagined yourself safer, from 2000 to 2006, 137,000 people have died because they lacked healthcare. A war on two battlefields ; money that might have been used to save lives here is used to kill people there. It’s hard to imagine anything more insane, but let’s try:
If you imagine yourself safely above the fray because you’re neither fighting a war AND you have health insurance, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise if, heaven forbid, you become ill or injured. By a conservative estimate, the number of underinsured is up by 60% from 2003. That’s because your wonderful ‘health insurance’, which is costing more and more, is covering less and less. A Harvard study found that 75% of people who filed for “medical debt bankruptcy” had ‘health insurance’ when they got sick or injured. That’s what’s known as adding insult to injury. Can it get any more insane? I mean, why aren’t people up in arms?
Actually, more and more of us are, including nurses, doctors, and even business people! Our President, who sees the problem as well, appears to be hampered from enacting the changes that are actually needed by the power and greed of the insurance and pharmaceutical monoliths who block the way. Sadly, his attempts at desperately required reform look like they will only tweak the fringes of the problem. Nothing less than Medicare for all is needed and it is past time.
On May 30th, in support of this issue, a rally will be held at the State House in Augusta from noon to 2 PM. Try to come. Your life may depend on it!
I read that HR 676 already is defeated, being sneered at by Michaud and others. Maybe we can send a message if all Americans drop their for profit only not truly "health" care insurance?
ReplyDeleteWe have to educate the people how this new system HR 676,will work for ALL people living and working in this country.And then we can stand united and oppose the abuse by the insurance and big pharma corporations.