Obama laying the groundwork for U.S. health reform
Fri Dec 5, 2008 1:00am EST Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page | Recommend (0) [-] Text [+]
By Donna Smith
WASHINGTON, Dec 5 (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama has begun laying the groundwork for overhauling the troubled U.S. healthcare system, reaching out to interest groups and building grass-roots support for the huge undertaking.
Obama, who takes office on Jan. 20, is using many of the Internet tools employed in his election campaign to engage the public. His Internet site www.change.gov asks people to submit ideas for changing the costly and inefficient system that leaves tens of millions uninsured.
"Every American is feeling the pressure of high health costs and lack of quality care, and we feel it's important to engage them in the process of reform," said Obama transition team spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter.
"Change starts from the ground up, and we believe that's true on critical issues like healthcare reform as well."
Read the rest of the article:
http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed2/idUSN04420785
Oh...and GO OBAMA!Looks like some movement in that area. Hey whats happening in Canada ? The Government falling apart? They shut down Parliament yesterday? No confidence in the new PM...Holy Crap Batman 6t5, we don't have a Presidential system like you, where the power is concentrated in the hands of one party. Everything going on is perfectly constitutional under the Parliamentary System we have, and is also not unprecedented. Many people support the overturning of the PM as he attempted to pass some very unpopular bipartisan legislation in the time of economic crisis. He attempted a Bush trick of using the crisis to ram through legislation the people do not want.
The way a parliamentary system works is the people elect the people to govern, and the people who govern form the government. Because the PM's party is not a majority, if he loses the confidence of the house the other parties are constitutionally allowed to pass a vote to not have him as a leader and to appoint a new one from their numbers. Very common in European countries with parliamentary systems as well. These are called "checks and balances", something the US might have appreciated the last 8 years (hows your economy, btw?).
But of course you understood that because you are so well versed on Canadian politics. PS...there is a Canadian politics thread I have posted about this on, where you could have directed your comment. This thread is about health reform in the US.
I really like Obama's change.gov website. perhaps you like to direct some of your amazing health care ideas that way?
Gimmpy...the United States economy is Either way....I am holding my breath...and hoping the inflation doesn't deflate our economy any worse. A lot of people haven’t even begun to notice the impact and what the repercussions of how our economy (and other countries) is going to directly effect their funds. I feel like our economy has been this big 8 cylinder engine trying to operate on about 6 cylinders and now the engine is about to blow. (With no mechanic to fix it) Terrible, banks don't trust manufactures, manufactures don't trust retailers, retailers, don't trust manufactures, and so on.... banks are scared and are holding on to funds like a newborn holding on to his mothers’ teet. Gimpy, what about some non-essentiaal treatment, meaning some ailment that affects the quality of your life, but isn't essential that you get treatment in order to live. For instance, my brother gets these back spasms. They are extremely painful, but only temporarily debilitating, just for maybe a day or so. They don't affect his overall health, they certainly won't kill him, they just hurt. When he didn't have insurance he just had to live with it. But say, if he had strep throat or an ear infection or a broken leg or a heart attack or something like that, he could go to an emergency room and they, by law, would not be able to turn him away even though he couldn't pay for it. If the hospital gets any government funding, that is. kweenb- I think it is interesting to compare health plans, but I think posting on American healthcare should be done by an American, as I said.
I really like Obama's change.gov website. perhaps you like to direct some of your amazing health care ideas that way?[/QUOTE]
•shows a lack of joined-up thinking with conversation that doesn't flow and arguments that don't hold water
•flits from topic to topic so that you come away feeling you've never had a proper conversation
•often misses the semantic meaning of language, misinterprets what is said,
•holds deep prejudices (eg against the opposite gender, people of a different sexual orientation, other cultures and religious beliefs, foreigners, etc - prejudiced people are unvaryingly unimaginative)
•is constantly imposing on others a false reality made up of distortion and fabrication
The health care problems are all a part of the greater economic crisis. And Canada is part of the bigger picture as well as every other nation in the world. Our problems affect every one in the world. And now that OJ has been sentenced, I bet everything will improve.
Oh, and I made a purse today.
And did laundry.......
Gimpy, you said something on a different thread acouple of days ago and I have a q about it. You mentioned something about some benefit you get with your extended coverage. So do you have to pay extra for this extended coverage? I'm also intested in what kind of service is provided for those who can't afford extended coverage (if I understand it right). Lnncn, many employers provide extended insurance on top of what is provided under the Canada Health Act.
My extended insurance pays in full or in part for services such as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, insoles, medical equiptment, homecare in the event it's needed, private hospital room, travel insurance, most dental work, psychotherapy, oncology, naturoppaths, nutritionists, wigs and other orthotics, compression stiockings etc. I pay about /month for this and my employer pays . My BF is also covered as he is my Common Law spouse.
Universal Healthcare is regulated by the Canada Health Act, and therefore all things considered essential services are covered by the government run health insurance. Canadians pay for their health insurance, which is prorated according to your tax return. It ranges from free to about 0 a month, I think. (My employer pays 75% of ours). This means we aren't charged for doctor visits, hospital stays or trips to the emergency room, specialists when referred by our general physician, lab test and etc. There is also some coverage for things such as massage therapy and pysiotherapy. Because I have RA, I am eleigilble for free physiotherapy through the arthritis centre where I am treated.
I also live in a province which has a thing called Fair Pharmacare. This is also prorated on your tax return and means that you only pay a portion of prescription med costs and after you reach a certain deductible the rest are free for the year.
If you are a free lancer you can also purchase extended medical for under 0/month. Some extended medical plans also provide prescription lenses and extended disability, but it's a lot more expensive.
So in a nutshell, anything deemed medically necessary is Universal Health, extras are optional extended health.
Lorster, I'm not sure because I'm not the accountant of the family, but probably between 00 and 00, maybe? Town meetings start health reform effort
Fri Dec 5, 2008 11:02pm EST
By Keith Coffman
DENVER (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama's transition team will kick-start the process of healthcare reform with a series of meetings across the country, modeled on those his campaign held last summer.
"Providing quality affordable health care for all Americans is one of my top priorities for this country because our long-term fiscal prospects will have a hard time improving as long as sky-rocketing health care costs are holding us all down," Obama said in a statement on Friday.
"Yet in order for us to reform our health care system, we must first begin reforming how government communicates with the American people," he said.
"These Health Care Community Discussions are a great way for the American people to have a direct say in our health care reform efforts and I encourage Americans to take part if they are able."
Former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, Obama's choice for Health and Human Services secretary, said the meetings would start on December 15 and run through December 31, before the new president is inaugurated on January 20.
Obama's Internet site www.change.gov asks people to submit ideas for changing America's costly and inefficient healthcare system, which leaves tens of millions uninsured.
Speaking at a meeting of healthcare industry experts in Denver, Daschle said he would like to "allow the states to be workshops and laboratories of innovation."
Read the rest: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4B40RF20081206
What a great opportunity to give input.
[QUOTE=Gimpy-a-gogo] Lorster, I'm not sure because I'm not the accountant of the family, but probably between 00 and 00, maybe? [/QUOTE]
Obama is taking suggestions for health care reform on change.gov. It would be nice to get a Canadian perspective. 1000 to 1500 would be doable for most Americans but most don't want this. Gimpy, do you feel you get good medical care?Aww, gimpy, thankyou. Did not read your next post until I had posted that to you.I have a question about the issue of who should be posting topics on American political issues. My opinion is that only Americans should be posting topics on American issues. I think it is intrusive and inappropriate for someone other than an Amerian to do that. I would not post a topic on a political issue of another country. My opinion.Lorster, yes, I personally have really good doctors and while I've had to wait for some things I've never had to wait so long that I felt my quality of life was threatened. If I'm in a hurry for a minor issue I just pop into a local clinic. That usually takes about 20 minutes to an hour.
I have also had the experience of being the caretaker of someone with a terminal illness and was impressed with the cohesiveness of care and services available. There was an issue of the hospital being a bit far. The person lived in a small rural community so I would have to drive about 45 minutes to the nearest Cancer centre. But there was a hospital 5 minutes awaY for a lot of the other services needed. I think some people in remote areas have it hard that way.
Also, from reading these boards the last few years, I am getting the impression I actually have access to a wider range of medical services and treatment options than the average American.6t5-
This is your opportunity to go to www.change.gov and express your opinion that healthcare in the US is fine because you've got yours. They are looking for input!
It would be more appropriate to discuss your opinions on the current political situation in Canada here
I saw this on the change.gov website:
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”---Albert Einstein
"[QUOTE=Jan Lucinda]I have a question about the issue of who should be posting topics on American political issues. My opinion is that only Americans should be posting topics on American issues. I think it is intrusive and inappropriate for someone other than an Amerian to do that. I would not post a topic on a political issue of another country. My opinion.[/QUOTE]
I thought it was so great there's a place for Americans to put their input of healthcare reform, I wanted to let people know it was there. Surely healthcare is an issue that affects us all closely.
[QUOTE=Jan Lucinda]Lorster-
•shows a lack of joined-up thinking with conversation that doesn't flow and arguments that don't hold water
•flits from topic to topic so that you come away feeling you've never had a proper conversation
•often misses the semantic meaning of language, misinterprets what is said,
•holds deep prejudices (eg against the opposite gender, people of a different sexual orientation, other cultures and religious beliefs, foreigners, etc - prejudiced people are unvaryingly unimaginative)
•is constantly imposing on others a false reality made up of distortion and fabrication
[/QUOTE]
Good topic Gimpy.My opinion is that only a member of that country should post a topic about a situation in that country. Lorster, I guess your opinion is different.Well, I think we are all aware of your opinion X4 now. I, personally, have noted your opinion.
My opinion is that you're in charge of your own posting behaviour and no one elses.
I think it's a pertinent tpoic and I can post what I want to. The post is polite, topical and relevant.
Furthermore, I know you like to imagine it's so, but he US is not living in a bubble or on another planet. Everyhting is interconnected.
PS, I don't care at all if people post about Canadian politics---in fact, I think it's nice people take an interest. I just didn't want the health care reform in the US topic derailed and there is a Canadian Politics thread to post the opinions on.
[QUOTE=Jan Lucinda] My opinion is that only a member of that country should post a topic about a situation in that country. Lorster, I guess your opinion is different.[/QUOTE]
In order to offer our input on change.gov, we must figure out what works and what does not. What is going on here in the U.S.A. is obviously not working. I am interested in how the Canadian system works as well as other plans in other countries.
Gimpy is right. We live in a world wide economy. What happens here, affects the rest of the world and vice versa. And that goes for health care. This topic is pertinent to the world, not just the U.S.A.[QUOTE=Gimpy-a-gogo]Well, I think we are all aware of your opinion X4 now. I, personally, have noted your opinion.
My opinion is that you're in charge of your own posting behaviour and no one elses.
I think it's a pertinent tpoic and I can post what I want to. The post is polite, topical and relevant.
Furthermore, I know you like to imagine it's so, but he US is not living in a bubble or on another planet. Everyhting is interconnected.
PS, I don't care at all if people post about Canadian politics---in fact, I think it's nice people take an interest. I just didn't want the health care reform in the US topic derailed and there is a Canadian Politics thread to post the opinions on.
[/QUOTE]
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