Thread: Obamacare: Elderly should be concerned

National Review
May 12, 2009, 4:00 a.m.
In His Own Words
Obama goes on the record, off the cuff, about health care.

By Tevi Troy

Does anybody still read The New York Times Magazine? If not, everyone missed a recent interview with President Obama, in which he expounds, without a TelePrompTer, on his views on health care. In general, the interview reveals a good understanding of some of the challenges facing our system, such as high costs, especially during the end-of-life period. But it also hints at some unrealistic solutions, such as “comparative-effectiveness researchâ€

If Obama wants to bring the costs of health care down, stop allowing illegals and anchors from getting free health care via our tax dollars.


PS
It galls me to think that someone I love that is a senior might not get the care they need because a committee doesn't OK the operation and/or procedure.

Also, it bugs me that an American senior might not get the care they need to sustain life while some third world illegal thug would be given kidney dialysis.

Since the Democrats want to give away our health care to illegal aliens, to help pay for it they should also require every registered Democrat that is retired or on disability to get their health care in Mexico, since it's a lot cheaper there that will save the taxpayers billions which can be used to give US health care to illegal aliens. To be close to their health care these Democrats can move to Mexico.

And to be in solidarity with their fellow Democrats, we should ask Mexico to open a Medical Center in Washington DC, and provide mandatory low cost Mexican quality health care to the Democrats living there.

Here we go again blaming everything on the democrats when the republicans are the ones responsible for the mess we are in. There is a tape from 1971 where President Nixon (a republican) where he is having a discussion about Kaiser Permanente, and how he wants to privatize medicine. The guy on the tape says "he will be making huge profits." Nixon replied, "this is good," and the very next day Nixon held a press conference announcing insurance companies. These insurance companies are in the business of denying as many claims as possible. Hence, our crappy health care we have today, all because of a republican. Hillary Clinton was attacked when she tried to do something, but unfortunately one of her biggest donors was an insurance company, so she dropped it. The pharmaceutical companies wanted a piece of the action as well. They paid Bush 2.8 million dollars to adopt the medicare prescription plan, which would increase the cost of medicine to our seniors and score bigger profits for the companies.

It is time to get rid of insurance companies. The ONLY reason we don't have decent health care here in America is McCarthyest scare tactics. Anytime someone gets serious about TRULY making a change, the republicans scream "socialism", while forgetting that we already have socialism in this country. Firefighters, police, libraries etc. So what is the problem with socialized medicine?

America ranks 46th in health care. The biggest argument I see is that countries with socialized health care have crappy doctors etc. If that were true, then why are the countries with socialized health care ranked the highest? Again, we are 46th, right above Slovenia.

Until the fear mongering McCarthy generation dies off, we won't have any decent health care. As much as people hate Cuba, they are healthier than we are. Yet from birth, we are taught that they are communist and they are bad people without EVER questioning it. It is really sad that Americans, especially the older generations, have been brainwashed so bad. The most successful countries fear their citizens. It's what keeps them in check. In America, we have been brainwashed so bad that Americans are managed by the government. No questions asked by it's citizens, no expanding your mind to other possibilities. Just sit and listen to our politicians and preachers and let them tell us what to think.

Originally Posted by jshhmr

why are the countries with socialized health care ranked the highest? Again, we are 46th, right above Slovenia.

Because people in these other countries live a much healthier life than Americans. They eat healthier food, and exercise more. Like walking and riding bikes to work.

I agree with your comments about the drug companies, and partly about insurance companies, but the biggest problem with insurance companies is people don't shop around or get the best plan for them because their employer does it for them. Having just ONE insurer (the government) would only make the situation worse. If there was only one company making cars, your only options would be a Soviet Lada. Do you want Lada quality medical insurance?

You forgot to mention the costs of unrestrained malpractice litigation, which has raised our health costs over 30%. Look at how much money John Edwards made suing doctors.

And yes the health care costs of illegal aliens are passed on to us, they don't pay so we do. That adds on another 5% to 10%.

As a healthy over 50 male my medical insurance costs $1800 a year, it is 90% coverage for all hospitalization expenses after a $1000 deductible, and also one health check physical every year.

If it wasn't for out of control lawyers and illegal aliens I would only be paying about $1200 a year. Who cannot afford to pay $1200 a year for medical insurance?

As for prescription drugs I don't use any, except occasionally antibiotics.
That is the only prescription drug anyone should normally use, except maybe painkillers if you had an operation. Most other health issues can be cured using cheaper, healthier natural therapies. Go to www.drbrownstein.com to learn more.

Yes Bush is partly to blame with his drug plan, but the Democrats are many times more responsible, and since they are totally in charge now they are totally responsible for making things worse instead of better.

Who cannot afford to pay $1200 a year for medical insurance?

I never got a deal like that, with that coverage, even when it was just my kids on a state plan.

Those ranking the highest are smaller countries for the most part. I wonder how they determine who's better? What's the standards?

Most other health issues can be cured using cheaper, healthier natural therapies.

Agreed, except they are doing their darndest to try and take them off the market, or have big pharm have control over them.

Yes Bush is partly to blame with his drug plan, but the Democrats are many times more responsible, and since they are totally in charge now they are totally responsible for making things worse instead of better.

You are darned right! The democrats (including Hillary) have been given millions by the pharm and insurance companies.

Because people in these other countries live a much healthier life than Americans. They eat healthier food, and exercise more. Like walking and riding bikes to work.

I disagree. The REASON that Americans are unhealthy is BECAUSE of our healthcare. I have have high blood pressure that hasn't been treated in 10 years. Last year, I began having chest pains which continues to this day. Since I am uninsured, I can't afford to get treatment. My life expectancy isn't too positive right now. However, if I lived in Canada, Britain, France, Cuba etc then this wouldn't even be an issue for me. I would be taken care of because I paid my taxes to support such a program. Britain has been doing it since 1948.

France has one of the highest GDP's in the world. It is law that they get 5 weeks of paid vacation, 6 months paid maternity leave, and free healthcare. The government even provides help for new mothers where they send somebody to do whatever you need done, laundry, cooking etc.

I saw a documentary once about 9/11 workers and volunteers. They were being refused treatment for their ailments that were caused by the dangerous working conditions at ground zero. The filmmaker ended up taking the 9/11 workers to Guantanamo Bay, because the terrorist are given better treatment and healthcare than American citizens. Well of course the alarms went off at Gitmo and they fled. They ended up at a Cuban hospital, and ALL 5 of those American citizens were given free healthcare. They were treated better in Cuba than they were in America. One lady used an inhaler, which here in America costs her $120 per prescription. In Cuba, she got the EXACT same medicine for 5 cents. All of these 9/11 workers were reduced to tears, because how is it that a country that is our "enemy" giving them BETTER treatment than they did in America?

Is this what we have been reduced to? Illegal immigrants are better taken care of than us. It's not fair that my health is suffering, while dems and repubs have their thumb up their butts enjoying socialized healthcare for themselves. It IS time for socialized health care, so I can live a long life with my family.

Originally Posted by jshhmr

I disagree. The REASON that Americans are unhealthy is BECAUSE of our healthcare. I have have high blood pressure that hasn't been treated in 10 years.

Most French don't have high blood pressure to begin with, because they walk, ride bikes (Tour de France!) don't eat at McDonalds, and drink red wine. I know how they live because I have toured and biked around France!
Do you live like the average French person does?

Also how is it you have no health insurance?