I just watched a disgusting story on CNN about a $900 wheelchair. The wheelchair can be bought on new E-Bay for $300 with free shipping. Or the manufacturer will sell it to you for $600. But if you get it through the current private health insurance system it will cost close to $1,000. Why is that?
Well the truth be told, the current health care insurance system is so inefficient and corrupt that it allows these types of abuses. No it isn’t the doctor’s fault. He or she worked hard to get through medical school and just prescribes wheel chairs for people who need them. And it isn’t lawyers who are causing the problem. They are only involved in holding bad doctors accountable for the injuries they cause and that involves only a small percentage of the medical profession. We have have less than 50 lawsuits a year against doctors in Hawaii each year. The problem is that medical supply outfits have found ways to get into the system and gouge the public to the tune of $600 in fraudulent profits for a $300 wheelchair.
I support
Many Americans and healthcare workers see single-payer national health insurance as the most sensible tool for fixing America’s broken healthcare system, yet single-payer is being kept off the table by the corporate media.
Thousands of people have signed onto FAIR’s call for the TV networks to cover single-payer–including filmmaker Michael Moore, Obama’s longtime physician Dr. David Scheiner, former MSNBC host Phil Donahue, actor Mike Farrell, Donna Smith of the California Nurses Association, and Doctors Quentin Young, Stephanie Woolhandler and David Himmelstein of Physicians for a National Health Program.
Join FAIR, Healthcare Now!, Physicians for a National Health Program and the Raging Grannies on July 28 to deliver this message at ABC News‘ NYC studio.
ABC‘s recent primetime forum on healthcare reform, "Prescription for America," did not include a single question from a single-payer advocate, after Obama’s own longtime doctor was censored by ABC. Join us in presenting ABC with a prescription for a real debate on healthcare reform–one that includes single-payer.
The Daily Kos has a lot of healthy discussion of the single payer issue with physician input.
Please help us get to 10,000 signatures by adding your name at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/592/t/9039/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1993 and forwarding this petition widely. FAIR asks for your support to stop major media censoring of this story:
Not only does the public overwhelmingly support H.R. 676 but 59 percent of physicians, support the public plan according to a report in the Annals of Internal Medicine (4/1/08).
Yet a recent study by FAIR found that of hundreds of stories about health care in major outlets earlier this year, only five stories included the views of advocates of single-payer–none of which appeared on the television networks.
The insurance lobbies and many politicians may not want to talk about single-payer. But that makes it all the more important that the media do.
Please cover single-payer healthcare proposals, and stop silencing their advocates.
What do you think about a $900 wheelchair? Isn’t that some form of theft!
A resident of Honolulu, Hawaii, Wayne Parsons is an Injury Attorney that has dedicate his life to improving the delivery of justice to the people of his community and throughout the United States. He is driven to make sure that the wrongful, careless or negligent behavior that caused his clients' injury or loss does not happen to others.
5 Comments
Edward F. Krupp
The issues outstanding about single payer insurance are: It resembles Socialism, it is not as profitable and would deter corruption. Greed, which has lead the way for the American sovereignty and also to it's failure, would take your money to enhance thier own lives and the lives of thier families and return a false front of ingenious leadership before ever admitting thier lack of concern or interest in evolving a society that is for the greater good of the people that work so hard to create the wealth that the politicians and thier scoundral corporate pals so enjoy.
The nation, meekly follows thier leadership, yet I whom happens to have relatives in thier fold, have been told directly that the concerns of the public are not thier concern unless it is profitable to thier associations.
When this nation finds the courage to reble and castrate the sovereign leadership that has pillaged its people, then and only then will change take place.
Jamie Kotab
Everyone wants the best of everything and no-one cares about the poor, the infirmed or the emotionally/mentally ill or anyone elses problems that they themselves don't or have not suffered. HR 676 would make social change and involve everyone in concerning about everyone, because thier taxes would be the stake they have in each other. It would be hard pressed to expect the wealthy, with the world at thier finger tips, to concern themselves about a nation that they are persieve as thier feeding ground and not thier responsibility.
Danny Garcia
The people that are have-nots, should get on buses, walk or whatever mass transportation efforts they have that would demonstratethier unity and commitment and merge upon Washington D.C. and camp out until change is made that will create a fair distribution and purpose of all monies made in this country. And while thier at it they may as well protest the indecent handling of the criminals that created this economic tradgedy. It is sickening that they only recieved verbal admonishment and continue to be highly paid (and rewarded with bonuses) executives in any company. They should be exiled, forever.
Theresa Frollo
I work in the medical profession and honestly don't believe the propaganda that we have the finest health care in the world. I have seen the care for the elderly, the poor and the middle income people to be outrageous, apathetic and discerning of thier well-being. HR 676 may be resembling socialism yet we are a democratic society none the less. I vote yes for HR 676 and anything that makes this country a country that any responsible person can be proud to be a part of. At this point I am not proud of where this country has gone and how it is conducting itself as a leading influence upon its' own people as well as the world. If you want people to follow you, you need to have somewhere to go that appeals to them.
jacksmith
LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY. (Thomas Paine)
We have the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed world.
I know that many of you are angry and frustrated that REPUBLICANS! In congress are dragging their feet and trying to block TRUE healthcare reform. What republicans want is just a taxpayer bailout of the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry, and the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry. An insurance bailout is all you really get without a robust government-run public option available on day one.
These industries have been slaughtering you and your loved ones like cattle for decades for profit. Including members of congress and their families. These REPUBLICANS are FOOLS!
Republicans and their traitorous allies have been trying to make it look like it’s President Obama’s fault for the delays, and foot dragging. But I think you all know better than that. President Obama inherited one of the worst government catastrophes in American history from these REPUBLICANS! And President Obama has done a brilliant job of turning things around, and working his heart out for all of us.
But Republicans think you are just a bunch of stupid, idiot, cash cows with short memories. Just like they did under the Bush administration when they helped Bush and Cheney rape America and the rest of the World.
But you don’t have to put up with that. And this is what you can do. The Republicans below will be up for reelection on November 2, 2010. Just a little over 13 months from now. And many of you will be able to vote early. So pick some names and tell their voters that their representatives (by name) are obstructing TRUE healthcare reform. And are sellouts to the insurance and medical lobbyist.
Ask them to contact their representatives and tell them that they are going to work to throw them out of office on November 2, 2010, if not before by impeachment, or recall elections. Doing this will give you something more to do to make things better in America. And it will help you feel better too.
There are many resources on the internet that can help you find people to call and contact. For example, many social networking sites can be searched by state, city, or University. Be inventive and creative. I can think of many ways to do this. But be nice. These are your neighbors. And most will want to help.
I know there are a few democrats that have been trying to obstruct TRUE healthcare reform too. But the main problem is the Bush Republicans. Removing them is the best thing tactically to do. On the other hand. If you can easily replace a democrat obstructionist with a supportive democrat, DO IT!
You have been AMAZING!!! my people. Don’t loose heart. You knew it wasn’t going to be easy saving the World. :-)
God Bless You
jacksmith — Working Class
Republican Senators up for re-election in 2010.
* Richard Shelby of Alabama
* Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
* John McCain of Arizona
* Mel Martinez of Florida
* Johnny Isakson of Georgia
* Mike Crapo of Idaho
* Chuck Grassley of Iowa
* Sam Brownback of Kansas
* Jim Bunning of Kentucky
* David Vitter of Louisiana
* Kit Bond of Missouri
* Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
* Richard Burr of North Carolina
* George Voinovich of Ohio
* Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
* Jim DeMint of South Carolina
* John Thune of South Dakota
* Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
* Bob Bennett of Utah
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