I Want MY America Back!

It's that time of month again, sassosphere!  Here's Westsista going sass-to-sass on the healthcare reform!

I know it’s hard for people to read a writer who is engulfed in rage.  I know that it’s better to leaven serious politics with some humor.  But I can’t seem to get a funny angle on the healthcare debate.  It’s making me heartsick.

Not the real arguments from conservatives about cost and government bureaucracy and waste.  The thing that bothers me most is the sheer stupidity and lunacy of the majority of the debate.  I’m also watching people take loaded weapons, including assault rifles, to heated public debates.  Yeah, I know about our second amendment right to bear arms, but don’t we have the responsibility to use our brains along with our weapons?  It’s just a matter of time before something tragic happens as a result of the evil vitriol that I’m hearing on an hourly basis.

I don’t know about you, but it bugs me that big insurance interests are funding opposition to this bill, but using the middle class as pawns.  Apparently they believe that most people will buy anything, and the majority of sheep are out proving them right by loudly insisting on trading away their own shot at affordable health care.

Some people will believe any ridiculous story, no matter how absurd.  These people are stupid or more commonly referred to as morons.  Some people are crazy, and feel their mental illness is validated by loony (and vague) conspiracy theories.  These are the kooks.  And some people don’t care how the debate is won, they just want to win it.  These people have millions, sometimes billions of dollars to spend on winning.  Let’s call them villains.  These villains use their vast resources to fuel the subterranean fears of many about our new non-white president and his “radical” agenda.  In MY America, basic health care for everyone is not a radical idea.  After the Second World War, President Harry Truman thought basic health care for everyone would be a good thing.  But it didn’t pass then and didn’t pass when Richard Nixon pushed for it during his presidency.  

Here's how different factions view different aspects of health care reform, in my opinion:

Left

We need a public option to compete with private interests who otherwise have no incentive to lower their prices (and profits).

Right

The public options will create too much government waste and bureaucracy.  The private sector can do a better job on health care.

Morons, kooks and villains

Obama wants to kill old people when they are no longer considered productive to society.

Left

Health care costs are out of control.

Right

If we just reform the system –- require portability and remove impediments for those with pre-existing conditions, and allow things like health insurance to be sold across state lines, that would go a long way toward controlling costs.

Morons, kooks and villains

Death panels will decide when you die and encourage you to engage in euthanasia to save money for everyone.

Left

Everyone should be covered for basic health care.

Right

We can’t afford right now to cover everyone.

Morons, kooks and villains

We want our country back!  We want to go back to the constitution!  We don’t want to become socialist Russia!

OK, back on planet Earth, Russia is actually a communist country.  Most other countries, including the U.S., are some mix of capitalism and socialism.  In fact, social security and Medicare are absolutely socialism, and I haven’t heard one politician openly advocating rolling back either program.  Now that would be a bold stand.

The biggest problem with Medicare is that its too damn expensive because it covers OLD people with expensive medical problems.  

Depressing highlights

Chuck Grassley –- Makes public reference to “pulling the plug on grandma” despite the fact he KNOWS that the proposal to cover living-will counseling was proposed by a Republican and is only about getting folks to express their preferences about being kept alive on machines. 

Ashton Kutcher -- Doesn’t want to cover those who don’t make healthy choices.  I’m not sure this 32-year-old understands that nearly everyone will get sick at some point, no matter how much they diet and exercise.  Plus the fact maybe I don’t want to cover those who drive race cars or climb the Alps. They’ll break bones or catch themselves on fire.  And that will be expensive for ME.  So there.

Old People –- Sure, since you all have basic health care for free (Medicare) you feel free to make up the majority of those opposing health care reform.  Do you think just surviving is some sort of special accomplishment that entitles you to health care that is paid for by the rest of us?

Congress –- Glad you all have health care, but I have a hard time believing you have MY best interests at heart when your campaigns are heavily funded by health insurance companies.  I’m disgusted by your lack of courage in getting me an affordable health care option.

Media -– Why aren’t you running a little subtitle under every single politician with the total amount that they have received from health care interests?  Every time they talk, every show they’re on, every remark they make? I hear it here and there, but I want you to do your job and inform us.

Oh, I know I’m raving.  I want my America back -– the one where people with health care care about people without health care, and where the media shines a light on the money trail.

I need health care and I’m willing to pay for it, but I need a public option.  I don’t qualify for health insurance otherwise.  This debate is killing me and I’m tired of the morons, kooks and villains who have hijacked the debate in MY America!

Comments

[Flannista]

Rant on, Westsista! I want you to have YOUR America back, too!

Hell, I want MY America back!

THANK YOU for giving voice to my own voice about this mess. I swear when I saw the CNN photo of the man with the assault rifle waiting in line for one Obama's healthcare town hall meetings, I nearly fell off my chair. I stopped myself, though, wondering if the healthcare I pay more than $1,000/month for would cover it.

Despite what you call your "rage," I thought your post was very informative.

And cathartic.

Damn, I feel better. And it didn't cost me ANYthing.

[Flannista]

In your opinion, Westsista -- what kind of healthcare reform will actually become law? What concessions will either side have to make? The headline in the Washington Post is how Obama is desperately trying to repair rifts in his party.

[Westsista]

Apologies in advance to anyone who feels personally attacked by this piece. Well, except for Chuck Grassley. I'm still pretty pissed at him.

As I tried to convey, reasonable and rational arguments against health insurance/health care reform aren't what's got me all riled up. So if you're a brain-alive conservative with a different point of view, please understand I'm not calling YOU names.

Thanks Flann! Funny quip about wondering whether your healthcare would cover the tumble out of your chair.

I don't know what's going to happen, I really don't. Anthony Weiner, D-Rep from New York, has a good point about not voting for a bill without a public option. He says he won't vote for anything that won't lower costs. So maybe the liberal Democrats are serious about not passing a bill without what they consider important.

[Westsista]

Jon Stewart had a great piece on last night reminding us about the couple who wore anti-Bush T-shirts to a Bush rally AND WERE ARRESTED. Yes, arrested. Their T-shirts had a big circle with "Bush" in it, with a red line across Bush. So the T-shirts weren't actually threatening or alluding to violence (unlike some worn to Democratic meetings). But these morons carrying loaded weapons to town hall meetings are just milling around, getting filmed? Where's the perspective?

[Flannista]

West -- here's the link to that Jon Stewart piece from last night:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-august-18-2009/the-gun-show---barrel-fever

What would we do without Jon Stewart?

[Jerseysista]

It's always a pleasure to read "What's Up, West?" each month. West, when I read your writing, it just carries me along from beginning to end. Great piece today.

[Flannista]

Jersey -- I know that you're in a middle of a major move and all, but when you have a sec, could you tell us more about your volunteering on behalf of healthcare reform and that conference call you had with Axelrod about it a week ago?

[PEACEsista]

West, good and thoughtful post as always. Thanks for pointing out that old people are fueling the opposition. Do you suppose that they are worried that the cost of all this will bankrupt the Medicare system and they will lose what they are getting now, or worse yet, might have to PAY something? Or is it really just that they had to WAIT till they were old to get it and think others should too, as you've speculated? Rant on, Gal!

[babysis]

I've got no problems whatsoever with your viewpoint West, and love the way you write. Unsure if I'll have much time to check in today, but I'll try to later if possible. It is sad that what could be productive problem solving has degenerated into such a mess.

[Chrysosistah]

West, I love your writing and am glad you picked this topic - like babysis, I need to get to work now (running late as it is). Wondered if anyone watched "Meet The Press" this weekend? I was impressed they had Rachel Maddow on, and I LOVED the way she was tearing into Dick Armey!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32420049/ns/meet_the_press/

I get SO tired of media allegedly reporting "facts" without giving any of the background, without providing context. So to me, she is such a breath of fresh air!! Ok, really, gotta get to work. RAVE ON, WEST!

[half-a-sista]

West, as always a great post.

The Medicare system has been headed to bankruptcy for a long time. The increasing number of aged and disabled citizens eligible for Medicare has burdened the system to an unexpected degree. So no one will be surprised if the system goes bankrupt.

In regards to what Medicare people pay, the premiums for Part B of Medicare come out of everyone's social security checks if they receive one. Medicare pays for 80% of the reasonable charge which is an amount determined to be reasonable for a service and is almost always less than the amount charged by the provider. While Medicare people don't have to pay for the total bill they still must pay and sometimes a lot. For example, the bill is $1000. Medicare has established that the reasonable charge is $800. They pay 80% ($640) which leaves a balance of $360 for the person to pay. Many elderly people do not have that kind of money.

I talked to West about how the town halls allow everyone to show up (with or without weapons) and how that compared to the carefully orchestrated rallies that Bush II had.

When he came to Kansas City, he spoke only in the Republican suburbs at meetings where you were invited and no protestors were allowed within a mile or so of the venue. I worked with a man whose car was stopped downtown by the Bush II bus convoy as the man who thought himself president went to meet "the public" in Lee's Summit. This guy flipped off the buses as they drove by. A police officer threatened to arrest him and take him to jail. When the guy said, "I thought this was a free country." The officer got in his face and said, "It is, but you can't disrespect the President of the U.S."

Automatic weapons at a health care reform town meeting. The idea makes my blood run cold after how I've seen people conduct themselves at these meetings. Maybe Bush II's handlers had a good idea.

[Momista]

As someone who is on Medicare and has private insurance, please note that I must pay the remaining balance on the Medicare portion, and then also pay the portion due on my private insurance. By no means am I complaining, but as a person who has multiple health problems, it adds up each year.

[Westsista]

Thanks Jersey - I also got a huge kick out of yours on your "change of address" antics. Unfortunately I can't comment from my new phone, and that's where I've been reading from lately. But I wanted to say that I am always convinced I am right and have to continually remind myself (or try to!) of all the times I was 100% convinced I was right and turned out to be 100% wrong. I love that saying - keep your words sweet and you may end up eating them soon enough.

[Westsista]

Yeah, PEACE, I think one rational fear is based on Medicare having funding problems in the not-too-distant future. As Momista and half-a have noted, there is a premium for part B, which most people need. I think my mom's is about $120/month.

Thanks babysis - its the "mess" that is driving me insane. I don't have to get everything I want to be relatively happy, but its the nuttiness that this has generated into that keeps me awake nights.

[half-a-sista]

The standard Medicare Part B premium is $96.40, but recent changes in the law require Medicare beneficiaries with adjusted gross incomes at a certain level to pay higher premiums which, I have noted, are withheld from the Social Security check before it hits the bank account.

Momista, even someone like me who has health insurance, I pay more now for less coverage as the private insurance company tries to keep profits at a certain level and costs down. Like you, this is an observation, not a complaint. I'm glad to have health insurance.

When I watch these town hall meetings on YouTube, I can't believe the lack of civility. So much of it is anger about things that aren't even true, but these people believe them. There is no single healthcare plan, no death panels (Jon Stewart noted that Bush II started the healthcare panels which are not death panels).

Most everyone wants to see God, but most everyone doesn't want to die or have granny die or anyone else they love. Go figure.

[Westsista]

Oh Chryso, how I loved watching Rachel on "Meet the Press"! Isn't she wonderful!? Dick Armey is definitely a villain, in my book. He's smart enough to know the difference between the lies that he spewed and the facts, and that leaves me feeling overwhelmed and helpless with rage.

Half-a and Momista, I don't know what options are available in other states, but here we have Secure Horizons and maybe others, that accept Medicare part B. There is mostly a low co-pay for services like doctor's appointments. I think my dad got good care with Secure Horizons (and other companies before he switched to SH) and my mom is now getting good care. The Medicare part B comes out of her railroad retirement check, and she pays something like $15 per primary doctor visit, but she sees specialists on a regular basis (no co-pay). Secure Horizons is able to do this because they negotiate fees with hospitals and providers.

Momista, I totally get that your expenses add up. I was being somewhat disingenuous when I implied seniors get free health care. The hospital stays are free, but you need part B to get the provider benefits. And maybe older people are more cautious of increased government programs because of the crap they've seen - to me that is reasonable caution and not stupidity. Its just the "Nazi, death panels, insuring illegal aliens, paying for abortions . . . etc. etc." is driving me crazy.

I know, half-a. I stare in amazement that folks are allowed to carry guns to these meetings without some kind of consequence. I'm all for the second amendment, but what about my right to attend loud, angry public gatherings without worrying about being shot, deliberately or accidentally?

[Chrysosistah]

I have a former co-worker still friended on FB who had responded to one of the more ludicrous polls, about supporting a nationwide gun ban. She had responded, "No way. Those of us who are responsible and own firearms for protection should have the right to protect ourselves against the lunatics we deal with every day... ESPECIALLY IN XXXXXXXXX". I couldn't let it go...thought about it and finally posted, "sure buy all the guns you want, we'll just ration the bullets, no problem ;-)"

She wasn't impressed, but I really don't care...I see these wild-eyed gun-totin' screaming meanies as the lunatics.

[Flannista]

Westsista -- can you provide a link and/or source that is the one you consider to be THE BEST OVERVIEW of this proposed healthcare reform? I can't see the forest for the trees . . . or the guns!

[Westsista]

When I was laid off in Dec 2001, my Cobra payment was $221/month. When I was laid off in April 2007, the payment was $487/month. More than doubled in less than 6 years. What's to stop it from doubling in the next 6 years?

One problem with the debate is that people are largely shielded from how much their employer is paying for their health insurance. Mostly I think you don't have any idea unless you wind up paying Cobra (which is 102% of whatever your employer was paying for your group insurance premium). Sure, you may have been paying part, but you generally have no idea how much your employer is paying on your behalf. Cobra can be a rude awakening, especially if you have to cover some dependents.

[Flannista]

You all see this report about Barney Frank at a town hall meeting last night?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/18/frank.heath.care/index.html

My favorite Frank response is this one to a yelling woman: "Trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to argue with a dining room table," Frank said to the woman. "I have no interest in doing it."

[Flannista]

If I weren't self-employed, would my employer be paying what I pay per month which is $1,002.34?

[Westsista]

Oh Flann - very good question. One big problem is that there isn't one definitive bill yet. There are like 5 bills coming out of committees, I think 3 in the House and 2 in the Senate. I hear something different every day about what will surely be "in" or "out" of the bill they end up voting on.

[Chrysosistah]

If our experience is any indication, the employer pays part, and you would pay part. We finally switched to a high-deductible policy, because our premiums were inching up to something like $500/biweekly. Just outrageous. Insurance should absolutely not be a profit center. I miss the old mutual models.

[Westsista]

"Those of us who are responsible and own firearms for protection should have the right to protect ourselves against the lunatics we deal with every day..." - oh Chryso, wow. As you know, I actually own a handgun myself. But I think its a scary attitude to imagine a firearm as everyday protection against everyday lunatics. My weapon is for a particular kind of lunatic - one that would break in my house. I'm on my own with my everyday lunatics. Seriously, its never a good idea to take a gun to deal with garden variety crazy folks - just let them be crazy and walk away. Pulling a weapon puts the weapon-holder and also innocent bystanders at risk.

[Westsista]

Flann, depends on your employer and what kind of a deal they've been able to get. I think group insurance costs vary mostly based on quality of coverage, number of employees to cover, and region of coverage. For example, if you've got a bunch of employees living far away from hospitals, your premiums are probably going to be higher.

But no, I doubt your employer would be paying that much at group coverage rates.