Spreading the word
I met with a community organizer from Consumers Union today. They’re the people who put out Consumer Reports, and they’re working toward health care for all Americans.
One thing he told me is that we’re in for a tough fight. The health insurance companies don’t want to give up the scam they have now — unfettered greed and a tight control over who gets into the health care system.
So much of reform rests on defeating this powerful, wealthy group. They have billions to spend to keep things the way they are. They will use lies and half-truths, Harry and Loiuse and more to try and convince Americans the government has no place in health care.
Well, 40-plus years ago, Medicare was considered socialized medicine and now it’s the most popular government program there is. The free-market system has failed us. It is not the solution.
The Obama plan will not leave you waiting months for vital care; that’s how it is in the current system.
What the current Obama plan does is force private companies to compete with a government-administered system. They will be regulated.
And we’ll have the choice between private and government plans. If the private insurance plan says you can’t have chemotherapy for your cancer, the government plan likely will let you have it. If the government plan says you don’t need a knee replacement yet, a private plan migh pay for it.
You choose.
This is not socialized medicine — it’s forcing the private companies to do what they should be doing.
Carolyn Comeau will be able to get insurance coverage at a reasonable cost. So will millions of other people.
Right now, 45 million people don’t have insurance, according to the official numbers. New numbers will come out in May, and they’ll be a good deal higher.
During the last year, more than 80 million Americans were without insurance at some point. One in four Americans has trouble paying for medical expenses, and every day,thousands more families face bankruptcy because of medical expenses. Every year, 30,000 people because they can’t get care. It’s time for us to take the health care system back from the robber barons
If you want to help, e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com, and we’ll help you get in touch with your legislator and help you work out what you need to ask and learn what answers mean little or nothing. Together, we can defeat the special interests and get health care for all.
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a new peer support program for people newly diagnosed with chronic or serious illness or with a new disability and their caregivers.
Patient Pals are people who have experience with various illnesses and disabilities, who can help someone newly diagnosed or with a new disability work through the fear, frustration, confusion and grief often experienced in the first few months.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
People with new illness or disability fare better when they have a role model -- someone who can help them negotiate their new path in life.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
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