Let’s be grownups
I’ve been called a lot of names the last few weeks by people who don’t know a thing about me. Some people have been downright nasty. Many of them had nothing specific to say, just that they hate everything I stand for.
Thing is, I have engaged a few people and asked what they want to see done.
I get the talking points: “Fix Medicare.”
So, how do we fix Medicare?
“Trim the fat.”
What fat?
“Oh, it’s there because it’s a government program and the government can’t run anything.”
Really? What about roads, water systems, police and fire departments, the military?
I get told we have the best health care system in the world.
No it isn’t. Ours is rated 37th in the world because so many people die prematurely because they don’t have access to care.
What we have is the potential to have the best health care system in the world. In reality, we have one of the worst.
“But the bill will encourage euthanasia.”
No it won’t. It will allow your physician to be paid for a consultation with you to talk about end-of-life care.
“But care will be rationed.”
It’s rationed now. People die because they can’t get care. Mike was REFUSED a colonoscopy on several occassions. That’s rationing.
“But it will force me to pay for abortions.”
Not it won’t. There’s nothing in the bill that says the taxpayers will fund abortions.
“The bill will give the government access to my checking account.”
No it won’t. There is talk in the bill about access to checking accounts, but what is says is that the government agency that pays for care will have access to the doctor’s or hospital’s checking account for depositing payments.
The people who are spreading these rumors are the big money that stands to benefit from derailing health care reform.
They want you to be scared so they can keep making obscene profits.
Health insurance companies’ profits have increased by more than 425 percent since 2000, and a smaller portion is being paid out in claims because they can throw you off their rolls if you get sick or just refuse to pay claims. Unless you have a lot of spare time to fight them when you do make a claim, you won’t get what your policy says you will.
Stop being scared and angry and look for the truth. Look at the bill or read a nonpartisan analysis of it.
It is not a perfect bill. But it is a place to start.
If you go to a town hall meeting, please act like a grownup. Ask questions. Demand answers. But be civil. Don’t shout other people down, don’t shout obscenities.
If you’re not going to a town hall meeting to learn, then don’t go.
Tags: Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a peer support program for people with one or more serious or chronic medical issues or disabilities.
We aim to reduce isolation and fear among people who have conditions, including psychiatric illness, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, mild dementia or other cognitive disorder or disability, thereby reducing depression and complications as people learn to improve self-management of their medical conditions.
Patient Pals help alleviate feelings of isolation and frustration. They can help people develop a list of questions to ask the doctor and then accompany the person to the doctor to make sure all the questions are answered, taking notes to be sure the person understands the doctor’s answers.
Our trained volunteers also accompany their “Pals” to art exhibits, movies and walks outdoors, meet for coffee, call to check in and more.
Our Pals have experienced weight loss, improvement in diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, depression and more, just because they have someone who cares about them. Some relationships develop into longer-term friendships; other Pals move on to more independent lives.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
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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