A lot to digest there...

nelle2nelle — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:48:15 -0600

when I should be headed for bed, or at least a bit of reiki.

I hope this post draws more attention and responses, especially since this one will be rather lame... but it is so very important a subject.

Reproductive health is an esential element of the discussion, so much can be done in this regard.

There is a huge wish list on health care, but flipping from now to full bore change is probably a non-starter, so the next logical way is progression, incrementally.

We have to get everyone covered. I'm open on how care is funded and paid for. There are market mechanisms that can be used without a single payor government system, and if my brain had time and was not shutting down, I could outline some of those possibilities.

Education ties into everything, because this is the engine that makes it all work, that makes us and takes us into an effective health system as willing and active participants. It has to start early, and not be reactive.

I could outline lots of things that are wrong with the system, from drug manufacture and promotion to end care.

In this economic climate, we actually have great opportunity and not diminished opportunity, and I hope... hope the new administration recognises that opportunity.

I like that they listen, but listening and turning away is not empathy, and empathy for each other is what we need to get this done.

Off to bed, will ponder this some tomorrow.

nelle

llhaesa

Dear President Obama - Women's Healthcare Priorities Are....

Denise — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:04:54 -0600

President Obama and his transition team have invited all of us to discuss health care.

Planned Parenthood is leading a health care discussion group and is asking for your feedback. These are the questions Planned Parenthood is asking:

Based on your own experience, why is the issue of women’s health care important to you?

What do you perceive is the biggest problem women face in accessing the health care system?

Where do you rank reproductive health in a discussion of health care reform? On a scale of 1 (lowest) – 10 (highest)

What has been your own experience in accessing reproductive health care?

Below are examples of the types of preventive services Americans should receive. Have you gotten the preventive health care you need? Do you think these services should be included in primary health care services? What additional preventive care should be included?
• birth control
• breast and cervical cancer screening
• sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment
• sex education

What role do you see Planned Parenthood filling in providing primary and preventive health care?

These are the suggested questions from the Obama/Biden transition team (read the full moderator guide pdf:

- What does the group perceive as the biggest problem in the health system?

- How do attendees choose a doctor or hospital? Where do attendees get information in making that decision? How should public policy promote quality health care providers?

- Have attendees or their family members experienced difficulty paying medical bills? How can policy makers address this problem?

-In addition to employer-based coverage, would the group like the option to purchase a private plan through an insurance-exchange or a public plan like Medicare?

- Did attendees know how much they or their employer pays for health insurance? What should employer’s role be in a reformed health care system?

- Were attendees familiar with the types of preventive services Americans should receive? Had attendees gotten the recommended prevention? If not, how can public policy help?

- How can public policy promote healthier lifestyles?

Peace Arena blogged about the Oklahoma City event. Participate, if you're in the area!

All around the country Monday night, Americans will be coming together to discuss the coming changes to our health care system, and how we want to influence the degree and outcome of those changes. Thanks to the work of those who worked on the Obama campaign here, those in and near Oklahoma City will be participating in the national dialog.

Here's a snippet of a poem from The Healthcare Blog and I'm sorry I missed the gathering in the village North of Chicago.

‘Twas three nights before Christmas, and despite cold and storm
We’d gathered together to talk health care reform.
Clutching Team Obama’s brief questionnaire
We went over each item with scrupulous care.
Middle-class, middle-aged and in the Midwest
With our host’s college kids for reality test.
O’er the country many thousands had signed up for the same
Despite fear “special interests” would come rig the game.
But as we plain folk gathered by the living room fire
We closely read instructions, then vented our ire.

Would you like to share your answers? You can do so here in the comments or you can blog your thoughts and send us a link. Change.gov seems to allow people to create their own grassroots discussion groups and submit their findings using this form. Nice. Way to open up the discussion to all of the people and not just large organizations.

You have until December 31, 2008 to hold a discussion or join a discussion. If you know of groups scheduled to meet over the next couple of days, please share the links and information, (I'm having trouble finding anyone publicizing their discussion groups or the ones I'm finding have already happened.)

~~Denise
Flamingo House Happenings

BlogHer - Dear President Obama - Women's Healthcare Priorities Are.... - Comments

A lot to digest there...

Dear President Obama - Women's Healthcare Priorities Are....