Health Care: Change Just One Thing

I am sorry to say that I think this is probably one of the last things we'll see if/when health care changes and improvements are made.

Which makes me sad and angry all at the same time.

I'll be by to visit your blog later this morning.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High ( http://fasttimes.clubmom.com ) & Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net</a )

Great topic! For me, it would have to be mental health parity, specifically increased coverage for eating disorders. Link Text ( http://edsurvivorsclub.blogspot.com/2007/03/insura... )Here is a link to an article I wrote outlining the need. I welcome your feedback.

Thank you for making a difference!

Em
http://edsurvivorsclub.blogspot.com

Dr K asked just one thing. And there are too many one things! :-)

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High ( http://fasttimes.clubmom.com ) & Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net</a )

I could write the friggin' Encyclopaedia Brittanica on what's wrong with our health care system.

Universal access is the first step.

I would also like to see the big pharmas either being prohibited from advertising their products to the general public (how much money is wasted on advertising something that the general public cannot even purchase themselves?) or being prohibited from being publicly-traded companies. Less focus on making money for their shareholders that way, and they could still get all of the govt. support and kickbacks that they get now without the whole situation being quite so shady.

Also, greater support of homeopathic/alternative medicine, and preventative care. And medical legalization of marijuana, as well as a safe, reliable, govt. monitored way of distribution--and before I am pegged as some pothead communist or something, let me share the fact that cancer patients are often given heavy duty meds like Oxycontin, opiods, etc for pain/nausea management. I cannot be convinced that those meds are safer than marijuana.

I am going to quit now because I already listed like 3 times more than what I was supposed to. :)

Amanda Shaffer, Blogher Health and Wellness Contributing Editor ( http://www.blogher.com )

The Adventures of Cat Lady. ( http://the-cat-lady.com )

In my blogroll/round up post last week I included a post from Lauren and she talks about the being treated as less than human experience. I saved her post for months because it just made me so mad and sad.

I also like the idea of structuring health care as a "basic utility" - really like the idea!

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High ( http://fasttimes.clubmom.com ) & Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net</a )

I also dislike the company policies that require you to be with a company for a year before being eligible for health care benefits.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High ( http://fasttimes.clubmom.com ) & Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net</a )

And I'm so glad you got the care you deserve.

I have often pondered the difference between Canadian health care spending and American. It's frustrating for me, we can and should do better here.

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High ( http://fasttimes.clubmom.com ) & Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net</a )

I've had way too much experience with health care issues. Without insurance you are treated as less than human. All that talk about patient empowerment is just smoke. I can get really vulgar about what some of those SOB's do to low income and uninsured people.

I would make it like water. Take the commercial aspects of it out of the equation (temporarily). We need water to exist. No question or debate. We need proper access health care to continue to exist. This should not be debatable. As humans we need health care. Everyone on the planet should have access to a doctor or health care professional.

Structure health care like the cities structure the delivery of water. There is an infrastructure, a supply, treatment options and demand. Establish the base level services and the number of potential users.

Not the current way they are doing it, a better way.

You know, it is not because it is impossible. It is because we are constantly being told it is hard.

If Americans wanted this as a nation there would not be a politician, political party, PAC group or special interest could stop us.

If we had the collected will we could flip this in no time.
Gena - Out On The Stoop ( http://outonthestoop.blogspot.com )

I have to agree with Laurie. I think Universal Health Care could and should be the answer. But, because it is such a politically charged idea...I don't see it ever actually happening. And sadly, I think most of the American public has a hard time thinking past themselves...So the people with insurance (still the majority) are not going to support something they "perceive" as a drawback for themselves.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
also at Women 4 Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ ) and CatherineBlogs.com ( http://www.catherineblogs.com/ )

I'd disconnect health care from employment. Think about it, if someone loses their job, they also lose their ability to care for themselves. Employers are hesitant to create new positions because of the cost of providing health insurance, so they rely heavily on part-time or temporary workers. People who would prefer to work part-time can't, because they need insurance coverage and individual coverage is too expensive. And all of this money goes to insurance companies' profits and to pushing paperwork around, not to providing better care.

I am radical enough to think that universal health care would improve our economy because of this dysfunctional relationship between insurance and employment.

----
Jen
http://yawwblog.blogspot.com
http://angryfatgirlz.blogspot.com
http://toledolefty.blogspot.com

In January 2006, I was diagnosed with very aggressive breast cancer. I had a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation (not to mention countless expensive tests). Two months after finishing treatment I was diagnosed with metastatic liver disease (breast cancer that has spread) and I am in ongoing chemotherapy and herceptin treatment.

Despite the fact that I am now a full-time cancer patient, I have many days when I feel very well and, after the initial period of crisis, I am completely pain free.

I have thought many times during this process how fortunate I am to live in a country with universal health coverage. Without it, I am not sure what I would have done.

And, interestingly, Canada spends less on per capita health care than the United States.

laurie
www.notjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com ( http://www.notjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com )

Medicare/Medicaid makes me so mad. I work in the Audiology Industry and we do our best to fit people, mostly elderly, with hearing aids.

I sometimes cry when I have to call Medicaid and verify benefits and find out hearing aids aren't covered for some people.

One woman was so distraught because she couldn't hear high pitched sounds, like her grandchildren laughing, and hearing aids would help.

She didn't get approval and with a tight budget, couldn't afford the aids on her own.

I really think insurance companies and agencies are so picky about coverages. It's too confusing to figure out.

That's the zillion dollar question - how do you decide who needs it and then how do you police it? Medicare and Medicaid are seriously screwed up. Many state and local programs are just as screwy. Overwhelming and frustrating.

And I see pharma problems as part of health care, and a big part of the health care problem. I can't separate pharma from "health care" though I wish I could. Shudder, I have to go call the pharmacy right now and I'm procrastinating!

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High ( http://fasttimes.clubmom.com ) & Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net</a )

That's a great idea. Since I began going to the gym, I've been a lot healthier. Maybe because I eat healthier too, knowing I'm working out.

There are so many things to change, that's it's difficult to choose just one. How do I decide what's more important or what needs to be changed more than another?

I think back on all the medical care I've received and while there were many things I disliked; rude nurses, over-priced physician's visits, long waiting room times, getting the run around, wrong diagnoses, too much paperwork, arrogant doctors, discrimination based on whether or not you have insurance.... I don't know what's worse that I would change first.

Prescription drugs frustrate me, because it always seems like Dawson is getting sick and needs one and it's always a hassle (which rx card we need, etc.) But I suppose that's more of a pharmaceutical issue, separate from healthy care it seems, even though they really go hand in hand.

My father was self-employed and our family didn't have any insurance at all because the premiums were outrageous.

If I had to choose on a whim, I think I'd like to have insurance for those who can't afford it and need it desperately. But then how do you decide who needs insurance more than others? We all need it....

Now you're talking! This is excellent!

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High ( http://fasttimes.clubmom.com ) & Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net</a )

Health care does seem like a luxury - not to mention good dental health care and eye health care.

This is a very, very good "one thing".

~Denise
Fast Times @ Homeschool High ( http://fasttimes.clubmom.com ) & Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net</a )

I don't know if this is too fuzzy, but I would make all insurers cover preventative maintenance. That means paying in full for regular check-ups, teeth cleanings, and birth control. It means partially helping to pay for gym memberships, spa visits, and healthy food (e.g. a fresh fruit and veggie allowance).

I know some of this is kind of far-fetched, but imagine how healthy and happy people could be with this kind of help. Plus, I think any insurer who had a preventive maintenance plan would save money in the long run.

I have a hard time coming up with just one thing too. Living in Britain and being covered by the National Health Service is amazing. Everyone here complains about it until I start talking about health care (or lack thereof) 'back home.' When I really think about it, however, there is one major difference in the approach to health care here and in the United States. Its not that GPs are more approachable, friendly and listen, its not that everyone under 25 gets free prescriptions and all women have access to free contraceptives. Its not even that everyone is covered by it. Those all all just by-products of the one big difference. Heath care is not seen as a luxury in the UK. Everyone needs it, everyone needs for it to be excellent, convenient and accessible. Health care certainly isn't perfect here, one hears debates about the shortage of midwives or how a certain new controversial drug isn't covered...but I think if I were to choose one thing for health care in the states it would be for us to stop thinking about it as a luxury and start thinking about it as an essential.