More to be said: My own version of a panel discussion on health care

Do you remember panel discussions? Panel discussions usually involve a bringing together of a cross-section of views about an issue. With all of the hollering and worrying about the health care issue, and the government shut down, I have been listening. What I want to see, really want to see, is solutions that address and resolve EVERYONE’S concerns. I want to see it done with respect, and I want to see it done in a timely fashion.

I have family members with pre-existing conditions. I have had family members with astronomical bills. I have friends and family members who have a great deal of concern about the government meddling into private areas. In the past they were laughed at for being worried. As the health care act is enacted, people will see the impact of it. But for now, I am going to let you know what some of my wise and eloquent friends have had to say. Let it be said that every single one of these people is devoted to caring about people, and wants the best for them.

Pattie”I think everyone agrees that something needed to be done about healthcare — But many feel that “the health act” is not the answer. Affordable is relative. Who is going to pay the bills? What else is hidden in that act? I doubt anyone wants this bill repealed so as to take healthcare away from someone in need — There was an incredible opportunity for our government to step up to the plate and address healthcare — to do something for everyone…. and they dropped the ball — very frustrating.”

Mary “my employer could not afford the new premiums. He is the owner of a very small business”. The affordable hca premiums in my state are not affordable. We cannot afford them at all. We make too much for Medicaid, and subsidies. The out of pocket deductibles are 2k each and the premiums $ . Plus there is no faith exclusion for organizations who are opposed to paying for abortions as a matter of their faith, but their companies are required to offer it.

R “I cannot speak to the medicare part D drug coverage program, but in my experience working for and with managed care insurance plans the practice of denying medications, treatments, or procedures as “experimental” has been the norm for many many, years. Typically for a medical procedure it could be sent to review by an MD in the insurance co. for a final determination. For medications the process for second review should be available as well. Especially if the first line drugs have been tried , proven ineffective, and documented as such. There may be avenues through which to appeal the decision in some cases, maybe your mom would be able to do that at least through BCBS? I understand your strong feelings, but I wonder if there is more to this than something that is a result of the ACA directly, especially since many parts of it have yet to be implemented. I believe the “experimental” factor will unfortunately be found throughout all number and types of health plans. I am glad that she can, for the time, receive her medication through the assistance program. I am sorry for the stress, frustration, and difficulty this places on your family. It is hard feeling like you have to fight for what your loved one so desperately needs.

 Angela:

 The medication in question was covered under her BCBS plan until changes due to implementation of Obamacare. They told my mother that the change was directly attributable. It was covered until it wasn’t. I appreciate your point of view but I cannot support this legislation as any real answer. It solves the issue of one body of citizens at the expense of another. Socializing medicine won’t fix the issue as it creates more issues. We can certainly agree to disagree. It’s a tough subject and I can understand how your heart can weep for those who don’t have the coverages they need but I have watched a loved one be directly impacted in a negative way due to this legislation (let’s not get into the increases to health care costs that I am seeing as a single mother with no support). It’s good when you’re on the receiving end of the benefits of this thing but when you’re the one paying the price for others, it doesn’t feel so very good.

R:. Your mom seems to have a different situation having first had the med covered and now declined, sorry I missed that specific detail in my tiredness. I can understand your intense feelings under the circumstances, with your mom being told this is a direct cause. One problem I have with the system, is at the end of the day insurance companies are still out to make a profit. Having to look at their bottom line, keeping a float, and still having enough money to line the pockets of their CEOs is what they are driving for. So with these companies contracted to provide healthcare to those enrolled in govt programs like Medicaid and medicare , and now ACA the for profit mentality is still in the background.It’s imbedded into our system, not sure how to change that. If pharma could be reigned in, and insurance not be run as a money making endeavor with millionaire CEOs and stocks, then better changes might be possible. Unfortunately money rules , and much of our representatives are owned by those with the money who can afford to defend their interests the loudest and longest. It’s a mess, but all the fighting and government stalemate shut downs won’t help it. I believe Kate is right, that discussing in a rationale way and writing to Congress about real experience is a positive step. There are real concerns on both sides of this topic, but all the fear tactics about untrue things about the ACA has led to an extremely volatile response on unfounded issues. The real issues need to be focused on and worked through.

• C::  My apologies on using the Obamacare language. Unfortunately our society whether it is because they don’t care, don’t understand, aren’t interested or just refuse to get educated don’t know what the Affordable Care Act is. As a CPA I have spent many hours educating my clients and it has only just began. Whether I agree with it or not it is here for the time being and we must live with that. However, having spent many hours studying the ACA, I will tell you many of the insurance issues we have had are not because of it. What an insurance company covers this year may not be the same as next year when many of the mandates kick in. A,, while I sympathize with your situation experimental drugs are rarely covered by insurance and medicare has never had very good prescription coverage. that is why there are trials for experimental and new drugs. Often families can get help from the companies. I am currently on a very expensive therapy and I have a very high deductible insurance and can’t afford it. The drug company is picking up most of the cost. This isn’t the first time our family has had assistance from the drug company. Sometimes there is assistance available but no one has helped us find it. 
•  A.
  It’s a tough subject and I respectfully and knowledgeably don’t agree that any legislation that effectively socializes medicine is the answer. Dismiss my family’s experience but there are NUMEROUS examples across the globe that demonstrate the negatives of socialized medicine. The legislation is a mistake and I can only hope that our lawmakers listen to the growing group of citizens who realize it shouldn’t be implemented and should be repealed. Just because we are a nation of mostly asleep at the wheel people doesn’t mean that this is a good change for our people or one that shouldn’t be changed. Let’s face it, when Congress has to exempt themselves from the program (and “special” businesses), surely that’s a sign something doesn’t work here.
   
  P.
  As the bill is implemented, perhaps people will see rational proof that the system works better than what we had. I had initially said that Congress had no right to shut down, as Elizabeth Warren said so eloquently. I’ve been thinking lately, and I’m not so sure that constitutionally, Congress is required to fund the law. Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 gives congress the power of the purse, saying that no money is to be spent except by congressional appropriation. And as a power granted without the right to choose when to exercise it is not really a power, it’s my new opinion that the Congress is within its right, technically, to be doing what it is doing. Not that I like it, but …
  L: I am terrified that the new health care law will damage the system even more. I am fighting cancer, and desperately need health care, treatments (whether they are long-standing or experimental). I want to live. I do not want to be bankrupted financially, but I do not want the government taking things over either.
• Misc input: multiple people that I know who are on Medicare and Medicaid are destitute, and are continually having to choose between food and medicine.
• Misc input: multiple people have already had intrusiveness from the government and insurance companies — and to doubt their experiences or dismiss them is wrong. We must be wise, and know that programs seldom end up truly helping those they intend to help—at least as much as was thought. Besides that, there are always unintended consequences.

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Here is the thing folks. We have to all get through this life together. Those of us who HAVE need to be generous and give to organizations that help those who are suffering. We need to urge pharma, government, and each other to work together and help. No more unkind words. Do you remember the movie Dave (starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver, among others?) There is a scene that takes place after he finds out that the funding for the First Lady’s homeless shelter has been cut. He calls the cabinet together and reasons with them, and asks them each to be willing to cut something. He does it so beautifully, and so reasonably. NOW we all keep screaming at Congress and the pharmacy companies to do something.

Some of us can contribute to foundations that help folks with medical bills. Many of us cannot afford to do that. But we can write. We can write letters and emails to the foundations, to the companies, to congress. We can ask them to care more about truth and compassion than winning, and beating the other side.

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Ok—those of you have made it to the end of my little “panel discussion”….. I hope you know that I am a caring individual. I hope you know that I do not want “intrusiveness” or “death panels” or bankruptcies. What I do want is for people to have access to the medical care that they need. The government is shut down, but our hearts are not. No one can stop us from giving and caring. Those of you who blog—get your readers fired up for compassion and caring. Love to you tonight, and take heart. The fight for goodness is not over. I don’t care about who started the fight. Let’s roll up our sleeves and help every person in our lives that we can help. That would be a good start. Whether your help is in the form of researching what organizations exist that help folks with medical bills, or what pharmaceutical companies have to offer for people who cannot afford their medicines, or volunteering at clinics, or WHATEVER. Congress will continue to fight. We must continue to search for the high road. That’s what I have to say.

Aren’t my friends each the most amazing, wise people?