With the Republicans winning majority vote in the House 239 to 186, it doesn't look so promising for the Obama health care plan. Republicans have been determined to get the plan repealed since it was enacted. Democrats are still the majority in the Senate however, winning 52 to 46. The soon-to-be House speaker, John Boehner, says he is ready to "lay the groundwork" for getting the health care plan repealed. Boehner states that he is worried that the health care bill that was enacted by the current Congress will "ruin the best health care system in the world." In my opinion, America definitely has the potential to have the best health care system in the world but it is not the best. We have the best doctors and medical facilities in the world but many people do not have access to these resources. People with money loved our health care system because they had access to the best of everything. People without money were out of luck. People should not be losing their lives because they cannot afford health insurance. There needs to be a public health care option.
President Obama defends his plan for the U.S. after the midterm elections. He plans to work with the Republicans on key issues in the current health care bill. He is not ready to give up yet and just let his bill be repealed. He states that, "No one party will be able to dictate where we go from here."
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The U.S. compared to other countries
With so many people wanting to repeal the new health care bill let's take a look back at our old health care system to remind people why change was needed.
The United States did not rank much higher than some third world countries in terms of equity of service to all citizens. The World Health Organization rated the national health care systems of 191 countries in terms of "fairness," and the United States was ranked fifty-forth. That put America slightly ahead of Chad and Rwanda but just behind Bangladesh and the Maldives. Small businesses were struggling to provide health insurance for their employees. Almost two million fewer Americans received health insurance through their employers earlier this year than compared to 2001. T.R. Reid, a former Washington Post reporter, stated in his book, "The Healing of America," that, "All the developed countries I looked at provide health coverage for every resident, old or young, rich or poor. This is the underlying moral principle of the health care system in every rich country-every one, that is, except the United States."
The Institute of Medicine estimated that more than 22,000 Americans were left to die each year because they cannot afford medical care. One-sixth of America's economy was spent on health care. Health care spending was $2.3 trillion in 2007 and was predicted to be about $4.2 trillion if we did not reform our health care system.
In the U.S., health insurers would spend around 20 percent of all premium income on administrative expenses. The French only spend about 5 percent of premiums on administrative costs. T.R. Reid asked the health ministries of all the developed countries he visited how many citizens went bankrupt in the past year (2008) because of medical bills, and the officials were astonished that he would even ask that question. No one went bankrupt because of medical bills in Britain, France, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, or Switzerland. It has been a completely different story in America. Seven-hundred thousand U.S. citizens went bankrupt due to medical bills in 2008.
A 2008 report by the Commonwealth Fund ranked nineteen wealthy nations in curing people who could be cured with decent care, and the U.S. was ranked nineteenth. The number of people who die from curable illnesses was almost twice as high in the U.S. compared to countries such as France, Japan, and Spain.
With all of that evidence, it is safe to say that reform was needed. The new bill will work because everyone will be participating in getting health insurance so the insurance companies will be competing to insure the most people. Prices will be lower because we will not be spending as much on emergency room treatments for the uninsured and people won't go bankrupt from medical bills because insurance companies will be required to cover more costs.
The United States did not rank much higher than some third world countries in terms of equity of service to all citizens. The World Health Organization rated the national health care systems of 191 countries in terms of "fairness," and the United States was ranked fifty-forth. That put America slightly ahead of Chad and Rwanda but just behind Bangladesh and the Maldives. Small businesses were struggling to provide health insurance for their employees. Almost two million fewer Americans received health insurance through their employers earlier this year than compared to 2001. T.R. Reid, a former Washington Post reporter, stated in his book, "The Healing of America," that, "All the developed countries I looked at provide health coverage for every resident, old or young, rich or poor. This is the underlying moral principle of the health care system in every rich country-every one, that is, except the United States."
The Institute of Medicine estimated that more than 22,000 Americans were left to die each year because they cannot afford medical care. One-sixth of America's economy was spent on health care. Health care spending was $2.3 trillion in 2007 and was predicted to be about $4.2 trillion if we did not reform our health care system.
In the U.S., health insurers would spend around 20 percent of all premium income on administrative expenses. The French only spend about 5 percent of premiums on administrative costs. T.R. Reid asked the health ministries of all the developed countries he visited how many citizens went bankrupt in the past year (2008) because of medical bills, and the officials were astonished that he would even ask that question. No one went bankrupt because of medical bills in Britain, France, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, or Switzerland. It has been a completely different story in America. Seven-hundred thousand U.S. citizens went bankrupt due to medical bills in 2008.
A 2008 report by the Commonwealth Fund ranked nineteen wealthy nations in curing people who could be cured with decent care, and the U.S. was ranked nineteenth. The number of people who die from curable illnesses was almost twice as high in the U.S. compared to countries such as France, Japan, and Spain.
With all of that evidence, it is safe to say that reform was needed. The new bill will work because everyone will be participating in getting health insurance so the insurance companies will be competing to insure the most people. Prices will be lower because we will not be spending as much on emergency room treatments for the uninsured and people won't go bankrupt from medical bills because insurance companies will be required to cover more costs.
Self-Analysis
Looking back to when this project was first assigned I realize that I have learned so much about health care reform. Not only has my knowledge about the subject grown, but I have also grown as a thinker.
The health care debate was a much bigger issue than I had ever known. I never really gave it much thought before because I didn’t know enough about it. I had no idea what was in the health care reform bill.
I chose this topic because I knew it was a hotly debated topic and I am interested in pursuing a career in nursing. Another factor that led to my decision was my personal ties to the health care system. I had a tumor for fifteen years before it was discovered and have had fourteen surgeries. It goes without saying that my insurance company didn’t like me very much at all. I was quite expensive. It was important that my family had good health insurance and that the company wouldn’t drop my coverage because of my pre-existing condition. Millions of people are not as fortunate as I was to have health insurance. Millions of people die each year because they don’t have health insurance. Health insurance is expensive and the new bill will help make it affordable by providing tax credits and putting a limit on how much people can be charged for out of pocket expenses. Also, people cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Nothing in the new bill will require people to change their coverage if they are happy with it. Over the course of this blog project I have become very passionate about the issue.
My view on health care is that everyone should have access to it. We live in the wealthiest nation in the world with the best medical facilities and top-of-the-line doctors, yet millions of people do not have access to this. We have the most expensive health care in the world but we aren’t any healthier for it. Health care should be a right, not a luxury. The new bill is making it a right. It is providing the community with services for disease prevention such as immunizations and cancer screenings.
As a thinker, I have changed in that I carefully read many reliable sources before developing my opinion. I look at biased sites from Republicans and Democrats sides so I can get an idea of what both sides of the argument are. I also look for sites where I can get just the facts without any personal input. Before this project I had opinions about issues but I based my opinions on what I heard my parents say or what my teachers said in school. A lot of that information was biased. I am able to pick through biased information to find out what is true. This project has definitely helped me become a better thinker and has provided me with so much knowledge about politics that I did not have before.
The health care debate was a much bigger issue than I had ever known. I never really gave it much thought before because I didn’t know enough about it. I had no idea what was in the health care reform bill.
I chose this topic because I knew it was a hotly debated topic and I am interested in pursuing a career in nursing. Another factor that led to my decision was my personal ties to the health care system. I had a tumor for fifteen years before it was discovered and have had fourteen surgeries. It goes without saying that my insurance company didn’t like me very much at all. I was quite expensive. It was important that my family had good health insurance and that the company wouldn’t drop my coverage because of my pre-existing condition. Millions of people are not as fortunate as I was to have health insurance. Millions of people die each year because they don’t have health insurance. Health insurance is expensive and the new bill will help make it affordable by providing tax credits and putting a limit on how much people can be charged for out of pocket expenses. Also, people cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Nothing in the new bill will require people to change their coverage if they are happy with it. Over the course of this blog project I have become very passionate about the issue.
My view on health care is that everyone should have access to it. We live in the wealthiest nation in the world with the best medical facilities and top-of-the-line doctors, yet millions of people do not have access to this. We have the most expensive health care in the world but we aren’t any healthier for it. Health care should be a right, not a luxury. The new bill is making it a right. It is providing the community with services for disease prevention such as immunizations and cancer screenings.
As a thinker, I have changed in that I carefully read many reliable sources before developing my opinion. I look at biased sites from Republicans and Democrats sides so I can get an idea of what both sides of the argument are. I also look for sites where I can get just the facts without any personal input. Before this project I had opinions about issues but I based my opinions on what I heard my parents say or what my teachers said in school. A lot of that information was biased. I am able to pick through biased information to find out what is true. This project has definitely helped me become a better thinker and has provided me with so much knowledge about politics that I did not have before.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Class Blogs to Read
I recommend reading:
Education in Public Schools
It was very informative about the current education system in public schools. It provided me with some knowledge that I did not have before reading this blog. I tend to develop my own opinions about things before I know enough about them. I've always believed that education is the most important thing. I was brought up that way. It was drilled into my head that without a college degree I would not have a very successful life. This blog raised more points for me to consider my public school education compared to those who went to private schools. Since her blog was very unbiased I feel like I have received an accurate representation of the education in public schools topic. She included a lot of useful information that let me develop my own opinions without trying to steer me to believe one thing over another.
The Border: Where Immigration and Race Meet
I found this blog interesting for a few reasons. I am in a sociology class about immigration so I have a background knowledge for this subject already. Also, my father owns a landscaping business and has mostly Hispanics working for him. He always tells me stories about them that I find so interesting. This blog was good at providing information about illegal immigrants into our country. I agree with his view that America should work on trying to keep more illegal immigrants out than trying to get rid of the ones that are already in. I've always been really passionate about this issue, maybe too passionate, and I've always felt sorry for immigrants. I think he did a great job not bringing in much emotion and giving facts and unbiased information.
Affirmative Action or Inaction
I had heard of affirmative action in schools and knew what it meant but I had never given it much thought before this blog. I think she did a very good job presenting both sides of the argument and not seeming biased. She made her point clear at the end which was good so it didn't leave us wondering what she thought was best. She didn't try to steer us in one direction. I agree with her argument that affirmative action must end. Since many people are opposed to affirmative action, it should be taken away because there is conflict as to why it is still an issue.
Education in Public Schools
It was very informative about the current education system in public schools. It provided me with some knowledge that I did not have before reading this blog. I tend to develop my own opinions about things before I know enough about them. I've always believed that education is the most important thing. I was brought up that way. It was drilled into my head that without a college degree I would not have a very successful life. This blog raised more points for me to consider my public school education compared to those who went to private schools. Since her blog was very unbiased I feel like I have received an accurate representation of the education in public schools topic. She included a lot of useful information that let me develop my own opinions without trying to steer me to believe one thing over another.
The Border: Where Immigration and Race Meet
I found this blog interesting for a few reasons. I am in a sociology class about immigration so I have a background knowledge for this subject already. Also, my father owns a landscaping business and has mostly Hispanics working for him. He always tells me stories about them that I find so interesting. This blog was good at providing information about illegal immigrants into our country. I agree with his view that America should work on trying to keep more illegal immigrants out than trying to get rid of the ones that are already in. I've always been really passionate about this issue, maybe too passionate, and I've always felt sorry for immigrants. I think he did a great job not bringing in much emotion and giving facts and unbiased information.
Affirmative Action or Inaction
I had heard of affirmative action in schools and knew what it meant but I had never given it much thought before this blog. I think she did a very good job presenting both sides of the argument and not seeming biased. She made her point clear at the end which was good so it didn't leave us wondering what she thought was best. She didn't try to steer us in one direction. I agree with her argument that affirmative action must end. Since many people are opposed to affirmative action, it should be taken away because there is conflict as to why it is still an issue.
Links
This site is very useful in showing why health care reform is needed in certain areas of our current system. It also talks about the problems that would occur if the system does not get reformed.
This site is helpful in demonstrating how the new health care law will affect all types of groups in a clear, concise form. It shows how it will affect young adults and children, seniors, the sick, those without insurance, businesses, insurers, and doctors and hospitals. It also shows the dates of when each new law will go into effect.
This site talks about how the new health care law is going to help small businesses in particular. It covers everything from the tax credits that small businesses will receive to the immediate help that the uninsured will receive.
This site shows the ideals for health care behind the Democratic party platform. It talks about what the Affordable Care Act will do for Americans from a Democratic viewpoint.
This site talks about the most immediate effects of the new health care bill. It is good because it isn't wordy and it clearly states the immediate effects.
This site was helpful in giving a quick run down of the whole plan. It talks about how the plan works for America and it goes on to list the benefits and their effective dates.
This is probably the most helpful website for those that don't know much about the plan. It is a video that gives the Obama health care plan in four minutes. The actual bill is very long but this video tells you everything you need to know about the plan in the most efficient and effective way.
This site talks about the new preventive care services that will be provided to the community and in doctors offices. It talks about how they plan on improving America's health overall.
This site is helpful in demonstrating how the new health care law will affect all types of groups in a clear, concise form. It shows how it will affect young adults and children, seniors, the sick, those without insurance, businesses, insurers, and doctors and hospitals. It also shows the dates of when each new law will go into effect.
This site talks about how the new health care law is going to help small businesses in particular. It covers everything from the tax credits that small businesses will receive to the immediate help that the uninsured will receive.
This site shows the ideals for health care behind the Democratic party platform. It talks about what the Affordable Care Act will do for Americans from a Democratic viewpoint.
This site talks about the most immediate effects of the new health care bill. It is good because it isn't wordy and it clearly states the immediate effects.
This site was helpful in giving a quick run down of the whole plan. It talks about how the plan works for America and it goes on to list the benefits and their effective dates.
This is probably the most helpful website for those that don't know much about the plan. It is a video that gives the Obama health care plan in four minutes. The actual bill is very long but this video tells you everything you need to know about the plan in the most efficient and effective way.
This site talks about the new preventive care services that will be provided to the community and in doctors offices. It talks about how they plan on improving America's health overall.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Implications of not Reforming the Current System
Even with the passage of the new health care bill, the debate continues. Republicans and Democrats do not see eye to eye on the issue at all. Democrats want government-run universal health insurance while Republicans are fighting for privatized health insurance. If Republicans win majority vote in the White House during the midterm elections, the current bill is in trouble.
If the system is not reformed then we will continue to have the problems that we have right now. Millions of Americans will go bankrupt each year due to medical bills alone. Many Americans will lose their lives over diseases because they cannot afford to be insured. No one should have to go without health care. Prices will continue to rise just for the benefit of private insurance companies.
It is clear that reform is needed and it is in the best interest of the country for everyone to be required to have health insurance. In the long run it will keep costs down and reduce the deficit America is currently in. Of course, it will also help millions of Americans get the prescription drugs they need in order to stay healthy.
If the system is not reformed then we will continue to have the problems that we have right now. Millions of Americans will go bankrupt each year due to medical bills alone. Many Americans will lose their lives over diseases because they cannot afford to be insured. No one should have to go without health care. Prices will continue to rise just for the benefit of private insurance companies.
It is clear that reform is needed and it is in the best interest of the country for everyone to be required to have health insurance. In the long run it will keep costs down and reduce the deficit America is currently in. Of course, it will also help millions of Americans get the prescription drugs they need in order to stay healthy.
Friday, October 22, 2010
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