New York - Citizens of our country are being encouraged by President Elect Obama to spend the last part of this year talking about health care and bringing their ideas to Washington. In Denver, during the health care summit, Tom Daschle said that this will help to improve the health care system even through our economic crisis. Mr. Daschle will be in charge of the health care plans that President Elect Obama has in store for our county and will most likely be appointed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Tom Daschle is a strong supporter of Mr. Obama’s health care plans even though he and others of the administration know that this is going to be one of the hardest plans to implement in the coming future. To overcome problems that are bound to come up while implementing the health care plan they are reaching out to Americans to lay the ground work that will be needed. Mr. Daschle is asking of Americans what they think needs to happen specifically with the health care system to make it more effective.
It has been speculated that Mr. Obama’s health care reform plan would be delayed while his administration gets our economy back on track, however Tom Daschle says that is not the case and reforming the health care system is a priority for the new President.
The priorities specific to the reform of health care include bringing health care to those that otherwise would not have access to it like the poor and the uninsured. Also focusing on those things that undercut health care by moving the incentives that played a part in that and improving the way our country keeps track of medical information and the keeping of medical records.
Tom Daschle says that they are looking at past mistakes made by former President Bill Clinton’s adminstration regarding the health care system and learining from them. Americans ideas will be sent to President Elect Obama and this time the fight will continue until our health care system is working more effectively.
One aspect that went wrong in former President Clinton’s plans was opposition that seemed to stall the process. Tom Daschle says that no matter how much opposition may arise with President Elect Obama’s health care reform plan the process will not be put on the back burner. The administration will continue to push forward to get the desired results that will work best for the people of our country.
24 Comments, Comment or Ping
roberto
Find some way to cut the cost of health care.The cost has increaseninety percent since medicare came into effect. my heart doctot owns his own private jet.the money paid out on on medicare is going to the doctors not the patients.
Dec 8th, 2008
Oliver Kiss
In the photo, which one of those gentlemen is Superman?
Dec 8th, 2008
gadfly
What good is it to say we are supposed to send comments to Daschle and then not give an address of any kind?
Dec 8th, 2008
Hank van den Ham
Health insurance>
The country must come up with a plan WHERE EVERY PERSON PAYS INTO ONE PLAN ONLY. That plan should be the federal goverment. At the present time there are hundreds of insurance companies making money on health care plans.
About Medicare
Medicare should not go to private companies.
I pay about $90.00 per month into the medicare system and medicare pays 80% of the total bill
I then pay a private company “paramount” $127.00 and they cover the 20% that medicare does not pay.
MEDICARE SHOULD COLLECT A LARGER AMOUNT OF ME AND PAY THE FULL AMOUNT.
Look at it $90.00 pays 80%
$127.00 Pays 20%
Any one can see that there is something wrong here.
Hank van den Ham
620 Running Brook Way
Mansfield, OH 44905
Dec 8th, 2008
Dan Rieke
If you think health care was expensive and slow before…
Government programs:
Where everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much.
Dec 8th, 2008
Erin
Re: Roberto’s comment:
Medicare money is supposed to go to Doctors. It is to pay for healthcare, not give patient’s extra pocket money. As for the cost of healthcare - how about cracking down on people who don’t pay their medial bills (like illegal immigrants). That’s where the increased cost comes from. Just like when people shoplift from a department store. The lost revenue has to be passed on to the other customers in order for the business to remain open and be able to continue provide the service. Increases also come from people abusing the system and trying to get insurance companies to pay for things that are not medically necessary. I work in the medical industry and I can’t tell you how often I hear Medicare patients enquire about cosmetic services and “can’t you do something to get my insurance to pay for this?” NO! And “oh, by the way, Medicare has my birthdate on file as 1940 instead of 1943 when I was actually born because I started drawing Social Security 3 years early”. THAT’S the problem with the cost of healthcare.
If your Doctor can afford a private jet on the pitiful amount Medicare pays for services, he must work very hard and be very wise with his money. GOOD FOR HIM.
Dec 8th, 2008
m lunn
What Hubris….
I’ve got news for you. Obama is no superman and government is not the answer to health care.
has not worked where it has been tried. the rich all flee to the usa for treatment. I do not want to have to go to India someday.
try eliminating all law suits for medical malpractice. try stripping completely ouot the middleman ie the insurance company and reprice all services at their cost, instead of 3 times the cost so that you pay for others that pay nothing. this would create a better incentive to take care of yourself (ie no smoke)
health care will never be more expensive than if you try to make it free and government run. Name one thing besides the military that the government manages well…..happy with medicade? wake up…
Dec 8th, 2008
Joe Bachofen
Successful reform of Health Care must produce these outcomes:
1. Everyone is covered by insurance.
2. Annual cost increases are limited to the Consumer Price Index.
3. Cash into the system equals cash out of the system.
4. Morbidity and mortality fall for all ages, incomes and geographies.
To accomplish this, all interests will have to make concessions.
The public must accept standardized, universal coverage.
Young people can’t opt out.
Rich people can’t opt out.
We are all in the pool together, otherwise the math can’t work.
The medical profession must accept standardized fees.
A CEO’s heart has the same value as a school teacher’s heart.
The fee can vary by geography to reflect overhead costs.
Cosmetic procedures must not be covered.
Insurance companies must accept standardized, universal coverage.
All pre-existing conditions must be covered.
All preventative procedures must be covered.
All accepted curative procedures must be covered.
Drug companies must accept medical oversight.
Advertisements to the general public must stop.
Advertising dollars must go to research on new drugs.
Double blind studies must be paid for by double blind money.
Dec 8th, 2008
Roxanne Huguet
If we have to pay tax money to bail out irresponsible banks because of their lending practices and also GM, Chrysler and Ford because they have made the wrong choices as far as what cars they have built the last 2 or 3 decades then why is affordable and accessible health care for all an issue? With 47 million Americans uninsured and people loosing their lives everyday because of no access to health care why has that not been our country’s first priority? I would rather pay to save lives, yours and mine, than to pay for the largest corporations to continue on with business as usual. Our ever increasing unemployed are going to be faced with paying over $15,000 in premiums a year if they are lucky or healthy enough to qualify for insurance. Do you think they can afford that on unemployment? Even if they have Cobra to continue their benefits that is only good for 18 months. Thank goodness our congress and president will finally address the lack of health care and affordability issue. May Americans be the ones who benefit from their own hard earned tax money for a change in order to live healthy, happy and productive lives.
Dec 8th, 2008
GIbson
Roxanne blames Chrysler, Ford and GM for making hte worng choices as far as what cars they have build the last 2-3 decades. I personally feel totally to blame for this… it is the CONSUMER that is to blame. If we had demanded different cars and better fuel efficiency or alternative energy cars, we would have directed the market. Instead, Americans wanted bigger and bigger SUVs until they built the Hummer… and then some wanted to go even bigger.
Health care is similar. I spend hours each week explaining to patients why a CT scan or MRI is not the diagnostic tool of choice… that we could wait and see how some Ibuprofen or other inexpensive medication or treatment such as ice or heat may work… but patients demand expensive tests… and with successful, frivolous malpractice suits popping up constantly, providers cannot afford to decline to order them.
Here is an example of a frivolous suit: elderly woman needed eyelid surgery to correct the droop that prevented her from seeing. She asked the surgeon to correct her VERY droopy ear lobes at the same time which he did. She sued him because she was not informed ahead of time that the surgery would eliminate the piercing of her ear (the hole). She won 10,000 dollars and of course there were costs associated in dealing with this suit.
Dec 8th, 2008
Garth Shaner
Insurance?
When I get a flat tire or gasoline or an oil change, I don’t submit my bill to my Auto Insurance. Why should every health care item go to an insurer?
How about we look at ways to bring costs down, cover maintenance like checkups and flu shots ourselves, and use insurance to cover the big ticket unexpected items like surgeries and hospital stays?
Crazy, I know, to expect people to do a little taking care of themselves. I hear that it has worked before (unlike socialized medicine).
Dec 8th, 2008
Krisztian
I feel bad for all those workers because it’s not their decision on what cars they do or don’t build but im totally against giving money to the big 3 because I don’t buy their junky cars and was hoping market forces would put them out but that did not happen because we have to have American Car companies. Give all that money to Tesla Motors they are American and build electric cars today that you can buy today. In regards to Healthcare I agree with Obama “Healthcare is an American RIGHT not Privilege!”
Dec 8th, 2008
Russ
So long as there is an opportunity to make a profit through the provision of medical insurance, the medical system will remain broken.
Dec 8th, 2008
Samuel Mann
Prevention of illness and injury will be a vital aspect to the developing universal health care system. To achieve this ‘Prevention” : Government 24 hour TV and Radio programs should explain in common words Wellness subjects. These programs should not be Commercials but the known data from our great institutes. Prevention information delivered to the American audience of 300 million will lead to phenomenal reduction in costs.
Dec 8th, 2008
Pradeep
what does Healthcare for everyone mean?
does it include Everyone who didn’t use their brains to be independent?
does it include everyone who use their brains to be leeches on others?
scoundrels, couch potatoes and thugs as well?
where does the money for that come? Has Obama turned into a creationist and generating wealth or is he merely going to restribute your wealth as he sees fit?
Dec 8th, 2008
bugbuster
I would like to see the feds take some of the bank bailout dollars and start buying out health insurance companies. Eventually we can own them all and have the only sensible system: single payer.
Dec 8th, 2008
Crissy
Great commnet to Joe Bachofen. He said…
“Successful reform of Health Care must produce these outcomes:
1. Everyone is covered by insurance.
2. Annual cost increases are limited to the Consumer Price Index.
3. Cash into the system equals cash out of the system.
4. Morbidity and mortality fall for all ages, incomes and geographies.
To accomplish this, all interests will have to make concessions.
The public must accept standardized, universal coverage.
Young people can’t opt out.
Rich people can’t opt out.
We are all in the pool together, otherwise the math can’t work.
The medical profession must accept standardized fees.
A CEO’s heart has the same value as a school teacher’s heart.
The fee can vary by geography to reflect overhead costs.
Cosmetic procedures must not be covered.
Insurance companies must accept standardized, universal coverage.
All pre-existing conditions must be covered.
All preventative procedures must be covered.
All accepted curative procedures must be covered.
Drug companies must accept medical oversight.
Advertisements to the general public must stop.
Advertising dollars must go to research on new drugs.
Double blind studies must be paid for by double blind money.”
I’d like to add that insurance companies would work well if they were non-profit and had some other reform in their work flows. The premiums members are charged should pay for all the over-head in managing the benefits, paying claims, medical review, and document management, but if there are profits at the end of the year, they should either be refunded to the paying members on an equal basis or go into a fund as a safety net in case the next year’s costs exceed the premium intake. The plans would have to be standardized as far as the benefits offered- everyone pays the same copay or coinsurance.
I think these ideas would be a great start.
Dec 8th, 2008
foodandart
Good ideas Joe Bachofen, so let’s start with the NUMBER ONE COST to health care..
SMOKERS!
How about making smokers pay 10 dollars a pack for their addiction with the bulk of that price going to the insurance pool? After all, I’ve watched too many people my grandparent’s age go down slowly from emphysema - and if you think that’s cheap, think again. Last time I heard costs bandied about it was $275,000 a year to treat.
No one has ever been held at gunpoint and MADE to smoke a cigarette. That’s a CHOICE that a moron makes.. and why should YOU or I or anyone else that works hard to safeguard their own health have pay for a moron to poison themselves?
You actually *think* I like tofu and the granola-muncher gerbil food I eat? I make the sacrifice of my diet and eat stuff that doesn’t taste so hot, but it WHOLESOME and nutritious. It’s not about my PLEASURE, it’s about my health. If I can make this sacrifice, so can EVERYONE else!
Secondly, let’s deal with the fast food industry and particularly the fat slobs who slurp down liter after liter of soda like it’s water, THEN cry like babies when they’re overweight and diabetic by 35.
How much do you think THAT is going to add to the costs for all of us?
I think that if we are ALL going to be RESPONSIBLE to pay for healthcare for each other, then those who aren’t taking care of themselves shouldn’t have it easy.
No more smoking.
EVERYONE exercises and stays fit.
ONLY 1 LITER OF SODA PER MONTH!
ONLY ONE fast food meal per month!
Those that live in inner cities and poor areas can get vouchers for whole food ONLY! No pre-made high sugar, salt and fat ‘product’ allowed. (I can tell you horror stories about what people on food stamps eat.. I grew up in the program and rarely, if ever got fed junk food like most others I knew.)
If we’re going to issue any kind of health coverage mandate, then let’s start with the bulk of Americans who take their health for granted and are irresponsible in maintaining it.
Deb.
Dec 8th, 2008
Eric
article - “Mr. Daschle will be in charge of the health care plans that President Elect Obama has in store for our county and will most likely be appointed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services.”
me> Mr Daschle is far left. What happened to reaching across the isle to solve “real” problems? What happened to “CHANGE” ? Looks like real change meant from right to left and not change from “politics as usual” as Obama promised.
Perfect example from article above - example below
article - “Tom Daschle says that they are looking at past mistakes made by former President Bill Clinton’s adminstration regarding the health care system and learining from them. ”
me > (This sounds like they are going to have an honest discussion if they are going to look at mistakes of thier own party…..right?)
article - “One aspect that went wrong in former President Clinton’s plans was opposition that seemed to stall the process.”
me > Oh! So much for looking at own parties mistakes…it was the opposition’s fault….suprise suprise!
Dec 8th, 2008
Jim Jones
Mr Van Den Ham, Your math proves why Medicare and Medicaid are bankrupt and the insurance companies still exist and provide coverage.
Mr Bachofen, Your post was well written and thoughtful, but the “pool” you speak of in your post would not be served by a plan like this. Firstly, most young people (18-30 years old) utilize the health care system the least and complain the loudest about having to pay medicare taxes out of their checks. The wealthy cannot be stopped from crossing the border into Canada or any other opportunistic countries that will become medical care havens for the best of our American doctors who will flee to other countries to turn a buck. I am a nurse and treat a large number of long term care patients (we call them residents because most stay until their deaths) who have debilitating conditions because of lifestyle choices they have made. A large number (approximately 75%) are immigrants who arrived here and didn’t contribute ONE PENNY to our medicare/medicaid system. Finally, healthcare CANNOT be standardized or universal due to the individuality of each patient and their needs. Finally, if morbidity and mortality rates drop for all, what does that mean for the sum total of healthcare that each person will consume? Everyone will have to retire at 70 years of age!! I agree that advertisements to the public by pharmaceutical companies must stop, but did you know that it costs approximately $400,000,000 to bring a successful drug to market? Their advertising budget is not large enough to offset this cost. The 5 year exclusivity on the sale of the medication does. Take away their profits and research dwindles and disappears.
Dec 8th, 2008
Acai Berry
well lets hope he turns out to be really good.
Dec 8th, 2008
Barrack Obama
We both are Superman.
Dec 8th, 2008
Fred Zyphal
Since 60 minutes ran the story last year, many doctors across the country are bucking the system, and refusing to accept any form of insurance as payment for services. Instead, they are posting reasonable fees, for services rendered, and in all cases, those fees are far less than the insurance companies dictate that other doctors charge.
Bottom line is this … the insurance companies and banks actually run this country, not the president, not the legislature, not you and I. Remove them from the equation, and set up a government controlled medical insurance fund, and level the playing field.
Dec 8th, 2008
Roxanne Huguet
First of all chronic illnesses are not the “fault” of the patient. Christopher Reeve’s wife had lung cancer and never smoked. Acute trauma, ie a truck driver hitting your car head on because of going over the medium is also not the fault of the victim, you. That said, why is America afraid of the word socialized? We socialize our schools, libraries, fire departments and military. We have social security, medicare, and even our legislatures, public servants; have health care provided by tax payer money. If you work for a company with less than 50 employees you most likely don’t have health care. That means you pay $12,000 a year premiums with a $8,000 deductible for a family of four but only if you are “lucky” enough to be “healthy” enough to qualify for coverage. No wonder 47 million people don’t qualify or can’t afford insurance. My 81 year old mother pays over $400 a month between Medicare and Blue Shield supplemental and she still has bills to pay for medical visits. Who can afford this? Americans want to be safe and pay billions a year for their military but what good is that if you are dying inside your own borders needlessly or because you don’t qualify, work for a company that provides health care or you can’t afford it. It is time to lose the fear of the word, “socialized.” in order for our citizens to live without fear of dying because they fell through America’s number one crack, no health care for all. If you say we can’t afford it then I ask: Why do all Europeans have health care coverage and still their currency is stronger than the US? (and if you think taxes then think about Spain paying 30% income taxes, one month paid vacation every year, paid 9 month maternity leave, lower property taxes than the California).
Dec 15th, 2008
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