Day 359

"You Lied"

The drama is on fire on Capitol Hill.  Republican Joe Wilson's comment during a special joint session of  Congress last week.  Democrats brought "resolution of disapproval" for Senator Wilson's outburst directed at President Obama.  

Politics and lies... very fluid terms in my opinion- why can't congress (Republicans AND Democrats- the whole lot of them) concentrate on the real issues?

Obama in the Hot Seat

Obama's health care reform speech has received positive and negative response.  It is nice to see people so passionate, but this reform is going to be an uphill battle like no other. 

Day 336

Co-ops in Health Care Debate

Senator Kent Conrad, D-N.D., is predicting that health care reform will NOT pass if the government run option is included in the bill.  This declaration comes several days after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi fervently asserted she could not pass a bill that excluded a public option.  The compromise that seems to be taking the forefront is the co-op option. I didn't even know this was even a possibility.  When I think of co-op, my mind immediately goes to the local Harvest Market or tenant run housing. "Co-op" and "health care": two words I never imagined in the same sentence, let alone the same public policy. 

So, what exactly is the co-op option?  Here is a link to an article in the New York Times that explains a little bit about the history of co-op health care in the US and what will be needed to make the option work. Warning: this article is a bit biased on the government run option.  

Day 329

Day 328

Death Panels!- "Obama lies, Grandma dies."

The news has been rife with GOP claims (mostly lead by my favorite Republican and former Governor of Alaska by resignation before even finishing her first term, Sarah Palin) that the proposed Health Care Plan includes provisions for "death panels" where terminally ill Americans would be euthanized because the cost of care would be too expensive.  The "Death Panel" claims have been misinterpreted from clauses in the reform that allow for doctors to counsel on critical end of life options.  

Controversy has been so heated that at a New Hampshire rally for President Obama, people held up signs saying, "Obama lies, Grandma dies."  Intense, no?

Health Care Debate Continues

President Barack Obama is currently on a 4 state tour to promote health care reform and visit National Parks.  In a town hall meeting in Big Sky, Montana, he called for the American people to "lower your voices".  He is of course referring to the recent outbursts against the proposed policy in similar meetings headed by members of congress- Nancy Pelosi comes to mind with her "un-American" comment.  It is an interesting choice of words for both of them. 

Day 323

Health Care Critics

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer are calling disruptions at a series of town hall meetings regarding health care reform "simply un-American".  Personally, having had experience trying to getting health insurance as an individual with a pre-existing condition, I know how difficult and monetarily inaccessible corporate insurance companies can be.  The amount of uncovered individuals in this FIRST world country is unacceptable.  Universal health care is long overdue and while I am a proponent of the new health care reform, I also believe that citizens have a right to speak out against our government.  I'm surprised at the Democratic party leadership for using such language.  Dissent is a VERY "American" trait- sometimes I think there is not enough dissent. 

Day 316

Health Insurance Reform

Regina Benjamin

Dr. Regina Benjamin will be the nominee for the next Surgeon General.  Dr. Benjamin hails from Alabama and is known for her determination to rebuild her non-profit clinic after Katrina.  She is also a recipient of a 2008 MacArthur Genius Grant.  

Ted Kennedy on Health Care

Democratic plans for revamping U.S. healthcare are taking shape, with Senator Edward Kennedy soon to announce a proposal which could form the core of the nation's new health system.

Kennedy, a Democratic stalwart whose thinking is widely believed to track that of President Barack Obama on healthcare, is expected to unveil a plan in early June that will include both a new government program to provide medical coverage for all as well as a mandate that every American acquire some form of health insurance.

The two elements -- government insurance and mandatory coverage -- have been hotly debated as Obama seeks to begin radically transforming the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare industry by the end of the year.