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StumbleSUN EDITORIAL:
Health care’s human face
Massive turnout at free health clinic event shows need for comprehensive reform
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009 | 2:08 a.m.
The angry mobs that have disrupted congressional town-hall meetings throughout the country should redirect some of that wasted energy. They should focus on the reason why this nation needs comprehensive health care reform instead of the status quo pushed by the powerful insurance industry.
Blatant evidence of that need was on display last week at the Forum, an arena in Inglewood, Calif., which was once home of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.
As reported Thursday by The New York Times, about 1,500 people showed up at the arena on the first day that nonprofit Tennessee-based Remote Area Medical was offering free medical, dental and vision services to those with inadequate insurance or no coverage. Thousands more showed up the following day.
Remote Area Medical, which normally serves the medically needy only in rural areas, was overwhelmed by the turnout for its first large-city event. But it shouldn’t have been surprised.
Tens of millions of Americans are in the same boat. They are deprived of routine health care that many other people — including apparently the town-hall mobs — take for granted. Those Americans lacking adequate medical care are in that predicament because they are either unemployed or have employers who don’t provide sufficient, affordable health insurance.
If not for Remote Area Medical, there is a good chance that many of the Southern California residents who showed up at the Forum would have crammed emergency rooms or developed chronic ailments that would wind up costing taxpayers more money in the long run.
There is also a humanitarian side to this issue. Merely continuing with the status quo — something insurance company executives like because it lines their pockets with cash — means Americans without access to affordable care are needlessly suffering. Is there anything American about that?
Free health clinics exist for people who have run out of options. Meaningful health care reform should extend acceptable options to all Americans.
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The LV Sun says "Those Americans lacking adequate medical care are in that predicament because they are either unemployed or have employers who don't provide sufficient, affordable health care"
So the LV Sun say the reason is "...something insurance company executives like because it lines their pockets with cash ..."
So is the LV Sun saying that private health insurers should cover all the illegals, all the those kids whose parents did did not sign them up for SCHIP, all thoses young adults who can but refuse to buy healthcare - and give it to them for free.
I think the LV Sun should give their paper away for free and see how long they are in business.
Why is the government not more responsible?
The Sun probably makes more money from advertising than selling the paper, like giving away content on the net, so "Futurde" practices typical dittohead economics. If these people want to an emergency room, it ultimately costs people with insurance or the ability to pay more money as costs are pasted on to others.
Schip is a government program, and most people that showed up were adults.
I hope this program comes to Las Vegas.
Many of those in that line are most likely illegals.
Will ObamaCare give government healthcare to illegals?
SgtRock "Many of those in that line are most likely illegals"
You're an idiot, and a heartless one at that. Remote Area Medical is funded strictly by donations so none of your precious tax dollars are being spent on sick people, illegal or not. In the past RAM traveled exclusively to third world countries to provide healthcare to the poor and indigent, but has now found it necessary to visit American cities due to our failed health care system. What an embarrassment for America. I realize that you have no sympathy for the suffering of other human beings, but when others provide care for the sick and poor can't you just keep your mouth shut? You represent the worst of America.
You are the idiot.
The editorial implies that we need government healtcare insurance to help those people in the line. It my guess that many of those in line are illegal.
The rest are poor and probable should be on Medicaid which is the government health insurance for the poor.
It is a simple question.
Will ObamaCare give government healthcare insurance to illegals?
What did these people do when they got sick in mexico? I know what they did. They went to a doctor AND PAID HIM! Now everything free in America. I'm sick of these parasites.
Our founding fathers never said free health care was a right. Especially to illegals and their spawn.
No, for the thousandth time, illegals are NOT covered in any of the bills in Congress. Not not not. Hopefully this will penetrate a few skulls. They're not, and they're not going to be. OK?
I have seen newshows on Remote Area Medical. They're based in Tennessee and it was poor whites that I saw being helped. They help as many as they can and always have to turn away many. And again--these were whites, American citizens from the south and midwest whose families probably went back centuries.
"The angry mobs that have disrupted congressional town-hall meetings..."
Mobs???
Maybe the editorial writer should focus his attention on the facts instead of demonizing those citizens on all sides of the issue who are exercising their free speech rights.
It appears that the great majority of voters are in favor of major health care reforms. My main concern is how much control over the health care system should the government have. First let's get some type of medical coverage for all those who need it and then proceed slowly with reform to the medical insurance industry and tort reform for all those hungry attorneys.
Oh, by the way, I do not and have never voted party lines. I vote for those who I feel will do the best job.
I was hoping for another attribution to Rachel Maddow, the Queen of Logic and Cognition. Not.
The left is throwing a temper tantrum.
"The angry mobs that have disrupted congressional town-hall meetings throughout the country should redirect some of that wasted energy. They should focus on the reason why this nation needs comprehensive health care reform instead of the status quo pushed by the powerful insurance industry."
"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of "liberalism", they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened."
--Norman Thomas, for many years the U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate
"No, for the thousandth time, illegals are NOT covered in any of the bills in Congress."
So what is the Sun whining about people standing in line.
If they are poor then they can get Medicaid.
If they are illegal then according to you ObamaCare will not help them anyway.
So what is the Sun crying about?
What part of this does the author not understand?
"When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic."
-- Benjamin Franklin
"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."
-- Thomas Jefferson
Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? Humbug
It is possible for the government to come up with a way to help the uninsured CITIZENS of our country without a complete government takeover of the health care & insurance industries. Maybe they should address the need rather than the entire nation?
I'd just like to say RIP to the 'Public Option.'
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/16/u...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_health_car...
Look mred, willietanner, crackedbeak!!! It's working!!!
The Public Option is OUT!
Without a public option health care decisions will continue to be made by faceless bureaucrats working for the insurance companies with an eye on increasing profits rather than the welfare of the policy holder. Anything less than a complete overhaul will be continuing the status quo and leave millions of citizens uninsured and underinsured. It's unfortunate that too many people have bought into the scare tactics of the right wing talk show hosts rather than taking a sensible look at what is included in the plans being considered.
lvmachead ........
Thank you...you have hit the nail on the head. Its time for health care reform. Its time to do what is best for the entire country...
With the government, it's best to start small. They have yet to demonstrate that they are capable of taking over the entire health care & insurance industry. I rather like what I have. I'd like the government out of my health care.
Maybe they coul start small, address the neediest, and work their way up the way business is supposed to work.
Why you people have such blind faith in the government to run health care is completely beyond me!
Oh well, it's not happening today so I'm going to enjoy the death of the Public Option!
"Without a public option health care decisions will continue to be made by faceless bureaucrats working for the insurance companies with an eye on increasing profits rather than the welfare of the policy holder"
Useless garbage crap from OD koolaid drinkers....
Doctors make the decisions after consultanting with their patients. Yes, the insurances companies play a role, too.
But patients have the option of suing the doctor and the insurance company and if the courts agree then the patient can get the procedure or recover damages.
Now, exchange out ObamaCare with that.
The patient will be stuck with withever Obama goons decidde. The government is immune from lawsuits so the patient will not be able recover any damages.
Also, there is zero oversight of government. They will cover up and twist all the facts to suit their needs and wants. The consumer will have zero power in that situation.
Just a few simple question that no one has addressed in this forum: Why do health-care providers charge so much? Why are there so many lobbyists in congress who are paid by the health-care industry trying to stop reimbursement reform? Why is there a lack of competition between these providers (definition of a free-market society)? Shouldn't the government ensure an even playing field? Isn't there an Anti-trust law that is supposed to protect us?
"Why do health-care providers charge so much?"
Because doctors get sued so much that they have to do defensive medicine all the time and they have to carry expensive malpractice insurance.
Because the government totally controls the supply of medical staff by control the school system and does not allow enough schools to be founded to properly supply the system.
Because the government contols the insurance companies and forces them to cover crazy expensive stuff and then also does not allow them to have national plans but makes them go into each state.
Because the government does not protect our border we have millions of illegals drainging our resources at hospitals and the rest of us has to pick up the tab.
Because the government requires a ton of regulations for drug companies to follow and it takes them almost a decade to bring a drug to the market.
Because the government requires the medical profession to follow a ton of requlations that add a layer of cost.
There are many reasons for the rising cost of health care and much of deals with the government.
SgtRock,
You should check out the brand kool-aid you're drinking, because you just are backing the current totally broke and out of control system. Doctors try to make decisions, then the Insurance company can approve or deny the coverage. My pharmacy has to get approval from the insurance company for my son's ADD meds even though he's been thoroughly diagnosed by his doctor in consultation with a trained counselor/therapist and I don't have an option based on price of policies to get a different policy from the one my employer offers. Add this to the fact most people are at risk for losing their life savings in the case of a catastrophic illness.
Obama goons are going to replace the insurance company (not really sure because Obama does not have a plan).
You can always sue the insurance company to have a chance to make them give you coverage or recover damages. Also, their is government oversight of insurance companies that you can contact.
You will not have none of those options with Obama's goons.