Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
StumbleFight over health care draws crowd to Titus event
Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Sun
Seven-year-old twin brothers Zach and Raef Erickson, right, hold signs in protest with their parents, Rinar and Kelly, Saturday at a health care reform rally in the parking lot of the Albertsons on Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Parkway.
Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009 | 2:47 p.m.
Sun Archives
- Doctors seeking insurance burden relief (8-21-2009)
- Hospitals wait on reform details (7-31-2009)
- Reform makes sense for small businesses, Sebelius says (7-31-2009)
- Small businesses: Health care mandate a burden (7-24-2009)
The national debate over health care reform came to the streets of Henderson on Saturday when Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) held a Congress on the Corner event in the Albertsons on Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Parkway.
About 300 people came to the event, many with homemade signs or American flags, to voice their support or opposition to proposed health care reform and other issues before Congress.
While Titus visited with those who came early enough to get a ticket to speak with her in person, most of the people opposing Titus and her Democratic colleagues gathered in the store parking lot.
A smaller group of supporters stood outside the doors of the store, partially shielding the congresswoman from the chants of the opposition.
One side would yell out, “stop the bill,” while the other side would respond with “health care for all,” only to be countered with chants of “socialism for all.”
Titus spoke one-on-one with about 35 people.
“I got good information that I can take back with me when we work on the final version of the bill,” Titus said. “I think some of (people’s) specific suggestions were good.”
This is the seventh meet-and-greet of its kind the congresswoman has held in the area since taking office, but most didn't attract large crowds like Saturday's event.
There's value in being able to sit down and talk to people face to face, Titus said.
“(There’s) the outside crowd and the shouting, but it’s a lot different when you sit down across the table from them,” she said. “You have a more substantive discussion.”
People had different reasons for coming to the rally.
“I can’t afford health care for everyone,” said Nathan Curtright, who held a sign reiterating his point.
Some of the dissidents said they didn't support Republicans or Democrats. Others had concerns outside of health care.
“I’m basically to the point that I don’t trust government,” said Jim Peaco. “I don’t trust any of them. … I’m tired of people ripping me off.”
His message to Titus was clear: “She gets to finish this term and that’s it. I want everybody who’s in now, out.”
Peaco said in addition to health care reform he is upset about the government’s stimulus bill and efforts to promote green energy.
“I’m a solar installer,” he said. “I want green jobs, but I don’t like the way they’re going about it.”
But it was Titus’ support of green energy projects that brought Damone Williams to the event.
“There’s a lot of jobs that could be created right now and a lot of people are just saying no to everything Democrats propose right now,” he said, pointing to the other side of the parking lot.
About nine months ago, Williams began his own company that does energy audits to help people use their power more effectively.
“People need to step back and realize a lot of this could be good for Nevada and the country,” he said.
Teresa Crawford also came to the Albertsons to support Dina Titus and the Democrat’s health care proposals.
“I think access to health care is a basic right,” she said. “Some of the people here don’t seem to think so.”
Crawford, a registered nurse, said she sees lots of people who postpone medical treatments because they can’t afford them.
“I feel strongly that the health care system we have is struggling and changes need to be made,” she said. “I support a health care system that will provide all American citizens who want it access to quality, affordable health care.”
Bob Ruckman, the state commander for America First Leadership, said he opposes many government projects because of their costs.
“If you can’t pay for it and it’s not constitutional, then why are we doing it?” he said.
“There’s no way all this can be supported,” he said of health care reform and cap-and-trade plans to limit carbon emissions. “I don’t care how much you raise taxes.”
Ruckman also said he is not happy with either political party at the moment, but he did rejoin the Republican Party after leaving six years ago.
He said he talked to Titus and she was very polite and receptive, even if they do disagree on some issues.
Discussion: comments so far…
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy. Additionally, we now display comments from trusted commenters by default. Those wishing to become a trusted commenter need to verify their identity or sign in with Facebook Connect to tie their Facebook account to their Las Vegas Sun account. For more on this change, read our story about how it works and why we did it.
Only trusted comments are displayed on this page. Untrusted comments have expired from this story.
No trusted comments have been posted.
Post a comment
Most Popular
- Viewed
- Discussed
- E-mailed
- Photos: Olivia Culpo, 20, of Rhode Island is crowned 2012 Miss USA at Planet Hollywood
- US Navy hopes stealth ship answers a rising China
- Photos: Derek Hough celebrates 27th birthday at Tabu Ultra Lounge
- Learning about Electric Daisy Carnival fans will help Las Vegas court them
- On the horizon: A quick look at projects poised to shape downtown
Everything Under the Sun
Blogs
The Kats Report
Joe Pesci remembers his own honeymoon in Vegas -- meeting the Rat Pack
Las Vegas Philharmonic says search for new music director to begin 'immediately' (1 Comment)
With Shenandoah project stalled, Wayne Newton hits back legally (7 Comments)
Where does a Playmate play when she turns 21? Vegas! (3 Comments)
Ice Ice Billy
The road to six-toed cats and Mayor Bubba
The Kats Report
David Itkin tells L.V. Philharmonic officials he's on his way out (14 Comments)
Diamond Dave sells it well as Van Halen pours out the power at MGM Grand (2 Comments)
- Locally owned and independent since 1950; Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, best news website in the nation & DuPont Award for broadcast journalism
As a moderate Republican, it was sad to see the hate spewed by people with bumperstickers on their cars reading "Only Glen Beck Understands Me". The haters are a minority, a shrill one who have nothing positive to bring to the table. We need to work together to get healthcare for all people so this country can remain 'the lite unto the world'. True Americans realize that we began as, and still are, the UNITED States of America. And as a free people, we can decide we want to ensure healthcare for all because that is what free people do: make difficult decisions for the betterment of the country and future generations.
One of the haters told me he didn't want healthcare for all because he would no longer have a lever to control his employees. Nice guy.
I'm a Republican who is for Dina Titus and President Obama. The healthcare bill is not perfect. It needs to be done in a way that 'We The People' can afford to pay for it. That is the purpose of Titus' Congress on the Corner: to get input on viable ways to get the bill right and pay for it. I believe a country that lets their less well-off citizens die from lack of healthcare is mean spirited and short sighted, and doomed to failure because of such meanness.
Believe me, we are all in this together, and no sane person should let far-right rabble-rousers stand between them and their doctors. I will vote for Titus because she is making the effort to do what is right for America in modern times, not in some mythical glorious past where every person had to swim or die based on wealth.
Bravo to those brave enough to stand up to the right wing wackos. Good will win the day.
I'm glad Miss Crawford is willing to give up her tax return and pay a national sales tax to pay for this 'basic right'.
Thanks Miss Crwaford for giving up your tax returns for the rest of your life.
The crazy people in the mobs. Thank goodness they don't vote.
What is health care and massive deficits really about?
The best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency.
-Vladimir Lenin
There will be no Health Care Reform Without Legal Reform...
I think the Democrats have to realize that Republicans will never vote for any health reform bill that people will like.
From Rush Limbaugh all the way down the chain of command the Republicans are invested in America's failure and the last thing they want is for America to prosper with Democrats in control.
The Democrats have to ditch the "bipartisan" fantasy and pass the best bill they can craft and stop ruining it with concessions to loony birthers, deathers and the rest of the assorted wingnuts who will never, ever vote for it anyway.
And how can you reason with people who think it's a swell idea to bring their loaded assault weapons to town hall meetings about healthcare, like this is some kind of banana republic? What morons.
The democrats don't need the republicans to support the bill. They can push it through anytime they want. They have the numbers. The republicans got thrown out of office. Simple fact. All this arguing is just a distraction.
My goodness! This shows the real hypocrisy of today's GOP. It's too bad that folks like Mr McHale (the first commenter) and other sane conservatives have been tossed out because they're interested in rational discussions on finding solutions to our problems on issues like climate change and health care. Nope, the corporate powers that be would much rather fund these fire breathing birther/deather/teabagger "movements" to shut down any and all rational discussion.
I just hope that this was a wake-up call to not just Dina Titus, but to Harry Reid and President Obama as well. Today's GOP leadership is too busy stirring up these corporate-funded hateful mobs to allow any type of dialogue. If they can get the few sane Republicans left in office to agree on a strong Waxman-Markey & a strong HR 3200, then go ahead. Otherwise, don't let the Palin-Limbaugh-Beck extremists tear us down in the same way they did in 1994.
Yes to a public option period end of discussion...
hey all of you that are for the bill....Have you heard any real specifics yet? I have only heard their sales pitch and it does not conclude anything!!!!
I am a democrat....I am not corporate funded and I cannot get on board with a bill that does not have any substance and with a group of people that keep swaying from one extreme to the other..
Example...Obama says Medicare is working one day and says it is broke the next.....
I like my healthcare and I do not wish to pay taxes to cover all of the ones that do not have healthcare...
no, to a public option until that can show us what is in the bill and have all the details worked out..
no, to raising taxes to pay for it!!!
oh yeah...that also means they have to read the bill and not vote on a stack of paper that they do not have a clue of what is contained inside...you remember the stimulus and the omnibus bills!!!! i do very well!!!
as far as green jobs.....nevada paid 45 million for green jobs and produced 89 jobs at a cost of 500k+ per job....they have to do better than that!!!
You Lefties are like dreaming birds that fly into closed windows.
isthis4real writes: "I am a democrat...."
LOL
Mia-
LOL, indeed. I'm sure Sherm Frederick was also a "Democrat" as he claimed to be. What about all of us paying these exorbitant HMO premiums? Where is our money going? Why can't we get the level of coverage we need? Why can't we have the right to choose the public option if we want health care that will actually be accountable to us the people?
A personal account of the horrific socialized medical system in Britain, the NHS:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/200...
Treating every patient with dignity and respect, regardless of their financial status? Sheer insanity.
NO OBAMACARE!!!
I am very happy and satisfied with my current health coverage.
I also do not want my tax dollars paying for illegal immigrants to have more free health care.
How much of a misanthrope do you have to be before the thought of your neighbors receiving affordable health care launches you into irrational rage?
LasVegas2009: There aren't enough Democrats to pass this or any other Health Care Reform Bill. The Blue Dogs don't want it. The Republicans don't want it. The white people don't want it. The Mexicans will take anything they can get and they get it all anyway.The Black people want anything that Obama wants because they think he was born in a manger.
Someone needs to do a cost analysis on how much money could be saved if everyone had an "Advanced Directive & Durable Power of Atty. for Health Care" completed. This has recently been referred to as a "Death Panel". You have the right to give instructions about your own health care or give authority to someone to make decisions for you, should you become incapacitated.The "death panel" spoken of would allow a doctor to receive compensation for time spent explaining this document to his patients- once, every five years. People need to realize that this part of the legislation alone would be a massive reduction of health care costs which could be redirected to HELP pay costs to insure that all Americans are able to see a doctor when needed. Taking this out of the legislation allows this money to be absorbed by "Fatcats" & we get NO services or products in return.War funding of death & destruction works the same way. It's just gone....April Medlin
atdleft- We can get the health care we need if we all unite! Unions call it "collective bargaining". We have more leverage as a large group. Insurance companies know this that is why they put out misinformation that divides us & keeps us that way. They are making obscene profits- NO BAILOUT NEEDED! This is health care for all Americans.The media uses trigger words to incite anger amongst us(illegals, abortion, death panel, Obama Care, socialized medicine, public option, etc...). The discussion on this issue is being manipulated by special interest groups who hold the power. It has been preverted.
Taxus-Titus first major vote in Congress was to vote for a tax hike on poor and low income people.
Then she voted for cash giveaways for corporations and banks.
Then she voted for cash giveaways for clunkers.
Now she wants to shove government healthcare down our throats.
I can't wait for the 2010 election.
nance, sounds like you are preparing an advertising campaign. Tell us, after you skewer Ms. Titus, how would you be selling us the likes of your pals Gym Gibbons & John Ensign?
How's this: They're bad, but they're GOOD!
Dina the DINO is a hypocrite and liar. When she was running for office, riding Obama's coat tails, she was all for health care reform, universal coverage, single payer, public option, don't worry we'll force those insurance companies to cover everybody.
Now our own local Democrat newspaper tells us she is one of the Blue Dogs, tilting to the right, to make sure she gets re-elected.
We voted for Dina because we wanted universal health care. We won't vote for her again, know that the public campaign records show she is getting lots of health care industry money in campaign contributions, and now that we know she is a Democrat-In-Name-Only.
Bye bye Dina. Don't bother to sign a 2 year lease on that apartment you rented. You won't need it 2 years from now.
SHE VOTED FOR CAP AND TAX. THAT SAYS ENOUGH. SHE IS NEITHER BLUE OR CONSERVATIVE. LIBERAL LEFT WING LOYALIST.
Anything the government is pushing that strongly must be bad for the country ala Bush's manic push for across the board amnesty. Then whoa, let's change the name to "temporary worker permits". See if the idiot population let it go through. Watch for Obama to slip it in, piece by piece on the backs of other legislation. Change the name, hmmm. It's the still the same crap, different label. Buyer beware.
Liberal or Conservative, can we PLEASE establish a ground rule that we won't make our kids stand there carrying signs that project what there parents think?
Hey, I only had two hands, but I had 3 signs! Plus, I can pay my kids in lollipops because they aren't part of a union that was paid to be there.
Get over it.
Does this mean we can't teach our kids what we think? And if we think we are right, regardless of our political position, isn't it our duty to teach our kids those things?
Wouldn't it seem ridiculous for Sasha and Malea to sport GOP stuff? Would that be appropriate Krases?
A public option in healthcare reform will be a FREE GIFT to Nevada and it's citizens, and it will pass the test soon on Capitol Hill.
Some of you may not want it now, and frankly some of you may not deserve it now, but it's coming, and down the road you will be very happy to have it.
Many, not all, Nevada citizens do not support a rational tax structure for a state with a county of two million people, either because (a) Nevada's citizens CANNOT AFFORD IT (some truth to that right now) or TAX INCREASES ARE BAD PERIOD.
But, without proper state and local public funds you do (and will continue to) run up higher long term costs for Nevada, from deficient social service nets and poor healthcare-education outcomes. Such outcomes keep diverse and quality business from relocating.
Nevada has no nationally recognized, branded medical clinic or referal hospital.
The public option will, once up and running reliably, bring a federal solution to Nevada for reliably consistent healthcare fiscal structure that branded providers can enter the market and work with.
The same Nevadans who rant today in opposition will be some of the most satisfied customers in the future receiving care under the public option, if not already on Medicare.
Nevada may be the "battleborn" state, but there is no Alamo and no Gettysburg in Nevada.
Perhaps Nevada should change to become the EDUCATION state, or the HEALTHCARE state, battling for things REALLY WORTH FIGHTING FOR, rather than opposing a GIFT TO NEVADA HEALTHCARE subsizied by 49 other states, the same states who also subsize gaming industry revenues.
The one negative about all the positive outcomes which will result from a federal public option for healthcare in Nevada is anything that improves quality of life for Nevada on the cheap also improves outcomes and frees up funding for the gaming industry. The industry is mostly headed by conservative men who do not gamble, and support conservative candidates, public policy and tax structure. Anything that helps get gaming back on it's feet will be one day closer in the future to the industry once again touting the "economic miracle" of Nevada, as before.
The truth is some of Nevada's citizens are ranting today about considerable healthcare improvement for Clark County under a public option, and Nevada's equity investment in such improvements will come from federal dollars, not Nevada equity.
It's like the man in South Carolina recently who shouted out in a town hall meeting to a legislator, "the federal government can keep it's hands off my Medicare!". Uh, ok, right. Emotion does not bring facts and ideas to listen to.
The Obama Administration, and Senator Reid, understand that Nevada is one state that really needs help in healthcare reform and structure. They should be thanked wholeheartedly for their hard work, accordingly.
Dear Mr. Sun,
Who writes the captions for the photos? That person may be interested to know that "government-run health care" is not actually whats being discussed in Congress.
Wouldn't it be more accurate to describe the riot-mob as protesting against "less expensive, more accessible health care" since that is what is under discussion?
What do Republicans stand for other than HATE, RACISM, NO, FEAR, FEAR, FEAR? Oh, I forgot, CORPORATE GREED.
Free health care, for the social parasites, of the social parasites, by the social parasites. Pay you own damned doctor bill you worthless freeloaders.
If you want "free" health care, move to Canada you blood suckers and take all the illegals with you.
"Ms. Titus, how would you be selling us the likes of your pals Gym Gibbons & John Ensign?
How's this: They're bad, but they're GOOD!"
FYI...Ms. Taxus is not running against Gibbons and Ensign.
Ensign's election is not next year. What is funny is that Ensign approval rating is higher than your pal Reid.
Don't throw stones if you have a Reid running.
Oh for pete's sake stop bickering like children.
This is a serious issue.
If any of you have better ideas, then please share them with your elected officials. If you don't then you have nothing to add to the discussion. The name calling and party bashing needs to stop.
Ultimately the decision will be made by those elected to office. So, share your ideas with them, and accept the decision they make. This is a democracy, which means the decision of the larger numbers wins.
If you don't like that move to another country.
I don't have a problem with intelligent discussion, but name calling and party bashing won't solve anything, it just creates more anger and resentment. In my book that is not proper conflict resolution.
my_kids_are_cute: No they are not! Putting your kids into a political battle should be considered child abuse! You kids have no reason to be protesting about things they know nothing about! You know way to little to have your kids spouting your stupid point of view.
There will be no true health care reform without legal reform.
Republicans have been trying to foist "tort reform" on Americans ever since we built our first courthouse. I guess they feel Americans can't be trusted as jurors and judges.
Mia,
It is because of jurors and judges that we need tort reform. Of course, throw a few attorneys into the mix and you get medical provider health insurance so high that it prohibits doctors from practicing.
I am an independent voter who looks at issues rather then affiliation to a party.
Both the Republican and Democrat parties live in glass houses and are so busy throwing stones at each other, their houses may be destroyed in time. Meanwhile independent thinkers will build a large solid house in the middle of the political spectrum.
LarryVegas writes: "It is because of jurors and judges that we need tort reform."
--
Yep, Republicans and their corporate masters have long proposed that American jurors and American judges cannot be trusted to administer justice in Americans courts.
The Republican plan to fix healthcare is the same plan they recycle for every problem; tort reform and taxcuts! It's their snake oil to cure whatever ails ya!
Mia,
There you go again... Throwing stones and labeling people who you disagree with. Knock the Republicans if you like. Go ahead and add the Democrats, as both parties are out of step with the voters.
But the American voters tossed the Republicans out on their cans and put the Democrats in charge.
It's now up to the Democrats to make good and clean up the colossal mess President Bush and the Republicans made of pretty much everything.
Greg, There is an Alamo in Nevada, sorry.
If this garbage gets passed without a provision to allow illegals FREE healthcare it will be added while it is on the way to have Obama sign it. Chris Dodd will probably be the one.
"Those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it".
The people are on to the Dems passing stuff without reading it. That is the problem, not the Republicans.
The Dems are so innept at leading they are the ones who are using misdirection and they are also the ones accusing everybody of being either a bigot or a miscreant who opposes dumb legislation.
Reform is needed, just not abjectively stupid reform that pays all the unions and donors back.
1) Most American's will receive medicare at retirement. Some suppliment it with private policys. I retired at a 58 after 40 years in with a company. Time and service with the company gave me medical until medicare kicked in. Yea, right! Two years into retirement, the company suspended medical benifits to retiree's. I continued under cobra .. then moved to LV, NV. Tranfering from Kaiser to another policy .. all providers would not except because of AN EXISTING medical problem.From age 60 to 65 providers will not insure iwas told. I cannot go on state aid unless I show $0 assets, which means I sell my home and car .. rid myself of my investments, and show only SS income. Oh, yea, I did go to UMC for a minor treatment, 10 hrs waiting, a total of 11 mins with the doctor, one 2-min session with the MRI, another 2 mins with the doctor. Out of pocket cost .. $11,380.60. If I had had insurance, $5400.00 billed to the insurance company. Why the difference?
2) A relative from England came to visit and had a heart murmur problem. They wanted us to fill out the paper work before treatment and promise payment. We refused. Treatment cost and billing to her, $O. Cost for daughter with broken wrist in Italy for us in 1974, $100.
OUR country has the best medical systems in the world but a piss poor delivery system. Greed and $$$$ is priority over delivery.
) Check out on line the actual cost and profit in mfg drugs. Compare what we pay in the U.S.A. compared to France, Germany, Finland. Etc.
OUR SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED IF WE REALLY CARE ABOUT THE HEALTH OF OUR CITIZENS and THE HEALTH OF OUR COUNTRY.
Get off the bandwagon of no healthcare sytem..
WE NEED A HEALTCARE SYSTEM
HOW DO WE PROVIDE IT
The American voters put both Democrats and Republicans in office to represent them. It is time for both parties to start representing their constituents instead of special interests.
The independent voters who are in the middle of the political spectrum are gaining strength and will determine the outcome of future elections.
Thank you RichardMchale for bringing reason and calm, rational thinking to the discussion.
The ranters at the Titus meeting won't admit they are already paying for those who are forced to use the emergency rooms. They won't admit that undocumented residents are not covered in any of the proposals. They ignore that our curent health care system is broken.
They won't admit that the private insurers are milking the consumers with rising premiums and outrageous salaries to their CEO's.
They can't see that they are doing the dirty work of the profit private exploitive insurers and the PARMA industry while millions in America are under insured, or one catastrophic illness away from bankruptcy. They use emotional ladden false facts and put forward non-existant straw men, unproven arguments to support their narrow, self serving point of view.
If they bothered to read the different proposals being reported out of committees they might be able to engage in a civil discourse. Here are the facts:
Health care reform as curently debated provides security and stability to those with or without coverage
Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.
To counter the misinformation and fears, more and more thinking Americans like yourself are speaking the truth.
Thank you Mia Kulpa. Your comments demostrate ther are still clear thinking residents in Vegas.
If the ranting anti- reform sign holders read the different proposed bills reported out of committees thay would know the following facts and not the wild distortions used to frighten the uninformed.
Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: Its a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies. Private insurers already ration your care. Just ask your doctor.
We can't afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. Its a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.
Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. Its a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.
Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: Its a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.
Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: Its myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.
You can keep your own insurance: Its myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
Please keep up your efforts to bring about a more caring and stronger health care system we can leave for future generations.
my_kids_are_cute,
I would hope your kids would be allowed to form there own opinions instead of simply using your own. It feels like kids are being paraded as political tools for the cameras.
This goes for both parties.
To: getalife
The illegals are already getting FREE health-care. We dummies have already shown them how to ABUSE the system.
I'm sorry,send ALL ILLEGALS (especially the one's in our prisons)back.
And please this is not a racist statement against any (1) group of illegals. The illegals come from:
ASIA (the Phillipines,China,India,and Japan
(yes even Japan), etc.
RUSSIA and the EASTERN EUROPEAN countries
AFRICA
and yes, NORTH AMERICA (Mexico)
CENTRAL AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA
Immigration laws need to change.
then,what we allow to provide to the ILLEGALS. (nothing)
GOOD, LEGAL IMMIGRATION and LEGAL IMMIGRANTS are over looked by the burdensome crap we have to go through as a society to deal with the bad one's.
A case in piont:
Vancouver, BC, Canada. a legal immigrant family had 2- teenage boy's and 1- daughter. The boys continued to engage in unlawful behavior. They did not heed a warning the first time that they were jeopardizing their family's future. On the second unlawful involvement, the entire family was deported back to their original country.
No ACLU, NO LAWYERS screaming foul, that was THE LAW. How many of our judges, politicians, lawyers have the balls to do the same?
tomzz write: "No ACLU, NO LAWYERS screaming foul, that was THE LAW."
--
I don't think the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) gets involved in Canadian courts, unless perhaps an American citizen is somehow involved.
I wish to thank Dina Titus for having the fortitude to make herself available to the few who could get thru the door.
While I understand everyones right to free speech, it would have been nice if they would have pushed the protestors (both sides)out to Boulder Highway. Some of us would like to hear what she has to say, and be able to contribute our thoughts.
To Krases -- Can we PLEASE establish a ground rule that we understand the difference between THERE and THEIR and use them CORRECTLY when posting on these forums?
freeandinformed..
In response to your "Here are the facts..."
I am glad you have the facts because as I read HR-3200 the "facts" are not clear. This bill is up for a vote by the full house at the Speakers beckoning. I and many others have questions about the legislation as written and would like it explained by those who wrote it. Any part that is not clear should be clarified by amendment.
We MUST take the time to come up with real medical reform, not shove something through that our children and their children will regret.
to Mia Kulpr
the ref to the ACLU was not intended to say our aclu gets involved in Canadain affairs ..it just meant that there were no protests by any lawyer groups. Canadaian judges apply the law. PERIOD.
LarryVegas, your response is reasonable.
That is why reasonable, rational citizens are attending Town hall meetings with the expectation that the ranting ostructionists would be prohibited from permitting calm and civil dialogue. "We all entitled to our own opinions", a wise New York Senator once said, but we aren't entitled to our own facts."
The screaming crowds do not bring clarity to the debate and do all of us a disservice.
When I have had questions about the language in the proposals, I called my representatives and asked they get back to me in writing if they could not speak to me personally.
I also asked my personal doctors as to how they believe we will be impacted by the proposed changes.
Dina Titus has always responded to my inquiries.
I also went to http://www.factcheck.org/.
Keep up the great search for the truth.
tomzz, I do not want illegals to get healthcare, period.
France does not allow illegals to access their helthcare system. I there is an emergency they patch them up and deport them. FRANCE ????!!!!
I don't understand how health care could be a right? If you are such a loser that you cant't even figure out how to take care of yourself you don't deserve health care. I bet most of the people who don't have health care are also smokers. For the price of smoking you can pay for medical insurance. No one talks about that though. If you want something bad enough you will figure out how to get it just ask any drug addict. If you don't have health care its because you don't want it bad enough. I say we don't vote for anyone that has held a public office we need a whole new crew.
Our_Linn
I find it cute that you only assault the rare grammar mistakes of those you disagree with.
getalife .. i don't want the illegals to get a damn thing except a one way ticket home. We are the only country that allows the illegal to have access to everything. Let US try that in another country.
I stand for the rights of legal entry and deport all others. Clear out our jails and prisons. Clear up the ilegals with the made-up SS#'s that when they file, the government gives in and gives them a tax id number that they treat as their SS#, that employers do not verify. etc etc etc etc etc.
The cost to taxpayers in this country to support illegals would more than offset a health care system for everyone else (and you could give everyone a paid vacation.The cost of illegals in California healthcare, schools etc has broke the back of that state.
Healthcare hospitals deserve a right to make a profit on their investment. A major provider in California does not do business in NV because the 2 major poulation centers have an over the top transiant population and an over the top illegal population ...
to doubletrouble
Obviously you have never lost your healthcare as many non-smoker, non addicts, and non-drinkers have. We are not taking about a %age of the populace that abuse themselves and others. I seriously doubt that my 3-grand children whose father works and is self employed can be tossed into your box of misfits. Their insurance premium is 23% of their income because one of the girls has a medical condition. Oh yea, they pay the premium, but its a costant battle to prove their income to the health care providers, doctors, and hostpitals. Its been a battle for 6 years and has only gotton worse. Thank you very much doubletroble.
We need health care REFORM, but not a total makeover. Simply some way to offer health care at a reasonable rate to those who get declined by insurance companies after the Cobra runs out. I didn't say free, just make it available and realistically affordable. By the way, this article is about health care, Shrek may feel free to join in with any comments.
I find it ironic that the folks who were screaming about Terri Schiavo and brought the shrub back from vacation to Washington to keep her alive are the same ones now screaming about death panels and keeping government from taking over health care. If your dying or brain dead we won't let you go but if you need care to prevent a fatal disease you're on your own. When are we going to wake up to the manipulation on both sides and take our government back from the special interests and our supposed representatives that are in their pockets? I just want to know that if I use my insurance I won't get canceled because of that use. I don't use it for fear of losing it.
richardmchale, us opposing were not all Republican, I for one was registered as a democrat.This is the citizens taking back our country from all parties. Stop the socialism.
Green jobs are great, can and will happen without the government. CAP and Tax is lousy, read it.Look at who already hold carbon credits to sell, just more corruption.
Everyone admits the health care system need to be fixed, we just oppose a government socialist run system. They could start with enforcing our immigration laws and get rid of a major hospital and tax payer burden.
udde: which Scandinavian country should we invade and colonize? As I recall, Norway didn't put up much of a fight against the Germans and Sweden supported Germany's industrial programs.
richardmchale
What a wacko, (just end your sentence here. You can use a period or an exclamation mark.) if your (you'RE close) a Republican (comma) your (you'RE close) a traitor. I hope Obama pulls the plug on you one day if this NAZI (using tiny words and short sentences, please explain how HCR relates to National Socialism.) stuff passes. By the way, Dina is opposed to Obamas ('S) nationalization of Health (lower case h is fine) care (period) Hail Dina !! Hail Dina !
look at all those retarded republicans...
fighting for higher insurance company profits...
what idiots!!!
Birdie, I don't get it either.
They scream about socialism and higher taxes, missing the irony of holding their rallies at the post office or taxpayer built pubic parks, and are spending their time defending insurance companies.
What a crazy world have we found ourselves in.
udde: It didn't slip my memory. Does your socialized educational system really teach that the U.S. was ambivalent about which side to be on in WWII. What about Mr. Vidkun Quisling? What about all of the Norge and Swedish members of the Waffen SS? Does SS Division Wiking stir your memory? Funny, I don't recall any American Quislings or Waffen SS volunters.
Which Scandinavian country should we invade and colonize?
I would like to see our representatives give us honest information and not pass on phony information to protect their special interest. We need health care for everyone who is in the US legally and the cost needs to come down. I am so tired of hearing about death panels etc. Our representatives appear to have no Ethics, maybe the Ethics Committee should look at chastising and fining them for misrepresentation or at least putting a list of our representatives who are honest and those who squid the facts on the internet and come time for reelection their past performance will impact their ability to get reelected. We pay more for prescription drugs and health care then any country in the world and majority of the drugs were developed here.
larry tort reform is not the answer. California and 39 other states have it and caps on pain and sufferring. The cap in California is 250,000. It hasnt helped costs and has been in place for 30 plus years. Also hasnt done squat for the myth of "defensive" medicine. Doctors order tests to rule out disease not stop lawsuits. But it makes a nice punch line for them. 100,000 people die per Harvard MEDICAL School. I guess thats just cost of doing business???
I know that a lot of you neocons out there have a little trouble with staying on-topic and that you would rather regurgitate talking points planted into your heads by well-paid right wing media shills and industry lobbyists than spend a little time understanding the current state of health care -- or lack thereof -- in America.
Nevertheless, here is a short read for you (only 9 double-spaced pages -- I promise you can get through it) from the former PR Director at CIGNA that provides insightful perspective from a former insider.
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/_files...
If you are able to handle a little more, try reading this as well:
http://www.counterpunch.org/potter062520...
I hope that you will be able to see beyond the "socialism" rhetoric and at least begin to understand the urgent need for meaningful health care reform in America.
"I hope that you will be able to see beyond the "socialism" rhetoric and at least begin to understand the urgent need for meaningful health care reform in America."
Ha! That's like asking a five year old to explain String Theory.
As I've said before, the dumbest segment of our population is leading the fight against health care reform.
We cannot let the scare tactics dissuade us from reaching our goal!
While many of us are struggling to afford medical insurance/medical bills.
While Congress people try to stop healthcare reform.
While Congress people accept large contributions from lobbyists to prevent health care reform.
Our elected officials in Congress receive health care mostly paid for by us tax payers, yet make it impossible for us to purchase an affordable plan of our own.
http://www.petitiononline.com/PubOp676/p...
I want the same health care that Teddy Kennedy received and I want all of you Lefties to pay for it!
udde: my Viking ancestors invaded and colonized England, Ireland, and northern France. Later they came to North America with the Pilgrims. Most likely, they were Berserkers. I suspect your ancestors simply made a "Left Turn" and went to Switzerland thinking it was Iceland.
Dina Titus's Corner meeting was loud outside and well organized both in and out. Everyone seemed respectful.
On Health Care...ALL we need is one company formed to do the organizing and planning and implementation to NOT have government controlled health care for ALL. Power of pricing is in numbers/memberships.
If you don't want Government controlled health care and are welling to consider an alternate way of getting and having your health care from being, totally out of work and no unemployment monies to working with fully paid health care, then check out this group and register to see if this can be done with enough plans to fit ALL, pricing from $0.00 to $500/month for a family. Who pays, you and or your employer, or the government pays to this plan...but cannot control it!
www.wethepeoplehealth.com
Top 5 Reasons To Join WTPHealth
1. Non-Government, Low-Cost, High-Quality Health care
2. WTPHealth Will Protect Your Privacy
3. No Coverage Denials for Pre-Existing Condition
4. No Loss of Coverage for Loss or Change of Job
5. You Own WTPHealth, So You Are In Control!
Let's try something new from We the People rather than the insurance companies or our government. Let's do it ourselves!
Register under group, "Nevadans Speak Out for We the People"
I'm all for the Lefties getting together to fund and manage the Bleeding Heats Health Insurance Cooperative. George Soros and Algore can provide the seed capital.
Lets face it,titus will be put in check by the three stooges when it comes time to vote on anything.As for her being brave for doing the job she was elected to do,Give me a break! Why would you even have a town hall meeting knowing that you wouldn't have a clue on how to answer any questions? Just think if one of these political hacks would read the bill! How hard can it be to read a thousand pages of the last nail in the coffin.
I wonder where all these republicasns were on Nov 4th 2008, why didn't they express there opinions to George W ? There goes 8 years with no action !! AMERICAN IDIOTS !
funny, Ronald Reagan predicted the end of a free US back in 1961.
http://tinyurl.com/37ur5u
as you'll see nothing he railed about ever came to pass.
And lets not forget about our most recent prognosticator's comments on WMD. Heck, there's the payment for health care right there --- sitting in a middle east desert.
And for the life of me I don't get how just less than half of our country is so ruled by fear that they'll toss reason to the winds.
I guess all that's left to say is, "You're doing a heck of a job Brownie".
ugh.
Give me a break....what does that 7 yr old holding the sign know about anything...no less health care.Obviously the family hasn't been informed enough or doesn't care too.They know as much as that 7 yr old out there yelling. Get real !!
Parents should be so ashamed for sticking their small children out there on the front line of any debate with a sign in their hands...and then to have to the parent "stand behind" the kid...wow.
I suppose you should sit back and let the education system take care of it for us.Thank GOD my parents didn't raise us like the little timeout kids of today. Whats it your concern anyway,If a family wants to go out and rally more power to them. Whats a good age to start explaining the worlds future? 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 etc.!
I guess when the dems voiced their opinion in harsh criticism of the previous administration, the nation, the war, ad nauseam, it was just free speech. But when anyone opposes them in any way it suddenly becomes hate speech?
What glorious health care we will all have soon. Just imagine it all being run by the same people who gave us the I.R.S., bloated government contracts with massive cost overruns, earmarks, and bridges to nowhere, etc.
I am having a really hard time thinking of ANYTHING government does well besides the defense of our nation. I have this sneaking suspicion that if we were to actually read and follow our constitution, most government would go away and the federal system would be but a shadow of its former self. What a shame that would be!
LarryVegas, as an Independent and issues only guy, you might
be interested in this Washington Independent article which
addresses the tort reform myths related to health care.
http://washingtonindependent.com/55535/t...