As Health Plan Falters, Maine Explores Changes - New York Times
Maine is reforming its health care plan. Although their plan offers health care for many of those in need, the demand was greater then anticipated. There are thousands of people who do not receive the proper medical treatment for serious aliments. And Maine has just learned that their reform program needs to be adjusted to accommodate these patients.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Is Health Reform a state problem?
Whittier Daily News - Health reform gaining steam
While Governor Schwazengger gathers support for his health reform plan, he ignores the concerns of some groups who feel the plan maybe too expensive. But Schwazengger, is committed to making California one of the first states to insure everyone. He is motivated by the millions of uninsured voters, who need health care and is unwilling to check the details.
State governors are tackling a federal problem at the state level. This is new territory for many governors elected today. Many states are considering reform bills for their health care systems. Why hasn't the federal government taken notice of this problem? If any one's job should be based on the state of health care in this country, it should be the president's.
While Governor Schwazengger gathers support for his health reform plan, he ignores the concerns of some groups who feel the plan maybe too expensive. But Schwazengger, is committed to making California one of the first states to insure everyone. He is motivated by the millions of uninsured voters, who need health care and is unwilling to check the details.
State governors are tackling a federal problem at the state level. This is new territory for many governors elected today. Many states are considering reform bills for their health care systems. Why hasn't the federal government taken notice of this problem? If any one's job should be based on the state of health care in this country, it should be the president's.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
In the past couple of days I have seen many articles on how cuts in Health Care services can hurt a community. This is especially the case in poor communities. Brooklyn is dealing with this problem now. Budget cuts have closed many local hospitals in Brooklyn. Lack of community health care creates a health care black hole where serious health care issues are neglected.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
The Medicare Privatization Scam - New York Times
The Medicare Privatization Scam - New York Times
Medicare plans that can actually save the government money? Well according to an editorial in the New York Times, the government pays private medicare management companies huge subsidizes to help manage medicare patients. These providers are then able to charge their clients lower rates while offering the same service and paying the doctors and hospitals the same rates that they get under medicare.
Who knew, the government has a plan to help people save money on health insurance, they just don't know how to distribute it to the masses.
Medicare plans that can actually save the government money? Well according to an editorial in the New York Times, the government pays private medicare management companies huge subsidizes to help manage medicare patients. These providers are then able to charge their clients lower rates while offering the same service and paying the doctors and hospitals the same rates that they get under medicare.
Who knew, the government has a plan to help people save money on health insurance, they just don't know how to distribute it to the masses.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
MY MOVIE!
This is my movie, I had to make some corrections. Check it out and tell me what you think.
Is it really that great?
Illinois Health Connect
I feel confused about Illinois Health Connect, the new statewide plan in Illinois. It is supposed to help the millions of Illinoisans receive health coverage. However understanding the double talk and vague language of this plan makes me suspicious. Not to mention that many hospitals are not accepting new patients under the states plan and are virtually freezing out Medicaid patients. But please if I am over reacting prove me wrong.
I feel confused about Illinois Health Connect, the new statewide plan in Illinois. It is supposed to help the millions of Illinoisans receive health coverage. However understanding the double talk and vague language of this plan makes me suspicious. Not to mention that many hospitals are not accepting new patients under the states plan and are virtually freezing out Medicaid patients. But please if I am over reacting prove me wrong.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Mental patients torment elderly in nursing home | Chicago Tribune
Mental patients torment elderly in nursing home Chicago Tribune
Apparently downstate nursing homes in Illinois have begun to allow younger and violent physic patients into elderly nursing homes. Because of a change in the laws more and more nursing have allowed more physic patients to live among the elderly. The results have been disastrous.
In East Peoria, the police finally raided one nursing home after receiving an overwhelming number of calls for help, almost 50 in the month of January. During the raid the police arrested two patients who had outstanding warrants for their arrests and were considered 'armed and dangerous'.
Apparently downstate nursing homes in Illinois have begun to allow younger and violent physic patients into elderly nursing homes. Because of a change in the laws more and more nursing have allowed more physic patients to live among the elderly. The results have been disastrous.
In East Peoria, the police finally raided one nursing home after receiving an overwhelming number of calls for help, almost 50 in the month of January. During the raid the police arrested two patients who had outstanding warrants for their arrests and were considered 'armed and dangerous'.
Health reform issue hits home :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Health
Health reform issue hits home :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Health
A mother with a sick child sings the praises of Illinois All Kids program, and recalls the fighting she and her now ex-husband did with insurance companies to maintain coverage for her special needs child. Lack of health care coverage does not just effect poor families, but working and middle class families as well.
"That's why it's time for working- and middle-class families benefiting from Blagojevich's health care reform legacy to step up and let their legislators know whose side we need them on. Illinois Covered will make a difference in the lives of 1.4 million hardworking Illinoisans." - Chicago Tribune
A mother with a sick child sings the praises of Illinois All Kids program, and recalls the fighting she and her now ex-husband did with insurance companies to maintain coverage for her special needs child. Lack of health care coverage does not just effect poor families, but working and middle class families as well.
"That's why it's time for working- and middle-class families benefiting from Blagojevich's health care reform legacy to step up and let their legislators know whose side we need them on. Illinois Covered will make a difference in the lives of 1.4 million hardworking Illinoisans." - Chicago Tribune
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Who's Paying More?
Health-cost burden sometimes varies by gender | Chicago Tribune
Well now, an article noticing that all health care is not fair.
"High-deductible plans punish women for having breasts and uteruses and having babies," said Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, the study's lead author.- Chicago Tribune
When women have to pay for birth control but Viagra is fully covered for men, you know there is a problem. I don't believe this problem will be solved by Universal Health Care, but through evaluating the needs of both men and women and then making allowances accordingly.
Well now, an article noticing that all health care is not fair.
"High-deductible plans punish women for having breasts and uteruses and having babies," said Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, the study's lead author.- Chicago Tribune
When women have to pay for birth control but Viagra is fully covered for men, you know there is a problem. I don't believe this problem will be solved by Universal Health Care, but through evaluating the needs of both men and women and then making allowances accordingly.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Treating Mental health with jail.....
Homeless woman indicted in fire that killed 4 :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State
Two or three weeks ago this woman set a fire in a North Side apartment building killing four people. The woman claimed she was trying to warm her feet when the fire started. Thanks to our 80's President, many mentally ill patients now walk among us without treatment. These people need access to treatment, not prision time. I hope when this is all said and done, this woman will be evualated and recieve treatment for whatever ails her.
Two or three weeks ago this woman set a fire in a North Side apartment building killing four people. The woman claimed she was trying to warm her feet when the fire started. Thanks to our 80's President, many mentally ill patients now walk among us without treatment. These people need access to treatment, not prision time. I hope when this is all said and done, this woman will be evualated and recieve treatment for whatever ails her.
County ending hospital's long-term care services :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State
County ending hospital's long-term care services :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Metro & Tri-State
Cook County Board President, John Stroger, strikes again. This time he is ending long term care services at Oak Forest Hospital. Two hundred and twenty patients are being asked to find other sources for their long term care. The families of these patients are being told to explore their options available through social service programs.
The county has been cutting funding to all of their programs that assist citizens in County County, including resources used by social services. So.......how can these families ask social services for help if their resources are limited? Just wondering.
Cook County Board President, John Stroger, strikes again. This time he is ending long term care services at Oak Forest Hospital. Two hundred and twenty patients are being asked to find other sources for their long term care. The families of these patients are being told to explore their options available through social service programs.
The county has been cutting funding to all of their programs that assist citizens in County County, including resources used by social services. So.......how can these families ask social services for help if their resources are limited? Just wondering.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Another sad case for Health Care Reform
Doc survived, uninsured patient didn't - Yahoo! News
Dr. Perry Klaassen, is a survivor of Colon Cancer for the past six years. He recently wrote an article regarding care for cancer patients. This article was not about his own care, but about the plight of the uninsured. His patient, Shirley Searcy, had the same exact cancer as Klaassen. She died 18 months after being diagnosed. Dr. Klaassen's essay appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association. How many people have to die the way Ms. Searcy did before health care reforms are in place?
Dr. Perry Klaassen, is a survivor of Colon Cancer for the past six years. He recently wrote an article regarding care for cancer patients. This article was not about his own care, but about the plight of the uninsured. His patient, Shirley Searcy, had the same exact cancer as Klaassen. She died 18 months after being diagnosed. Dr. Klaassen's essay appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association. How many people have to die the way Ms. Searcy did before health care reforms are in place?
Sunday, April 1, 2007
States Driving Health Reforms - washingtonpost.com
States Driving Health Reforms - washingtonpost.com
Pennsylvania is the latest in a number of states trying to solve the problem of health care for their citizens. So far Massachusetts, Vermont and Main have adopted universal health care programs with California and Illinois soon to follow. According to this article in Sunday's Washington Post, these states universal health care initiatives are in response to the federal governments lack of action on the issue of health care in this county.
Drew Altman, CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation, is very optimistic about these initiatives, "We can't reform state by state, but a handful of pace setting states can help show the way for national reform, if in fact a new president and Congress can get their act together in 2009."
Pennsylvania is the latest in a number of states trying to solve the problem of health care for their citizens. So far Massachusetts, Vermont and Main have adopted universal health care programs with California and Illinois soon to follow. According to this article in Sunday's Washington Post, these states universal health care initiatives are in response to the federal governments lack of action on the issue of health care in this county.
Drew Altman, CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation, is very optimistic about these initiatives, "We can't reform state by state, but a handful of pace setting states can help show the way for national reform, if in fact a new president and Congress can get their act together in 2009."
Some Hospitals Call 911 to Save Their Patients - New York Times
Some Hospitals Call 911 to Save Their Patients - New York Times
Here is another example of Medicaid abuse. Doctor's who set up specialized hospitals, are able to pick and choose the types of procedures they will treat. According to the New York Times these procedures are usually very expensive. This would be great if they could be considered full service hospitals. If an emergency arises as in the case with one patient, Steve Spivey, this type of hospital is not equipped to handle an emergency situation.
This recently occurred in Texas. Mr. Spivey began to experience irregular breathing and the staff called 911 because they did not have the equipment to handle such an emergency. The paramedics inserted a breathing tube, and Mr. Spivey was taken to a full service hospital where he died a short time after arriving. The Texas hospital that called 911 is now barred from treating Medicaid and Medicare patients.
The doctors who setup specialized hospitals defend themselves by saying, that because they are concentrating only on certain procedures they are providing better care for their patients. The inability to handle a medical emergency when a patient is in distress, does not sound like quality health care to me.
Here is another example of Medicaid abuse. Doctor's who set up specialized hospitals, are able to pick and choose the types of procedures they will treat. According to the New York Times these procedures are usually very expensive. This would be great if they could be considered full service hospitals. If an emergency arises as in the case with one patient, Steve Spivey, this type of hospital is not equipped to handle an emergency situation.
This recently occurred in Texas. Mr. Spivey began to experience irregular breathing and the staff called 911 because they did not have the equipment to handle such an emergency. The paramedics inserted a breathing tube, and Mr. Spivey was taken to a full service hospital where he died a short time after arriving. The Texas hospital that called 911 is now barred from treating Medicaid and Medicare patients.
The doctors who setup specialized hospitals defend themselves by saying, that because they are concentrating only on certain procedures they are providing better care for their patients. The inability to handle a medical emergency when a patient is in distress, does not sound like quality health care to me.
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