Health Care Reform

Why do I feel like reform and "change" that we voted for is being hijacked? I hope the President puts Congress in its place next week when he addresses them. They are acting like a bunch of unruly children. It's time for the gloves to come off. Bipartisan is a nice idea but I don't see it working.
Now is the time to give directives. We sent a message on Election Day. It's time the message was heard.
We need a public option. Without it we are at the mercy of the health insurance companies and it sends them a message that they can lobby and buy their way into the government. Enough of that! We've had it and it doesn't work.
Our congressman have no incentive to vote for change because change in health care won't affect them. They already have excellent health care. The only way to get their attention is to threaten them with the loss of their jobs. If they don't vote for health care reform with a public option, we won't vote for them come election day.

Why we need healthcare reform

Do you know your health care coverage can be rescinded and your bills go unpaid even after a procedure or treatment has been approved by your insurance company? Think this can't happen? Think again.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-rescind17-2009jun17,0,3508020,full.story
In a government meeting recently to discuss health care insurance practices and possible solutions, all three insurance companies represented refused to agree that they would not rescind care previously approved for any reason other than fraud. In fact, it was discovered that employees were rewarded when they rescinded the care of policy holders.
If this isn't an outrage, I don't know what is.

Overhauling our healthcare system

Today in Washington, President Obama will hear the voices of doctors, patients, business owners, and insurers [why aren't nurses mentioned? Don't they have a say in this too?] in order to formulate a plan to revamp our health care delivery system. Reportedly, our country spends $2.4 trillion a year on health care. Yet, I understand that an estimated 48 million [that's million] Americans still don't have basic coverage. The goal is for coverage for everyone in some form.
A lofty goal, indeed, but one whose time has come.

Evaluating Nursing Homes

Finding a nursing home for a loved one or [gasp!] for ourselves, should that day ever arrive, is a daunting task.
How do you rate them? How do youknow what to believe, what constitutes a "good" place froma "bad" one or even a so-so one.
Now there is a handy guide to help you. Medicare has a page chock full of information, including a rating system that allows you to look up any nursing home and see how they stacked up based on a 5 star system. You can search by many different methods.
There are also many valuable articles located here to assit you in this matter.
Arriving at the decision to place someone in a nursing home is an emotional experience, full of many conflicting thoughts. While it's probably never going to be an easy decision, it's nice to know there is information out there that will help you to make the decision. While it will still not probably be easier, at least you will be more confident of your decision.