Stewart Wilson (left) describes his experience Monday evening with health care in the United States and the United Kingdom. Wilson lived in the United Kingdom before moving to the United States two years ago and was on a panel at the League of Women Voters forum on health care reform. (photo by Tom Dorsey / Salina Journal) | Buy Journal Photos
Healthy Debate
9/15/2009
By DUANE SCHRAG Salina Journal
Without rancor, area citizens discuss health care reform
Faced with a health care system that costs twice as much as it does anywhere else in the world and has tens of millions without health care insurance, why is there so much opposition to health care reform?
“Lots and lots of people make lots and lots of money (on health care),” said Ann Zimmerman, who moderated a panel Monday night that explored the subject. “They think if we save money, it might come out of their pocket.”
The panel discussion, organized by the Salina League of Women Voters, drew about 80 people to Trinity United Methodist Church, 901 E. Neal. It was a quiet audience, without any of the rude outbursts that have punctuated some of the town hall meetings across the nation where health care reform was the topic.
Panelist Stuart Wilson, sales manager at Premier Pneumatics, spent most of his life in Britain. He said that while it’s true that in Britain there are delays in getting certain kinds of health care — the less essential, the longer the wait — the quality of care there is top-notch but costs less than half as much.
And he’s mystified by the talk about rationing.
“It’s a word I never heard in the U.K.,” he said. “If you got sick, you get treatment.”
Dr. Nina Ainslie, who has worked for the Veterans Administration for seven years, said she is dismayed that so many Americans cannot afford health care.
“Health care should be considered a right,” she said, drawing applause from the audience. “I consider it a matter of justice.”
Not everyone at the meeting thought the current proposals for health care reform was change they believed in.
One question — all questions were submitted in writing and were anonymous — asked what it would take to prevent the proposed reform from “being rammed down our throats.”
But Ainsley said that if universal health care is provided to Americans, she believes they’ll embrace it quickly.
“I think it will become a sacred cow,” she said.
Panelist Korey Hensley, director of Heartland Programs, said the opponents to health care reform are a small, but vocal, minority.
“Most Americans do want change in health care,” she said. “I think it’s up to us to start speaking up.”
Zimmerman noted that Kansas’ congressional delegation has, so far, opposed the proposed reforms.
“We have not had any of our Kansas representatives voting in favor of reform at this point,” she said.
Brief survey forms handed out at the beginning of the meeting were tallied and the results were announced. All 72 respondents said they have health insurance, with slightly more than half receiving it from employers.
Zimmerman noted that a considerable amount of misinformation swirls around the reform debate. She focused on the charge that one of the proposals would institute “death panels.”
As best she can tell, the claim arose from a provision in the legislation that would have all care providers be reimbursed for the time they spend explaining living wills and similar documents. Specialists in care of the elderly have long urged families to discuss end-of-life issues long before the decisions actually have to be made.
These choices are often laid out in living wills.
“They’re not going to pull the plug on grandma,” Zimmerman said. “They’re going to let her make a living will.”
Reporter Duane Schrag can be reached at 822-1422 or by e-mail at dschrag@salina.com.
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bws says....
Snowman, Lawrence is the liberal sesspool. Just cause a couple elitist commie liberals got on here and ranted doesn't mean your sacred town is being taken over. So for those of you who say it's not your responsibility to pay the bills of others apparently doesn't understand how the insurance business works. Here's an example: Step 1. Someone who is uninsured needs medical care. Step 2. The hospital provides the care. Step 3. That care is not covered. Which means the hospital does not get paid for the care provided. Step 4. They have a bottom line to meet since we're the only industrialized nation that profits off of medicine. Step 5. To get themselves out of the red, the care providers must raise their costs to compensate for the lost revenue. Step 6. Insurance companies raise rates to pay for the, now more expensive, health care. So those of us who have insurance still end up paying. Don't believe what fox news says and connect the dots yourselves. I'll draw a diagram if pictures are more your speed.
9/21/2009
Thorbo says....
Caring, Sure I care, but life HAS consequences! Be responsible for yourself and your family. You know that at some point you are going to need health care. The fact that you didn't, with the same opportunity as everyone else, prepare yourself for that doesn't make it my responsibility to do it for you. I am a small business owner and I can't afford it myself right now. Read the bill, it has no more to do with health care than cap and tax has to do with, "tongue in cheek" man made global warming.
9/21/2009
RadarTech says....
The only reason some folks don't have health insurance is because the place(s) they work either can't afford it themselves, or they are trying to get every penny out of the employees and customers. The real culprit here is the medical costs themselves, there is no reason why they have to be so high. It is wrong!!! We all gripped when the gas prices got over $4, but have you got a detailed print out from your last doctors visit? Let's all put the petty differences and ignorance aside and find out who makes the desicions about cost and hold them accountable.
9/21/2009
Hard Working Citizen says....
I have no problem helping someone. Giving them a ride if they don't have one. Donating a Money to charity. However where does the line get drawn. Should I work my butt off pay my bills and then turn around and pay someone elses because they don't want to go out and get a job. Its the same people over and over again. Then they are having children that grow up with the same no values, no work ethic. So no I don't feel sorry for them. My parents taught me you work for what you have. That is the key word. WORK!!!! Even with no education people can still get a job at the local fast food places, so they can take care of there children on there own. Their mistakes that they made in there life is not my fault nor my problem. Yes health care is expensive but you better know I haven't went one day without it, or allow my child to be uninsured. I don't get breaks from the government or given a vision card to buy grocery's when we were running low on money. I take care of my family, and that is the #1 most important thing for me. If I don't have money on the 1st of the month can I call you to pay my house payment? No I didn't think so. We need to get these people to realize there handouts come out of our paychecks our hard earned dollar.
9/20/2009
Prometheus says....
What ever happened to basic humanity? I wonder how many of you that are arguing against this health plan are also christians? Would not hepling your fellow man be EXACTLEY what you are striving for as a Christian? I believe that this bill would be a step in the right direction for humanity. We Americans are a greedy and holier than thou society. We follow the "I'm not going to help you, because you have not helped me." But yet...we have all helped each other. For those of you who have served in the military thank you. Thank for your for your service and what you have done for our country. And you're welcome for me paying my taxes to help pay your salary. My taxes, your taxes, and everyone's taxes already help everyone else out. Cleaner water, streets, cleaner air and several other programs that by definition are socialist but you don't gripe about them. Whats wrong with helping everyone be healthy? Have we strayed so far from our beliefs that money is more important than the comfort and well being of a fellow human? You bring up Bums...Money made them bums..not you or I. The Poor...Money...the rich..Money..the Greedy...Money....Money is Power...we all know this, but perhaps its time to move on from such trivial things and actually HELP EACH OTHER... "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and goodwill shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee." - Ezekiel 25:17
9/19/2009
Concerned says....
Never until I read the comments responding to this article would I have believed that there were people so cold-hearted, so absent of human compassion and feeling living in Salina. I would be appalled were it not for the fact that I feel nothing but pity for those of you who care nothing for anyone but yourselves. You have no human soul. Today my husband and I were at Salina Regional where I undergo cardio-rehab. On our way out we met a very elderly gentleman. The person who had promised to pick him up and take him home never arrived. We didn't know this gentleman. He didn't know us. To take him home meant driving far out of our way. Did we OWE him a safe trip home? Did we OWE him our compassion and simple courtesy? No - we owed him nothing. And yet, he reached out to us - to strangers - because he was in need and perhaps he saw kindness in our faces. We drove him to his home. You see, it wasn't that we OWED him assistance or even that he was deserving of our assistance. It was that he NEEDED someone to help him and we were there. My husband and I are both retired. We live on a very small income. Yet we could not, in good conscience, turn our backs on a human being in need. I feel so sorry for those of you who care nothing for any human except the one in your own skin. This man had no "right" to help from us - but there was a moral imperative involved and we could not walk away from that. To Informed Individual, Caring, Thorbo and those of you writing in the same vein as they did, I suppose that we would even go out of our way to help you, too. It's very clear, however, that you would never return the favor.
9/18/2009
JR says....
"Caring" apparently hasn't worked with anyone that has been enabled by the government. There is a definite difference in guiding someone to help themselves and enabling them to be dependent. Dependency is a very dangerous position to be in. It should never be encouraged. It starts with the parents who give and give and give, until the child feels that they are entitled to receive everything without working for it. Children should be given responsibility early on and made accountable for the outcome. Studies show that children who were given responsibility during their development, have a higher likelihood of growing up to be well adjusted, and ready for the real world. Do us all a favor and start with your parenting. We in the world of charitable organizations would love to be able to take a day off now and then. Oh, and Thorbo, you hit the nail on the head with your common sense! Thank you.
9/18/2009
Hard Working Citizen says....
Why??? Nobody helps me. They don't pay my house, car, taxes, insurance, credit card bills, other loans, and heatlth insurance. I pay them every month on time and still have money to take care of my family and put food on the table if I can do it everyone can!
9/18/2009
Informed Individual says....
Caring: I care about people, however it is my choice whether or not that I help you, not my duty to help you. When have you come helped me, mowed my yards, helped me out financially when I could not afford health insurance due to costs of living, helped me out when my vehicles broke down. You were not there, nor was society...I had to find a way on my own, which I did. As far as helping out and duty I serve in the military, I give my time away from my family for your freedoms -- so I have fufilled my duty to society.
9/18/2009
caring says....
Thorbo.. The right to have a healthy life should not come with a price tag. There are many that do take care of themselves and do everything possible to stay away from the doctor and hospital. But when it strikes it hits them hard. We are talking about hard working americans that sometimes work 2 to 3 jobs that still can not afford to get sick. A doctor bill of 200.00 is 200 too much for a them. That is their food budget. So your telling me, that you dont want to help them out? What ever happened to caring about one another? It is our duties as humans to take care of each other and the planet. This has fallen too much by the way side. It is all about me, myself and I! It is time for the change. Single payer is the best and only choice!
9/17/2009
Stop blaiming it on the smokers says....
I totally agree thorbo. Let stop giving the poor handouts. Maybe they will relize that money doesn't fall from the sky, or is being made at the srs office. Get the Salina Bums off there Bums and get a job like everyone else has too, to be able to afford things
9/17/2009
says....
EXACTLY THORBO!!!
9/17/2009
says....
Smoker's have nothing to do with why the United States is the way that it is. We have way to many handouts. If we got rid of food stamps cash assistance and medicare and medicade. Make lazy people actually work. Those of us out there that actually do pay for every single thing we got would finally get a break and not have to pay for the lazy people.
9/17/2009
Not-for-others-profit says....
Why not change the law to require that all Health Insurance providers be not for profit only. Too many insurance companies are for profit and need to make money for their shareholders. If the priority is money in the shareholders pockets, then good health care and overall cost are going to suffer.
9/17/2009
AlanB says....
Dear Take your blinders off! Please share with us exactly where in the constitution it says that health care is a right. I have been unable to find it.
9/17/2009
snowman1 says....
These comment just confirm that Salina is still Kansas's liberal sesspool!
9/16/2009
Opinionated says....
Two things should be mentioned in this healthcare "reform." One - Health care costs so much due to the large amount of Dr's, hospitals, etc.. getting sued. Why is there no provision in the reform about that? Two - People should be proactive about PREVENTING health care costs in the first place. Stop smoking. Eat right. Exercise. Get rest. Slow down, smell the roses. I KNOW there are those that are / will be affected in spite of what they do. But what about the large amount of people who could have prevented an illness and didn't? Why should the American people pay their hard earned money for someone who refuses to take responsibility for themselves? I'm not against people have access to health care. I'm simply against paying for it because so many of us want to live our lives in such a way it makes us sick, then we want to sue a health care provider for a quick get rich scheme. That's where it's needing some reform.
9/16/2009
Cowgirl says....
i agree IF their plan is that darn awesome then THEY should be included in the plan. BTW I have very good health insurance and i am very happy with it. I have tried to read the proposed bill, which was just nuts to try to follow. It might as well been in a foreign language. I firmly believe that eventually my coverage will be crowded out by the governments interference. Doctor shortages will eventually happen, which then make the wait to see a doctor take longer, in turn YES peoples treatment will be put off and possibly die because of this plan in certain situations. No to illeagals getting insurance on my dime. No to Government insurance option.
9/16/2009
Thorbo says....
Health care is a service, NOT a right! Am I supposed to pay part of the bill when you take your car to the mechanic, or have your carpets cleaned, or your yard mowed too? The fact that YOUR consequences of not being able to afford it are more serious than if your carpets are dirty doesn't make it any more my responsibility to pay for it.
9/16/2009
Good for the goose, good for the gander says....
If the current reform is so great, why then is the president and legislators exempted? Give the American people something even our elected officials will use and then talk to us about reform.
9/15/2009
Be Responsible for yourself says....
You would be surprised how many people CAN afford insurance but would rather not pay for it. It's more fun to be irresponsible.
9/15/2009
Take your blinders off! says....
Universal health care is the only real answer to all of these problems. Health care is a right not something we should have to pay insurance and then turn around and pay the bills for the hospital, doc and so on. I would gladly pay more in taxes a year for this option. If we were to pull of both wars there would would be plenty of money for this program here and now. Without putting more taxes on anyone.
9/15/2009
No Room for Sarcasm in this Debate says....
To Harry Lime (interesting moniker, by the way) Medicare covers those 65 and over. Medicaid is primarily for those too young for Medicare and receiving either disability benefits or faced with a life threatening illness and having no insurance of any kind. What we need is REFORM. We need laws to protect those of us with insurance from our own insurance companies gouging us to death; raising our premiums year after year while also reducing the benefits year after year. I have what some would consider decent insurance but God help me if, after cancer and chemotherapy-induced heart disease, I face any other life threatening illness. I simply won't be able to afford it because my "decent insurance" covers less now than it did seven years ago, my health prevents me from working anymore and I have to wait a few years to be eligible for Medicare. REFORM is what we need. Those who have no employer-based insurance and cannot afford private insurance on their own need some type of government-sponsored (but not necessarily free) insurance plan so that they can receive quality medical care when it is needed (e.g. visits to the doctor when a child has an ear infection or strep throat, decent prenatal care and follow-up care for newborns, annual physicals, lab work to check for cholesterol levels, diabetes, thyroid problems, annual mammography for women, etc.). Do you have any idea how terrifying it is for a parent who has lost his or her job and cannot afford health insurance to have a child suddenly become ill? Can you imagine the horror felt by a woman who finds a lump in her breast and has no insurance to see a doctor? No one should ever die because they can't afford to see a doctor. The fact that it happens in this country is morally reprehensible.
9/15/2009
Harry Lime says....
We already have Medicare and Medicade...what other Government Health Care options do we need? Will a third "handout" be the "magic number"?!
9/15/2009
Concerned says....
I wish Mr. Wilson had brought to light one other fact about health care in the United Kingdom. It IS possible there to have private health insurance and see a private physician. National Health Service is available for those who want it. If such a plan were to be instituted in our country not everyone would HAVE to participate. If you have private insurance (of your own or through your employer) and you are happy with it - GREAT!!! Stick with it. Saying that every citizen will have to participate in a federally-funded healthcare system is an outright lie. For many people reform would mean that they could not be denied insurance for pre-existing conditions. Right now I am a breast cancer survivor of four years and I have severe heart disease caused by the chemotherapy. I am relying on my private insurance because I am not yet old enough for Medicare. My insurance premiums have doubled in the past seven years and my insurance covers a smaller percentage of my healthcare costs each year. Because my insurance covers less and less each year my treatment for cancer drove us into bankruptcy nearly four years ago. I cannot get private insurance with any other provider because I am considered a "bad risk". I will be paying my share of the doctor/hospital bills for my heart disease and its treatment for the rest of my life - in addition to other costs I may incur in the future. I am living proof that reform is desperately needed - and no, reform does not mean doctors or nurses can "pull the plug" if they wish. All you need is a Durable Power of Attorney specifying your end of life wishes and they will be followed and obeyed. You can stay "plugged in" till hell freezes over if that's what you want. No one is going to try to kill you, your spouse or great-grandma. People need to get their heads screwed on straight and remember that some of the biggest financial contributors to senate and congressional campaigns are insurance companies!!
9/15/2009
Informed Individual says....
My first comment is if the public option insurance is run like an HMO, which more than likely it will be, you create the problem of saying no you cannot get the procedure because it is not covered. Next, look at flood insurance..it used to be private sector that offered it, then the Fed gov..said we will offer it, do you see anyone in the private market offering flood insurance. Next if you take all the illegal immigrants out, those who do have access to insurance, but choose not to take it, legal immigrants under the 5yr bar from government services, and those that we do not want to cover only 12million people, roughly, are without insurance. Why was a provision that required proof of legal status voted out of the bill, unless the bill intends on covering illegal immigrants, which many non-party affiliated agencies says it will.
9/15/2009
Unite says....
There is no debate that we need health care reform. The problem is the politicians political agenda. The conservatives have tried to change things in the past and the liberals don't think it's enough. The liberals are not going to let their supporters (unions & lawyers) lose money. When is "enough - enough" and they do what is right for the people? I don't care what side of the fence you are on quit supporting politicians that are attached to so much coruption. Americans need to educate themselves and unite.
9/15/2009
says....
WOW! We have here a pro-Obamacare meeting with no opponents on the panel and written question so that the moderators could pick and choose which question to discuss. Now that is what I call 'Fair and Balanced". You just gotta love it when all in attendance already have health insurance while this bill of goods is being sold as ‘there are so many who don’t have or can’t afford health insurance’. If ya’ll select your crowd it’s not too hard to have a meeting “without rancor”.
9/15/2009
says....
What is "Rancor?"
9/15/2009
Salina.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here. Read our full online terms of service policy.
says....
I'm curious-has anyone who is for government run
healthcare for all ever been to the local VA hospital? I have had that
opportunity and, in my opinon, that is not the answer...unless you can
take a week off work to be seen in the ER...unless you don't mind
taking the day off work for a heart stress test and have it improperly
administered-and then you can feel free to make another appointment set
in 3 months and have it done again(cross ur fingers that the second
time is the charm)...if your lucky enough to be seen the day your sick,
you will need to plan for a day or two at the hospital if you want your
medicine-they aren't in any hurry, why should you be...are test results
important to you? Better scratch that off your list of priorities. I
have never once gotten any of my test results-but a nurses assistant
will be glad to tell you, that while she can't give them to you, she
thinks you don't have anything to worry about...but don't take my word
for it. Go ahead and call your local represenatives and get this thing
passed-and God help us all.
9/21/2009
bws says....
Snowman, Lawrence is the liberal sesspool. Just cause a couple elitist commie liberals got on here and ranted doesn't mean your sacred town is being taken over. So for those of you who say it's not your responsibility to pay the bills of others apparently doesn't understand how the insurance business works. Here's an example: Step 1. Someone who is uninsured needs medical care. Step 2. The hospital provides the care. Step 3. That care is not covered. Which means the hospital does not get paid for the care provided. Step 4. They have a bottom line to meet since we're the only industrialized nation that profits off of medicine. Step 5. To get themselves out of the red, the care providers must raise their costs to compensate for the lost revenue. Step 6. Insurance companies raise rates to pay for the, now more expensive, health care. So those of us who have insurance still end up paying. Don't believe what fox news says and connect the dots yourselves. I'll draw a diagram if pictures are more your speed.
9/21/2009
Thorbo says....
Caring, Sure I care, but life HAS consequences! Be responsible for yourself and your family. You know that at some point you are going to need health care. The fact that you didn't, with the same opportunity as everyone else, prepare yourself for that doesn't make it my responsibility to do it for you. I am a small business owner and I can't afford it myself right now. Read the bill, it has no more to do with health care than cap and tax has to do with, "tongue in cheek" man made global warming.
9/21/2009
RadarTech says....
The only reason some folks don't have health insurance is because the place(s) they work either can't afford it themselves, or they are trying to get every penny out of the employees and customers. The real culprit here is the medical costs themselves, there is no reason why they have to be so high. It is wrong!!! We all gripped when the gas prices got over $4, but have you got a detailed print out from your last doctors visit? Let's all put the petty differences and ignorance aside and find out who makes the desicions about cost and hold them accountable.
9/21/2009
Hard Working Citizen says....
I have no problem helping someone. Giving them a ride if they don't have one. Donating a Money to charity. However where does the line get drawn. Should I work my butt off pay my bills and then turn around and pay someone elses because they don't want to go out and get a job. Its the same people over and over again. Then they are having children that grow up with the same no values, no work ethic. So no I don't feel sorry for them. My parents taught me you work for what you have. That is the key word. WORK!!!! Even with no education people can still get a job at the local fast food places, so they can take care of there children on there own. Their mistakes that they made in there life is not my fault nor my problem. Yes health care is expensive but you better know I haven't went one day without it, or allow my child to be uninsured. I don't get breaks from the government or given a vision card to buy grocery's when we were running low on money. I take care of my family, and that is the #1 most important thing for me. If I don't have money on the 1st of the month can I call you to pay my house payment? No I didn't think so. We need to get these people to realize there handouts come out of our paychecks our hard earned dollar.
9/20/2009
Prometheus says....
What ever happened to basic humanity? I wonder how many of you that are arguing against this health plan are also christians? Would not hepling your fellow man be EXACTLEY what you are striving for as a Christian? I believe that this bill would be a step in the right direction for humanity. We Americans are a greedy and holier than thou society. We follow the "I'm not going to help you, because you have not helped me." But yet...we have all helped each other. For those of you who have served in the military thank you. Thank for your for your service and what you have done for our country. And you're welcome for me paying my taxes to help pay your salary. My taxes, your taxes, and everyone's taxes already help everyone else out. Cleaner water, streets, cleaner air and several other programs that by definition are socialist but you don't gripe about them. Whats wrong with helping everyone be healthy? Have we strayed so far from our beliefs that money is more important than the comfort and well being of a fellow human? You bring up Bums...Money made them bums..not you or I. The Poor...Money...the rich..Money..the Greedy...Money....Money is Power...we all know this, but perhaps its time to move on from such trivial things and actually HELP EACH OTHER... "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of charity and goodwill shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee." - Ezekiel 25:17
9/19/2009
Concerned says....
Never until I read the comments responding to this article would I have believed that there were people so cold-hearted, so absent of human compassion and feeling living in Salina. I would be appalled were it not for the fact that I feel nothing but pity for those of you who care nothing for anyone but yourselves. You have no human soul. Today my husband and I were at Salina Regional where I undergo cardio-rehab. On our way out we met a very elderly gentleman. The person who had promised to pick him up and take him home never arrived. We didn't know this gentleman. He didn't know us. To take him home meant driving far out of our way. Did we OWE him a safe trip home? Did we OWE him our compassion and simple courtesy? No - we owed him nothing. And yet, he reached out to us - to strangers - because he was in need and perhaps he saw kindness in our faces. We drove him to his home. You see, it wasn't that we OWED him assistance or even that he was deserving of our assistance. It was that he NEEDED someone to help him and we were there. My husband and I are both retired. We live on a very small income. Yet we could not, in good conscience, turn our backs on a human being in need. I feel so sorry for those of you who care nothing for any human except the one in your own skin. This man had no "right" to help from us - but there was a moral imperative involved and we could not walk away from that. To Informed Individual, Caring, Thorbo and those of you writing in the same vein as they did, I suppose that we would even go out of our way to help you, too. It's very clear, however, that you would never return the favor.
9/18/2009
JR says....
"Caring" apparently hasn't worked with anyone that has been enabled by the government. There is a definite difference in guiding someone to help themselves and enabling them to be dependent. Dependency is a very dangerous position to be in. It should never be encouraged. It starts with the parents who give and give and give, until the child feels that they are entitled to receive everything without working for it. Children should be given responsibility early on and made accountable for the outcome. Studies show that children who were given responsibility during their development, have a higher likelihood of growing up to be well adjusted, and ready for the real world. Do us all a favor and start with your parenting. We in the world of charitable organizations would love to be able to take a day off now and then. Oh, and Thorbo, you hit the nail on the head with your common sense! Thank you.
9/18/2009
Hard Working Citizen says....
Why??? Nobody helps me. They don't pay my house, car, taxes, insurance, credit card bills, other loans, and heatlth insurance. I pay them every month on time and still have money to take care of my family and put food on the table if I can do it everyone can!
9/18/2009
Informed Individual says....
Caring: I care about people, however it is my choice whether or not that I help you, not my duty to help you. When have you come helped me, mowed my yards, helped me out financially when I could not afford health insurance due to costs of living, helped me out when my vehicles broke down. You were not there, nor was society...I had to find a way on my own, which I did. As far as helping out and duty I serve in the military, I give my time away from my family for your freedoms -- so I have fufilled my duty to society.
9/18/2009
caring says....
Thorbo.. The right to have a healthy life should not come with a price tag. There are many that do take care of themselves and do everything possible to stay away from the doctor and hospital. But when it strikes it hits them hard. We are talking about hard working americans that sometimes work 2 to 3 jobs that still can not afford to get sick. A doctor bill of 200.00 is 200 too much for a them. That is their food budget. So your telling me, that you dont want to help them out? What ever happened to caring about one another? It is our duties as humans to take care of each other and the planet. This has fallen too much by the way side. It is all about me, myself and I! It is time for the change. Single payer is the best and only choice!
9/17/2009
Stop blaiming it on the smokers says....
I totally agree thorbo. Let stop giving the poor handouts. Maybe they will relize that money doesn't fall from the sky, or is being made at the srs office. Get the Salina Bums off there Bums and get a job like everyone else has too, to be able to afford things
9/17/2009
says....
EXACTLY THORBO!!!
9/17/2009
says....
Smoker's have nothing to do with why the United States is the way that it is. We have way to many handouts. If we got rid of food stamps cash assistance and medicare and medicade. Make lazy people actually work. Those of us out there that actually do pay for every single thing we got would finally get a break and not have to pay for the lazy people.
9/17/2009
Not-for-others-profit says....
Why not change the law to require that all Health Insurance providers be not for profit only. Too many insurance companies are for profit and need to make money for their shareholders. If the priority is money in the shareholders pockets, then good health care and overall cost are going to suffer.
9/17/2009
AlanB says....
Dear Take your blinders off! Please share with us exactly where in the constitution it says that health care is a right. I have been unable to find it.
9/17/2009
snowman1 says....
These comment just confirm that Salina is still Kansas's liberal sesspool!
9/16/2009
Opinionated says....
Two things should be mentioned in this healthcare "reform." One - Health care costs so much due to the large amount of Dr's, hospitals, etc.. getting sued. Why is there no provision in the reform about that? Two - People should be proactive about PREVENTING health care costs in the first place. Stop smoking. Eat right. Exercise. Get rest. Slow down, smell the roses. I KNOW there are those that are / will be affected in spite of what they do. But what about the large amount of people who could have prevented an illness and didn't? Why should the American people pay their hard earned money for someone who refuses to take responsibility for themselves? I'm not against people have access to health care. I'm simply against paying for it because so many of us want to live our lives in such a way it makes us sick, then we want to sue a health care provider for a quick get rich scheme. That's where it's needing some reform.
9/16/2009
Cowgirl says....
i agree IF their plan is that darn awesome then THEY should be included in the plan. BTW I have very good health insurance and i am very happy with it. I have tried to read the proposed bill, which was just nuts to try to follow. It might as well been in a foreign language. I firmly believe that eventually my coverage will be crowded out by the governments interference. Doctor shortages will eventually happen, which then make the wait to see a doctor take longer, in turn YES peoples treatment will be put off and possibly die because of this plan in certain situations. No to illeagals getting insurance on my dime. No to Government insurance option.
9/16/2009
Thorbo says....
Health care is a service, NOT a right! Am I supposed to pay part of the bill when you take your car to the mechanic, or have your carpets cleaned, or your yard mowed too? The fact that YOUR consequences of not being able to afford it are more serious than if your carpets are dirty doesn't make it any more my responsibility to pay for it.
9/16/2009
Good for the goose, good for the gander says....
If the current reform is so great, why then is the president and legislators exempted? Give the American people something even our elected officials will use and then talk to us about reform.
9/15/2009
Be Responsible for yourself says....
You would be surprised how many people CAN afford insurance but would rather not pay for it. It's more fun to be irresponsible.
9/15/2009
Take your blinders off! says....
Universal health care is the only real answer to all of these problems. Health care is a right not something we should have to pay insurance and then turn around and pay the bills for the hospital, doc and so on. I would gladly pay more in taxes a year for this option. If we were to pull of both wars there would would be plenty of money for this program here and now. Without putting more taxes on anyone.
9/15/2009
No Room for Sarcasm in this Debate says....
To Harry Lime (interesting moniker, by the way) Medicare covers those 65 and over. Medicaid is primarily for those too young for Medicare and receiving either disability benefits or faced with a life threatening illness and having no insurance of any kind. What we need is REFORM. We need laws to protect those of us with insurance from our own insurance companies gouging us to death; raising our premiums year after year while also reducing the benefits year after year. I have what some would consider decent insurance but God help me if, after cancer and chemotherapy-induced heart disease, I face any other life threatening illness. I simply won't be able to afford it because my "decent insurance" covers less now than it did seven years ago, my health prevents me from working anymore and I have to wait a few years to be eligible for Medicare. REFORM is what we need. Those who have no employer-based insurance and cannot afford private insurance on their own need some type of government-sponsored (but not necessarily free) insurance plan so that they can receive quality medical care when it is needed (e.g. visits to the doctor when a child has an ear infection or strep throat, decent prenatal care and follow-up care for newborns, annual physicals, lab work to check for cholesterol levels, diabetes, thyroid problems, annual mammography for women, etc.). Do you have any idea how terrifying it is for a parent who has lost his or her job and cannot afford health insurance to have a child suddenly become ill? Can you imagine the horror felt by a woman who finds a lump in her breast and has no insurance to see a doctor? No one should ever die because they can't afford to see a doctor. The fact that it happens in this country is morally reprehensible.
9/15/2009
Harry Lime says....
We already have Medicare and Medicade...what other Government Health Care options do we need? Will a third "handout" be the "magic number"?!
9/15/2009
Concerned says....
I wish Mr. Wilson had brought to light one other fact about health care in the United Kingdom. It IS possible there to have private health insurance and see a private physician. National Health Service is available for those who want it. If such a plan were to be instituted in our country not everyone would HAVE to participate. If you have private insurance (of your own or through your employer) and you are happy with it - GREAT!!! Stick with it. Saying that every citizen will have to participate in a federally-funded healthcare system is an outright lie. For many people reform would mean that they could not be denied insurance for pre-existing conditions. Right now I am a breast cancer survivor of four years and I have severe heart disease caused by the chemotherapy. I am relying on my private insurance because I am not yet old enough for Medicare. My insurance premiums have doubled in the past seven years and my insurance covers a smaller percentage of my healthcare costs each year. Because my insurance covers less and less each year my treatment for cancer drove us into bankruptcy nearly four years ago. I cannot get private insurance with any other provider because I am considered a "bad risk". I will be paying my share of the doctor/hospital bills for my heart disease and its treatment for the rest of my life - in addition to other costs I may incur in the future. I am living proof that reform is desperately needed - and no, reform does not mean doctors or nurses can "pull the plug" if they wish. All you need is a Durable Power of Attorney specifying your end of life wishes and they will be followed and obeyed. You can stay "plugged in" till hell freezes over if that's what you want. No one is going to try to kill you, your spouse or great-grandma. People need to get their heads screwed on straight and remember that some of the biggest financial contributors to senate and congressional campaigns are insurance companies!!
9/15/2009
Informed Individual says....
My first comment is if the public option insurance is run like an HMO, which more than likely it will be, you create the problem of saying no you cannot get the procedure because it is not covered. Next, look at flood insurance..it used to be private sector that offered it, then the Fed gov..said we will offer it, do you see anyone in the private market offering flood insurance. Next if you take all the illegal immigrants out, those who do have access to insurance, but choose not to take it, legal immigrants under the 5yr bar from government services, and those that we do not want to cover only 12million people, roughly, are without insurance. Why was a provision that required proof of legal status voted out of the bill, unless the bill intends on covering illegal immigrants, which many non-party affiliated agencies says it will.
9/15/2009
Unite says....
There is no debate that we need health care reform. The problem is the politicians political agenda. The conservatives have tried to change things in the past and the liberals don't think it's enough. The liberals are not going to let their supporters (unions & lawyers) lose money. When is "enough - enough" and they do what is right for the people? I don't care what side of the fence you are on quit supporting politicians that are attached to so much coruption. Americans need to educate themselves and unite.
9/15/2009
says....
WOW! We have here a pro-Obamacare meeting with no opponents on the panel and written question so that the moderators could pick and choose which question to discuss. Now that is what I call 'Fair and Balanced". You just gotta love it when all in attendance already have health insurance while this bill of goods is being sold as ‘there are so many who don’t have or can’t afford health insurance’. If ya’ll select your crowd it’s not too hard to have a meeting “without rancor”.
9/15/2009
says....
What is "Rancor?"
9/15/2009
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