Measure J Wins — Parcel Tax for Doctors Hospital Approved
With the bulk of votes counted, Measure J passed with a commanding margin of 73.7 percent in preliminary results.
With nearly all votes counted, Measure J, the mail-only ballot for a $47 annual residential parcel tax to prop up Doctors Medical Center, has won by a commanding 73.7 yes vote, according to preliminary totals.
Of 32,469 votes counted, Measure J received 23,923 yes votes and 8,546 no votes. The measure asked voters to approve the tax for residents in the West Contra Costa Healthcare District, which covers the area from Kensington to Port Costa.
"Obviously we're really pleased with the result," Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia said from a celebration gathering of Measure J supporters in Point Richmond tonight, Tuesday. "I think it shows that West County residents value this hospital and the emergency room and their importance to the community."
Gioia chairs the board overseeing hospital operations and campaigned actively on Measure J's behalf.
He said he was told by the county elections department that some ballots delivered today — estimated to be 1-2 percent of the total — are not included in the results released so far but that the outcome is not expected to change. The deadline for return of ballots was 8 p.m. tonight, Nov. 15.
The measure will help to replace $10 million in state funding cuts that threaten to close the emergency room at the San Pablo facility, which is the primary emergency care unit in West Contra Costa County.
Supporters of the measure said that if it didn't pass the emergency room would close and ambulance times and emergency patient waiting times would increase dramatically at other facilities. No argument against the measure was filed for the ballot. A two-thirds majority was required for passage of the measure.
Doctors Medical Center is a public hospital that provides care mostly for the uninsured and for Medicare and Medi-Cal patients. Reimbursements for that care falls short of the actual costs.
margaretmack63
3:24 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
If you don't have health insurance and get sick, the tax payers have to pay for it anyway- so go get health insurance please- search online "Penny Health" and learn how you can get insurance at discount price.
Susan D.Keeffe
7:27 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
This is another example of why California needs a single payer system. Watch the news for info on this, probably next year. The misuse of ERs by the uninsured is a big part of the problem. Getting a 2/3 vote will be a challenge. This is a vital community resource we stand to lose if it fails.
Phil Simmons
8:45 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The U.S. needs nationalized health care. Medical insurance needs to be eliminated completely. A progressive medical tax needs to be implemented to pay for it and the services need for 100% of the public and should be the best possible services know to modern man, absolutely no 1/2 way measures when it comes to medical care.
Glenn Abraham
10:47 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
As usual, I find myself agreeing, completely, with Phil. It is an outrage that a country as "developed" as ours is supposed to be would countenance a system in which Wellpoint-Anthem's shareholders and overly-bonused CEO Angela Braly should be allowed to extract $6,888 in annual premiums from me for a plan with a $5,900 general deductible, an $875 brandname prescription deductible and a $14,750 stoploss, and still have the power to determine whether I'm worthy of coverage, and what kind, and how much. If that last sentence was difficult to read, imagine how that system makes it difficult to LIVE. Our for-profit health care system is our greatest national shame (really), and Obama's PPACA, while well-intentioned, did nothing but add a bit of pretty filigree to the borders of a rotten system...and it looks like that filigree will be subsidized by the already overburdened premium payers. Great, "kids" can stay on their parents policy to age 26: who pays for that? Do we, as a society, accept responsibility to care for our people, or do we oblige people who already pay $574/month for flimsy coverage to pay more so that Obama can get a few politically popular exceptions?
The system sucks. In addition to occupying Wall Street, we should be occupying the boardrooms where they get to decide whether, after we've been raped by their premiums and co-pays, we deserve a bit of medical care. And how much of even that will come out of our (never their) pockets.
Glenn Abraham
10:56 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Susan: "The misuse of ERs by the uninsured is a big part of the problem." Yes, precisely.
Toni Leance
9:10 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Phil I agree with you this is a national issue and can not be fixed by parcel tax bandaid. the private insurance companies are makeing too much money and profit from a system that is broken.
Glenn Abraham
11:14 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Toni: I agree. The parcel tax bandaid just adds a flimsy scrap of extra legitimacy to the horrible system of medical care = money for investors, a system which should be completely dismantled and replaced, and not given little jerry-built tweaks and repairs. Keeping the emergency room open will just provide a bit of extra convenience for those who choose (for many, it really is a choice) not to buy health insurance, and to use the premium dollars saved for other purposes which they find more compelling. Voting Yes on J won't solve anything, nor will Voting No. Nothing will solve this system of medical care as a for-profit commodity, as one more way for entrepreneurs to make a buck, regardless of the consequences to those who are denied access to their "product"; at least, it won't be resolved in my lifetime. My plan is to just survive another 4 years, so I can be saved by the sanity of our truly socialized health care system, Medicare...the kind of "socialized medicine" that the Republicans are trying to save us from. Apparently, in the United States, only the 65+ crowd deserve a fair system; but, maybe they deserve it more than the rest, since they've already endured 4 or 5 decades of subsidizing the current awful system.
It's worth repeating: health insurance companies are parasites which serve no useful social function.
Rob
10:25 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Californians rejected single payer once already, just crazy! If we can pass it here, other states will follow suit. I'm hoping we can get it done in this state. If not, only rich and poor will have health insurance. Meanwhile, the GOP and conservative judges on the US Supreme Court are trying to get rid of Obama's health care law, which we desperately need. My Kaiser is going up to $937 in January for myself, wife and daughter. That is through a school district, otherwise we couldn't afford health care at all.
When do the updates on Measure J start? No data yet.
Susan D.Keeffe
10:36 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Rob,
I attended a function where we had a presentation on California's Single Payer proposal. It isn't dead. Our legislature passed it 3 times and it was vetoed 3 times by our Governator. They are gearing up for another try. If it passes, its a better system than the federal one which is very convoluted and included compromises that weaken it. If it passes, California will be leading the way nation-wide towards recognizing the private insurance method is killing us, health is a human right, and should not be politicized. I think it can be Googled under California Single Pay.
Glenn Abraham
11:19 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Susan: single payer will not pass. It wasn't just Schwarzenneger who kills healthcare. Follow the progress on the annual attempts to give the Insurance Commissioner the authority to regulate health insurance premiums: every year, those attempts are killed by insurance industry lobbyists and the legislators they've purchased.
Rob
10:42 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
This sounds very promising, Susan. With Jerry Brown at the helm, hopefully we will have Single Payer. If there was anything good Arnold did, I can't recall it. We were bit players in his crappy movie, I'm afraid.
Susan D.Keeffe
10:55 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Rob,
They had some hand-outs and I'm looking to see if I kept any of them to get the right web-site. Other possible sources might be the general website "State Teachers's Retirement System". You don't have to be a member to acess the public website and they have good articles. AARP also gets good articles but the specific California Single Payer proposal I believe has its own website. I'm going to have to dig around in my den! If I find anything I will post it. If anyone else finds the site, please post!
Susan D.Keeffe
10:59 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Glenn,
Now there's an idea! Occupy the private health insurer's board rooms! But while this is going on, Congress can't agree on a thing and Republicans are locked in a rigid ideology getting us nowhere. Maybe we should "Occupy" Washington? Boehmer was on TV yesterday loudly stating he was personally going to get rid of "Obamacare" once and for all. He's got his... who cares about the rest of the country. "Let them eat cake".
Glenn Abraham
11:23 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Yep, occupy the health insurers, occupy Washington...there are many places more worthy of the focus of the occupy group than Frank Ogawa Plaza.
Susan D.Keeffe
11:25 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Glenn,
If you check Factcheck.org, or other sites, you will find the Republicans really hate Medicare, despite the large number of registered Republicans who benefit from it. They are really wanting to cut "entitlements" of MediCare and Social Security. And of course MedicAid for the poor and disabled is tops on their hit list. And both are, arguably, socialistic in nature - everyone contributes, everyone benefits. When you get to age 65 your coverage will depend on several things but I'm guessing you will be eligible for both Part and A and Part B. You will have to pay a Part B premium. And it only covers about 80% so you will need to find a supplementary coverage. Its good - but could be better. And its a whole lot cheaper than what you are paying now. AARP is a good resource of information especially as you get closer to that magic age!
Susan D.Keeffe
11:29 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Glenn,
I hope you're wrong. I'm just reporting what was presented to us (CRTA)- that our California State Legislature did, in fact, pass it three times only to have Arnold veto it three times. The presenter indicated the current legislative make-up is slightly more conservative so they aren't sure what will happen this time. but our current Governor is very different from our last one! I've been foraging in my den - I had a whole packet on Single Payer and I can't find it. On to the websites!
Glenn Abraham
11:41 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Susan: sign up for a Google Alert on AB 62. Watch it die in the Senate.
Glenn Abraham
11:36 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Susan, I never said that Republicans support Medicare, or anything else I believe in. (Not that there's anything great about the Democrats, either.) That "socialist" label is something the AMA uses to convince us that we really don't want a proper health care system, because then we'd have something that Cuba has. And France. Britain, Denmark, Australia, Germany. Everywhere but here, every developed country but ours. We are far, far behind Brazil. Our national pride.
Susan D.Keeffe
11:40 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Its my understanding the AMA was supportive of the national health care plan, but it evolved so many times I don't know if that's still true. But doctors were supportive.
Susan D.Keeffe
11:39 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Single Payer update - Correction - it passed twice, not three times as I formerly stated. I went to California Single Payer health care bill and found lots of stuff. The bill by Leno SB 810 is moving along - it passed the health sub-committee in May. Wikipedia had something on it and there was a site, Health Care Now, and other sites discussing this. This is very important for California so I would suggest readers go to the sites. Perhaps Patch could do an article on it?
Susan D.Keeffe
11:41 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
What's AB 62?
Glenn Abraham
11:45 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The modest proposal to give the Insurance Commissioner the power to block excessive health insurance rate increases. Something which about half of the states have. But the health insurance lobby is ensuring that we remain in the other half, along with Mississippi.
Susan D.Keeffe
11:58 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Glenn,
Thanks. I think that bill may be too limited. I found a ton of stuff just typing in California Single Payer Health Bill, lots of articles, good info. Way too much to post here. There was one website for Physicians who support it which had some good articles from their perspective. This is SB810 we are now watching for.This is something I would sit-in for!
Rob
1:50 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
What baffles me is how gung ho conservatives are to get rid of Obama's health care law, though, while not fantastic, does a lot of good things. These folks have nothing to replace it with except possibly vouchers. The joke is on us. Obama got passed what he could given the opposition to it. I want single payer, but I don't want the long waits, like in Canada. I have a good Canadian friend who asserts this is true.
G.C.
6:49 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Reading the comments from you all is giving me goose bumps. Rob says California should lead the way. Maybe Hercules will help jumpstart such an effort.
For those of us who voted no on the parcel tax because we disagree with this in principle, we really need to come through if Doctors is closed. Voting no was the first step for some of us, but there has to be follow through. I can "Occupy" wherever during my non-work hours. Please keep me in mind.
G.C.
7:20 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
PS-I attribute some of my "no" vote to Supervisor Gioia. He really should have delivered a one-two punch message, but he didn't! He should have assured the taxpayer that if you do vote yes "this last time", that tomorrow will not be business as usual as evidenced by the following (fill in the blank).
I'm sorry, but I am very disappointed with this supervisor. He needed to step up, but all he did was pass the hat. Is this the best an elected official can do with respect to taking a stance on the healthcare for those most in need?
Yes, he articulated the dire consequences of closure, but I never heard what his next plan of action was. C'mon man, roll up your damn shirt sleeves and make a fight out of it! These are opportunities that need to be capitalized on in real time and we are blowing it.
My two cents.
Susan D.Keeffe
7:03 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Rob,
Been to an ER lately? Talk about long waits!
David F
7:22 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
What everyone is losing sight of is what would really make Doctors Medical Center a viable entity. First of all, the hospital is not earthquake safe so how will that get done? 47 bucks a year from me won't cut it. However, the cancer center and the part of the hospital adjacent to it are. The option as I see it are make it a smaller hospital that would joint venture with either Contra Costa County or Sutter. The County is supposed to be taking care of the uninsured but shifts the costs off to DMC. They could step up and lease the beds they really need at DMC. The cancer center should be able to make money as there is a plethora of cancer cases in West Contra Costa. As has been stated before, it is unconscionable that our country leaves so many citizens uninsured.
Susan D.Keeffe
7:27 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
David,
I thought the earthquake refitting etc comes from totally separate funds that are strictly for that type of thing? Why has Kaiser. been contributing to Doctors?
ate
Susan D.Keeffe
7:28 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Please delete the "ate"! Sorry!thumb typing.
David F
7:35 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
We are concerned that our ER in Richmond could not handle the patients if the DMC ER closes. (my opinion only) I have mixed feelings because I practiced at DMC in PInole and San Pablo for 16 years.
G.C.
8:18 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Hi David,
Are you able to comment on the 3 serious citations issued in 2008, including the deaths of 2 patients? In your expert opinion, did the unreliable funding of this hospital contribute to these tragedies? Due to the possible legal nature of these incidents, perhaps you can comment on the general topic of funding and quality. Thanks for anything you can share.
Description of 2008 penalties-deaths:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/facilities/Pages/APCountyContraCosta.aspx
Susan D.Keeffe
8:03 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
David,
Thanks. That was my understanding as well. Doctors has many fine doctors who have much needed specialities.
Joseph Catindig
8:11 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Long lines in ED is an incentive for me to keep my self healthy. Stay away from the buffet line! The "frequent flyers" or the ones not taking care of themselves. The non-compliant ones. The uninsured. They are the ones draining these hospitals resources!
Kim
8:58 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Is Kaiser Richmond earthquake safe? I recall a few years back reading many Bay Area hospitals and fire stations were on or near fault lines.
David F
5:21 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
I don;t have a comment as I moved to Kaiser in 1999. I'm not aware of any problem with the Kaiser Richmond facility re: earthquake safety. the new Kaiser Oakland is being built right now.
Kim
9:40 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Thanks David. I'm assuming Pinole is earthquake safer too but no ER there.
Phil Simmons
10:08 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
I suppose congratulations are in order for those that voted in favor of measure J.
It would seem we have found a way to cure cancer by putting a band-aid over it.
Susan D.Keeffe
10:23 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Phil,
All we have done is perform an emergency procedure. We have not cured the disease. Single payer would attack the disease.
John Loudermilk
10:45 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Most likely they will be back in a year or two wanting more $$ to keep it running or $$ to perform the earthquake retro fitting etc. This never ending extraction of money from the homeowners is going to force us from our homes.
Valerie Snider
11:25 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Does anyone have information about the independent oversight committee that is supposed to monitor the expenditures of the proceeds of the last hospital parcel tax? Measure J has the same requirement. How often does the committee meet? How does one get appointed to the committee? How independent/impartial are they?
G.C.
6:02 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Great question, Valerie! The words "independent oversight" are music to my ears, even bring a tear to my eye. I did find the following meetings held by the West County Health District.
http://www.wcchd.ca.gov/meeting.cfm
The WCCU school district also requires such bond oversight meetings, but they have not been held monthly as required per the charter-not sure why that is. Maybe no one is interested in having any say in how the district spends our money. I can't blame the committee for not having a meeting if no one is interested.
CBAC meetings
http://www.wccusd.net/2277106316311100/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=56975&NodeID=506&NodeID=506&NodeID=506&NodeID=506&2277106316311100Nav=|506|&NodeID=506
I propose that all city councils include as a standing item on the agenda, updates from all bond oversight meetings. All city councils should work together at keeping these county oversight committees on task and independent if not so already.
Susan D.Keeffe
12:02 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Phil,
We performed an emergency procedure the patient still has the disease. Single payer is a possible remedy. The disease is very contagious and is pervasive in our state and country.
Sarah Creeley
8:59 pm on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
CONGRATULATIONS to all of us who supported our hospital and voted yes on Measure J! We won, with strong community support! Doctor's Hospital SAVES LIVES!!!
G.C.
6:10 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011
It is good that you kept the hospital open, but now fight for quality.
In 2008, Doctors Medical Center was cited for the deaths of 2 patients that should not have happened. The hospital also potentially suffers from lawsuits in such tragic instances. These are just the 2 avoidable deaths that investigators are aware of. There could have been more.
Poorly funded hospitals need to be closely watched. Patients and other witnesses should report all concerns-complaints to the California Department of Health immediately.
Fight for quality healthcare.
G.C.
6:28 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011
Here are comments from patients. A mixed bag of responses. Just like poorly funded schools, it is the luck of the draw for the user. The quality is not consistent. Tragedies and moments of brightness. I don't want to gamble with my health.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/doctors-medical-center-san-pablo
G.C.
7:18 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011
Are the nurses at Doctors Medical Center unionized? If so, are they documenting quality concerns using the Assignment Despite Objections (ADO) form?
Copy of ADO form here
http://seiu616.localsonline.org/docUploads/ADO_form.pdf
Phil Simmons
9:13 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011
Gotta admit it really tee's me off to have to pay more taxes to support this. I am totally in favor of government run healthcare, 100%. I am forced to use Kaiser Insurance and can't get other insurance. I will derive no benefit from this hospital. Again, I don't mind paying taxes for health care as long as I too can benefit from it. I propose a Measure is taken up for the next election period that would be a parcel tax for everyone to contribute to Kaiser. That would at least support the medical services that I pay into. It only seems fair.
How about a VOTE YES ON MEASURE K - for Kaiser.
G.C.
7:50 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2011
At least you and I have Kaiser and are not forced to rely on a poorly funded hospital like Doctors Medical Center, where ones chances-outcome are determined by the roulette wheel.
Phil Simmons
9:01 pm on Thursday, November 17, 2011
Giorgio
All the more reason to nationalize the entire system. Health care needs to be established as a right and amended into the constitution. Insurance companies should no longer be allowed to determine who gets good health care and who doesn't.
Marty
12:43 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Phil, fix this problem first; not the only cause of a dysfunctional system, but a cause and obstacle to reform nonetheless.
http://www.jpands.org/vol10no1/cosman.pdf
Phil Simmons
1:06 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Marty
No.
If medicine became a branch of the U.S. government, much like the Navy or the Army the problem would solve itself. Aliens that are here through legitimate means should be entitled to the same medical services as U.S. citizens. Those that are hear illegally would be entering into a government agency that would then be able to determine their circumstance. They would receive health care as needed followed by the steps needed to deport, arrest, or release them through a proper process. Private hospitals do not have any control over who comes through the door but a "Medical Corp" facility certainly would (or at least should).
Using the illegal alien argument is just a straw-man set up to detract from the effort to nationalize medicine, nothing more. It is a con being perpetuated on the american public to distract them. A nationalized program offers the possibility to create a self correcting system. Without nationalized medicine we continue to have the "illegal" problem you raise. So, ..........
G.C.
8:48 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Marty,
You are so right. When are we going to jail employers for creating this problem of illegal immigration? Isn't that the problem? We want their labor, but we don't want them to have healthcare or education. We eat the lettuce they pick, then tell them to go die in a ditch somewhere. "Come work for us, but stay the he_l out of our ERs!"
And all they are doing is trying to do is make it for their families.
We are a bunch of hypocrites, wanting the benefits of cheap labor, but will not own up to the consequences of turning a blind eye, which was further enabled by Bush when he restructured the security oversight of our borders, making them conveniently more porous.
You are right, Marty. It is a problem costing California 10 billion dollars per year. They are here because of the American consumer who in turn, fuels the unlawful business practices.
So what do you propose, Marty?
Marty
3:54 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
I've been to DoD hospitals and they are probably like Doctor's ER, except English is spoken. Since it seems like you admire the Cuban model, how's Hugo Chavez doing? I notice he hasn't been in Havana lately. Probably he got wise and flew in some docs from Los Estados Unidos.
Phil Simmons
6:10 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Marty,
So it seems your opinion is like lots of others, comparing national healthcare to Cuba or Canada. It sounds as though you do not believe that the U.S. could do a better job than those countries do. Since the U.S. government would do no better than Cuba then I can only deduce that your opinion of the U.S. military is that it is no better than Cuba's military, correct?
Astrid Broberg
5:03 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
I come from Europe and have lived in diffrent countries in Europe and I can only say I had possitive experiences ...it says itself that healthinsurance companies that work for pofit are mainly interested in making money...it is not right that our biggest monthly expense is forhealthinsurance...no this country unfortunately is not the best at taking care of it,s people
Glenn Abraham
5:57 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
I come from California, but I lived in Europe in the 70s and 80s, and I have nothing but happy memories from those horrible socialistic healthcare systems. I got excellent care in France, Holland, Denmark and England...usually for free. France and Holland and England cared for me because I was a legal resident, Denmark cared for me because I was an injured human being. What's with the red-cape stupidity of introducing Cuba into this?...and I'm pretty sure that, impoverished as the country may be (thanks largely to American policy), its health care is a huge improvement over what it was under Batista...and..HUGO CHAVEZ? This kind of ears-plugged eyes-covered flag-waved jingoistic stupidity can't change the fact that our profitmaking medical and drug and health insurance companies have dragged us into the most inhumane healthcare system in the developed world. I don't know what Hugo Chavez has, but I know what Britain and France have; and we, the third world of the wealthy, don't have it.
Susan D.Keeffe
6:12 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
I want to add my personal experiences as well. I lived in Australia for four ears and had great care. Both my kids were born there and I can attest both the prenatal and post birth care was wonderful. They had lots of little local clinics and even made home visits. One of my babies needed various therapies and so we received free weekly speech, occupational and physical therapy. When I asked about a support group they organized one which met in my home with a social worker leading the group - free. When we returned to the states I couldn't even get basic health coverage. Kaiser finally accepted us as long as I didn't "expect any special therapies". So I took what I could get. My family dentist told me he didn't "take those kind of children". Welcome to America.
Phil Simmons
6:22 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
These sort of testimonies, as well as my own, are really amazing to hear and reflect on. Trying to grasp some shred of understanding from those that oppose national healthcare is impossible, the exception being the views of those that derive their personal income by being the executives of health insurance companies or their lobbyists.
Glenn Abraham
7:06 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Those who are getting rich off the misery of our current healthcare system have a natural motivation to demonize the good and humane practices of the enlightened countries which make up the quasi-totality of the developed world; but don't forget about those who cheer anything our government undertakes just because it's done under a stripey starry flag. We're sending kids from Michigan to get into firefights with illiterate Pashtun in Kandahar, peasants who have never been further east than Peshawar and will surely never travel further west than Herat, and our government claims that it's done to protect matrons in Walnut Creek and girl scouts in Chatanooga, and...the flagwavers...BELIEVE it. And this is being continued under OBAMA. It takes a willful stupidity to believe that our healthcare system is anything but awful, but willful stupidity seems to be as plentiful here as Wellpoint lobbyists.
Phil Simmons
6:12 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Glenn,
Hear, Hear, Well stated.
Susan D.Keeffe
6:52 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Lest anyone think America is doing better now, my special needs baby is now an adult. Today he received the following notice, "MediCal will no longer pay for Adult Day Health Care." So now we are throwing our disabled adults and seniors under the bus. These are special centers where altzheimer patients and seniors and adults with disabilities are served thus allowing their families much needed relief and keeping them out of nursing homes. And the anti "Obama care"rhetoric keeps coming. Let them eat cake.
Marty
7:07 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Regarding that "free care" you got in Oz? You mean the providers worked for no salary or wage and the supplies they used were donated? I had the misfortune of going to Children's ER when my son broke his arm. The waiting room reminded me of the bus station in Tapachula complete with the Telenovelas on the TV. Only good thing was that they forgot to collect my insurance co-payment. I guess they assume none of their ER patients have insurance or cash. I'm sorry about your situation, though, but I don't think government-run healthcare is the answer.
Sarah Creeley
7:15 pm on Saturday, December 3, 2011
Hi Susan, In today's paper (12-3) there was an article about the courts stopping the cuts to home health support. I hope this helps your son or daughter. I have 2 sisters who have special needs; one lives in Cal, other in Colorado. I sometimes think of writing a story titled, "The Tale of Two Sisters" because their lives have been very different in terms of the help they have received. I hope your adult child is well, and getting the day program he or she needs. All of these cuts are hitting us hard. I want you to know I really appreciate all of your education advocacy! It is clear how much you care!
Susan D.Keeffe
8:11 am on Sunday, December 4, 2011
Sarah,
Thamks' That's good news! That's a welcome relief for families with elder care issues.
Glenn Abraham
7:21 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
"Regarding that "free care" you got in Oz? You mean the providers worked for no salary or wage and the supplies they used were donated? ":
Marty continues to demonstrate that remarkable lack of comprehension of the mechanics of a national health system. The references to Tapachula and telenovelas may lend a tinge of wordliness, but this doesn't sound like the comment of a person who understands anything outside of the American system. The American healthcare system might look good in comparison with Cuba's (and, then again, it might not), but it looks perfectly dreadful in comparison with the systems in EVERY OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRY, and a number of less-developed countries as well (In providing healthcare for its people, Brazil definitely trumps the U.S.). A good way to retain one's positive impression of the American system is to willfully refuse to absorb any new information about how the rest of the developed world has been dealing with this since World War 2. Dismissing the Australian National Health with snarky comments about telenovelas and bus stations does nothing to advance the discussion, nor this person's capacity to comprehend what is being discussed.
Marty
8:11 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Glenn, isn't time for you to head off for the Occupy campsite? Maybe you'll get lucky with some hippy chick. Just remember to delouse your sleeping bag before you put it away. Snarky enuff?
Glenn Abraham
8:18 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Snarky enuff, and about as well-reasoned as I had expected.
Susan D.Keeffe
8:07 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Marty,
"Oz"? An imaginary world created in the Oz books? Are you saying I made it up? From your other comments you have made it clear you have no idea of what we are talking about. I must admit comparing the little California town of Tehachipi to the country of Australia is unique. Since you are as passionate about your viewpoint as we are about ours, I suggest you visit factcheck.org and spend some time there. Also going to California Single Payer Bill will get you info on SB810 and multiple sites including one run by doctors.
Susan D.Keeffe
8:14 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Marty, my mistake. You were comparing Australia to Cuba apparently. I guess you think Australia is a third world communist country. You can certainly find waits in American Er's that can be hours and hours and hours. My daughter is an ER doc and I've learned a lot from her experiences. ERs were not designed to handle uninsured non emergency patients. But that's where they go. And we are treating our adult disabled shamefully.
Phil Simmons
8:17 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
It's as though the system we have, which most all agree is broken in many ways, is as good as we can do and as good as we can expect which is a pretty sad state to be in, so down and out as to not expect better.
The market driven system we have fails in many ways. Something as important as healthcare does not and can not follow the laws of supply and demand without doing great damage to many among us.
Again, this is the 21st century. Mankind has advanced to a state that it should and can provide health care to all. We should expect it as a right and an obligation of society not a product that is affordable to some.
Susan D.Keeffe
8:19 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Marty,
I'm not sure what "snarky" means but your comment indicated you think the current Occupy movement is headed by hippies. Something else for you to look up. Actually, I think they are occupying the wrong places. They shoud head to DC and perhaps private insurance for profit headquarters.
Glenn Abraham
8:31 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
They're not going to fix it in time to help any of us. There's too much money involved. My hope is to survive another four years of the Anthem-Wellpoint paradise so I can make it into the socialist hell of Medicare, our restricted national health system. Reserved to a select group of Americans (the older ones), but at least it will finally be MY group. And without my having to live in Holland, a foreign country, in order to get decent medical care. When I was young and poor, Holland treated me, essentially for free, just because I was legally there and so was a part of society, and they cared for everyone in their society. Very much unlike the much more selective American system. And if you're feeling safe now, wait until your company collapses and your health care evaporates. Creative destruction.
Susan D.Keeffe
9:07 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Glenn,
I hope its there for you and Social Security too. Considering the current attack on both by Republicans nothing is guaranteed.