Archive for April 2009
Against the will of the American people!
Ron Pollack identifies himself as a consumer advocate, and is the executive director of Families USA.
Karen Ignagni represents the health insurance industry.
On Thursday at 3 p.m., Ron Pollack will join Karen Ignagni in a live web chat to discuss “health reform.”
The live web chat is sponsored by The Campaign for an American Solution. The Campaign for an American Solution is a fake grassroots group created by the health insurance industry. The idea is that we can’t have single payer because it’s not American.
Or as Senator Max Baucus put it when asked about single payer last month – “We have come up with a uniquely American solution which is a combination of public and private, because we are America.”
But there is a uniquely American solution and it’s called single payer (HR6 676) and it has 76 members of the House who support it.
The above are highlights from: Standing Against Single Payer -My Ron Pollack Problem - and Yours
by Russell Mokhiber // commondreams.org
Senator Arlen Specter Switching to Democratic Party
The move brings Democrats to 59 seats in the Senate, just one shy of the 60 they need to exert filibuster proof control over the chamber.
The republican party is basically dead when Franken is certified the winner. The democratic party will be able to force through any agenda they want and no one can stop them. No resistance… This new democratic super majority is far more powerful than the the republican majority a few years ago…
Let’s us all hope that they use this opportunity wisely… And, they should all thank George and Dick for setting them up so nicely!
So now that they have all this free wielding power and no one can stop them, I must ask why is it that Single Payer is not being allowed as a consideration in the health-care reform agenda? - The Answer!
Nancy Pelosi – Who do you work for?
Nancy Pelosi comments during a Christian Science Monitor event April 22nd regarding Single Payer Health Reform…
“As our members came back from their recess, a great deal of what they heard out there was public options, public options, public options, public options. In our caucus, over and over again, we hear single payer, single payer, single payer. Well, it’s not going to be a single payer.” (Read the whole story)
This is our congressional leadership demonstrating just how determined she and other key players are in keeping single payer off the table, and the health insurance industry; healthy, wealthy and wise – with your premiums and tax dollars!
Who does Nancy Pelosi represent? Click on the photo below and see!
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~This post is a promotional courtesy to my friends at Today’s Calendar Girl ~
Democrats can pass health care reform with just fifty votes!
Reconciliation Now Has a Date: October 15
It’s been in the works for a while and now, according to senior Captiol Hill staffers, it’s a done deal: The final budget resolution will include a “reconciliation instruction” for health care. That means the Democrats can pass health care reform with just fifty votes, instead of the sixty it takes to break a filibuster.
The deal was hatched late afternoon and last night, in a five-hour negotiating session at the office of Senate Majoriy Leader Harry Reid. A trio of White House officials were there: Rahm Emanuel, Peter Orszag, and Phil Schiliro. Also present, along with Reid, were House Budget Chairman John Spratt and Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad.
The reonciliation instruction specifies a date. That date, according to one congressional staffer, is October 15. (The original House reconciliation instruction had a late September deadline.)
In other words, the House and Senate each have until that day to pass health care legislation. (read the whole story)
New Republic – By Jonathan Cohn // Posted: Friday, April 24, 2009
Do you want a say in your Health Plan? TAKE ACTION !
As economy plummets, child abuse escalates?
Child Abuse Escalates as Parents Face Overwhelming Economic Stress
Sometimes it’s an overwhelming sense of stress on the parents’ part. Sometimes it’s the overwhelming press of poverty. And sometimes it’s the overwhelming sense of hopelessness compounded by the absence of humility enough to ask for help. It doesn’t really matter what the overwhelming emotion, medical records are proving that, as adults are becoming more deeply engulfed by the ravages of the economic recession, the very youngest members of the family are paying dearly.
As the nation’s economy has plummeted, child abuse has escalated…
- Unfortunately, as the recession lingers, the numbers are increasing everywhere.
- It’s not just hospitals noticing this heartbreaking trend; of 607 sheriffs, chiefs of police, and district attorneys responding to a nationwide poll, 88% of them acknowledged an expectation of increased child abuse cases in their jurisdictions.
- the agencies overseeing these protective measures are becoming underfunded even as their case load is skyrocketing. (Read the whole story)
You can help! Have you ever considered becoming a Foster Parent? Learn about it HERE !
America’s RN Union Targets Congressional Healthcare Leaders
America’s RN Union Targets Congressional Healthcare Leaders in New Ad Drive
Nurse Blog Ads Demand Congress Protect Patients with Single-Payer Reform. The National Nurses Organizing Committee/California Nurses Association (NNOC/CNA), the nation’s largest RN union and professional association, today announces a national online advertising campaign beginning this week that calls on key Congressional leaders to protect the public – not the profit motives of the insurance industry – through a system of guaranteed, single-payer healthcare reform. The ads are also sponsored by the Massachusetts Nurses Association.
Read the release (LINK) Visit The California Nurses Association Web Site (LINK)
Posted as a courtesy to the California Nurses Association – Please HELP!
Odd Todd on – Laid Off Help Wanted!
If you are not familiar with Odd Todd and you have been Laid Off then I suggest you visit Todd’s web site (LINK). No, this won’t help you find a job, but it will open up your creative thinking skills! Todd has created some seriously funny cartoons about being unemployed. And, there are a lot of us that need a good laugh about this situation!
National Day of Action – May 30th
May 30: National Day of Action
Events Being Planned Nationwide
Heathcare-Now
The majority of Americans and physiciansagree: We need a national, single-payer healthcare system.
Yet, Single-Payer healthcare is largely ignored as a viable option.
So, on May 30th, we’re organizing a Nationwide Day of Action. Join thousands of single-payer activists to say, “Healthcare, yes; Insurance companies, no,” and to show solidarity with demonstrations at the AHIP (American Health Insurance Plans, a private health insurance lobby) conference in San Diego.
For more information, or to see if there’s an event being planned in your community, visit healthcare-now.org May 30th Page. LINK
If you can not attend one of these events – Your HELP is still needed!
Call, write or e-mail your representatives and tell them they need to support Single Payer HR676. LINK
Call or Fax Senator Max Baucus and tell him that SINGLE PAYER is on the table! Phone: (202) 224-2651 (Office) (202) 224-9412 (Fax)
Call President Obama at the White House (202-456-1414 or 202- 456-1111) and tell him Single Payer is not for later, the time is NOW!
Single Payer Action Alert ~ April 20th!
Action Alert: Get Single-Payer into Congressional Hearings
April 20, 2009 by Healthcare-NOW!
Filed under Action Alert, HCN News
House Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) announced that the Committee will hold another hearing in a series on reforming the health insurance market.
The hearing will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, and will focus on strategies to reform the health insurance market to ensure greater accessibility and affordability.
Healthcare-NOW! and allied organizations have been requesting fair hearings that include the single-payer perspective.
Help us make sure that Chairman Rangel hears us loud and clear. Call his office now (toll free at 866-338-1015) to request they invite expert single-payer witnesses to testify.
If you can’t call, you can easily email him here. LINK (read more)
AIG in the news again! ~ Claim Denied ~
AIG takes a break from destroying world economy to deny claims for wounded Iraq defence contractors.
Unfortunately this protocol is not exclusive to AIG. This is health insurance industry standard operating procedure! To be quite honest, I am shocked that the prime time 20/20 media reported this. Their protocol has been to white wash or ignore the health insurance industry practices of profiteering. After all they and pharma provide enormous ad dollars. I guess the AIG -ad budget has been slashed…
Learn how you can help change this picture. Your help is needed NOW! Visit The Physicians for a National Health Program & Healthcare-Now to see how you can make a difference!
Pirates in US Territorial Waters !
Pirates are in the news again! A large scale assault from a Care-ibbean group of pirates have come ashore and taken over the Capital. Their demands are simple. Watch the video!
Act NOW – Before congress allows health-care reform to stay in the hands of the insurance industry. The health insurance industry does not provide any health related benefit to you the patient, or the health-care provider!
Put an end to this Madness!
Call, write or e-mail your representatives and tell them they need to support Single Payer HR676. LINK
Call or Fax Senator Max Baucus and tell him that SINGLE PAYER is on the table! Phone: (202) 224-2651 (Office) (202) 224-9412 (Fax)
Call President Obama at the White House (202-456-1414 or 202- 456-1111) and tell him Single Payer is not for later, the time is NOW!
Please Share this Message Copy & Paste this LINK
The Top Ten Enemies of Single Payer
Top Ten Enemies of Single Payer
April 17, 2009 by Healthcare-NOW!
Filed under Single-Payer News
By Russell Mokhiber of Single Payer Action
Most people, when they arrive in Washington, D.C., see it for what it is – a cesspool of corruption.
Two reasonable reactions to the cesspool. One, run away screaming in fear. Two, stay and fight back and bring to justice those who have corrupted our democracy. Unfortunately, many choose a third way – stay and be transformed. Instead of seeing a cesspool, they begin seeing a hot tub.
The result – profits and wealth for the corporate elite – death, disease and destruction for the American people. Nowhere does this corrupt, calculating transformation do more damage than in the area of health care.
The Top Ten Enemies of Single Payer (listed here in alphabetical order):
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).
American Medical Association
Barack Obama
Business Roundtable
Families USA
Health Care for America Now
Kaiser Family Foundation
The Lewin Group
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association of America (PHRMA)
When the new corrupt Health plan is revealed - It will be sold to you as the long-awaited health reform the nation has needed so badly. But nothing about it will resemble a National Healthcare Plan. Not one part of it will resemble the effectiveness or efficiency of the Single Payer Bills that have been proposed. Are you going to let that happen? Please Do Something Now! Call your representative’s and demand their support for HR676, a Single Payer plan. (LINK)
Denial of Care – Do Something!
Nataline Sarkisyan’s death by denial. Don’t Forget! 18,000 deaths occur a year due to lack of, or denial of care. Will your loved one be next?
Act NOW - Before congress allows health-care reform to stay in the hands of the insurance industry. The health insurance industry does not provide any health related benefit to you the patient, or the health-care provider! You can put an end to this madness! Please HELP!
Call, write or e-mail your representatives and tell them they need to support Single Payer HR676. LINK
Call or Fax Senator Max Baucus and tell him that SINGLE PAYER is on the table! Phone: (202) 224-2651 (Office) (202) 224-9412 (Fax)
Call President Obama at the White House (202-456-1414 or 202- 456-1111) and tell him Single Payer is not for later, the time is NOW!
Call 10 people and ask them to please do the same… !
Quest Diagnostics to Pay $302 Million – Pharma Watch
Be an Informed Consumer!
Quest Diagnostics to Pay $302 Million
Quest Diagnostics has agreed to pay $302 million to settle civil and criminal charges related to a Quest subsidiary which sold a parathyroid hormone immunoassay test which reported elevated results. The inaccurate diagnostic test kit resulted in medical providers submitting false claims for reimbursement to federal health programs. The settlement includes $262 million paid under the federal False Claims Act, $6.2 million paid to the states, and a criminal fine of $40 million. Thomas Cantor, founder, president and owner of Scantibodies Laboratory Inc., filed the whistleblower lawsuit, and will receive approximately $45 million for his work, and the work of his attorneys, in bringing the case. (To read more)
If you would like to see MANY more actions that have been taken against many of the major pharmaceutical and healthcare companies that you know and trust… Why? Visit “The Taxpayers Against Fraud” website at: taf.org
Single Payer Health Proposals are Being Blacklisted – Ask Why!
“Your Ass Isn’t Covered!”
Most other industrialized countries ban insurance companies from making a profit on health care. What is wrong in the United States?
Do our “elected” lawmaker’s have the political will to do anything? Talk is cheap and that’s all we hear… I use the term elected loosely since it is grossly apparent that the influential health insurance and phama contributions received by many make it impossible for them to act… Or should I say, in your behalf!
Call, write or e-mail your representatives and tell them they need to support Single Payer HR676! Ask them why Single Payer is being Blacklisted from the Presidential Health Forum’s… Ask them how many contributions they received from health insurance and pharma companies ? (LINK)
Call President Oboma at the White House (202-456-1414 or 202- 456-1111) and tell him Single Payer is not for later, the time is NOW! Over 50% of the US population and physician’s support Single Payer!
~ Do you need a Health Plan ? – See if this Plan is right for you! ~
Dewey Square Group – Medicare Advantage Scheme is Outrageous
Elderly used as front in letter-writing campaign
‘Grass-roots’ effort looks more like Astroturf
By Ken Johnson / Eagle-Tribune /April 13th, 2009 4:23 pm
Across Massachusetts, senior citizens are writing letters to newspapers demanding that their representatives in Congress protect a form of health insurance called Medicare Advantage.
At least that’s what newspaper editors are supposed to think. Some of those seniors are unaware that they have sent any such letters to newspapers. Some of them hadn’t even heard of Medicare Advantage. “I did not write a letter to the editor. It’s not from me,” said Gloria Gosselin, 75, of Lawrence.
The tip-off
A tip-off to the true origin of the letters came when The Eagle-Tribune received a call from a man who turned out to be an intern at the Boston office of the Dewey Square Group, a national political marketing and consulting firm.
Insurers fight back
Health insurers are fighting what would be a huge hit to their bottom lines. Their strategy: Get seniors talking to members of Congress about the importance of Medicare Advantage. (Read the entire story)
My Thoughts – You Need to be an Informed Consumer!
This is just one more example of how low the health insurance industry will stoop to keep the money rolling in. This industry has NO business being associated with health-care. They provide NOTHING!
Bill Maher Explains the Healthcare Crisis
In just under two minutes, Bill Maher breaks down the reality of why America shouldn’t be afraid of a government run Healthcare system.
Happy Easter All
A collection of thoughts on this holiday…
The word Easter is derived from the Germanic goddess Eostre who, was a fertility goddess. There is some evidence showing that Easter’s origins precede the modern Christian holiday by more than 2,000 years!
Easter has its roots in ancient pagan tradition, and was a Springtime fertility festival , which is where the bunnies and the eggs come in. They were incorporated into Christian Easter by a process of religious syncretism.
When the Romans were spreading across Europe, there were a lot of different religions, and assimilating people to Christianity was a challenge. Instead of simply forcing a whole new religion on people, they simply adopted traditional dates and celebrated the Christian holidays on those same dates.
Scripture does not support this pre-Christian holiday and, in fact, condemns such celebrations. Because scripture condemns pagan practices and the worship of false gods.
Simply claiming that something is Christian or is done to honor God doesn’t make it acceptable, or does it? Difficult as it may be to admit, Easter merely continues the practices pagans followed thousands of years ago to honor their existent or their nonexistent gods…
These are just a collection of thoughts from various sources and some of my own on the origins of Easter, so regardless of - please:
Enjoy & Have a Wonderful Easter Holiday!
Jobs, Careers & Opportunities – Act NOW!
Employee Free Choice Act – Act NOW!
America’s workers are putting in more hours than ever and still struggling to make ends meet, if they still have a job. Meanwhile, corporate CEOs are still enjoying salaries 180 times higher than their average employees.
The Employee Free Choice Act can help restore the American Dream by making it easier for workers to form unions. Support this bill and help to reach one million signatures! Sign ThePetition HERE
