Tuesday June 30, 2009, 9:09 am
Whoops wrong url-even our public health system in the UK,doesn't have the means to put right my url problems..
Correct one is http://www.alternet.org/action/141004/pressuring_obama_to_make_the_right_decision__on_health_care_i

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 10:01 am

Thanks for posting this, Panda!

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 10:09 am

Health Care For All : What If ... We Stripped Away the $13 Billion Insurance Company Profits ...
President Obama's health care plan will get rid of exorbitant corporate profits, bloated CEO bonuses, endless denials, and skyrocketing costs while giving voters more choice and making private insurance companies behave better.



Here is how your Representatives/Senators are voting on the public option.

http://standwithdrdean.com/where_congress_stands?chamber=&party=&state=&hc_status=&commit=Filter

Contact info, included.

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 10:57 am
Lobbyists Buying Votes?: Special Interests' Impact on Health Care Reform

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 12:39 pm
Hey, Pandas For Single Payer!!! That picture you used is a complete lie!!!! Cuba has one of the most advanced health systems in the world, and provides that health care free to all Cubans!!! It is way above the USA and those other countries on that list in the picture!!! Would you please explain why you used that picture??? I won't note lying anti-socialist propaganda like this in the future. You have been warned.

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 3:08 pm
Don't warn me please Simon.
I do though accept your point.I decided on balance to use that picture,as it illustrated a point about the US system..which is the thrust of what I am campaigning about..in the context of my belief in public,single payer healthcare for all citizens everywhere.
I considered the erroneous placing of Cuba ,which as you rightly say should be higher,and has an amazingly effective healthcare system built on humane and egalitarian principles..particularly when one considers the impoverishing effects of capitalistic embargoes on the country's wealth.Perhaps I should have added a rejoinder to that effect when I posted this article originally.Thankfully i've had the opportunity to do that now.
The picture originally accompanied, an article re the Michael Moore film Sicko.

Tuesday June 30, 2009, 5:04 pm
Action taken. Noted with thanks Panda.

Thank you for taking action at StandwithDrDean.com. Our campaign is people-power by Democracy for America and your contribution of $50 today will help deliver the resources we’ll need to pass meaningful reform that makes sure that every American has the healthcare they need.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 6:20 am
As someone who spends much of my time working to fund pediatric cancer research this is the LAST thing I want to see happen. This public option will destroy our medical care system which, contrary to the outdated WHO ranking above that was discontinued 10 years ago because they realized their ranking was ridiculous, is the BEST in the world. Look at the list above and imagine you or your child was just diagnosed with a life-threating illness and truthfully pick a country where you would rather have them treated than the US.
Do you guys really want to see the government running something as important as medical care in this country? The same government which can't even run the post office or social security effectively (new audit just showed SS continues to send millions of $'s in checks to DEAD people while LIVE people are cut off because they are so bloated they can't fix their own errors). Tell me ONE thing the government runs well.
As far as profits - what in the heck do you think funds new treatments and drug research? I have seen new drugs that were frankly miracles for young patients come on line funded by drug company products. I have seen dying children given a chance at life by experimental treatment that the new "government decider" will undoubtably rule too expensive.
This is not about government making medical care better and more affordable. This is purely about turning more and more control of our life and our money over to the government. If the government ran a lemonade stand, lemonade would cost $50 a glass and taste like mud.

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 5:44 pm
Then why are wealthy people flying to other countrys for treatment of serious illnesses? why are other countries more advanced in stem cell research? Why are we the only country medicating our kids for made-up "diseases" like ADD?
And PLEASE make sure when you argue a point, especially one as important as healthcare, that you get FACTS and not some propoganda dribble from some blowhard off the radio or TV making things up as they go along. They have no resources to back up their nonsense. Before denying millions of Americans the care they need and deserve make d#*n sure you got the facts right and from REAL sources, not from "some guy said"...
WHO has stats from 2006. Here is my favorite.
The United States, the best healthcare in the world
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 137/80
The terrible morons countries with Universal, thus, lesser quality healthcare...

Canada
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 89/55

United Kingdom
Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population): 98/61

Yeah, we've got the best healthcare system in the world. We restrict scientists and run them out of our country, deny people healthcare because they are not rich enough,, punish them for needing help. According to WHO 2006 stat we live shorter lives than these "less advanced, compromised healthcare systems", but we live them struggling, groveling and beaten. What a country! We know how to keep our citizens down and sick.
I got the stats from the WHO site, not from some yahoo with a narrow mind.
As far as government deciding healthcare, hello!!! you are the government. Your Rep denies healthcare or proceedures you fire him or her. You can't fire the CEO that denied you care. He just pockets the profits.
Besides I have not heard ONE single member of Congress, the President or VP complain about their single payer, government insurance, compliments of the American people. Dick Cheney didn't complain, Kennedy didn't. They are alive today because of it. Boy, I would LOVE to have such substandard insurance! I'd be healthier and have money money in my pockets...like them! Maybe that's one reason they haven't complained. You think?

Wednesday July 1, 2009, 5:48 pm
By the way, one of things the government runs well is healthcare. Studies have shown Medicare to be the most efficient and most cost effective health insurance in the country. Imagine having Medicare for ALL Americans! Oh, I can. It's called Medicare for all HR 676, single payer healthcare. A Bill that the Republicans, Democrats and the President are fighting with all their resources, namely the media and the lies they send out to the public about it. I suppose they don't want all Americans to have the healthcare they get. They hate to share.

Thursday July 2, 2009, 12:34 am
Mark, you should watch the movie SICKO it goes right to the heart of our system. As a Brit living in the US for over 3o years I can tell you America's health system sucks and you are listening to Big Insurance scare tactics.
My nephew had Osteosarcoma , he got the best surgeons on the planet, 3 separate major surgeries for bone grafting to save his leg. the cancer was in a very bad place and would have lost his leg otherwise. Btw, I checked with 2 surgeons here and each said they would have cut off the leg and would not be able to walk on it if kept. It was a very difficult surgery, he is now cancer free and has just put away his cane and walks normally even rides a bicycle. He got picked up each and every time and returned each and every time in an ambulance and it cost nothing. No money was exchanged for anything nor did he have to wait. His doctors still call him each week to see how he is doing. Do doctors do that here? He just came back from Italy where he spent a week with the doctors and other patients on a retreat all paid for and that is not the first time. He even got a car given for free from the gov so that he can get around and not have to use public transportation. Every where else it is about the patient not the insurance.
Doctors love it and do not have to worry about filling in forms and no money exchanges hands. They spend the time on their patients and as such give better care.Plus they make a lot of money.
This country will not collapse at the sight of Single Payer nor would it by a NHS system because it is already collapsed. People do not get the care they need.
But, we do have to watch for those who will do their best to destroy it and that comes from watching the bills before they get passed and Big Insurance and big Pharma lobbyists.

Friday July 24, 2009, 11:23 pm

Our friends at Sadly, No! take a look at the actual outcomes between the US and Canada. I don't think it will surprise you to see that the U.S. system doesn't measure up so well