Saturday September 26, 2009, 4:16 pm

In spite of everything, I'm still hoping for HR676.

Thanks, Panda.

Saturday September 26, 2009, 5:23 pm
A mixed bag of stuff here..some personal material regarding experience's of the Canadian healthcare system,the current US system and it's relationship with the real death panels..a look at the current state of play re getting decent healthcare reform passed into legislation and a few other health care pieces..not related to the debates around systemic change.
Yep Carole..We gotta keep fighting for HR676...my minimum for judging a policy successful,would be the passing of a robust public option..the good news is that Baucus's plan looks to be dust and Pelosi says that she is backing public option..but even if this is passed,the question is,will it do what we want it too..ie provide universal ,high quality healthcare for all..regardless of means?Hmm..

Saturday September 26, 2009, 7:24 pm

Michael Moore's words from his film Sicko seem to be very pertinent at this moment ,when America's usually lacklustre,often greedy politicians stand at the crossroads ,deciding which way to travel..towards humanity , towards greed or toward one of the many paths in between:
"who are we ?,is this what we've become,a nation that dumps it's own citizens like so much garbage on the side of the kerb ,because they can't pay their hospital bill ..I always thought,and beleive to this day,that we are a good and genourous people,people with a good heart and a good soul ".
That failure to treat people with a basic level of humanity,is why radical change is essential.

Saturday September 26, 2009, 11:07 pm

Saturday September 26, 2009, 11:11 pm
Second try! Ooopppss!
Panda, you Rock! Many people are just as good and generous as you describe. Some people find ways to ignore suffering and agony as long as it is out of sight and out of mind. If we get good reform, it will only be because many good and generous people kept the pressure on our Congress in the face of greed, corruption, selfishness, and arrogance. If we are victorious, it will be a major accomplishment and it will change how we value each other and all others - a foundational change in our humanity!

Sunday September 27, 2009, 12:43 pm
Thanks for this link, Panda! Timely information. I want single payer too, but am holding to my faith that congress will give us a reform package we can live with. Whatever the result, health care reform will not take effect until 2013, which will leave room for congress to make many changes in between.

Sunday September 27, 2009, 5:28 pm
Pets = Better Health and Reduce Healthcare Cost Research shows that humans with a puppy, kitten, dog, or cat in their home enjoy a measurable improvement in health, and in fact spend less on their own healthcare.
Documented studies on human health suggest that pet ownership bestows the following benefits:

• Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
• Higher survival rates from heart attacks
• Significantly lower use of general practitioner services
• Reduced risk of asthma and allergic rhinitis in children exposed to pet allergens during the first year of their life
• Better physical and psychological well-being for seniors

According to the research by the Delta Society and others, there is not a significant social or economic difference between people who do or do not have a pet that adequately explains the differences in health outcome, leading to the conclusion that pet ownership itself is the primary cause of the positive benefits.

Monday September 28, 2009, 7:43 am
I want Single Payer also.

Tuesday September 29, 2009, 11:59 am
I'm just really tired of knowing more & more people are sick and dying while Congress is so busy hating on each other about getting this solved, that they all need impeached!

I was glad to see a few free clinics being held this weekend to help take care of some seriously-needed attention given to the sick. What lines THOSE people had to stand in!

Friday October 2, 2009, 2:38 pm
"but even if this is passed,the question is,will it do what we want it too..ie provide universal ,high quality healthcare for all..regardless of means?Hmm.."
Answer: NOPE, NOT A CHANCE, FORGET IT!
"Public option" will only cover 5% of the population IF you are eligible in the BEST of crcustances. That hardly seems like a solution or even a "compromise". It will not cover more than the crap the private insurance covers and the premiums will be equal and NOT more affordable. Congress, Dems/Repub.s?Obama did not want to cause private companies any stress by introducing competition. Besides HR 3200 was written by insruance and pharmaceutical companies. it got the number 3200 because it is a joke in the House, that is how many insurance lobbyists are working on it.
Caving in to your Rep.s who WORK FOR US is no way to get anything done. Those who want single payer should be fighting for single payer. The public option is not even a public option. It is just given that name so you will all assume it is like single payer or Medicare. It worked. Itt is so you will all support HR 3200 which is nothing more than a private insurance bailout. And it's working.
If you really suppport sinlge payer HR 676 then do it and keep doing it. This country has gone so corrupt and simpe minded turning it around and gettting it back on course and putting the people back in control is going to take a long, long hard fight because we let it go so long.
If you really support single payer HR 676 then...
Sign the Health Care is a Civil Right Petition
and
Learn more, sign petitions, send faxes at;
Physicians for a National Health Plan
Healthcare Now
Health Justice
The California Nurses Association
Single Payer Action
Medicare for All
Sign up with these groups and get notices of call in days to flood congress, and letter writing campaigns. The last group gives reminders for these.
Congress is voting on HR 676 and Obama's Plan HR 3200. Call them and make sure they know you support Single-Payer HR 676.
All politics aside. This is a human rights issue. Passing HR 676 is a matter of life or death for many of us, keeping or losing our homes for most of us.
Let's make history and pass HR 676 Medicare for All and leave our descendents something we can be proud of, full medical coverage without plummeting further into debt.
Congress is voting on HR 676. Call them and make sure they know you support it. Tell them to vote NO to Hr 3200 and YES to HR 676. Get contact info at Project Vote Smart. Call and emailCongress and the President, relentlessly!!!!
Nothing else will save lives. Nothing else will do!