An Historic Day so THEY say..........
By Sparks
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
Regina, Saskatchewan
March 23, 2010 11:16am CST
I have just watched the Vice-President and the President claim today is an historic day for the U.S. as the Health Reform Bill was signed into law.
And then I went to the net and read article after article on the Bill, what it contains, what it really says and what it means for the American population.
A few things became very clear:
1. The pharmaceutical companies that have a stranglehold on the dispensing of health care to socioeconomically challenged citizens will become neutralized.
2. The American media has and will continue to whip into a frenzy opposition to this new legislation until a newer jucier story comes along.
3. Yes, the government is now in control of health care, and frankly my dears, good for them!
4. 8% tax increase to employers and employees to cover the cost of this new program is so little to pay really in view of the return. If this means you will never lose your insurance coverage, and never again be turned away from emergency care, I think that's a small trade off.
5. Independent health insurance providers will no longer be able to arbitrarily raise premiums or cancel coverage, and you can keep your children on your plan until they are 26.
Health care in North America cost so much mostly because of the diet of the population which leads to increased heart, stroke and diabetic illnesses. And with the population rapidly aging as baby boomers get older, the demand for health care increases. Toss in the cost of designer drugs that so many have before now, not had access to, and you have to stop and really think what this new legislation means in the long run.
It is the nature of a free thinking society to question and often trash BIG change when they are living within the confines of the devil they know.
Here in Canada we have government health care that is one of the best in the world. Yes, it has it's problems, and yes it too needs reform as our population ages and increases and our diet goes to hell. But the blueprint the U.S. has now formulated and put into law for their own is eerily similar to ours. It is more complex, and there are parts of it that make me glad I don't live in the States, but on the whole, I think once the furor dies down and more people in need find out just how accessible health care is where it wasn't before, the tide of opinion will change. Canadians screamed loud and long when government health care was introduced, and yet today, we wouldn't change a thing except to bring it more in line with changing needs, and that is always going to be an ongoing situation as time marches on.
Wage earners today are going to squawk at the cost and the government control issues. That's to be expected. What I will be more interested in is what our grandchildren have to say about their health care system in the years to come. The proof will be in the pudding as they say.
What say you?
2 people like this
10 responses
@xfahctor (14113)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
23 Mar 10
"But the blueprint the U.S. has now formulated and put into law for their own is eerily similar to ours"
No, you are misinformed...it is nothing like what you guys have up there. Our government didn't establish a single payer system, or even a government payer option. there is no "government" health care program in other words. All it is is a convoluded set of regulations and powers that are actually a GIFT to the insurance companies...then as if that wasn't bad enough...they PUT THE IRS in charge of it. To top it off..the oposition to it comes from the simple fact thatr it is simply not even close to being a constitutional bill.
You far over simplified the bill in your post. I would go look up a copy of it and read it be ready for a couple days worth of reading, it's over 2500 pages long.
4 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
23 Mar 10
Actually it's just over 1700 pages, but I'm not here to quibble. As for it's similarity to ours, I live here, and I know. And of course I over simplified the situation. It's complex and needed to be simplified. What I stated here is what struck me right off the bat from the two hours of research I did on it.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Mar 10
I say I can live with it. And some of it will even be good. I like some of the provisions, no life time maximum on coverage, removal of pre-existing conditions clauses, not being able to charge somebody more because of a pre-existing condition, children who weren't covered will now be covered...
3 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
23 Mar 10
My thoughts too. No new system as complex as this one is going to be perfect. And the beauty of the U.S. is the ability of the public and the government to affect change when necessary. It remains to be seen how it all plays out and to my mind, people need to step back a bit and give the thing a chance before they take up arms against it as some states are threatening to do....
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169600)
• United States
23 Mar 10
I am just curious about those who do not work, do not earn enough to pay for insurance? I am not eligible for medicaid, or medicare. I work just enough to pay three little bills, hubby has Social Security and a low wage job that covers the rest, since we live frugally. I am of the wait and see mind set. By the time this goes into effect, hubby will be on medicare, but that is ten years away for me. I gave up a job to preserve my health. I think there will still be lots of fighting and fussing going on for a long time.
2 people like this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
23 Mar 10
From what I understand Gert, everyone will be issued a health care card, as we have here in Canada. We can even use this card as formal ID for passport applications! If your federal gov't is standing behind these cards, then you too will be covered.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
23 Mar 10
U are right ,GG. tHEY WILL NEVER STOP. iN FACT ON THE NEWS THEY ARE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT ALL THESE LAW SUITS THAT WILL BE FILED FIGHTING IT. I'm so sick of hearing about it all the time. 
1 person likes this
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
23 Mar 10
I say it has it's good and bad points too. The thing is...in my way of thinking. That they did not need to do this! If they had just forced the insurance companies to go down on the cost of health care then everyone could have afforded it.
The way they have it now that this will be law is that many of us with real health issues and at my age and not able to work will be turned down for many things we need. As they feel we have nothing to contribute to society.
This 8% may not be much but they are adding more and more to what they take from us and we have no say as to what they can or do take from our incomes.
They take taxes for everything and many times over. When something sells they get taxes many times over for the same items.
We are being taxes over 60% of our incomes as it is. Even with our income it is hard to live on it. I feel so badly for the people that make even less than we do.
They cut out many of the things we could have claimed on our taxes so that we could get some of our money back.
The government has gotten way too large for us to support. They have way too many things they spend the money on that has no real merit.
The bribes alone from the companies that the politicians have given their souls for is a travisty.
We can already be seen in hospitals for emergencies. Then they send us a bill for the services if the person has no insurance. They can pay a little each month until it is paid.
As you say though ...we will see how it works out...the proof is in the pudding.
2 people like this
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
23 Mar 10
Yes, we will see...I am curious to see what happens.
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
23 Mar 10
You raise some very good points moonbeam. I won't pretend to understand all the ins and outs of your new system, or even your old one, but I can see some benefits coming your way now and can only hope that this new program works better and more efficiently for everyone. I guess we'll see huh?
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
23 Mar 10
Hey Sparks, u are quite the smart woman & i hope alot of people read your discusiion 7 SHUT THE PUCK UP!! I normally don't get into political discussions on here because i am so tired of all the obama haters running their mouth. I fylly believe the reson they do all that bashing is because he is black. I have ask quite afew of my friends to quit sending me all the ugly e-mails about him. I think it's ridiculous & quite rasicts. No matter whyat he does it's wrong according to so many. I believe if he was to tell everyone they would be getting a million dollors someone would have something to bad to say. I wish they would remember who got the u.s.a. in the damn mess they are in to start with. It sure wasn't obama & he can't undo overnight what happened years before he was elected. Bet u wish i hadn't read your discussion & gone on this rant but i am sick of it. I hope this new bill will be as good as y'alls is in canada. Thanks for your insight on this topic. since u have been there done this maybe some of the knuckleheads will listen to what u say. hugs, jo
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
23 Mar 10
Rant on anytime Jo. No worries.
I rather doubt anyone is going to change their opinions just because of one discussion. Only time will tell. But as I said, Canada went through this some time ago and though we still have our problems, we also have one of the best programs in the world, so if the US has copted some of our ideas, the more power to them, and time will tell if it's the right thing or not. Too bad health care doesn't include teaching patience! lol
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
23 Mar 10
tHANKS sparks, I hate to see people show their ignornace & I THINK THAT'S WHAT SOME ARE DOING ESPECIALLY THE RACISTS. i JUST HOPE OURS TURN OUT AS WELL AS YOURS DID. i GUESS TIME WILL TELL. Ihad a terrible time w/my health ins. before i got on medicare. It went to$700 a month just for me. Is that not ridiculous ot what????
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
23 Mar 10
I have been complaining about the same thing here in Canada. It looks like other politicians are looking for any little thing they can to bash the current leader. Politics is, well, politics. Like I said in my post, the world would be a better place if it were run by women. 
2 people like this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
23 Mar 10
What say I? BRAVO, sparks, BRAVO!!!
Those of you who oppose our health care reform, please don't slam me for my opinion, as I won't slam you for yours. We still have freedom of speech in this country. 
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
23 Mar 10
Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing, but you know sometimes I wish people would exercise it on things that they are fully educated about instead of just sounding off and getting caught up in the mob mentality the media whips up. You my dear can sound off on my threads anytime and woe betide anyone that slams you!
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
23 Mar 10
Aww, thank you, both of you! HUGS to both of you right back! 
I understand perfectly about that mob mentality. I agree, before anyone opens their mouth about touchy subjects (or even un-touchy ones), they should have all the facts and be able to state them. Too many times, their response to "Why is your opinion better?" is "Because I said so."
We have what we have and we all need to make the most of it. If anyone wants it changed, they need to speak their minds to the politicians, not here.
Sparks, you said what I would have said if I had the way with words that you have. Many kudos to you for investigating something that won't even be affecting you! 
I understand perfectly about that mob mentality. I agree, before anyone opens their mouth about touchy subjects (or even un-touchy ones), they should have all the facts and be able to state them. Too many times, their response to "Why is your opinion better?" is "Because I said so."
We have what we have and we all need to make the most of it. If anyone wants it changed, they need to speak their minds to the politicians, not here.
Sparks, you said what I would have said if I had the way with words that you have. Many kudos to you for investigating something that won't even be affecting you! 2 people like this
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
27 Mar 10
Several years ago I was visiting New Hampshire (no Sales Tax State) and was talking to a local Real Estate person and asked why there were so many people from Canada visiting and was told that they came down to buy clothes because it was cheaper than pay the tax in Canada. Later when I was visiting Canada we bought over $150 in Hockey equipment for my two boys. When we got to the border we declared what we had purchased and the Canadian Customs gave us a tax form to receive back the Health Care Tax that was figured into the price of everything. We got back about $30.00. That figured to a 20% tax on goods purchased in Canada to cover Health Care. That seems to me to be a hefty tax to pay for Health Care.
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
12 Apr 10
Well I've lived and shopped in Canada all my life and I've never paid a cent of Health Care Tax. That animal doesn't exist, so I don't know what the border people were on about. I think perhaps it wasn't health care tax, but the goods and services tax that our gov't charges on everything. The money collected from this tax gets spread around into different federal programs, and I'm sure health care is one of them. But to claim we Canadians pay 20% health care tax is an outright misrepresentation and so not true.
@celticeagle (190127)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Mar 10
I think that the pharmaceutical companies being nutralized by this new health plan could very well make up for the rise in taxes. I sure hope that the health plan will help and not hender (in any way) the people who really need the most help. I saw some scarey articles about this new plan. Like it taking up to 18 months to get in to see some doctors. Ugh! Guess I will wait and see.
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
25 Mar 10
I read a lot of scary articles and some much more positive ones too. It all depends on the writer in the end and what their purpose is in writing at all.....
I believe your government will address the waiting periods as ours is now doing when it gets to a point that requires action. As I said..........the proof will be in the pudding eh?
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
23 Mar 10
No matter who controls the health care system there always will be need for fixing it. As for the health care reform recently passed by my Congress I say it's about damned time! There are far too many people in the U.S. that, like me, have NO insurance whatsoever. If we need a doctor we are in deep trouble 
The big hoopla here seems to be about Socialized medicine which is silly. Lots of places have what we consider to be socialized medicine, your country and the United Kingdom for example. I hear Canadians complain about it but I never have heard any of them say they'd be better off without it 
The big hoopla here seems to be about Socialized medicine which is silly. Lots of places have what we consider to be socialized medicine, your country and the United Kingdom for example. I hear Canadians complain about it but I never have heard any of them say they'd be better off without it 1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
24 Mar 10
Cat...FYI: fwidman is a '''man''', not a lady, so I don't know why you adressed a comment titled, "Ladies" under his response????
1 person likes this
@ClassyCat (1214)
• United States
24 Mar 10
Well - let's not get too excited here ladies - there could be a lot of problems within this bill, yet to be found out.
I have a friend who worked in a hospital here, and she said that they were getting a lot of Canadians for treatments and or surgeries, that they couldn't afford to wait for - - for one reason or another.
There are doctors here in the usa that are even saying they will leave the medical profession because of what is in this bill. That certainly won't help things.
And medicare will probably be a thing of the past eventually. Taxes will go up to.
Where in the world is the money going to come from to pay for this program?
My main gripe is that it was all done behind 'locked' closed doors. That in and of itself makes me suspicious of what is in it.
And for the record 1. I don't like Obama (and) 2. It has nothing to do with him being black. That statement is so over used.
Michael Steel is black as well, and I think he'd be a far better president.
Just my nickle's worth.
@hagirl (1295)
• United States
25 Mar 10
This is the information they are letting out, the other is what everyone is upset about it..... The clinics and hospitals that have financial assistance and sliding scales no more...... For someone like my husband he will be required to have insurance..... We have looked into several plans and cannot afford montly premiums.... They will be able to turn people away that do not have insurance.... Like i said it has some good points for people that have jobs to obtain insurance.... You know years ago I work at a factory and they tried to provide us with insurance but the premiums were so high no one could afford..... Alot of people opt out because of this..... That is all these business have to do.... If people opt out because of the price it is not on them
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
25 Mar 10
I think you'll find under the new legislation that every employer and it's employees will have affordable insurance now. As well as people who are not employed. It all remains to be seen, and this is complex program and it's implimentation is going to be confusing but worth it I think.
1 person likes this
