Opinion on Health Care Reform (Pros)

Obama's health care reform plan would increase competition and choice for the American health insurance plans. How much sense does it make that health insurance is not the law but basic auto insurance is? "The U.S. is the only industrialized country in the world, democratic or non-democratic,without universal healthcare for all citizens provided by government-funded coverage." http://usliberals.about.com/od/healthcare/i/GovHealthCare.htm

Currently, the poor and uninsured go to the Emergency Department when they are extremely in need of care because they have no insurance, no Primary Care Physician. No one should be denied health coverage. When they are, who pays? Taxpayers. So, let's make a change for the better!

"I have also said that one of the options in the insurance exchange should be a public insurance option," he told the crowd. "Let me be clear - it would only be an option. No one would be forced to choose it, and no one with insurance would be affected by it," Obama said. "What it would do is provide more choice and more competition. It would keep pressure on private insurers to keep their policies affordable and treat their customers better, the same way public colleges and universities provide additional choice and competition to students without in any way inhibiting private colleges and universities." http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/09/12/11513/health-care_reform_activists_pro_and_con_find_some_common_ground_at_obama_rally

I believe doctors in America are pro-surgery. After being diagnosed with low grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) (premalignant lesions) and the OB Dr recommending ablation of parts of my cervix (an in-clinic procedure), I did some research. Found folic acid supplements and food sources may help reverse this and has many other positive benefits...you should research it!! Guess what? After the positive PAP and then the expense biopsy that revealed the CIN, I took folic acid supplements, ate foods rich in folic acid, and quit smoking for a spell..my next 2 PAPs have been normal. Had I simply done no research and followed the doctors advice, part of my cervix would be gone - and he would get a bonus for the surgery. Health care needs regulation!!

Personally, I will always research before following any doctors advice, unless life threatening. Even then, I have my reservations. When my daughter was hospitalized with whooping cough, ie croup..they wanted to do a spinal and I would not give consent. "Sometimes, providers deliver unneeded care because they get paid more when they do more." http://www.aarpmagazine.org/health/health_care_costs.html Always consider the side effects and anything you can do to prevent the unnecessary procedures. Healthcare is out of control.

I know some Americans ask where does regulation end? I had my favorite clove cigarettes banned by a gov't bill. Not happy about it but I will say in the end my smoking raises healthcare cost and I do want to quit. Yet, I still feel this is "nazist" but utlilitarian. Smoking continues to be banned in public places and taxes increased on purchases. One opinion was, do we regulate the salary of a plumber or professor? My reply, health insurance is a near monopoly, while there are many plumbers/professors. Health care industry is long overdue for an overhaul. The Society by Michael Palmer (past ER doc), although fiction, has a lot of truth regarding HMOs.

I found this site to have some great opinions on current healthcare issues: http://www.usnews.com/blogs/letters-to-the-editor/2009/09/16/healthcare-costs-and-the-free-market.html From this website, "Transparency and availability of fees would give healthcare consumers the data they need to participate in the system in a cost-effective manner." At Geisinger Health System, there is a cost estimator on MyGeisinger.org and Geisinger.org. You can estimate the cost of the procedure before so you can anticipate what you will have to pay out of pocket. Obama has cited GHS at least 3 times as a high quality health care facility, offering below average health care cost to its patients.

I am passionate about this issue and welcome debate!