Health care proposal

jane65

Hi ladies,
I'm concerned about the new health care plan the White House is proposing, I assume that some of you are also concerned. I thought we might get some opinions here on the forum.

My husband and I have Medicare as our primary insurance, and private ins. as our secondary. We're very content with the care we've received, and we've never been turned down for medical care, treatments. or surgery. We've also found the ease of scheduling appointments, with no delay something we expect and don't think about.

Now we're concerned about our guaranteed access to health care, and rationed health care, depending on our age, and illness, it's worrisome under the new proposed plan. I 'm concerned that if I'm older and the expensive chemo for my OVCA isn't cost effective, I may be denied.

We never want anyone making decisions about our care, other than our doctors and ourselves. Certainly not a committee the Gov't. has established.

We've seen the posts of the ladies having problems getting appointments, treatments, and surgery who live in countries who have universal health care.

We're also concerned about the expense of this healthcare proposal, one trillion $. over 10 years.
We agree that redundant tests are a waste of money and that should be corrected.
There also has to be a way to stop paying for people who are in the country illegally, using our health system and us footing the bills.

We have emailed our NJ Senators expressing our concern, got a standard reply from one, nothing from the other.

What is your opinion, perhaps you have a different viewpoint.

Jane

arbor3

Health Care
I also am very concerned with the Governments Health Plan.  I also am on Medicare and Private Ins, (Kaiser Permanente).  I get excellent care, CT scans, Chemo, Dr Appts are made very fast. I was dx in Aug 2006 had ct scans, ultra sound and was on chemo in Sept 2006, had my surgery the end of Nov 2006.  Now if the government is running things will they have the compassion to get to the problem as fast as private ins.   I did not think much about the health plan until I have read in this discussion group what women from other countries have said. I have read the articles  in the paper, the government people need to do alot of thinking.  Dinora

saundra

Concern
I am too... Obama's cost savings include cutting back on Medicare payments. In my part of the country, doctors will simply not take medicare patients. Some already have stopped. When I get an EOB from my secondary carrier, Medicare is paying about 7% of the charges for chemo. Add to that they do not pay for any chemo not specifically approved for ovarian and we are limited now. It can only get worse. Health care will be rationed...no way around it. Saundra

momspot

arbor3 said:

Health Care
I also am very concerned with the Governments Health Plan.  I also am on Medicare and Private Ins, (Kaiser Permanente).  I get excellent care, CT scans, Chemo, Dr Appts are made very fast. I was dx in Aug 2006 had ct scans, ultra sound and was on chemo in Sept 2006, had my surgery the end of Nov 2006.  Now if the government is running things will they have the compassion to get to the problem as fast as private ins.   I did not think much about the health plan until I have read in this discussion group what women from other countries have said. I have read the articles  in the paper, the government people need to do alot of thinking.  Dinora

I'm also very concerned
I'm also very concerned about this proposal. I lived in England for four years and witnessed first hand the deplorable state of their health care. That's not something I want for my family or anyone else. Unfortunately I think that instead of a bunch of government heads (who are probably in perfect health) sitting around deciding what we need...they should call in some people who are ill and utilize the current system to ask how best the needs of the people should be met.

I must confess that my current medical insurance is Public Medicaid. I was ill for over a year and lost my job and my husband works for a nonprofit agencey so his salary is less then enviable to say the least. And since the state of Illinois has had problems paying its bills...there are only a few doctors who will actually accept our card. Once we had to wait six months for an appt for my daughter with a neurologist because they wanted to wait til the beginning of the new fiscal year so the doctor was sure he would be paid. Luckily, it was not an emergency. They are also very strict with the pharmacy. I had to go off of a medicine that was making me feel really good, because they did not want to cover it...I had to spend two weeks on the medicine they did cover before they accepted my doctors letter that it didn't work for me and ok'd the new prescription.

Which brings up the point that while I do not think the new plan will work, something has to be done. Currently the insurance and drug companies run the show. I worked for a large insurance company for awhile and the pharmaceuticals on their covered list are there not because they work the best but because they manufacturer has cut them a deal. So if it's not covered you must pay for it yourself or switch meds. How can a doctor, who's been to school half his life for this, be told what he can prescribe? Does that make any sense? Some businessman who wants to save his company money gets to decide what meds you can have. That is a ridiculous situation.

Sorry...healthcare is one my pet peeves currently. Don't even get me started on the cuts the state of Illinois has made in funding to the Department of Mental Health and Developemental Disabilities. And how they are screwing over our states disabled residents.

Spot

mopar

HOLDING MY BREATH
Well, I'm so glad to see that we can speak on this forum about such a critical issue, not just to us, but to everyone.

My husband has Medicare (due to a disability), and supplemental private insurance. I have private insurance for myself and 2 of my daugthers. My employer does not offer insurance. While it is expensive, I've never had any major issues with the policy. I've had peace of mind that my chemo (both times) were at least 95% covered. I do pay separately for prescription coverage, and unfortunately not all of my meds were covered. But all in all, I have no complaints. My VERY EXPENSIVE CT scans are covered, which is a blessing since they go over $5,000 each time.

I'm so glad to see input from those of you who have experienced the 'other side' of this issue. It really helps when someone who has been there relays their first-hand experience to us. On the surface, everyone is hearing how 'wonderful' this proposed change will be. Many know differently. I do believe the **** Morris' website outlines what this new proposed plan is all about. You may want to take a look.

I have concerns for the elderly, the disabled, the sick, children, AND everyone! While it wouldn't hurt to really analyze medical costs and put everything into perspective, I do not believe this proposed health plan will benefit anyone. It would be a disaster, in my opinion. I'll be praying that it doesn't go through.

Here's hoping for the best!
Monika

bluerose

A Canadian Perspective
Hi all. I am Canadian and going through hell with our system and from what I hear the planned new health care system in your country is much like ours. I have to say that when I was diagnosed 20 years ago and went through treatment for the next 4 years off and on it was in and out of specialists quickly and started treatment right away and all for zero out of our pockets except personal meds later, after we were released from the hospital but while we were in there it was all provided free. Of course you have to temper the word 'free' with the fact that in Canada we are highly taxed - income taxes, sales taxes blah blah, the money for 'free' health care has to come from somewhere - to pay for it.

Flash forward 20 years and we are in a mess. Some of you might remember my story from other subject titles in here but I am now into a 3 - 5 month more wait on top of the several months I have had this 'node' in my right ovary and now tissue in my uterus, meaning that it could be close to a year before I even have biopsy surgery. I don't need to tell you guys what waits for ovarian cancer could mean. And the worst part is that the doctors just don't seem to up your positioning with appointments if you show a worsening possible condition. I am in pain in my lower back from this and on extra morphine that was perscribed for another condition, within limits, but they won't move me up. Yesterday I turned off the phone and computer and took a day off from calling everyone from our Cancer Society of Canada to ovarian cancer advocates to God only knows who and no help to get me seen earlier. Meanwhile I hear this 'tick tick tick' of time passing without diagnosis/treatment.

So I wish you luck with your health care system, maybe Obama has a few deviations from our system that will save you all from what we have come to, when the system was working it worked beautifully and I wouldn't be here typing to you if it wasn't the system of 20 years ago but as time goes on the system can't support a free system and someone is going to pay sooner or later - some with their lives. I pray Obama ensures that what is happening in Canada doesn't happen to the States. All the best, Blueroses

lindaprocopio

And yet, read the posts hereof the UNinsured to see THAT horror.
I agree; I'm terrified of what they may come up with for universal health coverage. But I read the posts of those with no insurance and a new cancer diagnosis, and I know that something must be done for them. On the 'Emotional Support' Discussion Board here, women with cancer post about staying in bad marriages in order not to divorce their health coverage, and people with cancer stay trapped in their current jobs in order to not fall into the 'pre-existing conditions' exclusion that would probably be a part of any new group insurance policy if they change jobs. Selfishly, I'm glad I'm covered and don't want to give up the excellent care I get. But I cannot heartlessly ignore the pain of the uninsured. I've signed those papers, saying that I will personally pay for that day's $14,000 chemo infusion, when my insurance 'pre-certification' was delayed (it eventually came through and was covered), and I've talked to uninsured people getting chemo with me that had already mortgaged their house to pay for their chemo. I can't make myself harden my heart just because they gambled by not having insurance and lost that gamble. If you made minimum wage, food and shelter for your kids might be a higher priority than insurance.

I have my own business and so am not a part of a group plan, and pay about $12,000/year for a 'Health Savings Plan' type of health insurance for my husband and myself. I have a $7,500 annual deductible that I have paid twice since my cancer diagnosis, and I pay 20% of anything I get done 'out of network', (which included my de-bulking surgery as there are no local gyn-oncs nearby.). My biggest personal concern with my insurance is that, no matter how much they raise my premium, I know that no other private insurer will take me. And my insurer probably would LOVE to have me drop my coverage as my claims have been crazy-high. I expect they will keep raising my rates as much as the law allows (if rate hikes are even regulated ???) every year. So, in addition to my high insurance premiums, I have paid about $25,000 out of pocket in the past year. I am greatful that I am able to do that, even though I had to forego the new hybrid car I'd been saving for. But I would LOVE another insurance option than the one that I am currently locked into because they are the only private insurer that would ever consider me now.

So, although I am skeptical and worried, I am hopeful that some compromise solution will be found. And I hope that I won't be excluded from being a part of any alternative insurance option just because I have been responsible and always carried health insurance.

lnyeholt

mopar said:

HOLDING MY BREATH
Well, I'm so glad to see that we can speak on this forum about such a critical issue, not just to us, but to everyone.

My husband has Medicare (due to a disability), and supplemental private insurance. I have private insurance for myself and 2 of my daugthers. My employer does not offer insurance. While it is expensive, I've never had any major issues with the policy. I've had peace of mind that my chemo (both times) were at least 95% covered. I do pay separately for prescription coverage, and unfortunately not all of my meds were covered. But all in all, I have no complaints. My VERY EXPENSIVE CT scans are covered, which is a blessing since they go over $5,000 each time.

I'm so glad to see input from those of you who have experienced the 'other side' of this issue. It really helps when someone who has been there relays their first-hand experience to us. On the surface, everyone is hearing how 'wonderful' this proposed change will be. Many know differently. I do believe the **** Morris' website outlines what this new proposed plan is all about. You may want to take a look.

I have concerns for the elderly, the disabled, the sick, children, AND everyone! While it wouldn't hurt to really analyze medical costs and put everything into perspective, I do not believe this proposed health plan will benefit anyone. It would be a disaster, in my opinion. I'll be praying that it doesn't go through.

Here's hoping for the best!
Monika

Health Care
Earlier in 2009 National Public Radio did a very good series on health care in other industrialized countries, explaining the various models and how they worked. The Obama Administration could learn something listening to that series of programs. The national mindset toward the delivery of health care is very different depending on the country. The ones that see providing basic care as a necessity for all citizens seem to have the most successful programs especially if there is also the expectation of personal responsibility for health maintenance. For example, in one country (can’t remember which) if a person hasn’t had regular annual exams then their co-pay for the treatment of disease is much higher than those people who have. As we all know, many diseases are much less costly to treat if caught in the initial stages and some can be prevented with early medical intervention.

In my opinion, the main problem with health care in the United States is the mind set that health care is a profit making venture. The lack of universal coverage combined with the high cost of health insurance arises from that basic approach to providing access to doctors and treatment.

Over the years I have served on many committees for local and national employer organizations and health care has always been at the top of the list of issues. The majority of employers WANT to provide this benefit for employees but the way the insurance industry is structured in this country makes it very difficult to afford and remain profitable, especially for small employers (who, by the way, employ the majority of the nation's employees). Groups such as these could substantially lower the cost of insurance for their employer members by offering group insurance that all could participate in except the way the laws are written it is not possible for insurance companies to write group policies across state lines. Changing the laws so there are national guidelines rather than individual state requirements would help bring rates down, allow employers to form large, national groups that insurance companies could write lower cost policies and offer covered services for small companies, more in line with what unions can offer their members since their policies can be written on a national basis. Even so, as we have seen in the past several months, managing the cost of insurance is a part of the crisis for the American auto industry, so that's not the entire answer, either.

Of course, placing the bulk of the burden for access to health insurance the responsibility of employers is part of the problem, as well. Why isn’t basic medical care and common drugs such as antibiotics made available to all with affordable options for catastrophic care discretionary? Until our government steps up and regulates the insurance and pharmaceutical industry in a meaningful way we will continue to have a system that leaves poor and unemployed people without necessary, basic health care and threatens all of us with a system that limits our doctor's ability to make medical decisions based on individual needs and denies many people the care they deserve delivered in a timely fashion.

It's been awhile since I've done any lobbying, but five years ago when I was last active in the political arena, the rule of thumb was "the bigger the pile, the better" so snail mail and phone calls were the best way to be heard. Remember that these people are in the business of being helpful and like to hear from their constituents. It's very easy to get to know your representatives and, more importantly, their staff. Just call and ask to speak to someone who is handling the issue you’re interested in. Don't hesitate to contact people outside your district or state with your concerns and comments, especially legislators who serve on the committees that sponsor the legislation of concern. Write to anyone who has a voice or a vote in this discussion and, if possible, follow that letter with a scheduled visit to either their local offices or, better yet, Washington D.C., calling ahead with your concerns and asking for an appointment to speak to someone about them.

Imagine, after an organized letter writing campaign, how impressive a delegation of teal wearing OVCA warriors descending on Washington D.C. could be!

LPack

one world order
If we let the government make our decisions on health care what will it be next?

I can only imagine what will be in store for us. To me the end times are getting closer and of course they are as each day passes.

I do believe we have to contact our Senators and express our concerns.

And of course pray. We do know Who is really in charge. ☺

In His Grip,
Libby

jane65

LPack said:

one world order
If we let the government make our decisions on health care what will it be next?

I can only imagine what will be in store for us. To me the end times are getting closer and of course they are as each day passes.

I do believe we have to contact our Senators and express our concerns.

And of course pray. We do know Who is really in charge. ☺

In His Grip,
Libby

I posted this same question on MedHelp OVCA message board, and after 22 women had responded and expressed their feelings, the entire thread was removed.
Some of the women were from Canada and were ok with their health care, some were very unhappy with the care.

Most of the replies were from ladies in our country, a few were pro the reform bill, and most concerned and con. It was a healthy discussion, no anger involved.

Talk about people making our decisions..
Jane

lnyeholt

jane65 said:

I posted this same question on MedHelp OVCA message board, and after 22 women had responded and expressed their feelings, the entire thread was removed.
Some of the women were from Canada and were ok with their health care, some were very unhappy with the care.

Most of the replies were from ladies in our country, a few were pro the reform bill, and most concerned and con. It was a healthy discussion, no anger involved.

Talk about people making our decisions..
Jane

Petition Link
http://www.freeourhealthcarenow.com/

Above is a link to a petition site for those that are interested. The petition asks for choice, access, fairness, and responsibility.

bluerose

jane65 said:

I posted this same question on MedHelp OVCA message board, and after 22 women had responded and expressed their feelings, the entire thread was removed.
Some of the women were from Canada and were ok with their health care, some were very unhappy with the care.

Most of the replies were from ladies in our country, a few were pro the reform bill, and most concerned and con. It was a healthy discussion, no anger involved.

Talk about people making our decisions..
Jane

Depends on the demographics
as to who in Canada is happy and who isn't with our health care. The older and creekiest of us tend to have issues with it, in general, and the young and healthier are okay with it, and of course depends on what personal plans you have too. If you are with the government here you are laughing with free health care, no premiums and mega reductions in drug costs etc. You will find that how content people are is directly related to either of those issues or a combination thereof. Like I said before, without it all free upfront when you go for help I wouldn't be here right now as I could have never been able to afford all my treatment out of pocket years back.

Cindy54

Another Opinion
I guess a lot depends on where you live and if you currently have insurance. It is my understaning from all that I have read that you will have a choice as to what insurance you want at reasonable cost. Those on Medicare will still be able to have that and their private insurance. There is so much information floating around out there it is scary for everyone.

Having been on both sides of the health insurance issue, I have seen what the costs do to people. I paid the premiums for Mom when she had Medicare plus her other insurance. Every year they went up. This insurance was always billed first, then Medicare. That is the Medicare rule. And they pay little. So it is always better if you have a good secondary insurance.

As for me, I don't have insurance now. When I did through my employer, he changed it every year. SO I always had a high deductible and payments. I am still paying the bills for the treatments I had when I had insurance. I now go under charity care at the cancer center. They still have not ruled on charity care at the hospital, and I applied for it in March. I was turned down for a medical card because I am receiving unemployment...I was told I could only have an income of $205 per MONTH in PA. How in the world would I live on this now? Back when I was taking care of Mom and recovering from my own surgeries, I did qualify for the medical card. But the doctor who was treating me would not accept it. So I had to go with another doctor who did not know anything about me or my issues.I was glad to see that something was done with COBRA, but for me to do this, I was told I would have to pay the months when my insurance ended, at full premium, before I could do the reduced premiums. How could I afford $1400 up front, then a current month payment? I went on the waiting list for low income healthcare in this state instead...but it has a 3 year waiting list.

There are so many things when it comes to healthcare. It is sad when I see so many people losing all they have worked for due to illness in the family. Doctors should never have to worry about insurance companies calling the shots so to speak, they should be able to practice what they have worked so hard for...medicine and taking care of people. Even if something is passed this year, it will take time to be in place. I pray for a livable outcome to this. Cindy

BonnieR

saundra said:

Concern
I am too... Obama's cost savings include cutting back on Medicare payments. In my part of the country, doctors will simply not take medicare patients. Some already have stopped. When I get an EOB from my secondary carrier, Medicare is paying about 7% of the charges for chemo. Add to that they do not pay for any chemo not specifically approved for ovarian and we are limited now. It can only get worse. Health care will be rationed...no way around it. Saundra

on this train
I know what you mean about health care and medicare. I have medicare as primary too and so we on medicare already know what it is like to have insurance that is run by the government. I was so surprised on how little they pay and what limited chemo's are available for ovarian cancer under their guidelines. I know if I had medicare since diagnosis I would not have recieved all the treatments I have. Thank God for compassionate use of drugs and clinics that help you with it.

I am afraid health care may be rationed under this new plan but also realize for some it is better than no insurance. Lots of prayers needed during our governments decision making in this matter and lots of input from the people. Bonnie

bluerose

Cindy54 said:

Another Opinion
I guess a lot depends on where you live and if you currently have insurance. It is my understaning from all that I have read that you will have a choice as to what insurance you want at reasonable cost. Those on Medicare will still be able to have that and their private insurance. There is so much information floating around out there it is scary for everyone.

Having been on both sides of the health insurance issue, I have seen what the costs do to people. I paid the premiums for Mom when she had Medicare plus her other insurance. Every year they went up. This insurance was always billed first, then Medicare. That is the Medicare rule. And they pay little. So it is always better if you have a good secondary insurance.

As for me, I don't have insurance now. When I did through my employer, he changed it every year. SO I always had a high deductible and payments. I am still paying the bills for the treatments I had when I had insurance. I now go under charity care at the cancer center. They still have not ruled on charity care at the hospital, and I applied for it in March. I was turned down for a medical card because I am receiving unemployment...I was told I could only have an income of $205 per MONTH in PA. How in the world would I live on this now? Back when I was taking care of Mom and recovering from my own surgeries, I did qualify for the medical card. But the doctor who was treating me would not accept it. So I had to go with another doctor who did not know anything about me or my issues.I was glad to see that something was done with COBRA, but for me to do this, I was told I would have to pay the months when my insurance ended, at full premium, before I could do the reduced premiums. How could I afford $1400 up front, then a current month payment? I went on the waiting list for low income healthcare in this state instead...but it has a 3 year waiting list.

There are so many things when it comes to healthcare. It is sad when I see so many people losing all they have worked for due to illness in the family. Doctors should never have to worry about insurance companies calling the shots so to speak, they should be able to practice what they have worked so hard for...medicine and taking care of people. Even if something is passed this year, it will take time to be in place. I pray for a livable outcome to this. Cindy

Lost my government health care in divorce
Here in Canada you know the picture with health care, government run for the most part but we still have private insurance as well. My husband worked for the government and our whole family was covered on his amazing government plan which was coverage between 90 and 100% depending on what was being covered - dentistry, meds etc. When we divorced he promised never to take me off his plan and of course liar liar pants on fire he did anywho when he met someone else. He found me a rotten alternative private plan that has huge premiums, the government plans had none, and so with all my meds it only covers 80% of them for 4 months out of the year because at that point I reach their maximums - which are nothing when you have several medical issues. So I have to pay out of pocket for the other 8 months of the year. He gave me a little extra to help with that but that has long since not been enough but who has the money to fight him for more with lawyers fees?

Like someone said earlier in this discussion, there are lots of ramifications to government run medical and pre existing conditions can really shut you out of many private plans as you know. Premiums are killing me and I have thought about cancelling the plan altogether and just putting that premium money which is almost 200 a month right now, into a medical fund for myself and use that instead. But it's scarey to cancel the plan because with pre existing conditions that was the only company that would take me as it was a direct transfer from a government plan when my ex took me off of it.

It's a complicated issue for sure, I don't envy you guys in the states having to wrestle with it all. Those who are healthy have no idea how great an impact that it can be on their lives when they need it the most. Blessings, Bluerose

lnyeholt

bluerose said:

Lost my government health care in divorce
Here in Canada you know the picture with health care, government run for the most part but we still have private insurance as well. My husband worked for the government and our whole family was covered on his amazing government plan which was coverage between 90 and 100% depending on what was being covered - dentistry, meds etc. When we divorced he promised never to take me off his plan and of course liar liar pants on fire he did anywho when he met someone else. He found me a rotten alternative private plan that has huge premiums, the government plans had none, and so with all my meds it only covers 80% of them for 4 months out of the year because at that point I reach their maximums - which are nothing when you have several medical issues. So I have to pay out of pocket for the other 8 months of the year. He gave me a little extra to help with that but that has long since not been enough but who has the money to fight him for more with lawyers fees?

Like someone said earlier in this discussion, there are lots of ramifications to government run medical and pre existing conditions can really shut you out of many private plans as you know. Premiums are killing me and I have thought about cancelling the plan altogether and just putting that premium money which is almost 200 a month right now, into a medical fund for myself and use that instead. But it's scarey to cancel the plan because with pre existing conditions that was the only company that would take me as it was a direct transfer from a government plan when my ex took me off of it.

It's a complicated issue for sure, I don't envy you guys in the states having to wrestle with it all. Those who are healthy have no idea how great an impact that it can be on their lives when they need it the most. Blessings, Bluerose

Obama's Health Care plan
For those of you who are interested here are links to two articles I found pretty informative regarding Obama’s health care plan. After reading both I’m still unsure the plan will provide health care for uninsured Americans and reduce the cost for the rest of us but I’m much better informed about the main provisions in the plan the possible consequences if it’s adopted.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/11/news/economy/obama_health_plan_no_bargain.fortune/index.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/opinion/26sun1.html

Lyn

saundra

lnyeholt said:

Obama's Health Care plan
For those of you who are interested here are links to two articles I found pretty informative regarding Obama’s health care plan. After reading both I’m still unsure the plan will provide health care for uninsured Americans and reduce the cost for the rest of us but I’m much better informed about the main provisions in the plan the possible consequences if it’s adopted.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/06/11/news/economy/obama_health_plan_no_bargain.fortune/index.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/opinion/26sun1.html

Lyn

Articles
Thanks, Lyn for the links. It is disturbing to read that some of this will be paid for by reducing medicare payments as they are so small now. Medicare pays the doctor 80% of what Medicare says the bill should be on each proceedure. Supplemental pays the other 20%. On my chemo treatments, Medicare paid 7% of what the total was charged by the clinic. Somewhere around $300-400 for mine. We have many doctors that will no longer accept medicare patients because filing the paperwork costs them more than they are reimbursed. Add to that that Medicare is in the RED, how will the government keep this from happening to the new insured?
Today, when I went to pre-register for my needle biopsy tomorrow, I had the blood lab work done and was told that Medicare would not pay for the blood tests that are required before the proceedure. I had to sign a paper saying that I would pay the $240. Wondering if the cuts are already starting. They paid two years ago when I was first diagnosed.
There is no such thing as FREE Medical care. Someone has to pay for it. Saundra

jane65

goodnews
I am so glad to see that the President is now saying that a vote on his health care reform bill is now being put off until October.
This will give our congresspeople a chance to read over the 10015 pages before they vote.