HEALTHCARE– Public Option and Congressional Opposition

I have listened and attempted to understand the logic dictating Congressional Opposition to a Public Option being included in the Health Care Reform Package but I can’t figure out the logic nor understand the strategic plan. That is unless the strategic plan is to do nothing, change nothing and reform nothing as Congress eats and drinks at the MONEY trough of lobbyist. The main objection seems to be who will pay for Health Care Reform; and of course the President has a pay as you go policy. But this does not explain what their Health Care Reform is and who in America their plan will benefit.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090617-716441.html “... Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., interrupting the opening remarks of Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., called the proceedings a "joke" and suggested the panel needed better cost estimates before it took up the legislation.

"I suggest we not move forward until we have some provision on how we're going to pay for it," McCain said. "Obviously, the CBO estimates that came out yesterday are much, much higher than we have originally estimated and we've yet to pay for them."

Here is my suggestion for Senator McCain and the rest of my Congress – First, get off your dead ass and do your damn job and be thankful you have your job because a lot of Americans don’t; you might not have your job following your next election if you keep making the American people suffer. Second and this is specifically for you Senator McCain, you are a triple dipper…Senator McCain receives a monthly Navy pension (along with all the benefits befitting a retired Naval Officer (including insurance, medical benefits, and drug benefits); Senator McCain also receives a monthly salary as a U.S. Senator (along with all the benefits of a tax paid employee (including insurance, medical benefits and drug benefits, oh I forgot dental and vision (above); and because he is over age 65, he receives a monthly Social Security payment and Medicare Benefits. Taxpayer dollars pay for all of this Senator McCain; true you have earned your Navy benefits and I salute you as an American Hero for your Naval Service and your endurance. However, since you can’t seem to do your job getting Real Health Care Reform for United States Citizens and specifically for Arizonians, you should QUIT or be FIRED. At that point, Senator McCain, you will only be a double dipper.

• Over forty million Americans are currently without Health Care
• Every American Senator and Representative has a Public Health Care Option
• The Bush Administration Medicare Reform had a giant “Donut Hole” which benefited the lobbyist, pharmaceutical companies and possible some politicians but gouged the elderly.
• Clinton Administrations attempt at Health Care Reform was blocked by Congress and never even got off the ground

In the meantime the American public has had the following heaped upon us

• My personal favorite – HMOs and PPOs

Not sure what HMO stands for, but I do know that since their existence, actual health care has been diminished

• Doctor/patient ratios increased significantly;
• Doctor time spent with patient, decreased dramatically;
• Doctors no longer “see” patients, and rarely physically touch their patients;
• Doctors very readily prescribe pharmaceutical drugs which in many cases are unnecessary;
• Doctors run lots of expensive tests that usually result in normal parameters but never help in the diagnosis of the initial problem;
• Doctors no longer look at the whole body to determine diagnosis – there is no time;
• Consistently Increasing Prescription Drug Cost
• Drugs that became approved by FDA in the 1960’s and 1970’s today cost 50% or more in comparison to original released rates;
• Recently developed drugs are released without thorough testing (primarily because of cost) sometimes resulting in deaths that are considered collateral damage;
• Increased law suits resulting from deaths or lifelong impairment due to taking drugs that have not had rigorous testing; most are not “frivolous” as suggested by former President Bush with his tort reform. Households who are affected by improper drugs will have life long medical problems which will have to be paid – Pharmaceutical companies are not volunteering to pay these costs;
• Drug companies profits keep going up;
• Drug company CEO’s and top management are paid more than the President of the United States in most cases ;
• Insurance Companies Ripping Off Consumers
• Personal note – I believe insurance is the biggest SCAM in America. Really think about this people – Life Insurance (oxymoron?) – Once you get life insurance you pay premium rates each year/month, each birthday your rates increase and/or you add more insurance, paying more and more every year till you die; then someone else gets the benefits. How is that insurance on your life?
• Monthly premium rates have tripled in comparison to inflation rates over the last nine years;
• Coverage has decreased to consumers and health providers together nickel and dime consumers to death with hidden costs that are no longer covered by “the plan”
• Medical Insurance Companies profits have increased along the same rate as the premium rate increases over the last nine years
• Insurance company CEO’s salaries are more than the President of the United States in most cases;

Congress, We the Hardworking People, have given everything we have monetarily in taxes, we have nothing left to give to you or the pharma companies, insurance companies, and HMO, PPO’s , who have all gained so much monetarily. Stop sucking the blood of the middle class. Do you job for the people and stop sucking up to Corporations. If you can’t do your job, QUIT!

I did my research; below you will find some supporting web documentation that will open the eyes of the American people to the farce that Congress refuses to see.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7015852971?Health%20Insurer%20UnitedHealth%202Q%20Earnings%20Jumps%20On%20Prior-Year%20Charges,%20Higher%20Revenue

Health Insurer UnitedHealth 2Q Earnings Jumps On Prior-Year Charges, Higher Revenue

Minneapolis, MN (AHN) - UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) announced Tuesday that its second-quarter profit more than doubled on previous year charges, with growth in revenues, topping analysts' estimates. The company also raised the low end of its full-year earnings outlook.

For the 2009, the company improved its guidance to $3.00 per share to $3.15 per share from the previous outlook range of $2.90 to $3.15 per share. UnitedHealth Group continues to project full year 2009 cash flows from operations of approximately $5 billion.

Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7015852971?Health%20Insurer%20UnitedHealth%202Q%20Earnings%20Jumps%20On%20Prior-Year%20Charges,%20Higher%20Revenue#ixzz0M6yKjcJl


http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/health-care/pfizer-reports-second-quarter--results-increases-year--adjusted-diluted-eps/

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today reported financial results for second-quarter 2009. Revenues were $11.0 billion, a decrease of 9% compared with the year-ago quarter and flat on a constant currency basis. Foreign exchange unfavorably impacted revenues by approximately $1.1 billion or 9%. For second-quarter 2009, U.S. revenues were $4.5 billion, a decrease of 5% compared with the year-ago quarter. International revenues were $6.5 billion, a decrease of 12% compared with the prior-year quarter, and reflected operational growth of 2%, which was more than offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange of 14%. U.S. revenues represented 41% of the total compared with 39% in the year-ago quarter, while international revenues represented 59% of the total compared with 61% in the year-ago quarter.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/health-care-reform/2009/07/health_care_continues_its_inte.html?hpid=topnews?hpid=topnews

Lobbyists Spend Millions to Influence Health Care

By Dan Eggen
Drugmakers, hospitals and insurers continued to pour millions of dollars into lobbying during the second quarter of this year, hoping to limit the damage to their bottom line as lawmakers and the Obama administration wrangle over landmark health-care legislation.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090617-716441.html

JUNE 17, 2009, 6:34 P.M. ET

4th UPDATE: Senate Republicans Assail Process On Health Care

   By Patrick Yoest 

   Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 

http://www.fiercepharma.com/special-reports/top-17-paychecks-big-pharma

Top 17 Paychecks in Big Pharma

May 19, 2008 — 2:35pm ET

by Tracy Staton and Maureen Martino

Few statistics are as hotly debated as CEO pay reports. Investors, analysts, and the just plain curious all want to know how much the head honcho makes--and how one company's chief stacks up against another's. So here for your rubbernecking pleasure are the 17 highest-paid CEOs in Big Pharma. While the names themselves probably won't be a surprise, their pecking order might. For instance, the biggest drug maker by sales--Pfizer--doesn't have the highest-paid executive, and one of the relatively small fry counts its chief among the top 10.

http://www.centerjd.org/air/pr/AIRProfit.pdf

For Immediate Release Contact: Joanne Doroshow, 212/267-2801

September 30, 2003

Insurance Companies Raking in Huge Profits

Contrary to what insurance lobbyists may be telling lawmakers, newly-released data shows

that insurance company profits, including those of medical malpractice insurers, are booming and insurance analysts are privately raving about it.

According to the September 15, 2003 issue of Business Insurance (“Market conditions still

ripe for insurer profitability; Buyers to see rate hikes ease”), 14 property/casualty insurers saw a 35.9% increase in net income, to $7.5 billion, in the first half of 2003. Only Hartford booked an $888 million first-half loss, reflecting a $3.91 billion pretax charge for asbestos reserves in the first quarter.

Thank You Michael and the Jackson Family for Sharing with the World

My Tribute to Michael Jackson –

Michael Jackson, “The Greatest Entertainer to Ever Live", as proclaimed today by Mr. Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of Motown, was/is my hero.

God gifts humanity with living angels whose talent and gifts exceed human abilities; John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Princess Diana, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Minnie Ripperton, John Lennon, Michael Jackson, and others were among those angels, who lived among us, doing great things, during their short lives on this earth. “Gone to Soon” was sung by Usher at the memorial for Michael Jackson today bringing tears to everyone’s eyes as he sang to the family and a gold plated casket holding Michael’s body.

The comet that was Michael Jackson gave so very much to the world during his brief stay on this earth…his music, his dance, his performances, his caring, his power, and his love. Michael did so very much which has received little coverage by the media that needs acknowledging, especially, The Millennium-Issue of the “Guinness Book Of Records” names Michael as the Pop Star who supports the most charity organizations. He did a lot and we need to acknowledge his accomplishments off the stage as well as on stage.

He was a Father to three young children who are now without the one person in the world they counted on to be there for them. I pray that his children know just how powerful, and extremely wonderful he was to the world. His gifts to us will not be forgotten by me; nor will young Paris Jackson’s words about how great her Daddy was and how much she loved him.

Michael’s music touched people across the globe. I remember being in a night club in South Korea listening to Koreans sing Michael Jackson songs, and as I visited other clubs during my trip I realized that everyone was singing Michael Jackson songs and dancing like Michael. In Japan, I experienced the same thing. In England, Australia, in New Zealand, in Africa and South America, his music was played on radio stations, in bars and clubs, and in taxi cabs as I traveled around the world. Michael Jackson and his music are known throughout the world. Watching little children all over the world attempting to do the “Moon Walk” is a tribute to the power of this amazing artist.

I think about how Michael Jackson influenced entertainers who came after him, Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Madonna as well as Janet Jackson and so many others. Additionally, Michael Jackson’s influence on older artist, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and others also were influenced by Michael’s talent and gifts. How lucky we are to be able to enjoy the products of his amazement. After the 25th anniversary of Motown with the debut of Billy Jean, the Moon Walk and when he hit his toes, my son said, “ballet dancers all over the world will want to burn their shoes”.

There exist recorded music by Michael that has not been released, another great gift we, his fans have to look forward to in the future, we can hope.

Thank you so very much Mrs. Katherine Jackson for sharing your son with me and mine. Thank you Michael Jackson for sharing your gifts and talents with me and mine.
Thank you; thank you; thank you and may God bless your family forever.

God gave; the Jacksons and Michael shared; and we are much better because he lived.

Endnote – To all of Michael Jackson’s fans, contact your Congress people and request they vote on Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee’s Resolution 600 – …World Humanitarian Award for Michael Jackson.

SUPER STARS DIE -- MEDIA KILS

ENTERTAINMENT PERSONALITIES DIE -- NEWS MEDIA COVERAGE LACKS SENSITIVITY

The last week in June 2009 confirms that LIFE is too short and we have to do the very best we can with the time we are given on this planet to treat everyone the way we wish to be treated.

Ed McMahon – Every generation alive today had been exposed to Ed’s voice and face on television through his time on the Tonight show to Star Search to his many commercials for various products. Mr. McMahon had been ill for some time and died at age of 88. Hopefully he had a long and happy life while he was on this planet.

Farrah Fawcett – A very talented, yet underrated actress died after a brave battle with cancer for the past three and one half years at the age of 62. After her one year stint on “Charlie’s Angles,” Ms Fawcett’s acting career seemed to disappear, be disparaged, and belittled. However, anyone who saw her breakthrough, made for TV movie “The Burning Bed” observed first hand this blonde beauty’s ability to act on an exceptional level that “Charlie’s Angels” could never take her. Ms. Fawcett’s performance told the story of an abused wife and mother who continued to have physical, verbal, and emotional abuse heaped upon her day after day of torture expressed in her eyes, facial expressions and body movements with such dramatic effect that every woman who watched could easily empathize with the character. That’s telling a story. Ms. Fawcett opened her life to us with the release of “Farrah’s Story”, which documented her struggles and triumph’s over the cancer which eventually took her life.

Michael Jackson – A start that burned so bright and provided so much light; humanity found it necessary to tarnish to dimness that light with dishonor, deceit, contempt, and greed. And now that star has burned out, Michael is dead. Did we appreciate him enough when he was here? Did we appreciate the gifts of song, dance and music he brought to the world? Obviously we didn’t and we still don’t especially if you look at TV News.

News(?) Media has reported rumor, innuendo, gossip and speculation about Michael Jackson, his finances, his health, his drug use/abuse, and his ability to perform, from people who claim to be close to him, but who probably don’t know anything. The media reports these scurrilous rumors and gossip as truth without any regard or thought for the grieving Jackson family or Michael Jackson’s children. Did Michael deserve this treatment? It didn’t happen with Ed McMahon or Farrah Fawcett, the media did not question McMahon’s finances, even though it had been reported that McMahon was having financial difficulties.

How he died matters to his family; as a fan, all that is important is Michael Jackson is DEAD. Hopefully he left new unpublished music we will be able to appreciate and enjoy well into the future. Hopefully his children will have the ability to forgive the News(?) Media for their scurrilous rumors regarding the death of their Father, some day; I am not sure I can or will forgive the Main Stream Media for their extreme sensationalism of Jackson’s death, it really is unnecessary.

Photo Credits to Life Magazine and Newsday