Anna~Anna
"Flintville Annie"
© 2006-2015
We are back in Minnesota- (Hopefully to be able to leave within reason this time too) hehehe Must get showered and dressed. Casey's appointment with Dr Sutherland is at 8:30. Punk is a bit ill/odd/sick. Not sure what is going on with her; and my back is something real fierce today... Love to all. XOXO, Me
FOOD! Carnivore? Herbivore? Or Omnivore? hehehe
Good Morning All;
Seems as though everyone is talking about food lately- Makes my mouth water to read some of your entries! (Maybe it is because I haven't done the 'real' grocery shopping in a while).
XOXO
Me
Thank you Sophie for sharing this!
The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. :)
The instructions are quite easy...
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) highlight in red any items that you would never consider eating.
_______________________________
1. Venison
2. Nettle Tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush Will never do so again-
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi aka: alu gobi, or aloo gobhi (Cumin, I'll bet).
15. Hot dog from a street cart (I live under a rock. Carts won't fit).
16. Epoisses too scary.
17. Black truffle
18. Chicken and Waffles (only if I ran out of bread)?
19. Steamed pork buns huh?
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras before I knew it's history
24. Rice and beans Senior Class exchange to Mexico
25. Brawn, or head cheese Don't like it.
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda sounds like barricuda?
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl Country Kitchen
33. Salted lassi Arf?
34. Sauerkraut Mmmm (Click Here).
35. Root beer float
36. Clotted cream tea
37. Gumbo
38. Turtle Soup
39. Oxtail
40. Curried goat
41. Whole insects
42. Phaal (Its HOT!!!) Then no.
43. Goat’s milk
44. Pheasant
45. Squirrel
46. Fugu I haven't eaten it, (I don't think), but there are a few people I could say this to.
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut No.
50. Sea urchin No.
51. Prickly pear No.
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Tongue
58. Skyline Chili
59. Poutine A Québecois delicacy: French fries, gravy, and cheese curds
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin (But I drank a bottle of kaopectate when I was a kid).
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Dog
74. Gjetost, or brunost (Is this cheerios for ghosts)?
75. Roadkill
76. Shoofly pie
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum (Tom who)?
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky (Do I need a vaccine for this)?
84. Ostrich
85. Kobe beef Face it, I will never be rich enough
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish Mmmmm
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake
_______________________________
So, are you hungry now?
Do tell !
XOXO
Me
And just for grins and giggles I have to throw this in...
| You Are Milk Pocky |
 You are smooth and silky... invigorating and natural. You ignite people's senses. You are very sensual. You are like comfort food for the soul. |
To Boob or Not to Boob? What Say You?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/health/17cancer.html?_r=1&hp
In Reversal, Panel Urges Mammograms at 50, Not 40 - NYTimes.com
By GINA KOLATA
Published: November 16, 2009
Most women should start regular breast cancer screening at age 50, not 40, according to new guidelines released Monday by an influential group that provides guidance to doctors, insurance companies and policy makers.
The new recommendations, which do not apply to a small group of women with unusual risk factors for breast cancer, reverse longstanding guidelines and are aimed at reducing harm from overtreatment, the group says. It also says women age 50 to 74 should have mammograms less frequently — every two years, rather than every year. And it said doctors should stop teaching women to examine their breasts on a regular basis.
Just seven years ago, the same group, the United States Preventive Services Task Force, with different members, recommended that women have mammograms every one to two years starting at age 40. It found too little evidence to take a stand on breast self-examinations.
The task force is an independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care appointed by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.
Its new guidelines, which are different from those of some professional and advocacy organizations, are published online in The Annals of Internal Medicine They are likely to touch off yet another round of controversy over the benefits of screening for breast cancer.
Dr. Diana Petitti, vice chairwoman of the task force and a professor of biomedical informatics at Arizona State University, said the guidelines were based on new data and analyses and were aimed at reducing the potential harm from overscreening.
While many women do not think a screening test can be harmful, medical experts say the risks are real. A test can trigger unnecessary further tests, like biopsies, that can create extreme anxiety. And mammograms can find cancers that grow so slowly that they never would be noticed in a woman’s lifetime, resulting in unnecessary treatment.
Over all, the report says, the modest benefit of mammograms — reducing the breast cancer death rate by 15 percent — must be weighed against the harms. And those harms loom larger for women in their 40s, who are 60 percent more likely to experience them than women 50 and older but are less likely to have breast cancer, skewing the risk-benefit equation. The task force concluded that one cancer death is prevented for every 1,904 women age 40 to 49 who are screened for 10 years, compared with one death for every 1,339 women age 50 to 74, and one death for every 377 women age 60 to 69.
The guidelines are not meant for women at increased risk for breast cancer because they have a gene mutation that makes the cancer more likely or because they had extensive chest radiation. The task force said there was not enough information to know whether those women would be helped by more frequent mammograms or by having the test in their 40s. Other experts said women with close relatives with breast cancer were also at high risk.
Dr. Petitti said she knew the new guidelines would be a shock for many women, but, she said, “we have to say what we see based on the science and the data.”
The National Cancer Institute said Monday that it was re-evaluating its guidelines in light of the task force’s report.
But the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology both said they were staying with their guidelines advising annual mammograms starting at age 40.
The cancer society, in a statement by Dr. Otis W. Brawley, its chief medical officer, agreed that mammography had risks as well as benefits but, he said, the society’s experts had looked at “virtually all” the task force and additional data and concluded that the benefits of annual mammograms starting at age 40 outweighed the risks.
Other advocacy groups, like the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Breast Cancer Action, and the National Women’s Health Network, welcomed the new guidelines.
“This is our opportunity to look beyond emotions,” said Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition. The task force “is an independent body of experts that took an objective look at the data,” Ms. Visco said. “These are the people we should be listening to when it comes to public health messages.”
Some women, though, were not pleased. “I know so many people who had breast cancer and survived, and what saved their lives was early detection,” Janet Doughty, 44, of San Clemente, Calif., said in a telephone interview. She said she had had an annual mammogram since her late 30s and would not stop now.
The guidelines are not expected to have an immediate effect on insurance coverage but should make health plans less likely to aggressively prompt women in their 40s to have mammograms and older women to have the test annually.
Congress requires Medicare to pay for annual mammograms. Medicare can change its rules to pay for less frequent tests if federal officials direct it to.
Private insurers are required by law in every state except Utah to pay for mammograms for women in their 40s.
But the new guidelines are expected to alter the grading system for health plans, which are used as a marketing tool. Grades are issued by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, a private nonprofit organization, and one measure is the percentage of patients getting mammograms every one to two years starting at age 40.
That will change, said Margaret E. O’Kane, the group’s president, who said it would start grading plans on the number of women over 50 getting mammograms every two years.
The message for most women, said Dr. Karla Kerlikowske, a professor in the department of medicine, epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco, is to forgo routine mammograms if they are in their 40s.
Starting at age 50, Dr. Kerlikowske said, “the message is to get 10 mammograms in a lifetime, one every two years.” That way they get the most benefit and the least harm from the test. If women are healthy, she added, they might consider having mammograms every two years until age 74.
Nearly two-thirds of all women in their 40s had mammograms within the last two years, as did 72 percent of women age 50 to 65, according to an editorial by Dr. Kerlikowske that accompanies the report.
In order to formulate its guidelines, the task force used new data from mammography studies in England and Sweden and also commissioned six groups to make statistical models to analyze the aggregate data. The models were the only way to answer questions like how much extra benefit do women get if they are screened every year, said Donald A. Berry, a statistician at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and head of one of the modeling groups.
“We said, essentially with one voice, very little,” Dr. Berry said. “So little as to make the harms of additional screening come screaming to the top.”
The harms are nearly cut in half when women have mammograms every other year instead of every year. But the benefits are almost unchanged.
The last time the task force issued guidelines for mammograms, in 2002, the reportwas announced by Tommy G. Thompson, the secretary of health and human services. When the group recommended mammograms for women in their 40s, some charged the report was politically motivated. But Dr. Alfred Berg of the University of Washington, who was the task force chairman at the time, said “there was absolutely zero political influence on what the task force did.”
It was still a tough call to make, Dr. Berg said, adding that “we pointed out that the benefit will be quite small.” In fact, he added, even though mammograms are of greater benefit to older women, they still prevent only a small fraction of breast cancer deaths.
Different women will weigh the harms and benefits differently, Dr. Berg noted, but added that even for women 50 and older, “it would be perfectly rational for a woman to decide she didn’t want to do it.”
Researchers worry the new report will be interpreted as a political effort by the Obama administration to save money on health care costs.
Of course, Dr. Berry noted, if the new guidelines are followed, billions of dollars will be saved.
“But the money was buying something of net negative value,” he said. “This decision is a no-brainer. The economy benefits, but women are the major beneficiaries.”
Roni Caryn Rabin contributed reporting.
_____________________
***
(There are many links that you may want to read too, within the Times link at the top).
Thank You Cab, for the heads up!
http://cab65.multiply.com/journal/item/385
XOXO
Me
Will Condom Recall Lead to Sex Panic?
http://weirdnews.about.com/b/2009/11/12/will-condom-recall-lead-to-sex-panic.htm
Ruh~Roh! "Sum~Ting~Wong!"
XOXO
Me
******* Photo: (Flickr (cc: by-nc-sa): peachy92, file photo)
*******
This, from here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/09/2737674.htm
Police in central China have closed a factory producing fake and unsterile condoms and are tracking down over two million of the unsafe contraceptives already on the market, state press say.
The condoms were made in a factory in Hunan province and are believed to have been sold nationwide under a variety of names, including those of well-known makers such as Jissbon and Durex, the China Youth Daily said.
Police have detained suspect manufacturer Li Anping, who allegedly bought condoms wholesale, added an unknown lubricant and crudely packaged them without sterilizing the product, the report said.
Several underage girls worked in the now-shuttered factory, it added.
Li allegedly produced up to 2.16 million condoms before the plant was closed down.
Fake and faulty products remain a major concern in China as unscrupulous manufacturers seek to make profits as the nation's economy booms.
************** From top link...
If you're sexually active and have used condoms, here's some news that's really going to gross you out: Chinese authorities have shut down a condom plant, saying it was producing unsafe and tainted rubbers.
Now, officials are looking for more than two million condoms that were produced by this plant and sold under brand names such as Durex and Jissbon, according to Australia's ABC News.
Officials say manufacturer Li Anping bought wholesale condoms, added an "unknown" lubricant and then repackaged them without sterilizing them. He also had underage girls working in his condom factory, according to the report.
This story is bad enough... but the real question now is how do you recall condoms? If you have the answer... please don't tell me.
Catfish ~n~ Cookbooks!
Good Morning!
I hope you all had a splendid weekend!
I was going to sit and catch up a bit here. Not going to happen as my back just will not be comfy any which way. (Might have overdid it on the outside work). But that is almost all done for 2009. (Say "YAY")!
.
Recipe? Food?!?! Mmmmmmmmmmmm
Being partial to Parmesan cheese, I chose Oka's recipe suggestion for my catfish.
It was SO very good! (And I am quite happy to have a few pieces leftover too)!
.
.
.
My palette awaits the lunch hour! Thank you Sweet Oka!!!
.
.
.
Speaking of recipes, I came across this Xmas gift idea on Baby Mariahs page, @ Caring Bridge.
.
.
"Cooking up a CURE, Volume IX"
.
Micki writes: "TBKF is proud and honored to bring you Cooking up a CURE for brain tumors Volume 9. It is the perfect Holiday gift. With your donation of each $25, you will receive one copy of this great Hardback cookbook filled with over 300 recipes and so much Love. Not only will you be giving pages of tried and true recipes, but you will be supporting brain tumor research. to date the Cooking up a Cure series has raised over $43,000 for brain tumor research and the Brad Kaminsky Foundation has donated over $300,000 to adult and pediatric brain tumor research in the name of a cure.
.
.
While you go and order your cookbooks, I must leave this desk for a while. Have a "wunnaful" Monday!
Love to all
XOXO
Me
Envy. Narcicissm. (And Underwear). *Ruzie's Fault.
Now we're having fun!
hehehe
I must go adjust my back...
Love to all
XOXO
Me
Pick one, or 4- Have fun with them! Let me know what yours says!
(Or let ME know if you think mine are accurate)?!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
hehehe
I must go adjust my back...
Love to all
XOXO
Me
Pick one, or 4- Have fun with them! Let me know what yours says!
(Or let ME know if you think mine are accurate)?!
.
.
.
.
| You Are Occasionally a Narcissist |
 Compared to most people, you're quite humble! Though occasionally, you can't help and reflect on how great you are. There's nothing wrong with being proud of yourself - as long as you don't let it go to your head! |
.
.
.
.
| Your Lucky Underwear is Blue |
 You thrive in one-on-one situations. You are a good listener and a natural born therapist. Sometimes you let the concerns of others become too important in your life, leading to stress and worry. If you want more balance, put on your blue underpants. They'll help you take care of yourself first. |
.
.
.
.
| People Envy Your Compassion |
 People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them. |
.
.
.
.
| Your Handwriting Says You Are Somewhat Traditional |
 You range from very outgoing to very shy. You are a shapeshifter who is very versatile. You adapt well, and you look at things from many angles. You are balanced and grounded. You know how to get along well with others. You need a bit of space in your life, but you're not a recluse. You expect people to give you a small amount of privacy, and you respect their privacy as well. You are somewhat traditional, but you are also open to change. You listen to your head and your heart. You are a decent communicator. You eventually get your point across, but sometimes you leave things a bit ambiguous. |
.
.
.
No, It's not Elitist to Think the Tea-Baggers Are Idiots
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/143930/no%2C_it%27s_not_elitist_to_think_the_tea-baggers_are_idiots/
That's twice... ;-)
Arguing over a silly postage stamp (on a topic that is already 8 years old), I am blocked from yet another "Scarecrow from Oz".
I found this linked article today to be a very accurate representation of this inability to think on ones own, or to be loathe to learn.
Cartoon from Google search
******** Here's the article linked above, in its entirety.
"No. It's not Elitist to Think the Tea-Baggers Are Idiots"
Posted by Oliver Willis, Oliver Willis.com at 8:39 AM on November 13, 2009.
A post over at the Seminal is taking “liberal elitism” to task for not taking the Tea Party people seriously, and that that will lead to the election of Sarah Palin and other such ilk.
To quote our vice president, "malarkey."
While I have long argued that there is too much elitism on the left for my tastes, there’s a wide gulf between holding your nose in the air for no good reason and dumbing yourself down in order to appeal to the lowest common idiotic denominator.
Suck is the case with the Tea Party group and their leaders like Palin.
Far from the liberals in the ’70s who were clearly not responsive enough to the middle class, leading to the rise of Nixon and resentment politics, today’s left has gone to great lengths to be a big tent. So much so that some of our biggest fault lines are internal and don’t involve the Republicans at all. But far from the pre-Clinton great society types, todays liberals understand that without blue collar people on our side we don’t advance as a movement.
The problem is that the vast majority of the issues brought up by the tea party types and Palin are idiotic.
These aren’t people with the traditional lower-middle class concerns of Americans (which is my family background) but instead these are people who largely believe the conspiracy du jour, whether that involves secret armies, the president’s “true” nationality, or Nancy Pelosi’s “death panels” that are set up to pull the plug on Grandma.
While the concerns of many white, middle-class people are worthy causes and should be addressed by liberals (and are), it is not elitism to treat this roving band of conspiracy nuts for the cretins they are or associate with. This would be akin to President Johnson in 1964 undertaking a federal committee to study the mind control powers of fluoridated water. That would be asinine.
Liberals have in the past allowed the ivory tower set to exert too much control over the Democratic party. That resulted in a narrow focus and deserved electoral losses. But the idea that the tea party movement represents any sort of rational discourse deserving of recognition and outreach is absurd.
These are, by and large, the same band of stupid people we have always had in this country, whether they were in favor of submission to the British empire, secession from the union, alliance with Hitler, or decrying the president a “half breed Muslim terrorist”, we owe them no recognition or inclusion in the important discussion about the direction of American society.
********
Me again now.
hehehe (I think it was too hot in the kitchen)...
The fact that people repost things, verbatim, (insinuating them as their own), is seamy at best. These things can be found in a thousand other places after one little search.
With these puppets there is an abject, and frightening, refusal to "learn" the truths of anything.
Then to 'demand' respect or submission to their whims, which ironically aren't their own either. Go figure.
(It doesn't work that way kids, and it never will).
"Do unto others"
Having been the subject of hate letters, being called many contemptible names, I have learned to respond exactly how that is given unto me.
There are entries smacking of hatred and bigotry... The Anti-Americanisms abounding, offensive and stinking at best.
Know that such a person is no loss, great or small, to me personally; but knowing that there are such fanatics out there that is alarming unto itself. (The word "RABID" comes to mind). As does "dense" and a few others.
(Oy, talk about negativity, I do not like me like this either). ;-)
Teach your children to always be aware of truth. To simply learn it if they don't know it.
It WILL win in the end.
XOXO
Me
Of particular interest, is the fact that those of you that KNOW me, know also that ANNA WILL NOT BE BULLIED!
Been there, done that; (got a divorce).
H1N1 and YOUR Pets/Animals
http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/zoonotic/tp/H1N1news.htm
The latest news about H1N1, veterinarians, and animals.
Funny how the data has changed since I posted this:
http://flintville.multiply.com/links/item/115
***
Stories about the H1N1 virus are in the news daily, and can be overwhelming. This news archive is focused on animal cases of H1N1. According to the CDC, the swine version (influenza type A H1N1) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.
To date, The H1N1 cases documented in turkeys, ferrets and a cat have caught the H1N1 virus from humans, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
***
Click the link above to keep your own pets safe.
XOXO
Me
One Mo' Blog. Thank you to my Friends.
This bear, received as a gift from a like~minded woman;
I believe that these were Brandy's exact words last Saturday!
-hehehe-
I believe that these were Brandy's exact words last Saturday!
-hehehe-
Good Afternoon!
So much going on at once-
Last weekend was a gift from Heaven, weather wise. It was in the 60's and even a low 70. Very welcomed weather for November. As I type though it is 48° and it isn't to get much warmer any more. Yes, I will be mowing my lawns today with earmuffs on.
Sad/True.
Some of these pics were taken last week, some this week.
Casey has shortened class periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays- She generally drives out before or after those.
Of course Mr. Sputnik comes outside with us now... There are no two ways of getting around that unless I want to come back inside to a cat that actually "hollers" at me. (Too funny he is)!
The weather matters not to him...
...As long as he is getting someones undivided attention!
.
.
.
.
.
.
And what does Punk think of sharing her Casey's attention?
.
.
.
HAHAHA!
Maybe she ate a rotten crab~apple while she grazed?!?
.
.
.
She still loves the rubber Frisbee...
.
.
Casey threw that one! Way up high!
.
.
.
Later that day to have Miss Kelli leave work early so there was still a bit of daylight left at the end of her day.
They chose to walk the dogs to the woods...
.
.
.
.
Krazy Koko had run ahead and was nowhere to be seen anymore...
.
.
.
Coco had gotten fixed 2 weeks earlier; and the vet had "grounded" her with her outings.
Having gotten her stitches out, that rule no longer applied!
Kelli had gone to a trade show and is showing off her new sweatshirt...
.
.
I couldn't agree more!
.
.
Kelli got to go to her trade show. I got to go to WalMart. (Such is life). hehehe
I bought 2 of these bird-feeders. I set one up out the south side of the kitchen; and the other to the west. I can see them both with just a few steps around the kitchen.
I love watching the birds in the middle of the winter. (Ok, anytime). & it never fails to amaze me that the birds can even live when the temps get so far below zero.
.
.
.
Notice the squirrel shields up there.
They work well, so far, too. I haven't had to refill the feeders for over a week!
Perhaps the pillaging varmints have died...
...Seeing as I had to "feed" them too...
.
.
Mmmm!
It is out in the shed.
Punk and Sputnik are away from it.
.
.
Last weekend I literally begged for help. Yes, there ARE some things that my back is not capable of.
As you may know, the damned drains were not fixed yet. And while it bothers me none where the tub and the sink drain, it might bother a potential buyer. (I received a phone call out of the blue last week from a man whose son might be interested in my place. Nephew to Greg who already owns the 25 acres behind me).
So the silly stubborn drain had to be fixed.
.
.
First to roll out the red carpet... hehehe
.Then to free the stinkin' & stubborn "tee" that was plugged up.
.
.
John Pryes rolled up his sleeves and dug in. (Thank God for friends)!
.
While he was cussing up a storm in the crawlspace, Brandy, Casey, Sarah, and Ashley were busy elsewhere. My little dumpster was full to the brim yesterday!
John had to ask "The Boss" what to do next though...
.
.
.
Fair is fair- As appointed Supervisor for the day, Sput had to get dirty too!
Notice this foreman is wearing a necklace made of cobwebs! eeeeeekee!
.
.
Finally getting the old pipe off, John, Casey, and Sarah, made a beeline for Pulaski to get a new one. (The old one being trash by the time it finally gave way).
So you ask, who ended up getting the dang thing off?
That would be Miss Brandy herself!
.
.
You GO, Girl!
She might have been cussing my camera in this picture.
Of course she may have been explaining her work too.
Either way, the job was done! The following day, Punk and I showered and it all went down to the septic, via the correct drain!
Say "YAY!"
.
.
Yesterday Sue and Glenn came to get another truckload of apples!
.
.
I swear there'll be more too
~because I don't know where the heck all these came from to begin with!
But it is done for another year. Thank you Sue and Glenn!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
While Punk did calisthenics with her Frisbee, Glenn fired apples into his box.
.
.
.
"The Suspended Apple!" hehehe
.
.
.
Suzy Q brought my now empty dumpster back up the driveway!
Punk thought she was stealing it?!? Goofy dog!
Time for me to get outside shortly and do the final mowing. After all, I have to get that done before I have to beg John and Brandy to come over again and get the snowplow on the little tractor.
Hope all is well in your little corner of the world. My love to all.
XOXO
Me
PS Contrary to what some believe I do not sit around all day long. You should KNOW me better than that by now. As my back allows, I am sitting, standing, or laying down. Does that afford me time to read? Yes, but only after my work is done thank you very much!
That one truly hurt...
Pre-Existing Conditions: Someone Who ‘Eats Like A Pig’ And Has Diabetes
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/09/armey-pig-eat/
My God, are there really people who believe God died and left him in charge?
What's YOUR pre-Existing Condition?
***
Armey’s View Of Americans With Pre-Existing Conditions: Someone Who ‘Eats Like A Pig’ And Has Diabetes
Ensuring that insurers don’t reject any American for health coverage because of a pre-existing condition is a top priority of the public. Republicans have repeatedly said that they also want to make this change, but in the alternative legislation they released, Americans with pre-existing conditions would still be left out to dry.
Today on CNN, FreedomWorks head Dick Armey defended the industry’s discriminatory practices by saying that if you have diabetes because you “eat like a pig,” you don’t deserve coverage:
ARMEY: But now, they [government officials] come along and they say, irrespective of the fact they’ve gone 20, 30, 40 years of their adult life without ever having bought insurance prior to getting a liver inflammation due to their excessive drinking habits or diabetes because they eat like a pig, you must now insure them.
But at what point do we allow the government to order people that you must sell your product to this person or that person, irrespective of any good judgment? We saw what happened in housing when they ordered banks to make loans to people who weren’t qualified. Are we now going to have the same destructive influences in health care because we’re going to order doctors to provide services and so forth?
Watch it:
***
In reality, these pre-existing conditions that can disqualify people from receiving health insurance often have nothing to do with unhealthy lifestyle choices — and they disproportionately target women. Some pre-existing conditions are having a Caesarean-section pregnancy, being a victim of domestic violence, or being a victim of rape. Most individual health insurance markets don’t even cover maternity care. Other pre-existing conditions that insurers have used to either deny people outright or charge exorbitant fees for coverage include being an expectant father, having acne, or being a police officer.
Many Republicans, like Armey, seem unable to grasp that denial based on pre-existing conditions is discriminatory. Last week, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) said that insurers are justified in charging women more than men because we’re “all different.” He then compared a woman to a “smoker” and a man to a “non-smoker” to argue that insurers should be allowed to discriminate.
Armey also recently told the New York Times that the “largest empirical problem we have in health care today is too many people are too overinsured.” (He’s wrong.)
Transcript:
ROBERTS: Back on this idea of mandates that you talk about. Those mandates really are to guarantee certain levels of coverage, are they not? Like, you can’t be denied if you’ve got a pre-existing condition or if you’re pregnant. It also requires minimum standards for such things as mental health care. And there are a lot of mandates across the government on many industries, but that’s never called socialism.
ARMEY: OK. Well, let me just say, if the government said to the insurance company, no matter how many accidents, wrecks, drunken driving convictions they’ve had in the past and whatever is the condition of their record of driving habits, you must insure them, you would say that’s unreasonable.
But now, they come along and they say, irrespective of the fact they’ve gone 20, 30, 40 years of their adult life without ever having bought insurance prior to getting a liver inflammation due to their excessive drinking habits or diabetes because they eat like a pig, you must now insure them.
But at what point do we allow the government to order people that you must sell your product to this person or that person, irrespective of any good judgment? We saw what happened in housing when they ordered banks to make loans to people who weren’t qualified. Are we now going to have the same destructive influences in health care because we’re going to order doctors to provide services and so forth?
And the fact of the matter is, the government running somebody else’s business can very quickly become the diminution of the whole industry. And I promise this, about what the House passed the other night goes through, you will destroy medical innovation in America, you’ll destroy the incentive for it.
We are the nation of discovery, creation, and innovation in health care. The rest of the world copies us. If we don’t do it, it won’t be done, and it won’t be done under this plan.
***
Do the click. There are some really GREAT comments on this article.
XOXO
Me
PS
Now would be the time and the place for any negative or rambling commentaries.
Wrap This
..
.
.
I don't eat much of the stuff as it sets off my head, but read on if you want a little info on chocolate.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Not such a lucky rabbits foot...
.
.
.
Good Morning All;
I have not been blogging for so long that I don't remember how.
Sometimes I don't even remember why.
We still need to learn more about what is ailing Casey and will return to Minnesota soon.
While I am still wrapping my head around the fact that Casey will be having more surgery, I have learned that my friend Beth has breast cancer.
I shot darts for 15 years with Beth, Sue and Carol. We were unbeatable for 14 of those years; taking the top place in our league! I can't throw a good dart today to save my life.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Beth learned of this after her last mammogram, (we were in Minnesota).
She will be having surgery early next week.
While she was in, her doctor ordered more tests.
Two days ago she learned even more about her health...
She has much wrong with her back, (sound familiar)?.
She also has a hernia, (which will be repaired during next weeks surgery).
In addition to all of that, she has learned that she has skin cancer.
Please keep her in your prayers.
She is NOT sick! And while that 'sounds' wrong, I firmly believe that her state of mind is the ultimate barometer of being "ill" or being "well"
Her body has betrayed her like many others bodies have betrayed them. She has "Attitude~PLUS", and I have no doubt that she will come through this (all) with flying colors!
When I spoke to her I suggested that maybe she was still in shock, (sort of). She replied that she has no anger etc, and that is has been 2 weeks since she has known. So like I said above, she is not sick.
This, from my books of little quotes and such...
Did is a word of achievement,
Won't is a word of retreat,
Might is a word of bereavement,
Can't is a word of defeat,
Ought is a word of duty,
Try is a word for each hour,
Will is a word of beauty,
Can is a word of power. Author unknown
.
.
I have had two mammograms in my life.
The first was right after my sister Barbara was diagnosed with breast cancer, the 2nd when my sister Mary was diagnosed with hers. I believe I will schedule another soon. Have to wait til 8 to call.
Have you had yours?
Is it high time now to schedule your own appointment? Guys, remind your sweeties.
Love to all.
XOXO
Anne
PS
While researching more on cancer, I see where dark chocolate actually can ward off cancer cells within your body.
Cancer-fighter, the darker the better!
Antioxidants, found in everything from green tea to bread crust, are commonly believed to fight cancer.
Cocoa's antioxidant capacity tops that of long-trusted sources like strawberries and garlic.
Cocoa liquor, the derivative of the cocoa bean used in milk and dark chocolates that is absent from white chocolate, contains most of the antioxidants.
Rich, dark chocolate lovers should celebrate: the darker the chocolate, the more antioxidants. Not only does chocolate contain a large quantity of antioxidants, it has been discovered that chocolate contains high quality antioxidants. (One recent study showed that 6 grams of dark chocolate a day, about one square, lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 2 points each).
It can also lower your bad cholesterol.
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep...
Hi everyone;
I am going to bed in a little while...
And just have a little favor to ask of you...
...Before you fall to sleep tonight would you please say a prayer to help our people in DC make the right decision tomorrow?
So very many sick / uninsured people are counting on this bill for their very existence.
If you read nothing else below, please read the Facts and Myths section
More info on HR 3962: (Click for the bill).
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on health care reform bill HR 3962 over the weekend.
CLICK HERE for author info. I totally agree with her statement at the end.
To refresh your memory, the bill being considered in the House:
"It may not be the bill some of us expected when we voted for real reform, but in my opinion it is a great start."
*************************
* Every day up to 14,000 Americans lose their health coverage.
* Over the past nine years insurance premiums have doubled, growing three times faster than wages.
* Health care reform is deficit reduction. In 10 years, $1 out of $5 will be spent on health care.
* An average family of four with health insurance paid an additional $1,100 towards their premiums in 2008 to cover the costs of the uninsured.
* The $42.9 billion in unpaid health expenditures from 2007 to 2008 increased health care costs of covered families.
* 47 million Americans lack insurance because they are not covered by their employer or cannot afford health coverage on their own.
* Without health care reform, premiums for employer-sponsored health care plans are expected to more than double in the next few years, increasing from $11,381 in 2008 to $24,291 in 2016.
*************************
While some political and industry-led groups continue to spread myths about components of Affordable Health Care for America Act, independent analysis—and the facts—are knocking them down.
Myth: “Health Care isn’t broken now” – For the vast majority of Americans who have health care coverage, there’s no need for reform.
Fact: The average American family pays $1,100 extra each year now to cover costly care for 47 million uninsured Americans. American businesses are struggling to cover their workers, and falling behind global competitors. Health care costs are driving up the federal deficit and busting state budgets. Right now, insurance companies can deny care or coverage for those who have insurance or take coverage away if you get “too sick.” Millions of Americans are making job and life decisions based on the fear they will lose health care coverage.
Myth: “Forcing Americans into the Public Plan/Employers to Drop Coverage” – The House bill contains a government-run and –subsidized public option that would force employers to drop their more expensive coverage and force everyone onto a public plan.
Fact: Under the House bill, no one can ever be forced onto the public option. The only way someone would be in the public plan is as a result of their own individual choice. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans is expected to enter the Health Insurance Exchange to purchase their own insurance at competitive rates – and there they will have a range of options including various private plans, and the public plan. If an employer is providing their employees health insurance through the Exchange, it is the employee – not the employer – choosing the plan. Furthermore, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office projects that more employers are likely to provide coverage under the bill – and just over 3% of Americans will actually choose the Public Option.
Myth: “Government Takeover/Socialized Medicine” – The House bill will lead to a government takeover of your health care – and who can trust the government?
Fact: The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office predicts just over 3% of Americans will choose the public health insurance option the House bill would offer, providing competition to insurance companies, which in some areas have a virtual monopoly. In the current health care system, insurance companies hold more power than doctors and patients. They can decide whether or not to cover treatments, procedures and routine doctor visits, and price for profit, not patient care. The House bill would empower physicians and patients, with better information on what treatments work and incentives to provide higher quality and more integrated and coordinated care. The same “government takeover” argument was made against Medicare, and it has turned out to be a very popular government-run health system, just like health care for our veterans.
Myth: “Rationing Care” – The House bill will put government bureaucrats in charge of who gets care and what treatments are available to patients.
Fact: Our current system rations care – with no cost caps on costly treatments pricing patients out of the ability to choose them, with insurance company accountants deciding when they will refuse coverage, and with 47 million Americans lacking basic health care coverage at all. There is no rationing of care under this bill. How did this rumor get started? Opponents of “comparative effectiveness research” are trying to claim government panels would decide what care you can get. In reality, it would provide doctors with the best research and information on what treatments work – in effect, making them smarter and better able to treat you. Additionally, a committee of doctors, patient advocates, and other experts who do not work for the government would help make recommendations about the minimum benefits insurance plans should provide, to protect patients.
Myth: “Hurts Small Businesses” – The House bill will harm small businesses – undermining their ability to create new jobs and imposing large tax hikes – taking a big chunk out of their hard-earned income.
Fact: Far from undermining small businesses, the bill would significantly cut the costs of health care coverage for small businesses – making insurance companies compete for customers, and allowing small business owners to enter into a large purchasing pool (the Exchange) to get the kind of low rates big businesses get. As the New York Times has pointed out, “The small business community would be one of the biggest winners from health care reform.”
Small businesses are offered two kinds of tax credits to help pay for insurance: a permanent tax credit that phases out for bigger businesses and those with higher salaries; and small businesses with 25 or fewer employees and average wages of less than $40,000 get tax credits of up to 50% of their insurance costs.
The vast majority of small businesses – those with payrolls under $500,000 in the latest version of the House bill – would be completely exempt from the shared responsibility concept that would require them to purchase insurance for their workers.
Under the bill, 96% of small business owners would pay NO increased taxes – and half of the remaining 4% earn less than a third of their income from a small business – so are more likely wealthy investors with some small business income.
Myth: “Cutting Medicare” – The House bill would cut Medicare benefits, leaving seniors with fewer choices and lower quality care.
Fact: Nothing in this bill would reduce benefits to seniors. The cost savings measures in Medicare under America’s Affordable Health Choices Act are all targeted at protecting and improving services and ensuring choice, by achieving new efficiencies; expanding authority to fight waste, fraud and abuse; and eliminating the wasteful Medicare Advantage subsidies to private insurance companies that Republicans ignored for eight years.
In fact, the $563 billion in savings over 10 years is a gross number—with a net of $340 billion in new spending to IMPROVE Medicare benefits and health care for seniors, including the following:
* Lowers drug costs by gradually closing the “donut hole” for prescription drug reimbursement;
* Preserves choice of doctors by eliminating a 20% cut in doctor reimbursements;
* Lowers costs by eliminating copayments for preventive services;
* Improves low-income subsidy programs, including under the part D program, to help ensure Medicare is affordable for those with low and modest incomes;
* Computerizes medical records so seniors won’t have to take the same test over and over or relay their entire medical history every time they see a new provider
* Expands the medical workforce so seniors will have more doctors to choose from and an easier time getting an appointment;
* Develops new practices to improve quality such as the new Center for Quality Improvement that will identify best practices are distributed widely; and
* Lengthens the solvency of Medicare by five years.
Myth: “Undocumented Immigrants” – The House bill provides health benefits for undocumented workers and their families.
Fact: Taxpayers will not fund health care for undocumented workers. America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, Section 246 states that “Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.”
Myth: “Exploding the Federal Deficit” – The House bill would increase the federal deficit – one more drag on future generations.
Fact: Health reform will not increase the deficit. On July 17, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirmed that the House bill will be fully paid for just three years after the bill takes effect. CBO estimated that the cost of the bill’s reforms was $1.042 trillion over 10 years, while the bill’s cost savings and revenues totaled $1.048 trillion. Since then, amendments to the bill have trimmed the cost even more.
The reforms will be fully paid for through a combination of almost $500 billion in net Medicare and Medicaid reforms, included in the bill, and over $500 billion in revenue raised through a tax surcharge on the wealthiest 1.2% of Americans. These reforms will provide affordable coverage to 97% of Americans two years after the bill takes effect – and reform our private insurance system to lower costs for all Americans and improve their coverage. I believe the naysayers will find their remarks to already be rebutted above.
*************************
1. REDUCES THE DEFICIT MORE
According to the CBO, the revised bill reduces the deficit by $30 billion over the first 10 years. (The original bill reduced the deficit by $6 billion over the first 10 years). The revised bill also continues to reduce
the deficit over the second 10 years.
2. ENDS HEALTH INSURANCE COMPTION FROM ANTI-TRUST LAWS
In order to open up health insurance markets to real competition, the revised blanket exemption from anti-trust laws, bringing anti-trust enforcement to the two most abusive practices of health insurers price fixing and market allocation.
3. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 27 BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS INSURANCE
The revised bill requires health plans to allow young people through age 26
4. CREATES A NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM
The revised bill creates a long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled. The measure provides a cash benefit to help individuals with community-based services.
5. EXEMPTS SMALL BUSINESSES WITH PAYROLLS BELOW $500,000 FROM EMPLOYER MANDATE
The revised bill exempts a greater number of small businesses from the employer mandate exempting 86% of all. Specifically, the bill exempts firms with payrolls up to $500,000 (instead of $250,000) from the mandate and provides only a graduated penalty for not offering coverage for firms with payrolls between $500,000 and $750,000 (instead of firms with payrolls between $250,000 and $400,000.)
6. LIMITS THE HEALTH CARE SURCHARGE TO MILLIONAIRES
Under the revised bill, only the wealthiest 0.3% of Americans would pay a surcharge on the portion of their income above $500,000 (instead of $280,000) for individuals and $1 million (instead of $350,000) for couples, in order to help make health insurance affordable for middle class families.
7. ADDRESSING GEOGRAPHIC VARIATIONS IN MEDICARE PAYMENTS/MOVING TO MEDICARE PAYMENTS REWARDING QUALITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS
The revised bill provides that the Institute of Medicine (IOM), through two studies, will make recommendations on how to fix the current Medicare reimbursement system, including addressing current geographic variations. Under the bill, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will implement the IOM recommendations on changes to Medicare payment systems unless disapproved by Congress.
8. BEGINS CLOSING THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE IMMEDIATELY
The revised bill moves forward the effective date of reducing the donut hole by $500 and instituting a 50% discount for brand-name drugs in the donut hole, from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2010. It also completes elimination of the donut hole by 2019 (instead of 2024).
9. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL)
To fill the gap before the Exchange is available, the revised bill immediately creates an insurance program with financial assistance for those who have been uninsured for several months or denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions.
10. HHS NEGOTIATION OF DRUG PRICES
Under the revised bill, the Secretary of HHS is required to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.
*************************
1. BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE Reduces the donut hole by $500 and institutes a 50% discount on brand-name drugs, effective January 1, 2010.
2. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED UNTIL EXCHANGE IS AVAILABLE (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL)
Creates a temporary insurance program until the Exchange is available for individuals who have been uninsured for several months or have been denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions.
3. BANS LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE
Prohibits health insurance companies from placing lifetime caps on coverage
4. ENDS RESCISSIONS
when they file a claim for benefits, except in the case of fraud.
5. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 27 BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS INSURANCE Requires health plans to allow young people through age 26 .
6. ELIMINATES COST-SHARING FOR PREVENTIVE SERVICES IN MEDICARE
Eliminates co-payments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program.
7. IMPROVES HELP FOR LOW-INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES
Improves the low-income protection programs in Medicare to assure more individuals are able to access this vital help.
8. PROVIDES NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE Prohibits Medicare Advantage plans from charging enrollees higher cost-sharing for services in their private plan than what is charged in traditional Medicare.
9. IMMEDIATE SUNSHINE ON PRICE GOUGING
Discourages excessive price increases by insurance companies through review and disclosure of insurance rate increases.
10. CONTINUITY FOR DISPLACED WORKERS
Allows Americans to keep their COBRA coverage until the Exchange is in place and they can access affordable coverage.
11. CREATES NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM
Creates a long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled.
12. HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES
Creates a $10 billon fund to finance a temporary reinsurance program to help offset the costs of expensive health claims for employers that provide health benefits for retirees age 55-64.
13. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
Increases funding for Community Health Centers to allow for a doubling of the number of patients seen by the centers over the next 5 years.
14. INCREASING NUMBER OF PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS
Provides new investment in training programs to increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals.
*************************
After reading all of the above, I honestly do not see how anyone could possibly object with a clear conscience.
Good Night Everyone!
XOXO
Me
I am going to bed in a little while...
And just have a little favor to ask of you...
...Before you fall to sleep tonight would you please say a prayer to help our people in DC make the right decision tomorrow?
So very many sick / uninsured people are counting on this bill for their very existence.
If you read nothing else below, please read the Facts and Myths section
More info on HR 3962: (Click for the bill).
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on health care reform bill HR 3962 over the weekend.
CLICK HERE for author info. I totally agree with her statement at the end.
To refresh your memory, the bill being considered in the House:
- * Creates an Exchange where individuals and small businesses can purchase health care
- * Gives tax credits to those in the Exchange to help them afford coverage
- * Includes a national public health insurance option in the Exchange to keep the insurance industry honest and lower prices
- * Strengthens employer-based coverage and asks employers to provide good coverage for their employees
- * Regulates all insurance plans to outlaw denials for pre-existing conditions, charging more if you're a woman, and a host of other bad practices
- * Strengthens Medicare and fully closes the Medicare Part D donut hole over time
- * Provides access to coverage for those uninsured in the interim before the entire program is up and running
"It may not be the bill some of us expected when we voted for real reform, but in my opinion it is a great start."
*************************
WHY WE URGENTLY NEED REFORM
* Every day up to 14,000 Americans lose their health coverage.
* Over the past nine years insurance premiums have doubled, growing three times faster than wages.
* Health care reform is deficit reduction. In 10 years, $1 out of $5 will be spent on health care.
* An average family of four with health insurance paid an additional $1,100 towards their premiums in 2008 to cover the costs of the uninsured.
* The $42.9 billion in unpaid health expenditures from 2007 to 2008 increased health care costs of covered families.
* 47 million Americans lack insurance because they are not covered by their employer or cannot afford health coverage on their own.
* Without health care reform, premiums for employer-sponsored health care plans are expected to more than double in the next few years, increasing from $11,381 in 2008 to $24,291 in 2016.
*************************
While some political and industry-led groups continue to spread myths about components of Affordable Health Care for America Act, independent analysis—and the facts—are knocking them down.
Myth: “Health Care isn’t broken now” – For the vast majority of Americans who have health care coverage, there’s no need for reform.
Fact: The average American family pays $1,100 extra each year now to cover costly care for 47 million uninsured Americans. American businesses are struggling to cover their workers, and falling behind global competitors. Health care costs are driving up the federal deficit and busting state budgets. Right now, insurance companies can deny care or coverage for those who have insurance or take coverage away if you get “too sick.” Millions of Americans are making job and life decisions based on the fear they will lose health care coverage.
Myth: “Forcing Americans into the Public Plan/Employers to Drop Coverage” – The House bill contains a government-run and –subsidized public option that would force employers to drop their more expensive coverage and force everyone onto a public plan.
Fact: Under the House bill, no one can ever be forced onto the public option. The only way someone would be in the public plan is as a result of their own individual choice. Approximately 1 in 10 Americans is expected to enter the Health Insurance Exchange to purchase their own insurance at competitive rates – and there they will have a range of options including various private plans, and the public plan. If an employer is providing their employees health insurance through the Exchange, it is the employee – not the employer – choosing the plan. Furthermore, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office projects that more employers are likely to provide coverage under the bill – and just over 3% of Americans will actually choose the Public Option.
Myth: “Government Takeover/Socialized Medicine” – The House bill will lead to a government takeover of your health care – and who can trust the government?
Fact: The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office predicts just over 3% of Americans will choose the public health insurance option the House bill would offer, providing competition to insurance companies, which in some areas have a virtual monopoly. In the current health care system, insurance companies hold more power than doctors and patients. They can decide whether or not to cover treatments, procedures and routine doctor visits, and price for profit, not patient care. The House bill would empower physicians and patients, with better information on what treatments work and incentives to provide higher quality and more integrated and coordinated care. The same “government takeover” argument was made against Medicare, and it has turned out to be a very popular government-run health system, just like health care for our veterans.
Myth: “Rationing Care” – The House bill will put government bureaucrats in charge of who gets care and what treatments are available to patients.
Fact: Our current system rations care – with no cost caps on costly treatments pricing patients out of the ability to choose them, with insurance company accountants deciding when they will refuse coverage, and with 47 million Americans lacking basic health care coverage at all. There is no rationing of care under this bill. How did this rumor get started? Opponents of “comparative effectiveness research” are trying to claim government panels would decide what care you can get. In reality, it would provide doctors with the best research and information on what treatments work – in effect, making them smarter and better able to treat you. Additionally, a committee of doctors, patient advocates, and other experts who do not work for the government would help make recommendations about the minimum benefits insurance plans should provide, to protect patients.
Myth: “Hurts Small Businesses” – The House bill will harm small businesses – undermining their ability to create new jobs and imposing large tax hikes – taking a big chunk out of their hard-earned income.
Fact: Far from undermining small businesses, the bill would significantly cut the costs of health care coverage for small businesses – making insurance companies compete for customers, and allowing small business owners to enter into a large purchasing pool (the Exchange) to get the kind of low rates big businesses get. As the New York Times has pointed out, “The small business community would be one of the biggest winners from health care reform.”
Small businesses are offered two kinds of tax credits to help pay for insurance: a permanent tax credit that phases out for bigger businesses and those with higher salaries; and small businesses with 25 or fewer employees and average wages of less than $40,000 get tax credits of up to 50% of their insurance costs.
The vast majority of small businesses – those with payrolls under $500,000 in the latest version of the House bill – would be completely exempt from the shared responsibility concept that would require them to purchase insurance for their workers.
Under the bill, 96% of small business owners would pay NO increased taxes – and half of the remaining 4% earn less than a third of their income from a small business – so are more likely wealthy investors with some small business income.
Myth: “Cutting Medicare” – The House bill would cut Medicare benefits, leaving seniors with fewer choices and lower quality care.
Fact: Nothing in this bill would reduce benefits to seniors. The cost savings measures in Medicare under America’s Affordable Health Choices Act are all targeted at protecting and improving services and ensuring choice, by achieving new efficiencies; expanding authority to fight waste, fraud and abuse; and eliminating the wasteful Medicare Advantage subsidies to private insurance companies that Republicans ignored for eight years.
In fact, the $563 billion in savings over 10 years is a gross number—with a net of $340 billion in new spending to IMPROVE Medicare benefits and health care for seniors, including the following:
* Lowers drug costs by gradually closing the “donut hole” for prescription drug reimbursement;
* Preserves choice of doctors by eliminating a 20% cut in doctor reimbursements;
* Lowers costs by eliminating copayments for preventive services;
* Improves low-income subsidy programs, including under the part D program, to help ensure Medicare is affordable for those with low and modest incomes;
* Computerizes medical records so seniors won’t have to take the same test over and over or relay their entire medical history every time they see a new provider
* Expands the medical workforce so seniors will have more doctors to choose from and an easier time getting an appointment;
* Develops new practices to improve quality such as the new Center for Quality Improvement that will identify best practices are distributed widely; and
* Lengthens the solvency of Medicare by five years.
Myth: “Undocumented Immigrants” – The House bill provides health benefits for undocumented workers and their families.
Fact: Taxpayers will not fund health care for undocumented workers. America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, Section 246 states that “Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.”
Myth: “Exploding the Federal Deficit” – The House bill would increase the federal deficit – one more drag on future generations.
Fact: Health reform will not increase the deficit. On July 17, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirmed that the House bill will be fully paid for just three years after the bill takes effect. CBO estimated that the cost of the bill’s reforms was $1.042 trillion over 10 years, while the bill’s cost savings and revenues totaled $1.048 trillion. Since then, amendments to the bill have trimmed the cost even more.
The reforms will be fully paid for through a combination of almost $500 billion in net Medicare and Medicaid reforms, included in the bill, and over $500 billion in revenue raised through a tax surcharge on the wealthiest 1.2% of Americans. These reforms will provide affordable coverage to 97% of Americans two years after the bill takes effect – and reform our private insurance system to lower costs for all Americans and improve their coverage. I believe the naysayers will find their remarks to already be rebutted above.
*************************
TOP 10 CHANGES TO HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM BILL
1. REDUCES THE DEFICIT MORE
According to the CBO, the revised bill reduces the deficit by $30 billion over the first 10 years. (The original bill reduced the deficit by $6 billion over the first 10 years). The revised bill also continues to reduce
the deficit over the second 10 years.
2. ENDS HEALTH INSURANCE COMPTION FROM ANTI-TRUST LAWS
In order to open up health insurance markets to real competition, the revised blanket exemption from anti-trust laws, bringing anti-trust enforcement to the two most abusive practices of health insurers price fixing and market allocation.
3. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 27 BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS INSURANCE
The revised bill requires health plans to allow young people through age 26
4. CREATES A NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM
The revised bill creates a long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled. The measure provides a cash benefit to help individuals with community-based services.
5. EXEMPTS SMALL BUSINESSES WITH PAYROLLS BELOW $500,000 FROM EMPLOYER MANDATE
The revised bill exempts a greater number of small businesses from the employer mandate exempting 86% of all. Specifically, the bill exempts firms with payrolls up to $500,000 (instead of $250,000) from the mandate and provides only a graduated penalty for not offering coverage for firms with payrolls between $500,000 and $750,000 (instead of firms with payrolls between $250,000 and $400,000.)
6. LIMITS THE HEALTH CARE SURCHARGE TO MILLIONAIRES
Under the revised bill, only the wealthiest 0.3% of Americans would pay a surcharge on the portion of their income above $500,000 (instead of $280,000) for individuals and $1 million (instead of $350,000) for couples, in order to help make health insurance affordable for middle class families.
7. ADDRESSING GEOGRAPHIC VARIATIONS IN MEDICARE PAYMENTS/MOVING TO MEDICARE PAYMENTS REWARDING QUALITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS
The revised bill provides that the Institute of Medicine (IOM), through two studies, will make recommendations on how to fix the current Medicare reimbursement system, including addressing current geographic variations. Under the bill, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will implement the IOM recommendations on changes to Medicare payment systems unless disapproved by Congress.
8. BEGINS CLOSING THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE IMMEDIATELY
The revised bill moves forward the effective date of reducing the donut hole by $500 and instituting a 50% discount for brand-name drugs in the donut hole, from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2010. It also completes elimination of the donut hole by 2019 (instead of 2024).
9. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL)
To fill the gap before the Exchange is available, the revised bill immediately creates an insurance program with financial assistance for those who have been uninsured for several months or denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions.
10. HHS NEGOTIATION OF DRUG PRICES
Under the revised bill, the Secretary of HHS is required to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries.
*************************
TOP 14 PROVISIONS THAT TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY
1. BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE Reduces the donut hole by $500 and institutes a 50% discount on brand-name drugs, effective January 1, 2010.
2. IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED UNTIL EXCHANGE IS AVAILABLE (INTERIM HIGH-RISK POOL)
Creates a temporary insurance program until the Exchange is available for individuals who have been uninsured for several months or have been denied a policy because of pre-existing conditions.
3. BANS LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE
Prohibits health insurance companies from placing lifetime caps on coverage
4. ENDS RESCISSIONS
when they file a claim for benefits, except in the case of fraud.
5. EXTENDS COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 27 BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS INSURANCE Requires health plans to allow young people through age 26 .
6. ELIMINATES COST-SHARING FOR PREVENTIVE SERVICES IN MEDICARE
Eliminates co-payments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program.
7. IMPROVES HELP FOR LOW-INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES
Improves the low-income protection programs in Medicare to assure more individuals are able to access this vital help.
8. PROVIDES NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE Prohibits Medicare Advantage plans from charging enrollees higher cost-sharing for services in their private plan than what is charged in traditional Medicare.
9. IMMEDIATE SUNSHINE ON PRICE GOUGING
Discourages excessive price increases by insurance companies through review and disclosure of insurance rate increases.
10. CONTINUITY FOR DISPLACED WORKERS
Allows Americans to keep their COBRA coverage until the Exchange is in place and they can access affordable coverage.
11. CREATES NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM
Creates a long-term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled.
12. HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES
Creates a $10 billon fund to finance a temporary reinsurance program to help offset the costs of expensive health claims for employers that provide health benefits for retirees age 55-64.
13. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
Increases funding for Community Health Centers to allow for a doubling of the number of patients seen by the centers over the next 5 years.
14. INCREASING NUMBER OF PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS
Provides new investment in training programs to increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals.
*************************
After reading all of the above, I honestly do not see how anyone could possibly object with a clear conscience.
Good Night Everyone!
XOXO
Me
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)