Ann Arbor residents to rally in favor of healthcare reform tomorrow morning
What began as a group of friends who wanted to show their support for health reform has grown into a grassroots group that will be gathering across from the Ann Arbor Farmers Market on Detroit Street tomorrow morning.
"We are holding this demonstration because we strongly believe that all Americans should enjoy basic health care coverage," said Eli Nathans, who helped organize the event. "We are concerned that the voices of citizens who favor the proposal are not being heard by our legislators."
Set to start at 9:30 a.m., the Ann Arbor residents will demonstrate in support for President Obama's proposed health reform plan, including its public insurance option.
“There is a pressing need for reform, this is a sensible and moderate proposal, and the chance for significant change may not come again soon,” Nathans said. “We cannot let this opportunity pass”
Comments
ArborMom
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 9:01 p.m.
Let's be clear. The reform we are discussing is Health Insurance Reform, not Health Care Reform. We are fighting over how to pay for a basic level of access to health insurance for all US Citizens. We are fighting over what a basic level of health insurance should be - and who pays for it. Government Health Insurance has been around for a while now. (Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare) Government plans have standard rules and payments for all providers. They cover what is considered medically necessary and are running out of money. Private Health Insurance (BCBS, etc) pay different providers different amounts, based on bargaining. They charge premiums that vary greatly for the same plans. Small Business Owners (less than 25 employees) and Individuals are charged the highest rates, Large Businesses bargain for lower rates. The insurance companies raise their rates yearly to cover costs (costs include the excessive CEO/COO/Management salaries), and the reimbursement to providers goes down or stays the same each year. Health Insurance is no different than Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Home Owners Insurance or Boat Insurance. The companies exist to bring in more money in premiums than they pay out in claims. Health Insurance is not Health Care. I would like to see a Health Reform discussion that excludes ALL the health insurance companies and representatives from the table. Let's talk about how to get our nation healthy, not about how to make more money for the upper management of BCBS.
Charles Stevens
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 8:10 p.m.
Accrued Interest, You can get insurance that pays for preventive care but it cost more as it well should. What is wrong with paying for such things anyway? Insurance for your car does not cover normal maintenance does it?
AccruedInterest
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 4:12 p.m.
I've heard those before, but that's not what I asked in my first post. They don't provide a financial incentive for insurance companies to pay for preventive care or to encourage healthy living. Your suggestions would stick my current insurer with upfront costs and my future insurer with the benefits. No comment about the uninsured being vectors for swine flu? Peace.
Charles Stevens
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 3:54 p.m.
Suzanne, This sounds like a mis-communication between the doc and the insurance co. I have had to take up similar happenings with my doc to get him to resubmit using the right code. It can be done just by simply asking the doc to review the code he used. Because I am quite old I have had this happen several times. Another thing all people need to think about is using Generic to reduce cost. Thanks to All for your comments.
Charles Stevens
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 3:44 p.m.
Accrued Interest, 3 things that would help: 1. Yes, tort reform to reduce malpractice cost. 2. Allow insurance companies to operate throughout the country with all of their policies. 3. Offset the cost of health insurance for the individual with tax credits after removing the cost from the employer.
Charles Stevens
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 3:39 p.m.
Giese 712, To not simplify in such a small space would be difficult, 1000 pages just wouldn't fit. Once given a, shot at it, it would be in place forever like SS.
AccruedInterest
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 3:22 p.m.
would've been there but taking classes to help ensure I have a "health-care worthy job". Tough luck for those without if they happen break their leg or get bird/swine flu and spread it to everyone else...wait, that last one sucks for me too. I still challenge anyone to solve my problem in the post third from the top.
David Briegel
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 11:49 a.m.
I love the way that those that have insurance want to celebrate the "best health care in the world" while we are very low in life expectancy and very high in infant mortality (where ARE those Right to Lifers for all those wanted babies? Only concerned with the unwanted ones!) So many civilized countries are so far ahead of us it is pitiful and at a significantly lower cost. Yes, even Cuba is ahead in health care! We are so easily duped by the billionaire CEO's and their enablers who plunder the system for their own gain while denying health care to the people who paid their premiums. The only person between you and your doctor is an insurance company bureaucrat who enriches those who run the company! And I remember when my minister taught me that those without health insurance deserved NOTHING in the name of Jesus! How can you say you believe in a right to life and are a good Christian and think that way?
mirn365
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 10:07 a.m.
people who don't have health care argue this. people who don't do not argue enough.
timjbd
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 9:30 a.m.
Maynard, What do you mean by, "we already have too much government in our lives?" Just curious.
maynard
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 8:54 a.m.
We already have too much government in our lives. The cost will be prohibitive and access will be limited so be careful what you wish for.
Judela
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 : 7:33 a.m.
For once I wish people would look at some other health systems, rather than just Britain or Canada. The Germans and the Dutch have systems that sound workable here. Judela
11GOBLUE11
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 8:30 p.m.
It would be amazingly cool if someone had a sign that said: CONSENSUS ON HEALTHCARE NOW - LET NO ONE BE WITHOUT!! That bridges all gaps...you have my banker friend from UofM who's leaving for a job in Singapore, and you have my other friends who are either leaving or engaging in local activist activities. I hope you all do well...I will be where evolution takes me, and it seems that would be somewhere that I can prosper. Buenos!!!
redwingsfan
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 6:33 p.m.
Forget about the systems in England and Canada.Congresswoman Diane Watson wants to model our system after Cuba's!I Can't wait for the mid term elections.It's going to be a bloodbath.
clara
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 5:18 p.m.
mtlaurel that is not 'fact check' just one of many possible outcomes. hopefully all have such good outcomes but, my cousin, who is Canadian had the misfortune of having been told she would need to wait 8 months for routine tests. She came here, paid out of pocket, discovered cancer and paid here to be treated because the wait to see a doctor was 6 months after she was diagnosed. Just this week the double appendix removal and report of birthing in hallways has hit the news in England. Ambulances regularly park with patients waiting until ER s can handle the cases to meet time limits imposed. This reduces the availability of ambulances. In Canada they have lots of ambulances but no medics to work on them. There are many many bad stories just as there are good ones. I just don't want the federal government being the one to supply the care AND be the arbiter of services. It would be like playing the referee. Can you really expect them to be impartial?
mtlaurel
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 4:50 p.m.
FACT CHECK for Clara: I personally have over 16 family members who use NHS in Britain: not one complaint,ever. Covered mid aged person's hip replacement, senior with dementia and end of life hospice and hospital care, young person with learning problems who needed special schooling help, labor and delivery for a female who delivered a premie-no rationed care:they are all happy and healthy.
clara
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 4:33 p.m.
Ron, Statistics show preventative care actually costs more but the benefits to each who receive the preventative care helps all live longer and better. The problem is once the government gets involved they will have to start limiting the testing and treatments (part of why our healthcare is so expensive is the costs of all the high tech things we get like CAT PET MRI). This leads to LESS preventative care, more illness and shorter lives. Daily we see reports of what is happening in socialized systems where people are getting poor or no care. Things need to be changed but I do not think having the government running things is the answer. How about things like tort reform to reduce doctors insurance. Allowing insurance companies to sell insurance across state lines, offering catastrophic care, mandating acceptance of preexisting conditions, to name just a few?
Suzanne
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 4:07 p.m.
Charles, we should definitely let the insurance companies tell them that instead. Like they refused to cover the asthma medication our doctor prescribed for my daughter last week, even though it's covered under our plan, because they don't understand why she needs it, even though she's had asthma all her life.
AccruedInterest
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 3:56 p.m.
Charles, how does that help my problem? I hear don't do this, don't do that. I hear nothing positive, as in, these 3 things will make health care affordable, and don't give me tort reform. That won't save $100b/year.
giese712
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 3:54 p.m.
Charles, you are really oversimplifying the issue. We need some sort of regulation to curb the increasingly staggering cost of healthcare. The private insurers are certainly not doing that, and it's becoming ridiculous. Why not give the government a shot at moderating healthcare. It has worked in many, many other countries, why not here?
Charles Stevens
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 3:38 p.m.
This is what we DON'T need! This will allow the government to intrude into our lives way too much! Seniors will have little input into the late years of life. The young people should be aware that they will be old someday, do they want the government telling them, you won't live long enough to make it feasible for a hip, shoulder, or other surgery just take a pill and buck-up. I would think not!!
AccruedInterest
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 2:58 p.m.
Ron: across the street from the CAFO?? Ok, that was wrong. Here's my problem. Everyone agrees that preventive care is cheaper in the long-run. But in our modern life, nobody works for the same employer for the long-run. Where's the incentive for employers/insurers to spend money now when there's no benefit for them in the future?
Theresa Taylor
Fri, Aug 28, 2009 : 2:20 p.m.
AWESOME!