Arrogant Health Care Insurers make Public Option necessary

Our broken health care system that is. That’s right — it’s not working for many women and their families.In many states, insurance companies can still discriminate on the basis of gender — and not just on costs. In some states, maternity care is not covered because pregnancy can be seen as a “pre-existing condition.” It’s even legal in some states to deny a woman coverage because she’s been a victim of domestic violence!That’s not right. Nobody in America should be treated that way. That’s why First Lady Michelle Obama is standing up for women and families in this newest video. Take a look: With health insurance reform, the days of discrimination based on gender will be over. Insurance companies will be banned from denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition, or dropping your coverage when you get sick and need it most. They will have to cover preventive care like mammograms and pap smears. And they will be forced to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge you for out-of-pocket expenses. But we can’t make health insurance reform a reality without your help. As the First Lady says, talk to your family, your friends, your neighbors. Share this video with them and help get the word out about what’s at stake. It’ll take all of us working together to deliver the change we need on health care. Thanks, Nancy-Ann Nancy-Ann DeParle Director, White House Office of Health Reform This email was sent to bosskitty@earthlink.net Please do not reply to this email. Contact the White House The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111

John Cornyn has it all figured out, quote from KCBD in Lubbock Texas on Thursday Oct 22, 2009.

We asked him what he wants to see in a healthcare reform bill. “To be able to purchase insurance across state lines. To give more flexibility or choices to individuals for type of coverage they have as well as medical liability reform and realigning incentives to both encourage providers to provide value rather than volume. Finally, to make sure people are encouraged to take better care of themselves,” adds the Senator Cornyn.

The Senate voted Wednesday to block a Medicare reimbursement bill that Cornyn says would have added close to $300 billion to the national deficit. He says he supports the idea of the reimbursement program just not at the expense of adding to the deficit. Senator Cornyn says he and his colleagues are waiting for the bill they will vote on to be finalized and hopes Congress will post it online for Americans to read.

Viewpoint: The best prescription for health care reform   By John Cornyn – U.S. Senator

Earlier this year, I began soliciting input about health care reform from Texans from across the state and from every walk of life. I sent personal letters to roughly 300 physician groups, medical societies, and chambers of commerce to solicit their feedback on specific health care policy proposals under consideration in Congress.

Wait!  Did he forget to mention the highest unemployment number in how many decades?  Unemployment means uninsured or unable to purchase insurance. DUH!  Well, there you go.  That is the best response any republican has offered.  Ignore the uninsured and they will go away, through “Natural Selection” or maybe “Attrition” and let Service Corporation International and its affiliated companies get their profits from burials.

Re: “Why I won’t support the Baucus bill — It would leave millions uninsured, impose new taxes, says John Cornyn,” Tuesday Viewpoints, and, “Government programs propel growth for HMOs in Texas — Study shows gains over two years, but federal overhaul could put damper on trend,” Wednesday Business.Sen. John Cornyn says he is for reducing health care costs, yet he supports Medicare Advantage, which increases costs.

The article in the Business section, says, “Last year, Medicare Advantage plans — government plans administered by private insurers — were the most profitable HMOs, reporting $387.6 million in profit, primarily because the federal government pays more for the Medicare Advantage plan.”

Cornyn is dishonest when he says he is for reducing health care costs while supporting the more costly Medicare Advantage.

Cornyn could have saved valuable type space by saying the real reason he is not supporting any health care bill. He might have said, “I received a total of $898,668 in campaign contributions for the 2008 election cycle from all aspects of the health care industry. I cannot be expected to vote against those who financially support me as that industry does. Thank you very much.”

Explaining his “no” vote on the Baucus health care bill, Cornyn cites concerns about rising costs to families and small businesses. However, health care costs in Texas are already out of control. According to one study, premiums for working Texas families increased by 91.6 percent between 2000 and 2009. Currently, small businesses pay up to 18 percent more than large competitors for the same plans.

Cornyn also encouraged the federal government to take a page out of Texas’ book on health care policy. The State’s health care system was recently ranked 46th in the nation, so that doesn’t seem like a good idea. Cornyn must get serious about meaningful health care reform and commit to real change for citizens in Texas.

For all those who still believe that Darwin was a crack pot, why do you still adhere to “Survival of the fittest”?  Please define FIT.  Please define SURVIVAL.  Please define WWJD!