Comments on: Je m’amuse. http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/ Exposing the ugly truths about the Bush Administration. Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:03:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1.3 by: The Mahablog » Bushies Are Trying to Kill You http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-215577 Thu, 10 May 2007 13:07:11 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-215577 [...] See also: The Mahablog, “Je m’amuse” (June 15, 2006). [...] […] See also: The Mahablog, “Je m’amuse” (June 15, 2006). […]

]]> by: The Mahablog » Dear Media, Part I: Diagnosis http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-18001 Fri, 30 Jun 2006 16:19:23 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-18001 [...] Take health care, for example. For years, we progressives have wanted some kind of national health care system, maybe single payer, maybe a combination of public and private systems, but something that would scuttle the bloated, failing mess we’ve got now. Many polls indicate that a majority of Americans are deeply concerned about health care in this country. Yet it is next to impossible to present progressive ideas about health care reform to the American public through mass media. Even on those programs allegedly dedicated to political discussion, as soon as a progressive gets the phrase “health care” out of his mouth, a chorus of rightie goons will commence shrieking about socialized medicne! And then the allotted ten minutes for the health care segment is up; go to commercial. [...] […] Take health care, for example. For years, we progressives have wanted some kind of national health care system, maybe single payer, maybe a combination of public and private systems, but something that would scuttle the bloated, failing mess we’ve got now. Many polls indicate that a majority of Americans are deeply concerned about health care in this country. Yet it is next to impossible to present progressive ideas about health care reform to the American public through mass media. Even on those programs allegedly dedicated to political discussion, as soon as a progressive gets the phrase “health care” out of his mouth, a chorus of rightie goons will commence shrieking about socialized medicne! And then the allotted ten minutes for the health care segment is up; go to commercial. […]

]]> by: JustThinking http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-17239 Wed, 21 Jun 2006 22:14:59 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-17239 As a nurse of 25 years, and having worked in the ED for over 10 years across this country, and overseas, I can appreciate the comments made - all have validity. An excellent, balanced, resource about our current system issues can be found at http://www.healthaffairs.org; particularly the MAR/APR issues. Healthcare is an industry. Healthcare represents 16% of the GDP. Some will argue that stat in or out of 14-18%. Any way you look at it - healthcare is a money maker. Only when we address this key issue can reform be attained. Key to reform will be public education and accountability. Physicians/hospitals/insurers are not "bad" by default, they are what a captalistic society has made them. I do believe I will see some type of universal care in this country in the next 10 years. Personally, I admire the Australian system which is a two tier, public private system - critically, this system holds individuals accountable for their health, while providing the laws and resources to educate. As a nurse of 25 years, and having worked in the ED for over 10 years across this country, and overseas, I can appreciate the comments made - all have validity. An excellent, balanced, resource about our current system issues can be found at http://www.healthaffairs.org; particularly the MAR/APR issues. Healthcare is an industry. Healthcare represents 16% of the GDP. Some will argue that stat in or out of 14-18%. Any way you look at it - healthcare is a money maker. Only when we address this key issue can reform be attained. Key to reform will be public education and accountability. Physicians/hospitals/insurers are not “bad” by default, they are what a captalistic society has made them. I do believe I will see some type of universal care in this country in the next 10 years. Personally, I admire the Australian system which is a two tier, public private system - critically, this system holds individuals accountable for their health, while providing the laws and resources to educate.

]]> by: The Mahablog » Congrats to Kos http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-17183 Tue, 20 Jun 2006 13:44:50 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-17183 [...] And if we keep fighting, the day will come when progressive goals will be achievable. Goals like providing health care for all Americans and a genuine commitment to reducing global warming will no longer be kept dangling out of our reach by the power of the Right. [...] […] And if we keep fighting, the day will come when progressive goals will be achievable. Goals like providing health care for all Americans and a genuine commitment to reducing global warming will no longer be kept dangling out of our reach by the power of the Right. […]

]]> by: Avedon http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-17142 Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:13:56 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-17142 A friend of mine recently was telling me about his wealthy, activist Republican mother's sudden lack of interest in the Republicans. She had been complaining to her GP about all the tests the specialists kept wanting to do on her - many of them quite invasive. Her doctor said, "Well, you know, you are very ... generously insured...." It suddenly dawned on her that something had gone wrong with the way healthcare is being handled in our country. A friend of mine recently was telling me about his wealthy, activist Republican mother’s sudden lack of interest in the Republicans. She had been complaining to her GP about all the tests the specialists kept wanting to do on her - many of them quite invasive. Her doctor said, “Well, you know, you are very … generously insured….” It suddenly dawned on her that something had gone wrong with the way healthcare is being handled in our country.

]]> by: goatherd http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-16969 Fri, 16 Jun 2006 18:38:34 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-16969 I am a former Program Manager for a non-profit rehabilitation facility. I worked with people with a very wide range of physical disabilities. My wife is a Certified Nurse Midwife. So we are both personally familiar with our health care system. I think you have put together a good article that hits the high points nicely. Emergency rooms are certainly taking the brunt of our health care systems failures and there are many ways of saving money with preventive care etc. as some of the commenters have said. My wife had a surgery that her insurance would not cover. She did a bit of research and found that both of us could travel to France, spend three weeks there and have the operation for significantly less than having the procedure done in the US. One reason is that their service delivery system is very practical. The hospital was very comfortable, but there were no a lot of frills. That suits me just fine. I really don't have to feel like I am hotel to get health care. The french facility was more like a summer camp, which my wife and I both felt was more comfortable Also, I bet you it was cleaner with fewer lurking infectious bacteria etc. than american hospitals. Because, the hospital was more open and there was a lot less clutter. All in all it was a very pleasant atmosphere, but then I suppose being in Lyon might have something to do with that. It is an old leftist joke that "capitalism can produce anything except a living wage." Unfortunately it looks like decent healthcare may also be on that list along with many other things. The trick that the Right has nearly pulled off is to convince the american public that what the "miracles" of privatization, deregulation and outsourcing can not do are the same things that society SHOULD not do. This is bunk. Vive la France!! I'd move there in a New York minute. I am a former Program Manager for a non-profit rehabilitation facility. I worked with people with a very wide range of physical disabilities. My wife is a Certified Nurse Midwife. So we are both personally familiar with our health care system. I think you have put together a good article that hits the high points nicely. Emergency rooms are certainly taking the brunt of our health care systems failures and there are many ways of saving money with preventive care etc. as some of the commenters have said.

My wife had a surgery that her insurance would not cover. She did a bit of research and found that both of us could travel to France, spend three weeks there and have the operation for significantly less than having the procedure done in the US.

One reason is that their service delivery system is very practical. The hospital was very comfortable, but there were no a lot of frills. That suits me just fine. I really don’t have to feel like I am hotel to get health care. The french facility was more like a summer camp, which my wife and I both felt was more comfortable Also, I bet you it was cleaner with fewer lurking infectious bacteria etc. than american hospitals. Because, the hospital was more open and there was a lot less clutter. All in all it was a very pleasant atmosphere, but then I suppose being in Lyon might have something to do with that.

It is an old leftist joke that “capitalism can produce anything except a living wage.” Unfortunately it looks like decent healthcare may also be on that list along with many other things. The trick that the Right has nearly pulled off is to convince the american public that what the “miracles” of privatization, deregulation and outsourcing can not do are the same things that society SHOULD not do. This is bunk.

Vive la France!! I’d move there in a New York minute.

]]> by: Donna http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-16965 Fri, 16 Jun 2006 17:37:33 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-16965 We need to be calling this exactly what it is. There is not 'health care' in America. There is a huge, growing 'health industry' in America. As long as the corporate-minded are making their bucks from citizens' health dollars and spending those bucks on high-priced lobbyists who are in cahoots with legislators, our Congress will not change the system as it exists. Look at the Medicare drug program.....that tax-payer funded program was created only by kowtowing to the insurers and drug companies to, first and foremost, assure them continued and increased profits.....which is saying that UNLESS something would be added into the 'health industry' system to keep the corporate world happy, nuthin's gonna change. Health care providers do care about their patients; corporate types do not care about patients nor the whole class of folks who are uninsured. All the spin about 'socialism' and 'taking away incentives for health shopping' and 'tort reform' are red herrings to keep the focus off the corporate-minded lack of national caring or compassion for the have-nots. But, hey, the profiteers, their lobbyists and their shills in Congress can lie to themselves all they want....I don't buy their lies, nor should anyone else. We need to be calling this exactly what it is. There is not ‘health care’ in America. There is a huge, growing ‘health industry’ in America.
As long as the corporate-minded are making their bucks from citizens’ health dollars and spending those bucks on high-priced lobbyists who are in cahoots with legislators, our Congress will not change the system as it exists. Look at the Medicare drug program…..that tax-payer funded program was created only by kowtowing to the insurers and drug companies to, first and foremost, assure them continued and increased profits…..which is saying that UNLESS something would be added into the ‘health industry’ system to keep the corporate world happy, nuthin’s gonna change.

Health care providers do care about their patients; corporate types do not care about patients nor the whole class of folks who are uninsured. All the spin about ’socialism’ and ‘taking away incentives for health shopping’ and ‘tort reform’ are red herrings to keep the focus off the corporate-minded lack of national caring or compassion for the have-nots. But, hey, the profiteers, their lobbyists and their shills in Congress can lie to themselves all they want….I don’t buy their lies, nor should anyone else.

]]> by: Rick http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-16961 Fri, 16 Jun 2006 16:33:46 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-16961 Hatred of France? Maybe all the talk of how rude the french were to american tourists. Pissed off the self righteous among us whom you just don't question or condescend to our natural superiority, I'm sure. Hatred of France? Maybe all the talk of how rude the french were to american tourists. Pissed off the self righteous among us whom you just don’t question or condescend to our natural superiority, I’m sure.

]]> by: Mary Kay Pinnick http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-16952 Fri, 16 Jun 2006 14:28:59 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-16952 I want to respond to your post about health care. I have been a RN for 30 yrs. (recently retired) & an acupuncturist for 20 yrs. Since I have worked in the system I have my own insights & opinions about the problems. They may not be right but they are shared by quite a few of my co-workers. The health care system has been taken over by the insurance companies who make the important decisions. Doctors & the public allowed this because at first it seemed ideal. Doctors were assured of getting paid & people didn't have to worry about big bills. I do disagree with Maha that people who have insurance don't care about the cost of something. They will agree to have costly tests because they are not paying for it. In addition, doctors have lost the "art" of medicine & feel they have to depend on all the tests to confirm a diagnosis & to protect themselves from being sued. Having worked with doctors & having to carry out their orders, I know they do not consider the costs when ordering tests. Most of the time, they do not even know how much a test costs. Also, most of their treatment is to write out a prescription. There is little offered in the way of preventive care or a healthy lifestyle. As often happens, what seemed like a good idea at the time has mushroomed into a problem that seems unsurmountable. Insurance companies need to keep their costs down, employers are feeling the crunch of offering health care benefits. The benefits go down & the costs go up with each passing year. Studies have shown that 50% or more of physical complaints taken to doctors have no physical origin, that is, they are emotionally or psychically caused. I have always enjoyed good health. On the other hand, I have always been very careful to take good care of my health & consider it my responsibility. Since I found acupuncture I am able to take care of some minor problems that if taken to a Western doctor would be treated with "drugs". They only treat the symptom not the cause. The best way to deal with the stress, germs, viruses, etc. is to develop a good immune system & trust in one's own body's intelligence. Mother Nature has a better system than any man-made one. Finally, I will have to admit it will have to get worse before it gets better. I have been predicting for more than 10 yrs. that the health care system in this country is going to crash. When it does, maybe we can get back to a more natural way of living. Grannyeagle I want to respond to your post about health care. I have been a RN for 30 yrs. (recently retired) & an acupuncturist for 20 yrs. Since I have worked in the system I have my own insights & opinions about the problems. They may not be right but they are shared by quite a few of my co-workers.

The health care system has been taken over by the insurance companies who make the important decisions. Doctors & the public allowed this because at first it seemed ideal. Doctors were assured of getting paid & people didn’t have to worry about big bills. I do disagree with Maha that people who have insurance don’t care about the cost of something. They will agree to have costly tests because they are not paying for it. In addition, doctors have lost the “art” of medicine & feel they have to depend on all the tests to confirm a diagnosis & to protect themselves from being sued. Having worked with doctors & having to carry out their orders, I know they do not consider the costs when ordering tests. Most of the time, they do not even know how much a test costs. Also, most of their treatment is to write out a prescription. There is little offered in the way of preventive care or a healthy lifestyle.

As often happens, what seemed like a good idea at the time has mushroomed into a problem that seems unsurmountable. Insurance companies need to keep their costs down, employers are feeling the crunch of offering health care benefits. The benefits go down & the costs go up with each passing year.

Studies have shown that 50% or more of physical complaints taken to doctors have no physical origin, that is, they are emotionally or psychically caused.

I have always enjoyed good health. On the other hand, I have always been very careful to take good care of my health & consider it my responsibility. Since I found acupuncture I am able to take care of some minor problems that if taken to a Western doctor would be treated with “drugs”. They only treat the symptom not the cause. The best way to deal with the stress, germs, viruses, etc. is to develop a good immune system & trust in one’s own body’s intelligence. Mother Nature has a better system than any man-made one.

Finally, I will have to admit it will have to get worse before it gets better. I have been predicting for more than 10 yrs. that the health care system in this country is going to crash. When it does, maybe we can get back to a more natural way of living.

Grannyeagle

]]> by: Francophile http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-16936 Fri, 16 Jun 2006 05:39:46 +0000 http://www.mahablog.com/2006/06/15/je-mamuse/#comment-16936 I'm an American but I've lived in Paris. French health care is wonderful. Doctors come to you - you dial SOS-medicin and they come to your house. Or you can go see them. Oddly enough, The American Hospital (established post WWII) is a wonderful facility - its quite easy to get an appointment same day. I have a program now through a large company that is considered "posh" by current standards, but its still nowhere near as good as I can get in France for much less money. This really ought to be a much higher priority than the nonsense that went on in the house today. I’m an American but I’ve lived in Paris. French health care is wonderful. Doctors come to you - you dial SOS-medicin and they come to your house. Or you can go see them. Oddly enough, The American Hospital (established post WWII) is a wonderful facility - its quite easy to get an appointment same day.

I have a program now through a large company that is considered “posh” by current standards, but its still nowhere near as good as I can get in France for much less money.

This really ought to be a much higher priority than the nonsense that went on in the house today.

]]>