This post isn’t about synchronicity. It’s about doing what’s right. We’re the only country in the industrialized world that doesn’t have universal health care. In 1989, when our daughter was born, we had catastrophic health insurance. It didn’t pay for much of anything. It definitely didn’t cover maternity. The only way they would pay for anything related to Megan’s birth was if there was a catastrophe, an emergency. So her birth cost us $8,000. & that’s in 1989 dollars. No telling what it would cost now. Twice that? Three times that?
Shortly after she was born, we cancelled our health insurance. We knew we were being ripped off. So in the nearly 20 years since, we have been self-employed individuals who have no health insurance, part of that group of 47 million the talking heads refer to rather frequently these days. Actually, we have tried to get health insurance at various times over the years. But because we are self-employed and in our sixties, it would cost somewhere around 12 grand a year. Thanks, but I would rather monitor my own thoughts and beliefs and live a life not based in fear than to pay out 12 grand to companies that might not pay out when I need it. As Esther Hicks (Abraham) says: “Treating the body is really about treating the mind.”
So here’s what a broken foot without health insurance cost us: orthopedic guy with X-rays, office visit, the boot: $350. Not too bad, considering the doc was a specialist who actually spent quite a bit of time with Rob. Walkin clinic for X-rays, a script for pain meds, and a wrap on his foot: $368. I figure follow up visit on the 27th will be between $150-200. So the total for this foot deal? About a grand, give or take.
Enough to make me want to move to Costa Rica, where for $60 or so a month, you buy into the national health care system. or to Ecuador, where an office visit to a local clinic costs $10. Yes, there are times when we need meds, antibiotics, a doctor. But, hello, can we get rid of insurance companies? Members of Congress have health insurance that we, the taxpayers, are funding. Why can’t we, the people, have the same type of insurance? Why not extend medicare to everyone and have a truly universal, single payer health plan?
Republicans and the blue dog dems, slam on the brakes. The cost, the cost, they shriek. But were they shrieking when Congress approved funding for war? For all the trillions we have spent on war, killing people, we could have used those dollars to provide a health care system that would provide for we the people.
Take a look here for what Obama’s trying to do. The problem is about paradigms. The old paradigm is in its death throes & all forms of life struggle mightily to survive. The big question is whether the whole system collapses before anything is done.
It has always been apparent to me that 'localized' health care is better than 'nationalized.' The county where my mother lives in Minnesota has excellent senior citizen programs with elderly people working to help other elderly. She would not move to Florida for anything. The local public services have allowed her to stay in her home, and she's well into her 80s. She feels a strong sense of community and that's what is important.
Meanwhile, Florida has a great health care program for everyone 19 and under. With wellness and prescription coverage. The monthly fee is based on income and very affordable. It seems preferable to me for states – if not counties – to set up their own health care program with support from the federal gov't.
Ed, you talk about people, including me, sounding arrogant. But I sense a bit of intolerance on your part. Also, I don't quite get your distinction between the founding fathers' democratic republic and our current democracy. I wish you would expand on that.
I hope you're not saying that you think the original set up in this country was a good one, what with slavery and only white males counting as citizens. That really sucks, if that's what you're talking about.
However, if you're referring to the corporate democracy that currently runs this country with corporate profits determining policy in many cases, I'm with you. – Rob
The couple you mention demonstrate just what I'm talking about. The ones these programs were meant to and should be helping are routinely denied services while so many abuse the system. Its sickening. It is the reality more often than not where I live. Look at the examples set by our leaders for decades though. Honesty is seldom lucrative these days.
I have to agree whole heartedly with you on the state of and effectiveness of our government. I'd say part of the problem is that it has become a democracy rather than the democratic republic it was intended to be. The founding fathers detested a true democracy for the reasons we are living with today. The difference is a fine line and an entirely different discussion though.
Again, while i don't have the full answer, I am certain it must start locally. As you have seen too many who are truly in need fall through the cracks otherwise. Those who do are still dependent on those around them despite the existence of all these programs.
I'm glad for the reassurance re: Robs comment. The choice of words said something different to me hopefully than was intended. Maybe its one of those east/west coast differences.
Speaking of, its way past bedtime on this coast….
Ed – Rob is the least condescending person I've ever known. He's far more tolerant than I am. So that's your head, your perceptions.
Years ago, I was a social worker in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children. An elderly black couple came in one day. They were utterly destitute, their kids were grown, all they wanted was food stamps, so they wouldn't starve. I saw their tax return, and they were def poor. But I couldn't approve them for food stamps because their kids were grown and the husband wasn't quite sick enough.
I never quite got beyond that and quit my job not long afterward. So it's not that people don't want to work or to provide for themselves. Most people, I believe, want to live independently, without gov't help. Sometimes they simply can't. Period.
Move forward some number of yrs. I'm a librarian in a youthful offender facility – i.e., prison. I found that the guards were more corrupt than the inmates. They were dealing drugs, soliciting sex with inmates, they harassed the few female employees….you name it, it was happening. This isn't to say that the inmates were all innocent of the crimes for which they were sentenced. But the guards were far worse. I quit that job after three years & the day I walked outta there, I felt like I had been paroled.
Again, many of these inmates came from circumstances beyond my comprehension and experience. Granted, we all have the capacity to move beyond such circumstances, but sometimes, people simply lack the will. Or the means. Or the support. Or the money. What I learned from my 3 yrs working in prison, is that there are many tiers to the criminal justice system. If you have $, you have access. If you don't have money, you are pretty much screwed. Maybe that's why we have more people in prison than most industrialized countries.
Nothing is black or white. There are so many shades of gray in our society that it's astonishing we've gotten as far as we have as a democracy. But now it's time for the next evolutionary step in our democracy, if it's going to survive. & it's obvious this paradigm of democracy has serious flaws and is no longer working the way Jefferson and his counterparts envisioned.
Ed,
I can understand were you are coming from..and I agree with some of your points…but not all your ideas, and thats ok. heck my own family disagrees with most issues…but I believe your intentions are for the same aim, just a diff way of getting there..we all have our personal philosophy…As far as the tone from the post… Trish and Rob ..well thats not what they are about on this blog…..I really believe at this time we all need to unite as best we can..cast aside our differences so we can get out of this situation we are in..I do hope you will still remain here.
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I think we seem to have the same goals, just prefer different paths.
Marlene, no probs with opinions. We all put them out there. Again, not why I'm here but as long as it was out there I shared mine.
What really kind of pushed my buttons were remarks by rob and gypsy that seemed to me snide and condescending. It could be that thier intentions were different than my perception but it irked me none the less. I didn't think it was necessary to take that tone.
I think my bottom line is like Trish, I don't see "kindess" at a government level but I don't look for it there. I see the attempt but it is always more or less a failure for those it is intended to help. Those in need get much better help locally. Its much more effective. I think any help coming from too far up the chain lacks the ability to keep people honest and also to draw people together. A major shift has to occur though for that to be sustainable in our society. I've spent a lot of time lately trying to be the kind of neighbor, friend, whatever I would want someone to be to me. The drug addicts riding the system next door…no help from me b/c they do nothing for themselves. The elderly lady down the street or others doing the best with what they have can count on me though. If my grass were high and I couldn't cut it I'd hope a neighbor would cut it for me instead of calling the city, so that is what I did this week. I thought noone else was home at the time of day when I did it but a neighbor saw and is now planning to take a turn and cut it the next time. Just being that person you want to be around catches on and spreads. I moved into the hood (really) 4 years ago b/c it was what i could afford without being over extended. It is not even the part of the hood that is becoming cool with young people or fashionable to move to. Over that time (and even before) like minded people who have never met before moving in have moved here and all for different reasons. Some synchronicity at work there I think. Maybe my words don't do it justice but we all marvel regularly at how we all wound up in this chunk of the bad part of town at the same time.
So there you go….back to the synchronicity part. Its working in my little slice of the hood to make life better. It hopefully will work on the larger scale but I suspect has to start in other people's homes and neighborhoods first as it has in mine. Now you know my long winded thought process.
Ed
ED, I really don't understand…." "took your unsuspecting audience and pushed your politics on them."?? It was an expression of thier beliefs! Just like you expressed yours…This is what I was saying…My family and friends are split right in half…staunch Republics and die hard Demo's..Both Sides say the other is "drinking the kool-aid" and thier "brain washed.". I noticed no arrogance when I re-read the posts..only strong opinions..I bet its just like this..in Congress, both sides getting turned off …bottom line is each side thinks the other is sooo far gone.. there is no point in even trying….I hope Congress does not give up…and whatever they decide I sure as hell hope its going to work!!!
Ed – I appreciate your sentiments. Please allow me to correct something here. Rob and I have been writers for 25 years. A lot of those years we made practically nothing and took other jobs.
We paid for his foot with a credit card.
We make a living doing what we love, but believe me, this is not a lucrative field unless you land on the bestseller's list. Dan Brown. S. King. Etc. We're nowhere in that league. I've worked harder at being a writer than I ever worked at any other job I ever had. If you're self-employed, it's a 24/7 job.
I don't see health care as political. I see it as humane. I don't believe anyone should be obligated – mandated – to buy health insurance – or any other kind of insurance, for that matter. I would be ecstatic if insurance companies went the way of the dodo bird.
I believe in capitalism, but not when it's at the expense of others, not when it's greedy as what we've seen in the last 20-30 years, and not when war is a big component of what drives the economy.
You speak of kindness, your dad's kindness. That's a rare quality these days, but it does still exist, one to one, community to community. My dad was like that, too. Maybe my problem is that I don't see it in government. I don't see it in bureacracy. & I don't see much of it in the system as it exists now.
I do hope you'll continue to visit. It was never my intention to drive anyone away. You've contributed to the discourse and that's always a good thing. We appreciate it. But my hope is that discourse doesn't continue to prove divisive, that it helps to bring people together. In the end, unity is really what it's about.
– Trish
I honestly debated whether to respond again or not. I have a strong feeling it is pointless. I posted the anonymous post – not b/c I'm scared of a man twice my age on the other side of the country but b/c I do not have any of the acct's listed.
Trish, I think you missed MY point. Whether or not all are required to participate, all taxpayers will be footing the bill. You're post spoke in favor of the current proposal so I don't think I'm reading anything in that isn't there. I resent anyone forcing decisions (especially ones that come with bills)on me or others just as you resent being forced to pay for a war you don't support. I am one of the many that supporters are claiming this is being done for the good of. Sorry, but I find that arrogant, condescending, and very hypocritical especially when coming from people who can afford to not be a part of it. As I stated before, my belief is that getting rid of insurance all together is a better solution than anything currently on the table. We disagree. That's fine with me. It is sad though that you and folks such as gypsywoman turn as bitter and fanatical as any holy roller when someone disagrees with you. I expect better from the kind of people I hope to find on a site like this. Its the same type attitude that turned me off organized religion.
As to Gypsywoman and "karma"…where I was raised, karma was not a payroll deduction or a checkbox on your 10-40. Giving because you choose to and because the person you help is truly in need is more the point for me. My family a generation ago survived b/c of the kindness of others. We all try to be that kind in our lives. My father was exceptional at it. The beauty of such ways is that it cuts out the abuses you see in any government run program today. I have many friends and neighbors who are truly in need but can never get assistance b/c the gvm't programs are overfilled with those who are capable but choose not to work or support themselves. Those of us around them do what we can and they always have what they need. You do it b/c its the right thing to do, not to buy your way to heaven (or wherever). I would also caution those who commented on the right to good health. No complaints from me as long as we don't confuse rights and entitlements again as we did with homeownership in the 90's. That mistake landed us (with other mistakes) where we are today. Having a right to something doesn't mean you are owed it. Just another reason I'm opposed to government involvement … it's track record.
I am trying to decide if I still want to visit this site. I enjoyed the content until you took your unsuspecting audience and pushed your politics on them. That is fine for a political blog but is not what I expected here. The real distaste i have though is for the glimpses of arrogance and nastiness I saw in the postings. I'm sincerely hoping I've misread the tone of your reponses b/c I really was starting to like you guys prior to this.
Ed
I always refer to the insurance companies as the Chicago mafia…pay us whatever we ask…or you will be sorry..like the safety of the cattle…..
Great post, Terri. Better than having good health care is having good health. That's where personal responsibility comes in.
On insurance rates, the law suits are only one of the reasons for the collapse of our health care system. Get rid of the multi-million dollar judgments and we'd still be floundering, paying high rates without coverage for existing conditions. That doesn't work.
I also take exception that insurance is something new. Actually, it has been around for hundreds of years in various forms. My ancestors in the Scottish Highlands ran an insurance scam in the 16th century in which they guaranteed the safety of cattle for an annual payments. Those who didn't pay the MacGregors lost their cattle – to the MacGregors. That would be like mandatory insurance with a tax penalty if you didn't buy into it, IMHO.
How did the British rulers deal with the MacGregors' cattle thieving/insurance plan? They banned the clan making it illegal to use the name for 300 years. Many MacGregors were captured during that time and shipped to Jamaica, some as slaves, others as indentured servants.
Oddly, we still don't recognize that there were white slaves as well as black in the colonization era. But that's another story.
Rob
Gotta add my $.02 on this!!
Health care was why I held a full time job for years, while our girls were young, and my hubby was an independent consultant. That's changed and when hubby's new employer was based in Canada, we has awesome health care for our family, in the US. Then that company was bought by a major US based company, lousy health care programs now… Neither of us have 'conditions' or require drugs, today.
However, our daughters are all grown, don't work in 'corporate America' careers and have issues with health care costs, even though we live in a state (Oregon) that seems to have a good handle on treating children, sort of.
However, insurance of any kind, is a new creation of the capitalist economy in America over the past few decades. In the early 1960's, health care (or any insurance) was new or rare. As a family, there was no health insurance when my mom got polio, spent months in a hospital, and went to Warm Springs, GA for rehabilitation. What I've learned about that situation, and the polio epidemic, is fascinating and too much to recount here.
However, I feel this post is a greater version of synchronicity than many understand and I applaud all the comments.
Synchronicity is tapped to the global unconscious that reaches beyond the details of today or the institutions that are only a few decades old. Personal responsibility and choice are primary to understanding synchronicity as Carl Jung struggled through his life to explain.
What derailed health care, in recent decades, because of health insurance, was the lawsuits. Mis-diagnosed conditions and mis-takes, were suddenly worth millions. Personal choices were made by a few, in recent years, to distort a "system" that had nothing to do with good health.
Change is important when we know something doesn't work. Health care reform in America is needed because this country is an example of progress and excess that could create a new paradigm for our children, in America and for the rest of the world.
Prez Obama has earned the opportunity to have no fear for the medical care of his daughters. He's also aware-this is rare! That awareness is what synchronicity is all about, we are all responsible for what happens in our world and it is the individual choice that makes things happen.
Rob, Your right about the truth..there is power in it…but I give myself away..I am a true Aries..and like the Ram I charge head on…I have to work on the Zen approach ..see the balance…patience is something I work on daily!
Marlene, I hope anonymous and his ilk read your comment. Very revealing. Very compelling.
But to clarify the Zen comment, it's not about stalemate. Eventually, change comes about as one side attracts more support. Then the mood and the mode shifts to a new reality. Nevertheless, the opposition served a purpose, clarifying the issue for the other side. That's true even if their agenda included disinformation, a.k.a. lies, as we are seeing with the health care issue.
As Mark Twain said, "A lie travels around the world eight times before the truth catches up." But eventually it does catch up.
R
Well…The Zen approach sounds good, but sometimes 2 very strong beliefs require someone to see the other side of the coin, so they can come to an agreement..otherwise we just spin our wheels and we go nowhere.
I am a supporter of the Health reform..something has to be done and quickly..My husband and I retired and our healthcare benefits which were part of my package have steadily gone up yearly, and now I pay for me alone a total of $1000.00 a month just for coverage..not an easy thing to do on a fixed budget..I tried getting other insurance, but was not accepted because of pre exsisting conditions (sound familiar to anyone?)So I am stuck..because of my health history to pay this or whatever they say!!beacause as everyone knows one big illness and you lose everything…because of the cost..
my daughter can not afford insurance..and my parents both sick require me to send money and help sometimes with thier kaizer copays (remember when Kaizer co pays were $10 bucks??? not anymore)
which total some months $700…
This is my family..I have friends that are in worse shape…So health reform is something that I am hoping we succeed in..thus my
apprehension when I hear both sides not wanting to work together for a solution…
In The Healing of America, journalist T.R. Reid pinpoints how U.S. health care measures up to that in other countries and he uses an old shoulder injury to illustrate his premise. He travels to different countries to find out how that country's health care system would treat his injury.
In France and Germany, doctors recommend physical therapy. In Britain? They tell him to go home. In India, he's treated with herbs, massage, and meditation. In the U.S., an orthopedic doc recommends joint-replacement surgery, which costs tens of thousands.
The full review of this book is available here: https://www.newsweek.com/id/207410
As the reviewer notes, "But the lesson I took away from his book was somewhat different: health-care systems are not just policy choices, but expressions of national character and values. The alternatives he describes work not just because they're well designed but because they reflect the expectations and traditions of their societies."
I am in total agreement with you, Rob and Trish. Our government officials have unbelievable benefits for themselves, including an out of this world pension, paid for by us taxpayers. But just let something be for the people and the "sky is falling, the sky is falling!"
first of all, part of me would just LOVE to respond appropriately [uh, as i see it "appropriately"] to anonymous' comment above – but rob spoke very clearly, as did trish in her post – and since i do really try working on my karma EVERY day, i am choosing to track rob's zen point of view here – however…..
Good points, Marlene. I heard Howard Fineman, of Newsweek say yesterday that he visited both camps of health care and it was like visiting parallel universes, the division was so strong.
However, I like the Zen point of view. If there wasn't an opposing voice, we wouldn't have any strong-held beliefs. So we should honor and thank the opposition for serving us so well.
R
I have alot of really close freinds that believe as anonymous…terrified of govertment taking over health care..its almost like a fear swarming amoung these groups of socialism and the goverment controlling us they say..( I think they do already?)…Its hard to change. Change makes people afraid. But… we need a change because what we have now does not work. ..I have become more and more afraid for our country. I see us dividing more and more into 2 sides, both passionately believing thier side is the right way..and no other way..both saying the other side makes no sense and is a danger..This division only weakens us as a nation..seperating us, labeling us (democrate/republic/independant ect)we are not united..and in doing so we could fall..I think sometimes about the Civil War we had in this country..and wonder..could we get to that point? Health care is not about "politics" its about Life and the right to care for you and your family ..its about humanity uniting for a cause to help those that need help…I am so afraid for our future, and I hope we can overcome this division among us and come up with a good solution.
BTW, the original post was by Trish. The above comment by Rob. We're glad that synchronicity crosses political lines, and there's no need to hide behind anonymous if you don't agree with us, or anyone else.
You're putting words in our mouth, Anonymous. We never said we like the idea of being required to have health insurance. In fact, we don't like being required to have auto insurance or mortgage insurance. We would like to see insurance companies out of our lives. So you're wrong there.
The rest of your comments are just insurance company talking points. Ie. making it sound as if the government will be the only option, when the fact is it might not even BE an option. Also, if a gov't option is SO bad, then you can just keep your regular health insurance.
Your points are well taken about the cost of the broken foot. I thought it would be a lot higher. But if I had catastrophic health insurance, I would paying that bill, too.
In reality, the U.S. is actually about as far from a socialized nation as Somalia, the model for non-governmental interference because there is no gov't. In reality, we are living in a corporate democracy in the U.S. and if the corporate powers-that-be don't want an affordable health care program there won't be one. The multi-nationals have great influence over Democrats as well as Republicans, and that's the gist of the problem. It's corporate profits first, people's needs somewhere after.
If you don't believe me, here's a good example. Montana Democratic Sen. Max Baucus has receive $1.5 million from hospitals, insurance companies, and other health care interests since his finance committee began considering health care reform. Money speaks.
I normally enjoy the blog. I don't care much for it when it goes political though. You are entitled to your opinions as I am to mine. I don't have insurance either but I don't think anyone owes me free anything either. I'd say if that foot cost is the worst you've incurred, it is less than your taxes than your contributions to a government plan will be and you certainly came out ahead for all the years you have chosen not to pay for insurance. That's a good point as well … you CHOSE not to pay yet you want the rest of the country to be forced to pay whether they agree or not. The fact is the government has never run any kind of program that works as intended and I sure won't let my well being be left up to beurocrats. Where would we be now if things were government sponsored? Even teachers are being laid off and the elderly and disabled already on such programs are suffering for the economic crisis. I don't mind helping another but it should be my choice, not demanded of me or any other citizen. A better solution to me would be to do away with insurance all together. The industry would have to lower costs to survive when there is no insurer to absorb the excess cost.
Again, great blog when on topic. This post however reminded me of the celebrities with multi-million dollar mansions doing commercials about starving kids that only I can save with my donation. A little hypocritical to hear a call to socialized medicine that all of us will foot the bill for coming someone bemoaning $1000 they have had to spend and can afford.
rob and trish – thanks so much for taking the initiative to post this much much needed message – great post!!!
Inspector – thanks for the link. You make some very good points. I've always felt that if a system was implemented, it should be done at a state level. Florida has a good system for kids that's funded in part by the lottery. & yes, you're right that responsibility begins with the individual.
Interesting blog. Very interesting.
We have a tendency in America to argue for or against a concept based on our own personal philosophy or view of the world, what advances our personal interests, or the interests of our party, family, organization, or region. Perhaps viewing the issue from a management or systemic perspective might result in innovative approaches to the issue. The American national mindset, citizen philosophy, lack of citizen motivation to be proactively healthy, and governance model make the socialization of health care in America very problematic, particularly at this point in time. A country needs to know its limitations.