everyone's talking about it. everyone.

by: los anjalis

Mon Aug 17, 2009 at 22:38:59 PM PDT

Tis very true, there's much debate over how much the various proposals for health insurance actually help the health of people in this country.  But it's also true that there are some very true access issues and life and death realities that need to be addressed.

So, shall we discuss? I'll try to post thoughts, creative framing, and interesting ideas and actions around moving forward in the health insurance reform debate. A strength of the CureThis community is that folks share personal narratives and stories, and perhaps this website can function as a space for such discussion.  As always, healthy debate is a good thing, and feel free to write posts or add your thoughts in the comments section of posts.

half of latinos & native americans in new mexico without health insurance

by: los anjalis

Sun Mar 29, 2009 at 20:28:43 PM PDT

RIP Levi + Standing in the Shadows of Care

by: nightowl724

Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 22:35:37 PM PDT

I often pass by hospitals and pharmacies. I pass by because I can't afford to enter. For two months, my best friend was in the hospital receiving complex, long-term treatment paid for by her insurance. Without insurance, I wouldn't get that kind of care - if any.

I've survived thanks to a few kind doctors who gave me free care and drug samples. Recently, one of them moved away. Prescription samples are scarce these days, too. I've applied for pharmaceutical "indigent programs" with no luck. My scripts are $1000/mo, so I often do without. And, forget lab work, let alone a hospital stay.

Saddened by Levi Stubbs' death, I revisited the great music of The Four Tops. Listening to Standing in the Shadows of Love, something clicked.  I realized that I, too, am standing in the shadows - in the shadows of some of the best health care in the world.  From that came my modest tribute to Levi and to the 47M of us without health insurance.

Great hope lies ahead; Kennedy brings people together

by: los anjalis

Sat Oct 25, 2008 at 00:12:01 AM PDT

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) has been organizing and overseeing meetings with members of both parties to draft health care legislation to present to the new president and Congress next year that would extend health insurance to all U.S. residents, the Washington Times reports.

The talks have included 14 roundtable meetings attended by Kennedy aides and staffers for both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate Budget Committee, Senate Finance Committee and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, chaired by Kennedy. Kennedy has monitored the talks, which started in June, through telephone updates from his staff.

The talks also were attended by representatives from a broad array of groups with an interest in health care, including the:

   * AARP;
   * AFL-CIO;
   * American Medical Association;
   * America's Health Insurance Plans;
   * Business Roundtable;
   * Consumers Union,
   * Families USA;
   * Federation of American Hospitals;
   * National Federation of Independent Business; and
   * National Retail Federation.

In addition, Kennedy aides have started meeting regularly with consumers and small groups of people representing each area of the health care industry.

The Times reports that the conversations are "extraordinary" because they are bipartisan and have "managed to put in the same room interests that rarely meet -- let alone agree with one another."

Bold emphasis is mine.  It truly is the beginning of a new era.  I'm going to try to be less cynical too :>

From California Health Line, October 24, 2008.

Connecting some dots.

by: los anjalis

Tue Sep 30, 2008 at 02:00:38 AM PDT

NOTHING in this "bailout" package will lower the price of the gas you have to put in your car to get to work. NOTHING in this bill will protect you from losing your home. NOTHING in this bill will give you health insurance.  Health insurance? Mike, why are you bringing this up? What's this got to do with the Wall Street collapse?

It has everything to do with it. This so-called "collapse" was triggered by the massive defaulting and foreclosures going on with people's home mortgages. Do you know why so many Americans are losing their homes? To hear the Republicans describe it, it's because too many working class idiots were given mortgages that they really couldn't afford. Here's the truth: The number one cause of people declaring bankruptcy is because of medical bills. Let me state this simply: If we had had universal health coverage, this mortgage "crisis" may never have happened.

Uninsured and Lucky to be Alive Part 2

by: nightowl724

Sun Aug 24, 2008 at 10:18:02 AM PDT

If you've read my other diaries, you know I usually don't write about myself and I usually approach my subjects with snark. I laugh to keep from crying. However, this time I was asked specifically to write a serious and personal post. I hope those who have insurance get a sense of what it's like not to and those who don't pick up a valuable tip or two. I invite readers to share their stories and suggestions in the comments section.

In Part 1, I related the background of my story. In Part 2, I am revealing the rest of my story, starting with the onset of my medical problems.

10 Survival Topics for the Uninsured Part 2

by: nightowl724

Fri Aug 22, 2008 at 12:43:01 PM PDT

The topics are important whether you're a patient or a caregiver. They'll help even if you have insurance; co-pays and uncovered items kill budgets. And, you never know when you might lose your coverage.

It took years to find this information. Unfortunately, I learned much of it too late to help my family. Since it's hard to do when you're stressed, I hope you can learn from my experiences now. I invite you to share your stories and suggestions in the comments.    

In Part 1, the subjects included planning for the unthinkable, the Hill-Burton Act, and ways to avoid paying full price for prescriptions, OTC drugs, and medical devices. In Part 2, the topics include finding and asking for help, dealing with long-term illness and debt, as well as some final thoughts and a resource list with links.

Health Care Series: Uninsured and Lucky to be Alive Part 1

by: nightowl724

Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 10:40:38 AM PDT

If you've read my other diaries, you know I usually don't write about myself and I usually approach my subjects with snark. I laugh to keep from crying. However, this time I was asked specifically to write a serious and personal post. I hope those who have insurance get a sense of what it's like not to and those who don't pick up a valuable tip or two. I invite readers to share their stories and suggestions in the comments section.

In Part 1, I relate the background of my story. In Part 2, I will reveal the rest of my story, starting with the onset of my medical problems.

10 Survival Topics for the Uninsured Part 1

by: nightowl724

Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 05:46:51 AM PDT

The topics are important whether you're a patient or a caregiver. They'll help even if you have insurance; co-pays and uncovered items kill budgets. And, you never know when you might lose your coverage.

It took years to find all this information. Unfortunately, I learned much of it too late to help my family. Since it's hard to do when you're stressed, I hope you can learn from my experiences now. I invite you to share your stories and suggestions in the comments.    

In Part 1, the subjects include planning for the unthinkable, the Hill-Burton Act, ways to avoid paying full price for prescriptions, OTC drugs, and medical devices, and dealing with long-term illness. In Part 2, the subjects will include handling debt and getting help, as well as some final thoughts and a resource list with links.

Single Payer Health Care: what your doctor read this week

by: river

Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 23:24:35 PM PDT

Several months ago I subscribed to Medscape, a weekly web medical journal. Subscriptions are limited to the profession, but I lied and said that I was a nutritionist, so I get this publication in my inbox every week. It's full of interesting articles on various medical issues; my main areas of interest are usually endocrinology and diabetes, and nephrology.

This week's lead editorial is by Dr. Quentin Young, National Coordinator, Physicians for a National Health Program. I have permission from PNHP to reproduce this here in full, as most Kossacks probably do not have access to a Medscape subscription. I have followed this with a few excerpts from the comments from both health care professionals and laypeople. This is what your doctor is reading this week.

(click on "there's more")