The other day, I wrote about former Virginia blogger and Democracy for Virginia leader Maura's health problems, and her lack of health insurance to cover the treatment. Today, we have an update by Maura herslef, about her "dangerous gamble...to go without health insurance for a short time because I couldn't afford my premiums" and about how she "lost the gamble." You can read the entire, harrowing story here. The bottom line is that Maura is recovering medically, but financially she still needs our help.More broadly, what this incident highlights once again, as if we need any more examples, it he pathetic, disgraceful state of our national health care system. Wait a minute, "system?" There's a "system" here? I thought it was just "every man for himself," and heaven help those 46 million Americans without health insurance. The richest country ever on the face of the earth, and we allow 46 MILLION of our fellow citizens to languish without health insurance? We leave people no option but to go to the emergency room, where the costs eventually are passed on to us? We force people to make choices between medical care and food for themselves and their children? We force people to declare bankruptcy because of crushing medical bills? Are we living in 21st century America, or in a scene from a Charles Dickens novel? Sometimes I wonder.
This leads us back to politics, as the 2008 Presidential campaign heats up. Over the next two years, I will be looking hard for a candidate who speaks strongly, forcefully, passionately and persusaively on the health care issue. Any who fail to do so are almost guaranteed not to receive my support. In my opinion, America's health care crisis, along with global warming, Iraq, and the out-of-control Presidency, are the greatest issues facing us today. I will be listening hard to all the candidates on these topics, and eagerly look forward to what they have to offer.
republican policies killed my 27 year old niece! (0.00 / 0)
Thats right. the killer party, {Life expectency has dropped under georges watch}My niece, very sick with pounding headaches, did not see a doc in the last two weeks, because of NO HEALTH insurance,{Afraid of no money with a 2 and 4 year old to feed}
Dropped dead yesterday. I BLAME REPUBLICANS
I BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANSI BLAME REPUBLICANS
I pledge the rest of my life to get republicans back to be a minority party.
by: pvogel @ Sat Jan 27, 2007 at 22:49:36 PM EST
Folks, it can't get worse than that. Thank you Lowell for bringing this issue to the forefront. Maura Keaney, pvogel, they're just two people harmed by this country's irresponsible treatment of health insurance and health care as a privilege instead of as a right to be enjoyed by all people in a civilized society.
AND--MAKE everyone in D.C. have to go on record in a floor vote on where they stand on National Health Insurance....AND Global Warming.
AND show that NO ONE is ABOVE the law and investigate the treasonous and CORRUPT activities....
IF THEY DON'T CONCENTRATE ON THESE ISSUES THEY WILL LOSE THEIR BASE.....
We've had enough out here in the heartland...enough "empty" talking heads...Nothing less than action matters now.
If there's one thing about Republicans...They do "represent" those who put them in office...Any Democrats who don't represent the MAJORITY voice of AMERCICANS who put them in office then they don't deserve to be there...Buzz...Buzz....