OK! So even if you do not find healthcare interesting, you should definitely be paying attention to what is happening. Currently the government is making some very significant cuts that with most definitely affect us all. The government is looking to cut $53 billion dollars from healthcare alone this year. This is up from 2001 where the average was $19 billion.
Dear Government,
How are these cuts going to help us? They aren’t! People are not going to go to the Dr. where they may have been treated early enough to avoid a costly hospital visit. You want to cut state run dementia units all together. Where are these people to go? SNF, AFH? Oh wait they are all closing their secure units so that they can open Medicare units to stay afloat due to the earlier cuts this year. In addition many are on the verge of shutting down because they are unable to treat the patients they currently have with the amount of money they are bringing in. Mental health, Who cares? Let me Thank you Obama for bringing our troops home, but let’s not take into account the number of vets that will now be coming home from oversees needing psych services or our existing population in need of mental health services. I’m curious what Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford feels about these cuts. Oh wait! I have an idea. Why do our government leaders not abide by the same rules and regulations the rest of us do? Then and maybe then we will see true reform.
I totally agree with your anger, and the issue keeps getting worse. The Feds also rely on the state to pick up some of the pieces, but many states are also getting rid of health care programs to fix their budget short falls as well. At core to this issue is how do we perceive it? Should health care be a right or a privilege? A commodity or public good? In our economic system and national mentality, the answer, more times than not, has been a privileged associate with the idea that health care is like any other product - a market commodity. So, how can we fight a system that suggests our health is up for purchase? I am not sure.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a big cut. I thought that Obama wanted to get a better health care for people and not save money on it, that doesn’t make any sense to me.
ReplyDeleteI really understand your frustration if I were an American citizen I would be furious to and reading your blog truly makes me happy about the health care system we have in Denmark.
I would like to think that Obama does want to fix the healthcare system, but with the economy in such shambles people are looking at quick fixes vs the big picture. Although I was born here alot of my family is Canadian so I am firmiliar with the universal healthcare system. No system is perfect, but I do truely believe that a system similiar to that of Canada or Denmark would much improve not only the health of our citizens, but help the economy in the long run. Thanks for your comment Tascha! ~
ReplyDeleteThese cuts are frightening and even worse, we really don't know what the "SuperCommittee" is going to announce in cuts later this month. I subscribe to an e-newsletter about how to immigrate to Canada because I have fantasies about moving there and not needed to worry about health care expenses for my family anymore. This is a good topic. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCarrie