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Forum Post: Where to find Healthcare protests?

Posted 10 years ago on May 29, 2013, 12:17 a.m. EST by 4progress (49)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

I am in California, where can I join a universal healthcare protest? When is one happening and can one be created?

61 Comments

61 Comments


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[-] 1 points by ComeTogetherNOW (650) 10 years ago

Looney Tunes. Try them.

[-] 0 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

48,000 people dying a year is not funny. It's a Human Rights issue and the United Nations affirms that it is as well as Human Rights Treaties.

I'm healthy and young as well, but I care about others. Also, not all those who are affected are old-- there are car accidents (36,000 deaths a year from those, and 200,000 injuries in CA alone, probably millions over nation), also children are young and I think I read almost 2 million of them don't have access to heatlhcare.

There are 1.6 million homeless people in the United States, do you think they are getting the healthcare and medical care they need? No.

Change needs to happen now. I will join a protest, when is there one? Even if it is simply a protest for equality, I can join that one as a healthcare protestor. I could argue for Universal Healthcare as a Human Right-- which is affirmed internationally through human rights treaties, although there really is no 'legality' to human rights- they are innate.

I will join one NOW! Time to CHANGE, I want to save those lives

[-] 3 points by ComeTogetherNOW (650) 10 years ago

Bravo 4progress. Your on the track and there are many of us right behind you. Funny thing about truth, once you catch onto how to align your self with it, it never leaves and then becomes a life-long quest. It is the beauty that surrounds us ALL.

Keep going my friend, you will learn and it will enlighten you. Enjoy!

I can see education worked well for you and I bet you had some teachers that inspired onto this track. Welcome ABOARD. OWS is right here and we are not a fad. We are a way of living. We respect TRUTH

COME TOGETHER NOW in the Truth

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

That you for all of the support!! It is a life-long quest! Universal Healthcare is a Human Right-- and the 48,000 people per year need voice and all those homeless and uninsured people across America and the world who need healthcare!!

"Everyone has the right to health, including health care, according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Health care is a public good, not a commodity. "

In France, it was ratified in their constitution as a Human Right in 1946:

In France, the access to health care is founded on the recognition of a right to health care . More exactly and legally speaking, the Preamble of the Constitution of 27 October 1946 (para 11) states that: “The Nation guarantees to each one [...] the protection of health”. Actually, this provision recognizes the right to social and medical assistance which was progressively implemented since the XIXth century as well as it opens the door to a new generation of economical and social rights which are supposed to be realized through the implementation of a general Social Security Scheme (created in 1945). Basically, the right to health care requires an adequate system of healthcare (a certain amount of health services plus a high quality of service); it also commands the possibility for the whole population to have an access to the system (universal access).

In France, as in other European countries, the way to fit this requirement has been searched through the “socialization” of the access to healthcare. It means that the cost is sustained by the society and not (or scarcely) by the individuals. In this sense, the right to healthcare is a part of the European welfare State model.

""The Fight against exclusions Act 1998 reaffirmed the right to healthcare as a fundamental right of the person. This Act was followed by the 2 July 1999 Act that establishes the CMU (Universal Health Coverage) and the CMC (Complementary Health Coverage). Recognizing the access to healthcare as a fundamental right implies other developments:should the migrants and especially the irregular migrants be excluded of the healthcare programs? The response of the French legal system was to organize an access to healthcare for this population based on medical assistance technique (the so called State Medical Aid). 1.2.1.CMU and CMC: covering the excluded population. The major change results in the expansion to all legal residents, under the law of universal coverage called la couverture maladie universelle (universal health coverage). This doesn’t mean that the reform substitutes new criteria (residence) to the former one (employment) in order to guarantee the right to healthcare to everyone. The Universal Health Coverage is a residual program which applies to the ones who are not entitled to the Social Health Insurance...

a) Basic CMU Basic CMU helps anyone living in France who is not covered by another type of insurance get access to medical care and reimbursement of services and medication. People from all levels of income are entitled to it. They just have to justify living regularly and continuously in France (more than 3 months). The affiliation is not automatic and the person has to apply for it at the local Social Health Insurance bureau. The CMU is administrated by the local Social Health Insurance services (CPAM)..."

Everyone can get healthcare there, a person only has to live there for 3 months and they can get it!!

http://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/81/66/11/PDF/Access-to-healthcare-and-social-protection.pdf

"Nevertheless, International Human Rights instruments protect health care as a fundamental right. The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights of the United Nations provides that States recognize“the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health” and this by “refraining from denying or limiting equal access for all persons, including prisoners or detainees, minorities asylum seekers and illegal migrants to preventive, curative and palliative health services; abstaining from enforcing discriminatory practices as a State policy” HUMA nework.

http://www.jeande.free.fr/Rapport_huma-network.pdf

This is the TRUTH.

[-] 2 points by ComeTogetherNOW (650) 10 years ago

This is the struggle and we will eventually win this one. We have push back Republicant Dum Dum Machine which spews lies about Universal Healthcare since they have no viable argument against it substantiated by facts. That has been their only fight in trying to stifle our Human Right to Healthcare.

Yes, in World that is driven by LOVE, there can be no other choice but to see everyone gets help. It's not a two way street. We either care and give damn or our World slips further into hate and disdain. Unfortunately our human history is littered with our INHUMANITY. It's UGLY and sickening and it's also not so long ago, some of the most horrible inhumanities came to us all in WWII. It's OURS, our HISTORY. We OWN IT.

So, YES, as many here now know, this is all too real, and we MUST FIGHT, Healthcare is the NEXT Human Right or maybe we just LOVE the horror show so much that we can't change the channel.

I stand on the side of LOVE. I give more than a DAMN, I'm a fighter and ACT.

4Progress you definitely have the correct knowledge. As TJ said, still true today 200 yrs later, Knowledge is Power. Now it's time to wake up more people, and continue to educate people of these rights inherent to us all. They come to us through Love, and it is in that vain which sustains us but not everyone has caught on. We can HELP!

This is about coming together before corporate America sells us out and "dumbs" us down even further so we never see this light of a shining future again. Big Money buys Big Lies. They will fight us tooth and nail. I'm ready armed with TRUTH. And I can prove IT!

Thanks again! I LOVE the TRUTH

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Thank you TRUTH. It is the truth.

Healthcare IS a Human Right, and Human Rights are not determined by legality-- they are innate. We will fight and we will save those lives!! We can't sit by while 48,000 people die each year from lack of healthcare (those numbers don't just come from no where!) and while people suffer from numerous illnesses while unable to pay... or die for this horrible, unjust inequality!

I will NOT just stand by and watch people die, I will stand up and STEP UP. 65% of bankruptcies in this country are due to medical debt--- It is WRONG and not right, LIFE is a RIGHT, therefore, healthcare is a RIGHT.

The 3.5 million homeless people need their health care and Right to Life, the 55 million need their right to Health and Right to Life, the millions of others do also. They deserve their life, to be treated well, and to be given top quality, universal medical care, for ALL. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP. And you never should, either, never, never, never, never, EVER!

Those 48,000 people and the MILLIONS of others need a voice--- I will NOT step down until they have one and people hear them. They WILL be heard. Let's do it!!

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Supporting good health - is a lot cheaper than treating the results of bad health practice/diet/environment. But Business does not like that proper health standpoint as they figure ( incorrectly ) that it eats into their profits.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

That's why it needs to be socialized like all other industrialized nations and a Human Right-- although there is no 'legality' to human rights or real 'law' that makes them, they're innate

Healthcare, a right to life, shouldn't be treated like items or goods, but like a Right

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Health Care a public service - just like education is a public service just as water treatment is a public service just as sewage treatment is a public service just as power production/supply is a public service - these things should never be in a for profit set-up/situation.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Exactly!! Agreed, they are public services which should be given because they are basic to human life and basic human rights!! 100% agrees a million times over!

“If you take two kids from the same demographic background — the same race, same gender, same neighborhood income level and same number of co-morbidities or other illnesses — the kid without insurance is 60 percent more likely to die in the hospital than the kid in the bed right next to him or her who is insured,” said David C. Chang, co-director of the pediatric surgery outcomes group at the children’s center and an author of the study, which appeared today in The Journal of Public Health.

“This study provides further evidence that the need to insure everyone is a moral issue, not just an economic one.”

An estimated seven million children are uninsured in the United States, despite recent efforts to extend coverage under the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program.

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/30/lacking-insurance-hospitalized-children-more-likely-to-die/

We are to help and give to children, and currently 23% of America's children are living underneath the poverty line according to UNICEF's 2013 report http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/rc11_eng.pdf. They rank us #26 in over all children well being (nearly LAST, and LAST in the 2000's and late 2000's section).

This is the largest amount of poverty for children in ANY industrialized nation!!! Then they are not getting healthcare either, 7 million of them. Put that with the 55 million who aren't getting it, if that's even counted right (it could be more)! Then around half that are going to remain uninsured b/c of rejection of medicad dollars by republican states.

It IS a public commodity, a basic Human Right

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

“If you take two kids from the same demographic background — the same race, same gender, same neighborhood income level and same number of co-morbidities or other illnesses — the kid without insurance is 60 percent more likely to die in the hospital than the kid in the bed right next to him or her who is insured,”

Sad but true "example of approved societal euthanasia" - unable to afford to live.

There is no excuse for this in one of the worlds richest nations/countries.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Exactly and it is wrong! And it looks like the 1.6 homeless number only applied to children... :(

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rich-german/why-are-there-over-16-mil_b_745542.html

So the homeless number in total is 3.5 million homeless in America actually :(

"In the U.S., more than 3.5 million people experience homelessness each year." http://www.studentsagainsthunger.org/page/hhp/overview-homelessness-america

So 1.6 million children homeless and 3.5 total homeless adults.

They're not getting the health and medical care they deserve as a Right.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

I believe the homeless number "is" in actuality far exceeding the 3.5 million amount. Just like the number of people out of work ( unemployed looking for work ) is far in excess of what is reported. Part of that is individuals who dropped off of the list when their unemployment coverage ran out.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

I agree! Wow some other smart people!! I've heard this too, and I think it is much more than that because they don't get reported (wander around in cities, don't check into shelters, ect)

This really needs to change. Other countries have far less inequality and if everyone was more giving, there wouldn't be homelessness, because there would be enough to give around at least, then they could lift themselves up. People have the money, but they don't give!! Greed/selfishness as you said before, and it doesn't make sense, a human life is fundamentally worth more than an object!!

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

a human life is fundamentally worth more than an object!!

Life - ALL LIFE - is a "Wonder" to be treasured. And has been displaced by the objectives of greed.

If life were treated as the number one priority - healthy life - something like 40% of the annual crops in the USA would not be left to rot in the fields. Money ( Billions of dollars ) would not be given to foreign governments ( to be hoarded by those in power at the time ) - but real goods - equipment & training - equipment that is clean and green in operation - equipment that would support clean water supply, clean transportation and farming equipment, clean power generation - ALL that is "ALL" NOT dependent on fossil fuel. Remove a very large/common reason for strife = resources/ability.

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Exactly, a healthy, green, clean environment is essential to health and quality of life.

It's time to CHANGE it and see PROGRESS. A human life is worth more than any money or any objects. A human life is priceless--- there's no price on it and it's time to TREAT people that way by saving their lives from this horrible inequality as declared by Martin Luther King, Jr. in healthcare and LIFT them up out of their situations and circumstances. If WE all work TOGETHER, we can MAKE change happen and DO IT, change it, and improve it. Let's do it!! Time to step up, stand up, see some leaders, and see ACTION.

[-] -1 points by Sandy0621 (175) 10 years ago

I'm curious, are you protesting to get universal health care or to protest against the ACA? Either way you can probably google it.

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Also, a child with no insurance is 60% more likely to die than the child with insurance right next to them in the hospital... and 23% of children are in poverty, the highest of all industrialized nations according to UNISCO! Some only have <5% under the poverty line! This is the only nation which doesn't have universal healthcare, the only one with less access is Brazil and Mexico according to the OECD

I want to join it now or can one be created? There needs to be change NOW.

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

For Universal Healthcare of course!!!! There are poor people dying who have no healthcare, 48,000 a year :(

I tried googling it and couldn't find it. Do you have any ideas? I want to join one, and join it soon!

[-] 1 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 10 years ago

What about this? I haven't read it, though, and maybe you've already seen it:

http://www.healthcare-now.org/

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

It doesn't have any protests going on, it just has a talk event, an event to present to legislators in Albany, NY (which both already happened) and a forum...

No protests :(

http://www.healthcare-now.org/takeaction/events-calendar

Any other ideas?????

[-] 0 points by tommylee (-5) 10 years ago

Start your own! Why wait for someone else to implement your great ideas when you can do it yourself?

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

That's what I'm trying to do...

I thought ows was all about protests and help for the poor? They had it at my local university last year but that wasn't about being unjustly dying, it was about tuition cuts... health care is a life or death issue

[-] 0 points by tommylee (-5) 10 years ago

Agreed! Did you propose this idea to an Occupy group in your area? If they are not interested, you can still go ahead and start something. Create a website and flyers. Use social medias to promote. I'm sure a lot of people would join. It's a very legitimate point.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

They're protesting in Poland too, 5,000 healthcare workers and miners and automobile industry

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/eiro/2012/10/articles/pl1210059i.htm

WHY NOT HERE??? I don't know about their access, but I'm guessing it is AT LEAST universal

[Removed]

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

The last posts on their facebook pages (for the local university, the local city, and even California Occupy) were in September 2012...

https://www.facebook.com/OccupyCalifornia

Any ideas of how to find one? I thought this site was a place for ows to meet up to help the poor, and health care is a life or death issue... Human Rights issue. I looked at Anonymous, but it's all about scientology and monsato... I mean I don't agree with monsata... but it isn't a life or death issue like health care is

[+] -4 points by tommylee (-5) 10 years ago

I agree. Personally, I find the whole Monsanto thing a bit of a dud. I'm against Monsanto because of its corrupt corporate practices, but then again, I'm against all companies who engage in practices of the sort. I'm not inherently against GMO's however. I think each gene modification must be tested individually. Many people are taking tests done on a specific gene modification and then claim all GMO's are bad. This is simply bad science. The cult like anti-GMO stance is the pseudoscientific version from the left that equates Global Warming deniers and Creationists from the right.

http://www.skepticalraptor.com/skepticalraptorblog.php/gmo-opponents-global-warming-denialists-left/

We should promote proper scientific research.

Most Occupy groups are dead at this time, but that doesn't mean you can't start your own affinity group. That's what we need at this time, people like yourself who can breathe new energy into Occupy by starting new actions and protests. I can't tell you how to do it, but I'm quite sure many people would be interested in protesting for socialized health care. It just seems like a natural thing Occupy should be doing.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

I saw this, but this doesn't help me right now, I needed a protest right now to get attention to it, and organizing events takes time. People don't have time, it has to happen now.

Maybe I'll ask Anonymous? Other protest groups?

[-] 0 points by gnomunny (6819) from St Louis, MO 10 years ago

Ah, you must have already checked that site out. It's all I have. Sorry.

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

They're protesting in Spain too

http://rt.com/news/spain-health-care-protests-424/

Thousands upon thousands of people including doctors.

Why not here??? We have far more people dying without it and less access...

The only one I could find that even happened was in TX, because like most republican states they are rejected the expansion of medicaid dollars... the 2 dozen heckled Perry in both English and Spanish... Texas has the largest amount of medically uninsured (lacking access to healthcare) in the country at 5.8 million uninsured...

Why no protests? Why isn't there something going on? I will join any equality/economic protest if I can protest for healthcare also-- which is a HUMAN RIGHT

[-] 1 points by Sandy0621 (175) 10 years ago

Depending on the state you're in there should be some notices coming out about insurance exchanges in the fall and info about costs and government assistance. The House keeps passing legislation repealing the ACA and the Senate ignores them so the ACA is going to be all we have for now.

Keep checking HHS, IRS and your state web sites for info. Personally I'm likely to go without and just pay the tax. I'm healthy and if the cost of insurance is more then the tax I'll take the risk.

[-] 2 points by ComeTogetherNOW (650) 10 years ago

You don't sound very smart : (

Funny thing that insurance is about minimizing risk. Sounds like Sandy doesn't like insurance.

Maybe Sandy you can explain how you take care of your Car Insurance, or Life Insurance. We can guess that your a great driver and your not planning on having an accident. Are YOU?

[-] 3 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

The Human Right to Health is protected in:

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Articel 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Article 5 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
Articles 12 & 14 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
Article XI (11) of the American Declaration on Rights and Duties of Man
Article 25 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

http://www.nesri.org/programs/what-is-the-human-right-to-health-and-health-care

And it's like "social security" it's a program to help the poor. Martin Luther King Jr. was right

M"artin Luther King Jr. - "Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhuman."

[-] 2 points by ComeTogetherNOW (650) 10 years ago

Yes Sir, now that is progress. Thanks 4progress.

Of course many can't ran fast enough from your post. They dearly want to hold onto their highly opinionated world-view so contrary facts are dismissed out of hand and avoided. They can't even consider them for fear they will lose their cozy made up view. They need fantasy to get through.

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

I think I'm joining a protest on June 8th... it's not exactly universal healthcare centered, but I can go as a healthcare person and they said it was fine... I hope I can convince some people!! I would protest w/ you if you were on the west coast and having one soon. There needs to be CHANGE now, and progress to save those lives!! No more, time to move FORWARD

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Have you browsed here ? Global Nonviolent Action Database

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Thanks, I saw that, it doesn't have any current events from what I could see, but a database of past events.

At least I know of one protest which I can advocate for universal healthcare at! and raise awareness for progress! It's also about human rights issues too in many ways and on June 8th in CA

Those people need help!! P R O G R E S S

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Often times an overlooked issue can be forwarded championed by an individual such as yourself - by just sending out contact information for consideration. That is why it is handy to have other contact links for other groups.

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

I have some contact links of some groups, but I'm looking for some which are demonstrating and taking on political action as well as public awareness. It's time to make human lives a priory and to not put objects ahead of human rights and human beings.

[-] 1 points by Sandy0621 (175) 10 years ago

I've taken a cold look at things and made some personal decisions about insurance. Car insurance is required by law, I shop to minimize the cost. My rate actually dropped the last time I renewed. I don't have life insurance, it does nothing to protect me. I'd consider it if I had children to provide for. I have money that could be used for funeral expenses, but it won't matter to me at that point what's done.

Health insurance doesn't lower the risk of illness it simply shares the financial side of it. Insurance only works because most people will never need care that costs as much as their premiums. Right now I'm willing to take on the risk myself. I pay myself $5000 a year into a separate savings account just for medical emergencies. It's been 6 years of that without an accident.

Ordinary care is easy to pay for out of pocket, it always comes to much less then the typical premium would be. There are no major medical problems in my family history, work out religiously, have a BMI on the low side of normal, so I see little health risk there. That leaves accident and cancer. I'm taking the gamble on accident, it would hurt to have to empty my special account, but that's what I have it for. As for cancer, I've seen first hand how little treatment does for some cancers. The "cure" can be worse then the disease. Meds for pain and for the actual disease I'll let nature take its course.

In old age, when health care becomes more likely to be needed there is medicare and my savings. With the ACA, I'll look into the exchange this fall and see what the premiums are, if they are more then the penalty, I'll pay the tax. The irony is the government health tax may force me to save less and be a little less able to care for myself.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Cancer care actually can be very successful if you know where to look and if a person is able to go overseas... NHS lets people use their insurance anywhere in the EU, but I don't think insurance here lets people go overseas/to other countries.

Maybe you should look at the survival rates for various Cancers by country... it might surprise you. U.S. might be low in many (VERY MANY) and 4x cost, but... others can have VERY HIGH survival rates and lower costs... in U.S. people are paying more, with less access, and lower quality! Horrible. Korea, Japan, Iceland, are some places to look!!

You might want to rethink this... the hospital wanted to charge $36,000 just for an eye surgery for someone I know!! It's crazy and there needs to be change!! Like with rising tuition costs, however, this is a LIFE OR DEATH issue... 4Progress!

[-] 1 points by Sandy0621 (175) 10 years ago

Depending on the type of cancer and stage of development who knows what I'd actually do if the moment comes. I'll do the research at that time.

No matter what treatment you subject yourself to or what insurance you have, death is going to claim us all. I hope I'd look at quality as much as quantity of life and make a decision.

[-] 2 points by ComeTogetherNOW (650) 10 years ago

Well, your honest, seem to have a well thought rational. But you play with catastrophe as if those horror stories always happen to others but never me until......well, just a thought, but the youngins always feel immortal, at least temporarily, and when disaster strikes, they say why me? They counted on the rationale you espoused here and it ended up ruining their.

And, yes, lucky, car insurance in most states is mandatory, otherwise we would be faced with those who never thought they would cause or be in an accident.

Well, Sandy, it all is about just how much you value your life and whether you want to roll the dice with it. For those who have little self worth in their life they can not see any value insuring it. Of course rationalizing why you won't insure your health is just so you can take that bitter pill a little easier.

It reminds of those aging smokers from the last generation that glorified smoking and could not see where it would land them in the future. The news started coming in the 60s just how bad smoking was but still many ignored that since smoking was just so dang enjoyable.. Then regrettably unless they are deep in denial they do regret their horrible mistake when they get cancer and tell the cautionary tale to others so they learn from their failure to face the reality. I heard many of those, SAD.

All good Sandy. I do wish you the best and hope your gambling doesn't end up destroying the very life that you will want to hold onto when the reaper comes knocking. You may get lucky but I wouldn't encourage others to play Russian Roulette with their lives. Many miss the luck and as many gamblers find out, the loss can be staggering compared with any previous experience in this life you have had up to now.

Think about it. Respect it. It is yours, don't throw it all away for a few bucks. That's all your WORTH? It is a damn shame.

[-] 1 points by Sandy0621 (175) 10 years ago

Thank you for the kind words and advice. It's not all logic and statistics though there is some simple human anger in there too. A willingness to cut off my nose to spite my face perhaps.

It's only partly the premium, part of it is knowing that money is going toward the care of those with habits like smoking, excessive eating, drinking, and so on. I resent being pushed into anything but that's made worse by a system that forces me to pay for people that won't take care of themselves.

There is a bright side. If enough of the healthy people simply pay the tax, the whole system may collapse and the government might finally do health care right.

[-] 2 points by ComeTogetherNOW (650) 10 years ago

It's good to see the honesty your post. Admitting to the angst you mention is an important point. Most of those who fear ACA and see it as a "mess" are primarily fueled by Angst. The fear and loathing breeds this contempt. Unfortunately, to dispel such fears one must start researching. looking into the facts, just as any of us do now through our current insurance. But NEVER again do WE have to risk our livelihoods when we find ourselves without coverage.

Sandy, the only people, thinking logically, checking the emotions at the door, who can afford to NOT have health insurance, are multi-millionaires with quick access to at least a cool million in case of an unforeseen medical disaster. If you decide to gamble with your life, one word, IRRESPONSIBLE. Another three: use the LOGIC.

Put the Angst aside, it will blind you from the truth. It can be dispelled by reading up and finding out how ACA will benefit. For me, I have already the benefits. My son, who just graduated College, has been covered for his healthcare because of ACA through my plan.

Good Luck Sandy, I hope you heed my warning, it is because I care, it is the space I always come from. We all are precious, and we need to have each other's back, no matter what. I only warn you. I am not judging you. I think I understand your rationale because your honest and that trait can always lead to the Truth. Just make sure it always is. Start with a helpful Skepticism but not fueled by Angst.

[-] 0 points by MattLHolck (16833) from San Diego, CA 10 years ago

I don't know what basic life saving procedures would wearent a million dollars in labor

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

They're protesting in France

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNu5X4LQPNk

They're protesting in Canada

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/2246460-refugee-health-care-cuts-spark-protests-challenge/

They're protesting in the United Kingdom

http://nhsfightback.org/2013/03/19/whittington-hospital-protest-diverted-into-bankrupt-appeal-for-labour-to-act/

They're protesting in Sweden

http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2054&artikel=5476053

Thousands doing this. Why not here? There needs to be some organization. Martin Luther King, Jr said "Of all the inequalities in the world, the one in healthcare is the worst and most inhuman" (paraphrased)

There needs to be something done HERE, protests, movement ect. No more deaths

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

This doesn't sound like a ows, socialist principle... France has the best access to care and their doctors support it. Their doctors are protesting the cuts that they want to make. I'm all for the ACA... It's a step in the right direction. However, a step in the right direction is not enough, it needs to be a leap, the best way is to use this energy from this legislation passing to get even more done, by protests, ect

ACA is closer to universal healthcare, but not enough. I'll gladly pay for insurance and the taxes if it helps others--- that's "giving to the poor"

How is not doing anything going to save lives? Something has to be DONE, ACTION

[-] 1 points by Sandy0621 (175) 10 years ago

I think the ACA is going to be a mess, but that's just an opinion. I don't know if that's by design or accident. It may lead to a single payer system simply because it has the potential to push the insurance companies out of business and crash the whole system.

I'm not sure what has to be done. Health insurance doesn't prevent any illness. It only works because most of us will never need it. The healthy pay premiums in and never get out that value in medical care.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

But people who do not have health insurance have no way to pay for the medical bills. I know someone who cannot pay for their medical bills and they have cancer, so they feel so hopeless that they do not even get treatment... happens all the time, people don't get treatment b/c they cannot pay

Time to change.

[-] 1 points by Sandy0621 (175) 10 years ago

If you show up sick at a hospital they have to take you in and care for you. You are right if your given a cancer diagnosis and you're not sick yet you're probably not going to get the expensive treatments. Depending on the cancer that may or may not be such a bad thing.

We have changed and it will continue. The ACA may not work as intended but it will lead to other changes, just not in time for us to get the benefits. For now we still have to look out for ourselves.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Actually they don't... and people are told to go in and out. The only way to get anything is to fundraise or ask for help from foundations. Why else would they have foundations like Cancer Care, HealthWell Foundation, ect. which pay for medical treatment if you could just get it? I know some people who tried to get healthcare and they had to wait for medical to go through to get surgery, otherwise, it wouldn't have happened.... and another person had to go to a clinic.

And it is always a bad thing to get treatment later for cancer, the earlier the better. They won't do it. That's why they let people off life support if they cannot pay.

ACA is better than nothing and a step in the right direction, though Universal Healthcare is needed and soon. The republican states though want to reject the expansion of the medicaid dollars and they have the most uninsured who cannot get care. They need it fast. I hope you don't have to go to the hospital and get millions in debt (IF they even give you treatment and IF don't let you die from no life support) like this person: Damian Kevitt: http://tonyortega.org/2013/03/01/is-thelos-angeles-bicyclist-nearly-killed-in-hit-and-run-a-scientology-sea-org-worker/

Really, people need to be made aware!! 48,000 doesn't come from midair!!!!! People can't/won't get treatment if they cannot pay.

[-] 2 points by Sandy0621 (175) 10 years ago

If you show up in an ER with a serious problem they must treat you until you get to the point where you are stable and can be released. You are right they will not necessarily deal with the actual problem, only with the symptoms that placed you in the ER to begin with.

There are clinics and the ER is going to direct people without funds to those clinics, but only if he or she is stable. Accident victims, heart attack, stroke, people with these conditions are treated until it is medically safe to release them. Say you'd a diabetic and you faint, EMTs bring you to the ER. You will be treated, once stable the ER will release you, maybe give you a prescription for insulin and send you on your way or point you to a clinic.

Medical care isn't free and unfortunately that's what people seem to want, the best care and someone else paying for it. I'm not opposed to taxing society and giving everyone the care they need, but I'd like some conditions placed on it. If you smoke, are obese, drink to excess, use drugs, any what I would call self inflicted condition then you have to pay for all your own care.

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Then where does 48,000 deaths from lack of healthcare come from? It does not come from mid air. Having been there and actually tried to help someone get medical care who was homeless, this is not true.

And there should be no conditions - Health Care and a Right to Life is a Universal Human Right. No matter who they are, no matter what they look like, no matter where they come from, no matter where they live, no matter what circumstances they are in, they DESERVE MEDICAL CARE and their Human Right to Healthcare and LIFE.

It's time to CHANGE and SAVE those lives and the MILLIONS of others who are suffering with lack of access to healthcare, hence why it's called Medically Underserved Populations... They DESERVE their Human Right to HealthCare and LIFE. I will NEVER stop until they get their innate Human Right to Healthcare and LIFE, never, never, never, EVER give up!! Ever!!

I will FIGHT until the end! I will NEVER give up!! Ever, those people need help and it's time that they are no longer voiceless and that they are heard

[-] 2 points by Sandy0621 (175) 10 years ago

Where did you get the 48,000 figure? If it was the Harvard study, the number quoted is usually 45,000. It was not deaths due to lack of health care but to lack of insurance. The validity of the study and its findings are debatable.

You can give people all the insurance you want all you have to do is find others willing to pay for the poor. Saying it's a human right or demanding government pay for it is being childishly naive and avoiding the real issue. Those that "have" do not wish to pay for those that "do not have". It goes far beyond just the rich not wanting to share their wealth. It is a majority of those that work and pay taxes that resent giving to those that don't.

Personally I don't mind contributing to the general welfare, paying taxes is part of social responsibility. However, as I said above, I would draw the line at self inflicted medical conditions. If you want it for everyone then it becomes a human responsibility, not a human right, for all of us. I'd gladly give insurance to all that take responsible care of themselves. Choose to smoke, to abuse alcohol, to use drugs, overeat, be noncompliant about your treatment in any way and you've failed in your responsibility. In that case you should be left to fend for yourself.

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

The #1 cause of Disease/Death/Destruction is Greed.

Basic truth.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Agreed! IF people cared and gave to the poor, the sick, the needy, like it was a human right--- to health and life, then it would change. That's why there has to be laws for it which require everyone to comply!

Selfishness/greed is what harms the people, it shouldn't be applied to health and life. A human life is fundamentally worth more than an item or object.

"The Human Right to Equal Access to Health Care

(Het fundamentele recht van de mens op gelijke toegang tot gezondheidszorg)

San Giorgi, M.

Supervisors (promotores): Prof.mr. Lange, R. de Prof. Mr. Dr. Buijsen, M.A.J.M. Doctoral Thesis

Instituut Beleid en Management Gezondheidszorg - Health policy and management (iBMG) Erasmus School of Law (ESL)

"The right to equal access to health care is a fundamental principle that is part of the human right to health care." http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/32474/

It is a Human Right, and it's time to take action!! Bring awareness and change, a campaign!

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Proper treatment of all individuals - will add up to a society that wants to be healthy - now if that society goes beyond treating sickness - as to remove it's causes , like food additives = dies steroids hormones etc etc, and goes on and removes industrial causes like pollution from transportation and industry and power generation fossil fuel extraction and use - then that society is really proactive - and not dismally failingly reactive.

[-] 2 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

Exactly, medical care is needed as a human right and so are preventions like good environmental factors. A lot of pollution provides carcinogens (can cause cancer) which cause illness and give people issues with asthma, ect! It would really help improve life in general!!

[-] 0 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

Absolutely - carcinogens in our land air and water from fossil fuel extraction and use - as well as food additives used to fatten-up live-stock and to make produce pretty.

This is all preventable - needless disease/death.

[-] 1 points by 4progress (49) 10 years ago

True, medical is needed as a human right and all those subjects you bring up - a healthy environment and healthy food is all a part of improving life, preventing illness.