I love the creativity and fantasy of the Harry Potter books and when paired with the magic of Hollywood special effects artists, the Harry Potter movies just have to be seen on the big screen. After getting a great Harry Potter fix at the movie, I can now peacefully curl up and read the Deathly Hallows. It could be a few days until I post on this blog again. Is there such a thing as a "Potter Overdose"?
Michael Moore's Sicko had me laughing, but there is nothing funny about the American health care system except the American public's willingness to accept it in the name of "free market capitalism" and as a result of savvy marketing and political contributions by the insurance and drug industries. I have to admit, I had tears in my eyes as the 9/11 rescue workers got compassionate treatment from the Cuban doctors that they couldn't get at home.
Maybe if we ask Castro nicely, he will offer care to some of our wounded Iraq War Vets who can't seem to jump through the right hoops to get the care they were promised. Maybe the Cubans would help out the never mentioned civilian contract workers who have been wounded or are suffering from PTSD. I wonder how many of these American heroes will be denied health insurance later in life because of preexisting conditions they acquired during their service to our country. I wonder if the government will deny that the war had anything to do with these conditions. I wonder how many of the surviving spouses and children of those who have died will be unable to afford treatment if they become ill. Just some interesting facts about those contractors though it isn't even possible to get accurate statistics about how many there are or how many have died or been wounded.
"In Iraq today, an estimated 126,000 Defense Department civilian contractors support 145,000 troops. Thousands more civilians work under contract to other U.S. government agencies."Rosa Brooks
"After The New York Times submitted a Freedom of Information Act request, the Department of Labor acknowledged 917 deaths, including at least 146 during the first quarter of 2007. Another 12,000 have been wounded or hurt, and those numbers almost certainly underestimate the true toll."
If you want a true picture of all the people fighting this war in our name, you should read Brook's article or view the videos at Civilians at War.
I wonder if we pull out the troops if we will bring the civilians out too.
OK, I've had enough politics and real life for a bit, I'm off to lose myself in a magical world with some of my favorite book people. Catch you in a day or two.
2 comments:
Regarding Sicko: One of the reasons I had to move back to Alabama is that I am covered under Medicaid. When I lived in Georgia, I was fine so long as I was employed. When the stress of my job became too much, I had to resign. I did not qualify for Medicaid in Georgia.
Without some health coverage, my prescription drug bills alone would be $500 per month. With Medicaid, the cost of two of my most vital medications was a mere $3.50.
Medicaid has some serious limitations. For example, I find it challenging to find a competent psychologist who will take Medicaid. Medicaid doesn't pay out at the same rate as a premium health care provider. But at least I have something.
And if I wasn't intelligent enough to wade through all the red tape I would have been utterly unable to afford the prescription drugs that keep me alive.
Things have got to change. Drug companies and doctors make far too much money just for the sake of greed. I admire anyone willing to go through six years of schooling and the hell of residency, but I don't believe that this gives them the right to rob the poor and all of us who struggle with disabling illnesses deaf, dumb, and blind.
Kevin,
With regard to your comment:
"I admire anyone willing to go through six years of schooling and the hell of residency, but I don't believe that this gives them the right to rob the poor and all of us who struggle with disabling illnesses deaf, dumb, and blind."
What is really unfortunate is that it is not those who are actually giving care to people who are getting most of the money from this huge rise in health care costs, it is the insurance and drug companies. Much of it is just incredible waste caused by filling out forms for insurance benefits.
Many doctors are leaving the profession because it has become just too costly too practice. This is especially true of those who are not highly paid specialists like ob gyn and family practice docs. When it comes to mental health care this is even more the case. The people working to care for those who need it most are underpaid.
Even if you are able to get insurance, you don't get much for your money. I just had my annual physical with the recommended tests for a woman my age, pap smear, mammogram, and cholesterol check. The total bill for this was $742. I pay $800 a month for medical insurance for my husband and myself through my retirement plan and my share of the bill for a basic physical was over $200. Fortunately, my husband and I have no major health problems and he will be able to get Medicare after his next birthday which will bring the health insurance down a little.
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