To all of you that are against health care reform

No PIP, the wealthy were transferring their parents assets into their own names so that when the parents entered into a nursing home they "appeared" to have nothing and would then qualify for assistance.  Meanwhile, their homes that were worth hundreds of thousands of dollars were in their kids names and so the value could not be touched for their care. 

So Shirley is right on target (Oh, I so hate using "Shirley" and "right" in the same sentence   -just kidding Shirley!)

Arggh!  I worked as a welfare worker because I wanted to HELP people, Pretty.   Spewing hate - okay, whatever you say, but that's a pretty gross distortion of what I said.  I'm assuming you are Canadian and have never worked as a welfare worker, so I guess you think all welfare recipients are simply poor people who should be pitied.   Sorry, but that's not the case - we had so much overt fraud that nothing was done about and generation after generation of women who deliberately got pregnant at the age of 15 so they could get "their own check."  One client I was trying to help one day stole my wallet out of my purse when I went to the copy machine. 

The obvious answer to your question about why my kids don't have insurance is it is not available to them through work and they're barely getting by so they can't afford their own private policy.

Thanks for the info, AnnNYC - when I was a social worker that was not the case.  I quite in 1994.  Back then parents could get welfare at least for the children until they were age 18 because it was an entitlement program.  The payee could refuse to cooperate with the District Attorney's office for child support, refuse to register to work, whatever and still get the grant for the children only.  And believe me when I tell you that keeping up with the disqualifications  for the payees who did this kind of stuff was and endless job in and of itself.

Apparently I cannot express my opinion over here or relate my experiences without being accused of being a hater, so I'll just bow out so you can have your civil discussion.  Peace out.

Des ... it's okay. (hugs)  In my area of VA with such high unemployment, we have a very high rate of welfare, food stamps, etc.  The problems here began at least 20 years ago when manufacturing moved overseas (thanks to NAFTA and free trade legislation .. sorry off topic).  Last week, our last Stanley furniture plant closed.  All those folks will now be on unemployment and surely cannot afford Cobra.  The only paying jobs here with benefits are working for Social Services.  Ironic isn't it!  And you have to have either a 4 or 6 year degree.  Okey dokey .. how are those factory workers going to get a job like that!

The other day at Walmart, I commented to the checker about how incredibly busy it was.  He responded that on the first of the month when the food stamp cards are "reloaded" with funds, the people start lining up at 12 midnight to buy goceries (I was there the morning of the 1st). 

I forget who posted about the unemployment numbers ... but in my area the rate is about 24%, and that number is from the people registered with unemployment services.  So, while the children may be covered under AFDC for medical, etc., the adults under age 65 are not. 

Generational welfare is a very sad state of affairs.  And who can afford even the community college in this area .. about $550 p/class.  It's kind've an endless cycle here.  Not so in San Diego where there are more opportunities.  So it appears some of these problems are worse in some areas as opposed to others.  There is an enormous difference from So. VA where I live and  No. VA.  Geez .. it's like two separate countries!

To clarify .. the medicaid I receive is through the Breast Cancer Screening program funded by the CDC and administered by the State.  I have no idea what the requirements are for a 54 year-old woman applying for medicaid.  Each state has this program, which was signed into law by Bill Clinton in 2001.  In order to qualify you have to be screened through the program.   In VA the screening age can begin at 18, and mostly serves 40+.  Some states have raised the screening age to 50.

Now Des .. don't run off ... I came back to keep posting on this thread .. and I know you are welcome here, just like me!

Love,

Bren

I have just finished my year long treatment for Breast Cancer.........it included; all diagnostic.....mammograms/ultra sound.....surgery (total mastectomy)

Tissue Expander (immediate reconstruction)......bone scan/bone density scans/heart scan/MRI/CT scan/ 7 x TE fills / 6 cycles CHEMO and associated blood work/ 30 x Radiation/ Final reconstruction surgery (removal of TE and insertion of implant.......Right breast lift and reduction).........5 years of Femera.............all follow-up visits and drug costs included.

No Private or extended medical Coverage........I live in Canada and all of this was covered by my Medical Services Plan (available to all) at a cost of $57.00 per month. 

Throughout this incredible 'journey'  while following the debate about Health Care Reform south of our border..........I prayed for those who are unable to afford the prohibitive costs of Insurance......I am ever so grateful that I didn't have to worry/or stress about my care. 

It really is a question of will. The U.S. seems to always be able to find money for wars, tax cuts for the wealthy, and bailing out banks, S&L's, GM and other major corporations. Somehow, we never seem to find the money for health care reform.

There really is a bias against people who don't have much. I'm amazed at the hatred sewed towards the poor, towards organizations that try to help the poor (ACORN), and unions (who help to empower people). I'm beginning to think that it will take a major melt-down of the insurance industry before real change happens.

I see two scenarios where that could happen. The number of people who can no longer afford insurance reaches a tipping point. Or corporations decide they've had enough and start to push the politicians to rein in the health insurance industry. 

We've seen indications of both these trends. It's just a question of when. The whole capitalist, free-market philosophy has failed. It's only a matter of time before average people really do decide that enough is enough.

My preference would be to have a thoughtful transition to a new system. I'm no longer confident that will happen. Instead, the change will likely be chaotic and painful. But it will happen. The laws of economics will be followed - whether we like it or not. 

 "des ... I hope you don't leave the thread.  Everybody knows that there are people out there who 'game the system' for everything they can get.

 Madalyn, yes that was my point.  There will always be fraud.  There will always be lazy people.  There will always be people who take advantage of the system.  But that is no reason to not make the system accessible to all.  

"Just wondering why it's okay to make nasty remarks about the wealthy but saying anything the slightest bit denigrating about welfare recipients is "spewing hate"?  Never mind, though - talk about a double standard! "

Des, I don't see anyone make any nasty remarks about the wealthy.  That is what is so perplexing to me. It seems that it is only the poor that are at fault when people argue their opposition to changes in the delivery of health care . The only thing that is ever said about the rich is that there is nothing wrong with making money (true) and that we should not ask the wealthy to pay more into the system.  

The other remark I took offense to was referring  to the people who are "dumb as dirt". Some one else said  that if you don't get post secondary education that makes you responsible for your poor financial situation.  Did you  ever stop to think that maybe many people are just not able to learn or retain knowledge that will give them the ability to hold down a good paying job with good health benefits?  Or that some of those who you saw scamming the system were only doing what they had been taught to survive.  Don't misunderstand.  I am well aware that there are many out there who could do better for themselves. Some are just plain lazy.  But I do not understand your reluctance to help all those in need just because it would also help the ones who you feel do not deserve it.

Would you not be willing to provide free health care to a lazy drug addict if your own children would also be guaranteed free health care? 

Brenda, have you been able to find  any solution yet?  

You're right Brenda.  Put it on the table for awhile.