not to get political on an IF board

nikinikinine · January 2010

but is anyone else as relieved as I am that Republicans took Kennedy's senate seat in Massachusetts? Not for nothing, but that health care bill frightens the crap out of me, and I'm hoping this is exactly what's needed to squash it.

AuburnBride06 · January 2010

me!!!! That bill is very very scary. I want to see it smashed to pieces.

Chrissy1019 · January 2010

Me&Mr.T · January 2010

I used to be really into politics and then it just got to be too much for me. Everyone is only looking out for their agenda now and not for the good of the people. I haven't really been following, BUT I think it is good that not one party is in control of everything because that does scare me. It helps keep each side in check, IMO. The health care bill does scare me a little.

BenandDina · January 2010

I am definitely relieved. Thanks to this lovely healthcare scare, DH's reimbursements as a cardiologist have been cut 40%, and mental health reimbursements are getting cut which is going to make it pretty challenging in my job. And, taxes were going to go up (again)! I wasn't a fan of our last administration and had previously voted Democratic, but I find this administration to be horribly naive.

madelyn07 · January 2010

nikinikinine:
but is anyone else as relieved as I am that Republicans took Kennedy's senate seat in Massachusetts? Not for nothing, but that health care bill frightens the crap out of me, and I'm hoping this is exactly what's needed to squash it.

EXACTLY!

I'm thrilled!

shipoopiisforme · January 2010

why does the healthcare bill frighten you? i am all for any thing that will guarantee all americans access to decent health care.

Rachael07.07.07 · January 2010

I am. Health care is a clusterfvck but I was not a fan of the proposed legislation. I'm still going to be oop either way so no matter what, it will still suck for us.

LCB34 · January 2010

Me!!!!

jnennapooh@aol.com · January 2010

nikinikinine · January 2010

BenandDina:
I am definitely relieved. Thanks to this lovely healthcare scare, DH's reimbursements as a cardiologist have been cut 40%, and mental health reimbursements are getting cut which is going to make it pretty challenging in my job. And, taxes were going to go up (again)! I wasn't a fan of our last administration and had previously voted Democratic, but I find this administration to be horribly naive.

MH sells pacemakers/defibs/etc. and he was telling me about the craziness with the reimbursements! I was so shocked.

*Willis* · January 2010

Well I want universal healthcare, but I wasn't a fan of what the proposed legislation had become. WIth that said, I think it's kind of a crappy situation. Mass residents don't have to worry about universal healthcare, because they have a pretty sweet deal now. Not so for everyone else.

DinaLINY · January 2010

Sunshine05 · January 2010

Two thumbs up from me! I don't really define myself with either party, but that health care bill was too much for me. Glad to see that the government will hopefully be held in check a little more now.

BenandDina · January 2010

I find it infuriating - DH and I both have a combined total of more than ten years of higher education between us, a mountain of student loans, and we help patients every single day. To now have our livelihood threatened is disgusting - all that rhetoric about 'greedy doctors' made me want to vomit. What about the late night pages my DH answered to treat Coke addicts with heart attacks? What about me getting socked in the face by a psychotic patient on an inpatient unit? What about the hundreds of people we have both treated over the years?

I grew up in the Soviet Union, and the idea of socialized medicine frightens me.

LCB34 · January 2010

*Willis*:
Well I want universal healthcare, but I wasn't a fan of what the proposed legislation had become.

I agree that Health Care needs to be reformed, and every American should have access to decent coverage. But, the legislation got way out of control in my opinion and that is what scared me.

BenandDina · January 2010

*Willis*:

Well I want universal healthcare, but I wasn't a fan of what the proposed legislation had become.

I agree that Health Care needs to be reformed, and every American should have access to decent coverage. But, the legislation got way out of control in my opinion and that is what scared me.

Exactly!

nikinikinine · January 2010

shipoopiisforme:
why does the healthcare bill frighten you? i am all for any thing that will guarantee all americans access to decent health care.

I don't think socialized medicine works. I guess I have too many experiences with family members being treated in VA hospitals to have rose-colored glasses about what this means. In countries where socialized medicine has been successful (i.e. Denmark) there are many less people (in this case only about 6M) and their income tax is about 40% just to sustain 6M people.

What would our tax rates climb to in order for us to support 305M people? I'm not a big fan of government dictating my healthcare, either.

For example, in countries with socialized medicine. If you go through IVF you are only allowed to transfer 1 embryo. This is to keep the cost of HOM off of taxpayers and keep the population down. I just wouldn't ever feel comfortable going through all of this and being told, by my government, what decision to make.

Lastly, I wasn't all too pleased with how key Democrats were "bought out" by other members of their party essentially giving certain states a free ride for their vote. Clearly, the majority of Americans are against this bill, yet the government keeps forging ahead.

It no longer feels like a government for the people, by the people...

mrshoppy_1231 · January 2010

So very relieved!

Rachael07.07.07 · January 2010

nikinikinine:
BenandDina:
I am definitely relieved. Thanks to this lovely healthcare scare, DH's reimbursements as a cardiologist have been cut 40%, and mental health reimbursements are getting cut which is going to make it pretty challenging in my job. And, taxes were going to go up (again)! I wasn't a fan of our last administration and had previously voted Democratic, but I find this administration to be horribly naive.
MH sells pacemakers/defibs/etc. and he was telling me about the craziness with the reimbursements! I was so shocked.

I forgot about this part too. MIL was telling me about how her boss had to sit all the doctors down and tell them they had to take pay cuts to make up for the shortage due to the reimbursement cuts. She was worried about her job for a little bit. There are three of them in the office and she has most seniority/highest pay.

Me&Mr.T · January 2010

LCB34:
*Willis*:
Well I want universal healthcare, but I wasn't a fan of what the proposed legislation had become.

I agree that Health Care needs to be reformed, and every American should have access to decent coverage. But, the legislation got way out of control in my opinion and that is what scared me.

Yes!

EMNTOM · January 2010

Rachael07.07.07 · January 2010

nikinikinine:
shipoopiisforme:
why does the healthcare bill frighten you? i am all for any thing that will guarantee all americans access to decent health care.
I don't think socialized medicine works. I guess I have too many experiences with family members being treated in VA hospitals to have rose-colored glasses about what this means. In countries where socialized medicine has been successful (i.e. Denmark) there are many less people (in this case only about 6M) and their income tax is about 40% just to sustain 6M people.
What would our tax rates climb to in order for us to support 305M people? I'm not a big fan of government dictating my healthcare, either.
For example, in countries with socialized medicine. If you go through IVF you are only allowed to transfer 1 embryo. This is to keep the cost of HOM off of taxpayers and keep the population down. I just wouldn't ever feel comfortable going through all of this and being told, by my government, what decision to make.
Lastly, I wasn't all too pleased with how key Democrats were "bought out" by other members of their party essentially giving certain states a free ride for their vote. Clearly, the majority of Americans are against this bill, yet the government keeps forging ahead.
It no longer feels like a government for the people, by the people...

Well said. The people that are close to me that have come from socialized medicine countries have told me about the problems they have with getting into specialists and I dont want that to happen here. We have the choice to get second opinions and to seek alternate treatments. Yeah it might be OOP but I'll still take that over not having the choice.

I also get nervous when we have a unified govt (meaning one party controlling exec & leg branches) and I am not comfortable with everything being decided like that.

Ginger71 · January 2010

I heart Scott Brown. Such a great concession speech. And yes, the healthcare bill scares me. I am actually in the healthcare business but I am more fearful as a patient!

kthappy76 · January 2010

I couldn't disagree with you more, though you are of course entitled to your opinion. But actually this is related to IF, as one of the most disturbing things I heard this week about Mr. Brown is that he has already introduced a bill in the MA legislature to "review" the MA infertility coverage mandate passed nearly 30 years ago as he sees insurance mandates as too expensive for MA businesses (I think IF adds 1% to premiums). MA was the model for all IF mandates that have been passed in 13 states. I hope we can all agree that women should not have to pay OOP (i.e. mortgage their future) for what is a legitimate medical condition. ::stepping down off soapbox::

AimeeL85 · January 2010

Mrs.AmandaMqn · January 2010

LCB34:

*Willis*:
Well I want universal healthcare, but I wasn't a fan of what the proposed legislation had become.

I agree that Health Care needs to be reformed, and every American should have access to decent coverage. But, the legislation got way out of control in my opinion and that is what scared me.

ditto 100% to both statements. I want healthcare for everyone, I just don't want what they have proposed to be it.

mvp12 · January 2010

I'm a laid off phamaceutical rep and had several conversations with physicians on health care, including docs who used to practice in the UK.

None of them wanted socialized health care either

People do not realize what physicians do on a day to day basis. Many physicians are not even making money because of malpractice! Why would anyone want there physician to make less money.

sweetky_06 · January 2010

I am relieved.

I think there are a couple of basic things that Congress could do to make our healthcare situation better:

1. Stop allowing health insurance companies to collude on their pricing. That's right - they all work together to come up with their premiums and benefits, so it's really not a competitive market. This was allowed during WWII and has never been repealed.

2. Find a way to reduce the cost of medical training. The burden of student loans (in the hundreds of thousands of $) drives people to choose the supposedly high-paying specialties, leaving us with fewer primary care providers to focus on preventative care, which should reduce healthcare costs for us in the long run.

:steps off soapbox:

Imanurse03 · January 2010

nikinikinine · January 2010

kthappy76:
I couldn't disagree with you more, though you are of course entitled to your opinion. But actually this is related to IF, as one of the most disturbing things I heard this week about Mr. Brown is that he has already introduced a bill in the MA legislature to "review" the MA infertility coverage mandate passed nearly 30 years ago as he sees insurance mandates as too expensive for MA businesses (I think IF adds 1% to premiums). MA was the model for all IF mandates that have been passed in 13 states. I hope we can all agree that women should not have to pay OOP (i.e. mortgage their future) for what is a legitimate medical condition. ::stepping down off soapbox::

completely valid, and super interesting fact! I had no idea. I'll have to dig on this later tonight.

FWIW though, the health care bill as it stood had no input or monies declared for IF. I don't really know how they planned to handle it as a medical condition, but no concessions were made or outlined in the actual bill itself.

I am not arguing on the merits of Brown, particularly, but on the bill itself. I'm interested to find out more about what you've shared though!

BenandDina · January 2010

The problem with the current bill is that it was directed at placating the insurance companies but targeting providers. I am all for everyone having access to healthcare but for that to happen, we need to prevent insurance companies from colluding, as opposed to ganging up on the people who save lives. Insurance companies don't want to finance IF because it's a chronic condition that is costly and time-consuming to treat. We are OOP for IUI and if we have to go there, IVF, but I'd rather be OOP than have the government control how many embryos can be transferred. The less government is involved in our daily lives and our health and our va-jay-jays, the better.

liberty09 · January 2010

Me!!

Marie6 · January 2010

Rachael07.07.07:
nikinikinine:
shipoopiisforme:
why does the healthcare bill frighten you? i am all for any thing that will guarantee all americans access to decent health care.
I don't think socialized medicine works. I guess I have too many experiences with family members being treated in VA hospitals to have rose-colored glasses about what this means. In countries where socialized medicine has been successful (i.e. Denmark) there are many less people (in this case only about 6M) and their income tax is about 40% just to sustain 6M people.
What would our tax rates climb to in order for us to support 305M people? I'm not a big fan of government dictating my healthcare, either.
For example, in countries with socialized medicine. If you go through IVF you are only allowed to transfer 1 embryo. This is to keep the cost of HOM off of taxpayers and keep the population down. I just wouldn't ever feel comfortable going through all of this and being told, by my government, what decision to make.
Lastly, I wasn't all too pleased with how key Democrats were "bought out" by other members of their party essentially giving certain states a free ride for their vote. Clearly, the majority of Americans are against this bill, yet the government keeps forging ahead.
It no longer feels like a government for the people, by the people...
Well said. The people that are close to me that have come from socialized medicine countries have told me about the problems they have with getting into specialists and I dont want that to happen here. We have the choice to get second opinions and to seek alternate treatments. Yeah it might be OOP but I'll still take that over not having the choice.
I also get nervous when we have a unified govt (meaning one party controlling exec & leg branches) and I am not comfortable with everything being decided like that.

Yes You took the words right out of my mouth!

hollymichael · January 2010

Actually, not getting the bill passed scares me to death. Sorry, but I'm on the other side of the fence on this one.

Most important to me was the change to allow those with pre-existing conditions to get health insurance. As a self employed person with a pre-existing condition, this is a huge deal for me.

Many people don't realize that if they lose their group health insurance plan and they have a pre-existing condition (i.e. IF), they will not be able to get individual insurance. It is not a matter of paying for it, but they can't get it.

As more and more employers cut benefits, more and more people in this country are going to find that they can't get health insurance even if they have the means to pay for it.

I don't love everything about this bill, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

::steps off liberal soapbox::

?alliebooberz? · January 2010

I was super excited

kthappy76 · January 2010

BenandDina:

I grew up in the Soviet Union, and the idea of socialized medicine frightens me.

I'm at a loss at to what in the proposed bill is "socialized medicine"? Would doctors be employed by the government? (no) Would the government replace insurance companies with single payer? (no) I work in the insurance industry and nearly my entire family works in healthcare. We need reform, not scare tactics. Take time to move beyond the sound bites, please.

*Willis* · January 2010

hollymichael:

Actually, not getting the bill passed scares me to death. Sorry, but I'm on the other side of the fence on this one.

Most important to me was the change to allow those with pre-existing conditions to get health insurance. As a self employed person with a pre-existing condition, this is a huge deal for me.

Many people don't realize that if they lose their group health insurance plan and they have a pre-existing condition (i.e. IF), they will not be able to get individual insurance. It is not a matter of paying for it, but they can't get it.

As more and more employers cut benefits, more and more people in this country are going to find that they can't get health insurance even if they have the means to pay for it.

I don't love everything about this bill, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

::steps off liberal soapbox::

I absolutely agree with this statement. And you're not the only liberal one on the soapbox.

I just think that without a public option, you aren't creating the necessary competition to drive insurance costs down. The bill as it's currently written would basically just penialize poor people for not being able to afford health insurance. You can't just mandate it- you have to find a solution to make it affordable to everyone.

As for physician's costs, I agree there needs to be reform to the reimbursement rates. Congress should definitely step in here. DH and I were talking about how most doctor's office actually lose $ on routine things, such as blood draws, because the reimbursement rates are so nominal. But I don't think the answer is to charge the uninsured an exhorbinant rate to level the playing field.

And I really dislike how quick people are to blame lawyers. Most states have passed significant tort reform. Meaning you're recovery is significantly capped already. For every frivilous lawsuit that makes the media, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of legitimate cases that take your breath away.

SweetDahlia · January 2010

nikinikinine:
but is anyone else as relieved as I am that Republicans took Kennedy's senate seat in Massachusetts? Not for nothing, but that health care bill frightens the crap out of me, and I'm hoping this is exactly what's needed to squash it.

Yes Yes Yes

I think it needs major work before it passes.

BenandDina · January 2010

Health Care needs to be revamped, but it should be done for little of no cost. A mandate that insurance companies can't deny or drop you for pre-existing conditions costs $0.00 to the Government. Setting up an Uninsured Fund for those who fall between the cracks could be funded from a Sin Tax on cigarettes, alcohol, or some such.

The government could also provide Super-Cat insurance to insurance companies, so that if too many customers of say Nationwide need triple bypass surgery and it threatens to bankrupt Nationwide, the government could save them with a type of FDIC agency that all insurance companies pay a premium into.

And the proposed bill basically tells physicians how many and which test they can do for what (since when should politicians dictate diagnostic decisions) and cuts their reimbursements significantly, particularly in specialty care (cardiology, pulmonary medicine and critical care, oncology, etc.)

There are solutions that are cheap and would solve the majority of complaints people have with health insurance. But to craft a system in which health insurance and care is run and/or directed by the Government would be foolish. Personally, I think the bigger picture, is the government is trying to unload its responsibilities for Medicare. Because Medicare is expected to be bankrupt by 2017. Just about the time all the Baby Boomers are retiring and living on the Government dime. But that's just my conspiracy theory.

Yellow_Daisy · January 2010

*Willis*:
Well I want universal healthcare, but I wasn't a fan of what the proposed legislation had become. WIth that said, I think it's kind of a crappy situation. Mass residents don't have to worry about universal healthcare, because they have a pretty sweet deal now. Not so for everyone else.

This.

I am on the fence as to how I feel right now. As someone who has health insurance and was almost forced into bankruptcy because of what insurance doesn't want to cover I am all for universal healthcare. I don't think anyone should lose everything because they have to choose between medicine and everything else. I know what that is like and am fortunate that the pharma company stepped in and is paying for my medicine, but without them I would just have to forgo my medicine which would eventually leave me crippled. I have a good job and good insurance but that really means nothing in the grand scheme of things.

I didn't like how the healthcare bill was being railroaded through, I think there should be more thought and compromise.

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