• 46 percent of Americans believe reform will result in health-care coverage for all illegal immigrants
• Half of us think the federal government will become directly involved in making personal health-care decisions.
• 53 percent of Republicans believe “death panels” will exist in some form, that the government will require the elderly to make decisions about how and when they want to die.(The real meaning of "end-of-life consultation" is actually something that, in practice, gives most people comfort and hope.) The number does drop to 30 percent when you look at the entire population, which still means a third of America thinks Barack Obama wants to kill your grandmother.
• Some people believe that pregnancies involving babies with Down syndrome will be forced to have an abortion or risk losing their health insurance
• This combined with the onslaught of recent attempts by those crashing town hall meetings and using bullying tactics to disrupt and interrupt the people trying to discuss the health care reform legislation, stories are now appearing that those in Congress may be attempting to scale back the legislation when they return in September after the break. This in an attempt to calm the hysteria that seems to be spreading by those who are fueled and energized by these wildly false bits of information regarding health care reform. As a result of all of this, I felt compelled to write to President Obama to share my feelings. Here is the letter I sent:

Tags: current events| health care reform| general interest| Obama| politics

• The Latin cross is a religious symbol and should be treated as such. It is a central symbol of Christianity and for those who are Christian it is offensive to strip away it's sacred meaning by saying it has no religious meaning.
• Veteran Memorials should honor all of our country's veterans, not just those of a particular belief system. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, 29% of those currently serving in the U.S. military are not Christian. Our veterans come from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim backgrounds, while some choose to follow other belief systems or profess no faith at all.
• The Constitution mandates separation of church and state. Our country's founders wanted religion and government to remain separate, which is why our Constitution requires the government to remain neutral on the subject of religion. One of the freedoms our veterans sought to protect is the right for all to practice their belief system of choice. This cross on government property goes against that principle.
• The government, in maintaining this cross, is discriminating against veterans of other faiths and those who choose no faith at all. The Mojave National Preserve in California denied a request in 1999 to erect a Buddhist shrine near the cross. This clearly shows the government's favoritism, and makes those who are not Christian feel like second-class citizens.
• The courts should remain open to lawsuits objecting to church-state violations. Some will argue that just because someone is offended by a religious symbol, he or she does not have the right to sue the government and demand it be removed. If we followed this interpretation of the Constitution, the government could display any religious symbols it wants anywhere it wants - on license plates, in public buildings, maybe even in public schools - and those forced to view these displays could do nothing about it. That's not what this country stands for and the government must be held accountable when it strips away our freedoms.

Tags: current events| religion| separation of church and state| Americans United| general interest

• Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
• Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
• Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
• Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
• Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
• Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
• Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
• Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.

• Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
• We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.
• Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.
• Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.
• Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.
• Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.
• You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
• No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts.  Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose.  Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.

• Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more:http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html
• Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job.  Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more:http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html
• Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html
• Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes
• Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline
• The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more:http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction
• Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more:http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html
• The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more:http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf

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Tags: current events| health care reform| general interest| news| The white house| Axelrod

• A public option providing for health insurance coverage for those who cannot afford coverage, lose their jobs, or work for an employer that does not provide coverage. The public option should be designed so as to provide competition in the private markets to encourage lower pricing, competition and set the framework for the basic rules and regulations that all insurance providers must adhere to.
• No longer allow health insurance companies to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, or to rescind coverage due to onset of a severe illness. In short, this insurance must model exactly the same type of coverage that members of the US Congress enjoy as administered by the federal office of personnel management. The American citizens should be able to get coverage with no physicals, no testing, no applications, no refusals by the provider to pay for treatments or services prescribed by the doctor, and as I said earlier, no rescissions or dropping of coverage due to severe health conditions or expense. Nothing less will do.
• Complete choice of personal doctors and hospitals without restrictions or interference of insurance companies dictating or rationing care in any manner. Americans want choices and I am prepared to pay for them if they are fair, equitable, reasonable, and just.

Tags: health care reform| current events| politics| general interest| medicine