Change in Command for the Commander in Chief

Part of me is cautious at the mere mention of Public Health about the growth of the Nanny State. Whatever we do, lets NOT pass laws aimed at forcing people to eat their vegetables, do up heir seat belts, not text while driving (but go ahead and argue with people while you drive?). Health should not be a police problem.

I am also a native Canadian and am here to say that “socialized” healthcare is a good thing in Canada and could be a good thing here too. I find people here are generally afraid of it, and I hear just ridiculous lies about how Canadians are supposedly standing in long lines forever waiting for sub-standard care. During the 2004 presidential debates “Dubya” cited Canada as an experiement in socialized healthcare which had gone wrong, he said it created rationing of care and shortages. At the time Canadians were all getting flu shots but flu vaccine was not available in the US, and busloads of senior citizens were crossing the border on prescription filling trips. What the politicians tell us often just ain’t true, folks, although it is true that the very rich wish they could be pampered more with a better grade of carpet and flat screen TVs in their hospital rooms.

Taking reasonavble care of our fellow humans,looking out for the underdog, eliminating suffering, giving each person a chance to be their best - these are not just socialist ideas but are the side of our humanity that seperates us from heahens.

We can either keep building jails to house the poor when they resort to crime, or, we can start providing a minimum quality of life to all that includes reasonable health care among other basic needs. It is no accident that we have record breaking numbers of incarcerated people in our country, often for victimless crimes, and also have trouble providing health care to the poor. For example, the war on drugs is treated as a crime problem not as a public health problem, so we build jails instead of rehabilitation facilities.

When all you have is a hammer, all problems are treated as nails. When all you have is jails, sick people are treated as criminals. Our society sees crime as a problem we can throw money at solving, but health care as socialist wealth redistrubition. We need to rethink that, because putting people in jail is not an efficient method of making sure they get a balanced diet and their prescriptions filled.

Nice post! I believe we are all idealists in one way or another, ideals are great, but it is often difficult to get the rest of the country to pass legislation that cater to a particular demographics ideals. Hopefully, others who share these views will speak loud enough to be heard over the noise of politics.

This is true. We can hope for change, or for a new momentum to build with a fresh administration, but it’s doing our own part in our respective states, cities, and neighborhoods that will make the true difference. Even with all the resources that the general public has to inform themselves and protect their own health, there is still an alarming amount of people who are not being reached. This is where we come in! Everything from actively volunteering to simply having a conversation about health issues with someone can spread a wealth of knowledge. It’s not about waiting for our government to fill in the gaps. We choose our government, therefore we are a part of our government. Time to take our roles and do our part!

“Above all else guard your heart for it affects everything you do” (Proverbs 4:23).

Public health is a term that is so much broader then most understand. Our thoughts and beliefs are the building blocks for everything we are and everything we do.

I am not a red person or a blue person, I am an American who knows that life is a team sport. I am excited about the next four years because it seems President-Elect Obama knows this to. If we take the time to truly help our fellow man, the sky is the limit.

My major concern has always been the medical insurance companies.

Why does a knee surgery cost more than breast enlargement? Seriously I’m not trying to be humorous.

Essentially a doctor with the same education, same tools, same medicine, practically the same equipment and anesthesia can perform two different procedures and the variance of cost is dependent on coverage. Moreover, knee surgery may cost nearly four to five times as much. Simply because the knee surgery is covered under the insurance companies who are willing to dish out the premiums and make the patients continue to pay high deductibles. Ironically though the doctor who does the breast enhancement gets paid more because they are being paid without interference from the insurance companies.

A reevaluation is needed of what the insurance companies purposes are and if we are to have a nationalized healthcare system what does that mean to them. Hopefully this administration is willing to take the first steps in meeting the challenges of the health care system.

It’s hard to argue with, meaning unprovacative. Practically any social issue, from poor public schools to senior care, can be described as inadequately addressed, in need of a more comprehensive approach, and requiring both public and private response.

I agree with Ben, I believe that the new administration has the potential to turn things around for the health care industry. Given our new president elect’s track record, I think he will analyze the situation and institute change that will benefit health care providers as well as patients. Awareness is key in this issue and I fully believe things can only get better from here.

Originally from Canada, I think the US has alot to learn about taking care of its people. I watched Sicko last year and was shocked at the US system.

Love Ben’s response… fully agree. We need to help the people that need to be helped. Hands down. That should be your mandate. Help fellow Americans in need of assistance.

Based on my limited understanding of the US system, if you are poor you have sub-standard or no healthcare at all. This is a horrible system. Something like the NHS in England is a great model to study.

Cheers, Derek