THE INSTANT WAR ON JUSTICE IN HEALTHCARE THE MOMENT IT ARRIVED.
At the headquarters of The Knights of Injustice, Selfishness and greed, the leaders of this movement held an emergency meeting the instant decent, affordable health care for all had become the law of the land, signed into law by the man who had pulled victory out of a stubborn people as hard hearted as a slab of granite.
“Many of the people are still with us against medicine and treatment for all in equal measure,” said The Knight of The Sable Helm, the leader of The Knights of Injustice. “Even some who stand to benefit from it.”
“Right,” said the one with the shield of the blood of innocents. “So we must undo this before they start to see the benefits. We must snatch this victory from President Pendragon before public opinion turns against us so that we can maintain our power and keep the people downtrodden and dependent upon our private acts of charity. A truly just society in no way benefits us.”
“SSSHHH!” said all of the others there. “speaking those words aloud can only benefit the other side.”
“So how to undo this and thus retain our power over the people without seeming to be doing the latter,” said the sable knight. “That is the problem before us.”
“And to do so quickly enough that people currently with us won't start to turn against us,” added a young squire. “Or to question our justice.”
“Yes,” said the knight of The Crimson Shield. “We could make threats against doctors that accept new patients that would only have access under the new system, and call President Pendragon's fitness to govern into question. I mean, he's barely old enough to even be president, and he did just pull victory from the anvil of defeat. But he is president, so focusing on the problems with this policy should be our main thrust.”
“And we should work quickly,” put in a crimson robed woman. “For several of my corporate donors say I'll get no funds from them this fall if they have to spend that money on covering the health benefits of employees who need more than one physical every other year, and without their financing I know I'm not the only one who will have to sell my fourth home, in my case in the Swiss Alps.”
“So keep the line of decreasing choice and more expensive for all. But what else?” said The Sable Knight.
“Requiring providers to care for people who are actually sick will drive up costs for everyone,” the same young squire suggested.
“That's good,” said Crimson Shield. “But we should be careful with that, for people with thus afflicted family and friends may be put off by that, and if so we could lose valuable support. What else?”
“We could suggest that, 'undesirables' could get morally questionable treatments,” suggested another young squire.
“Yes,” said the sable knight with a wicked grin. “And there are many people in that vein we could say this will help. Foreigners, for instance, although we did try that before. Allowing people with too low an IQ to be able to reproduce. And those with other genetic defects. And enabling poor people who are injured or sick to live and become a drain on the system rather than letting natural selection take care of them. I think we've got the juices flowing well enough to get this going, so now let's go fight President Pendragon and the forces of Justice.” He raised his sword high in the air. “In The Name of Injustice, Selfishness and Greed.”
“Injustice, Selfishness and Greed,” his followers all chorused.
They left the hall and set out to make war against decent, affordable health care for all and to stomp out a few poor people and otherwise undesirables along the way if possible.
Fellow King Aurthur Philes may recognize the broad angle of this story, and of course we all know who won the wars made o n Aurthur at the beginning of his reign, but who wins the war on decent, affordable health care for all Americans depends on all Americans. If many of us see this repeal and replace campaign for what it is, as painted above, a desire to keep common people, particularly those with preexisting conditions and the particularly poor, the least of those among us if you will, downtrodden and pressure those making war on decent, affordable health care for all to stop doing so, they may do so, if not, well , the least of those among us may not get cared for at all. Obviously we can't all be doctors, but we can all support the right of everyone to be able to see a doctor, and if we are going to call ourselves a Christian Nation or even simply a moral nation, we must reject this campaign to undo decent , affordable health care for all so loudly that all such voices are forever silenced. That is what a caring, compassionate people would do, so the choice is simple, are we a caring, compassionate one Nation, Under God, or a bunch of spoiled, selfish individuals who care only about ourselves and have no compassion at all? That is the choice before us, my friends, and we must make it soon, for time and history do not wait or still their flow for the indecisive and the world is in a state right now where all may change drastically or even end soon, but I am only one voice, and it will take the voices of many to still the rants of The Knights of Injustice, Selfishness and Greed, but let us start to do so today, for the sake of compassion and open hearts everywhere, Amen.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Dear Editor,
Amid all the talk of should the government be working on health care policy and is it overstepping its bounds to do so, something has gotten lost. That is the simple fact that the old system did not work for many of us. As someone who was denied group private coverage because of a preexisting condition, I am appalled that anyone in this country of opportunity for all thinks that that is all right and should not be addressed. Limited government is fine, but a government “of the people, for the people and by the people” should make sure all of the people get a fair shake, and when a person is denied the opportunity to have assistance paying medical bills to expensive to pay out of pocket by being unable to purchase health insurance, we do not all get a fair shake. I would hazard a guess that no one who opposed health care reform before it happened or thinks that it should be undone now that it has happened has ever gotten a letter like the one I got from Golden Rule several years ago canceling my coverage because I got hit by a car in 1984, even though I have not been an even one night patient in the hospital since 19985, when I had the plate removed from my leg that they put in to make the bone grow back correctly in 1984, so my overall medical history does not mark me as likely to cost more than other patients. However,even if I was likely to cost more than others, that is the whole point of insurance. A life insurance company wouldn't tell a diseased person's loved ones 'if we knew they were going to die, we wouldn't have issued the life insurance policy', nor would a car insurance company say 'if we'd known you were going to get in a wreck, we wouldn't have sold you car insurance', so why should it not be illegal for a health insurance company to say 'if we'd known you might need medical care at some point, we wouldn't have given yo health insurance'? How can anyone say that children should be allowed to die to save their insurance company money? Or that it is okey for life and death decisions to be made with more consideration given to money than to people? Are such things not practicing 'the love of money'? And how can a society that claims to be the land of opportunity for all “yearning to breathe free” support such a position? For further evidence that the old system did need reform and or to respond to these questions, check out my parables and commentaries at avoiceinthewilderness-wildvoicenet@blogspot.com.
Sincerely,
Matthew L. Beckett
Amid all the talk of should the government be working on health care policy and is it overstepping its bounds to do so, something has gotten lost. That is the simple fact that the old system did not work for many of us. As someone who was denied group private coverage because of a preexisting condition, I am appalled that anyone in this country of opportunity for all thinks that that is all right and should not be addressed. Limited government is fine, but a government “of the people, for the people and by the people” should make sure all of the people get a fair shake, and when a person is denied the opportunity to have assistance paying medical bills to expensive to pay out of pocket by being unable to purchase health insurance, we do not all get a fair shake. I would hazard a guess that no one who opposed health care reform before it happened or thinks that it should be undone now that it has happened has ever gotten a letter like the one I got from Golden Rule several years ago canceling my coverage because I got hit by a car in 1984, even though I have not been an even one night patient in the hospital since 19985, when I had the plate removed from my leg that they put in to make the bone grow back correctly in 1984, so my overall medical history does not mark me as likely to cost more than other patients. However,even if I was likely to cost more than others, that is the whole point of insurance. A life insurance company wouldn't tell a diseased person's loved ones 'if we knew they were going to die, we wouldn't have issued the life insurance policy', nor would a car insurance company say 'if we'd known you were going to get in a wreck, we wouldn't have sold you car insurance', so why should it not be illegal for a health insurance company to say 'if we'd known you might need medical care at some point, we wouldn't have given yo health insurance'? How can anyone say that children should be allowed to die to save their insurance company money? Or that it is okey for life and death decisions to be made with more consideration given to money than to people? Are such things not practicing 'the love of money'? And how can a society that claims to be the land of opportunity for all “yearning to breathe free” support such a position? For further evidence that the old system did need reform and or to respond to these questions, check out my parables and commentaries at avoiceinthewilderness-wildvoicenet@blogspot.com.
Sincerely,
Matthew L. Beckett
Nightline Closing Argument: Would You vote for Sarah Palin in 2012?
Words do not exist in The English Language, at least not that I am aware of, to express how strongly I WOULD NOT vote for Sarah Palin in 2012, nor any other future year. As an American with a preexisting health condition who has had his health insurance canceled because of it, I find anyone who says health care reform was or is a bad idea, should not have been done and or should be undone now that it has been done to either have no heart or simply not have been paying attention, or both. Limited government is fine, but the government exists to protect those at the bottom from being squeezed to death by those at the top, that's what “government of the people,for the people and by the people” clearly means, that the government must ensure that everyone gets a fair shake. This is supposed to be the land of opportunity for all, and without access to decent, affordable medical care, not everyone gets a fair shake/opportunity. Letting people sink or swim on their own from a level playing field is fine, but when the playing field is not level, as it is not while any are unable to access decent, affordable health care or feed or clothe or shelter themselves, the government is obligated, particularly a government “under God” as our Nation's Pledge of Allegiance says, and throughout The Bible God is always a friend to the powerless and brings the powerful low, to help level the playing field. This is also particularly true of a government for, of and by the people. “The people” in the so called Tea Party Movement are all clearly well fed and sheltered and clothed on their own and have never gotten a letter canceling their health insurance, but the idea of a truly just society demands that ALL the people have the first three and not receive the last, and for that to happen we cannot depend on business alone because in business money trumps people but in a truly just society people must trump money and so when money is put over people to the point of oppression, the government must stop the oppression. So anyone who says that any part of Health Care Reform was and or is a bad idea is in favor of the oppression of those of us who could not purchase health insurance under the old system and so are oppressors themselves, and would therefore never have my vote, and that is why I would not vote for Sarah Palin even if she and I were the last two people on Earth and I was not even eligible for the Presidency.
Sincerely,
Matthew Lucas Beckett
P.S. Anyone interested in further evidence of the faults of the old system should read the parables and commentaries on my blog, avoiceinthewilderness-wildvoicenet@blogspot.com.
Words do not exist in The English Language, at least not that I am aware of, to express how strongly I WOULD NOT vote for Sarah Palin in 2012, nor any other future year. As an American with a preexisting health condition who has had his health insurance canceled because of it, I find anyone who says health care reform was or is a bad idea, should not have been done and or should be undone now that it has been done to either have no heart or simply not have been paying attention, or both. Limited government is fine, but the government exists to protect those at the bottom from being squeezed to death by those at the top, that's what “government of the people,for the people and by the people” clearly means, that the government must ensure that everyone gets a fair shake. This is supposed to be the land of opportunity for all, and without access to decent, affordable medical care, not everyone gets a fair shake/opportunity. Letting people sink or swim on their own from a level playing field is fine, but when the playing field is not level, as it is not while any are unable to access decent, affordable health care or feed or clothe or shelter themselves, the government is obligated, particularly a government “under God” as our Nation's Pledge of Allegiance says, and throughout The Bible God is always a friend to the powerless and brings the powerful low, to help level the playing field. This is also particularly true of a government for, of and by the people. “The people” in the so called Tea Party Movement are all clearly well fed and sheltered and clothed on their own and have never gotten a letter canceling their health insurance, but the idea of a truly just society demands that ALL the people have the first three and not receive the last, and for that to happen we cannot depend on business alone because in business money trumps people but in a truly just society people must trump money and so when money is put over people to the point of oppression, the government must stop the oppression. So anyone who says that any part of Health Care Reform was and or is a bad idea is in favor of the oppression of those of us who could not purchase health insurance under the old system and so are oppressors themselves, and would therefore never have my vote, and that is why I would not vote for Sarah Palin even if she and I were the last two people on Earth and I was not even eligible for the Presidency.
Sincerely,
Matthew Lucas Beckett
P.S. Anyone interested in further evidence of the faults of the old system should read the parables and commentaries on my blog, avoiceinthewilderness-wildvoicenet@blogspot.com.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Truth About Those Who Oppose Descent, Affordable Health Care For All Americans
A CONTEMPORARY CHRISTMAS CAROL
CHRISTMAS 2009
DECEMBER TWENTY-THIRD, 2009.
The mood at the G.O.P. Christmas Party on December Twenty-Third just after the session wrapped up for the Holidays that year was jubilant.
“To the death of government run Health Care,” said the Senate Minority leader, holding up his glass. “May it rest with no peace.”
“Here, here,” shouted everyone else there in joyous tones.
“And may next year bring us even more victories, particularly in November,” someone else shouted.
Everyone drank heartily to that as well. Then they sang some Carols, then all went back to their offices, packed up and flew home. They each spent Christmas Eve with their families and those with young children hung stockings before putting them to bed and wishing them a Merry Christmas, then heading for bed themselves.
On the other side of Capital Hill on December Twenty-Third, The Democratic Christmas Party was a good deal more subdued.
“We could try again next year,” said The Senate Majority leader half heartedly.
There were some murmurs and despairing looks and some feeble nods but more shakes of the head.
“We could,” said the Speaker of The House. “But with many of our members facing tough elections, and the mood of the country having been turned so against the idea by the insurance industry's and Republicans' distortions and downright deceptions, I don’t think there’s much hope of getting even everyone here to work on it again.”
Those who heard her words gave despairing nods and glances.
“What happened?” demanded another House member. “Last November we took The White House and both Houses of Congress running on just this platform, or at least this as a major portion of the platform. Why did the public vote as they did if they didn’t want us to do what we said we’d do if we got in?”
There was no answer to this question, of course.
After the remainder of the very subdued party, members left for their offices, packed, went home and spent Christmas Eve with their families and those with young children hung stockings before putting them to bed and then going to be themselves.
The subdued nature of the Democratic Christmas Party on the Twenty-Third, however, was nothing compared to the mood at the Free Health clinic and Hospital on the far side of D.C. from the Capital. Many of the children had been there for days, some even longer, and while the volunteer staff did everything they could to take care of them...
“A change in the whole system is really needed,” said one doctor. “We do the best we can with what we have, but a system that actually took care of all its citizens in some way would really make it a much bigger difference for us and more importantly a whole lot better for the patients. I really thought that this time, with friends of the less fortunate and disadvantaged financially and otherwise in The White House and in control of both Houses of Congress, it would be different, but I guess that we should have known that greed and selfishness would not be so easily defeated.”
His staff nodded, and then finished their duties, putting all of the children to bed and wishing them a Merry Christmas as best they could and hanging stocking in all of their rooms, although many were so sick they would not be able to enjoy tomorrow at all, some suffering from ailments that more money could have easily treated, and a few who might not even make it through the night to see Christmas.
Once all of the patients were settled, the staff not on duty went sadly to their own beds, and their low moods soon took them to sleep, albeit a troubled sleep in many cases.
CHRISTMAS MORNING, 2009.
The minority leader of The Senate woke Christmas morning to an angry shout and something hard and heavy hitting his leg. Looking up, he saw his seven year old daughter’s crimson and tear streaked face glaring at him as one hand held a note towards him and the other still held the dust from the lump of coal that she had just hurled on his leg.
Taking the note from his daughter, he read it carefully.
“Dear, Minority Leader’s children, you have all been very good this year, so I am sorry to have to leave you nothing but a lump of coal, but your father’s stinginess and selfishness in refusing to recognize the needs of those less fortunate than your family and friends leaves me no choice. Children, and grown-ups, are dying of treatable diseases every day throughout your country because they cannot get the care they need, and your father just ensured that this will not change and then celebrated having done so at a party the night before flying home to you. Christmas Spirit demands open hearts and minds year round, and since your father has neither, all you get for Christmas this year is a lump of coal. Sincerely, Santa Claus”
He looked up at his daughter, thinking to explain that people had to take care of themselves, but before he could even open his mouth she shouted, “I HATE you daddy,” shook some coal dust off her other hand towards him, and stomped out of the room.
Calls to his G.O.P. colleagues with children all recounted almost exactly the same experience, the only difference being in their children’s exact choice of words to express their feelings.
The Majority Leader of The Senate woke Christmas morning to the sound of his children crying downstairs. Puzzled, he got out of bed, put on his robe, and crept downstairs.
Instead of the dozens of toys and other presents that he had expected to see spread all over the floor, he saw that each of his children had just one new toy. Looking up and seeing him, his nine year old daughter, the only one of his children old enough to read, held out a note, her face streaked with tears but the normal color.
“Why. . .?” was all she could manage.
Taking the note, he read the even and easy to read printing. “Dear Majority Leader’s children, you have been ver good thisyear, so I'm sorry to have to leave you this little, but eventselsewheredemand it. I appreciate your father’s efforts on behalf of the uninsured and under-insured this past year, but he fell a little short, therefore so did your presents, especially because he sounded at his party before leaving D.C. like he was giving up, and if he gives up, next year may be like his colleagues on the other side of the isle’s Christmas is this year. If he doesn’t give up, and gets something done on this in the coming year, next year you’ll get a full stocking plus what you missed this year. Sincerely, Santa Claus.”
He looked up at his daughter’s tear streaked face. “Promise me you’ll do as he says, so next year, Billy” she nodded at his four year old son, dissolved in tears “won’t be so upset.”
“I’ll, I’ll do my best,” he stammered. “That’s all I can promise.”
His answer hardly seemed to satisfy her, but after looking pleadingly for another minute into his eyes, she shrugged, shook her head in disgust, and turned back to her one new toy.
Calls to his Democratic colleagues recounted similar stories, although not all of their children had taken it quite so well, but one said they had it on good authority that all of the G. O. P children had gotten nothing but a lump of coal.
On Christmas morning at the free clinic and hospital, the staff awoke to shouts and quickly got out of bed, thinking that something was wrong.
But they soon realized that these were not shouts of alarm, but shouts of joy. Coming to the stairs down to the common area, they saw all the children in the hospital there, even those they thought bedridden, all before stockings packed to overflowing and with dozens of new toys spread throughout the room. Children who hadn’t walked in weeks ran to and fro with joyous strides, and everywhere they looked they saw smiling children, parents, and even childless patients. A child ran up the stairs holding a note, and the head of the clinic took it, then the child, who the night before had seemed on death’s door from a disease that could have been easily treated with adequate funds, ran off back down the stairs. The clinic president read the note.
“Dear head of this free healthcare clinic, I really appreciate all of the work that you and yourstaff are doing for these patients, on behalf of those society would like to forget. I know that with a better way of funding your work and delivery system, you could do a lot more, but greed and selfishness are strong forces to overcome. Maybe by next year you’ll be able to effect these changes permanently, for my magic is only effective on Christmas Day, tomorrow all of these patients will be as they were, but I can bring them this one day of relief and grant them all the presents they wish, and so it’s a small thing, really, but I can only do so much, I’m only a man with a little extra magic, but I am happy to do what I can and so I have. Keep up the good work and keep fighting the good fight, and maybe next year you’ll have more support from those who can really make a change. Good luck and keep up the good work. Sincerely, Santa Claus.”
They all looked at each other, smiling for the joy of today, but concerned for what the future held nevertheless, for it would take a lot of work to make this ray of hope become a complete light for all of these people.
“Still,” said one of the staff. “At least we got this ray of hope, and we can work to build upon it. Let’s let the patients enjoy today and do the same though, for starting tomorrow, we will have taking care of them and other work to do.”
They all nodded, then went down the remaining stairs to the common area to join the festivities, to enjoy this one day of peace and generosity before the work they had been called to by Father Christmas in the fight ahead.
CHRISTMAS 2009
DECEMBER TWENTY-THIRD, 2009.
The mood at the G.O.P. Christmas Party on December Twenty-Third just after the session wrapped up for the Holidays that year was jubilant.
“To the death of government run Health Care,” said the Senate Minority leader, holding up his glass. “May it rest with no peace.”
“Here, here,” shouted everyone else there in joyous tones.
“And may next year bring us even more victories, particularly in November,” someone else shouted.
Everyone drank heartily to that as well. Then they sang some Carols, then all went back to their offices, packed up and flew home. They each spent Christmas Eve with their families and those with young children hung stockings before putting them to bed and wishing them a Merry Christmas, then heading for bed themselves.
On the other side of Capital Hill on December Twenty-Third, The Democratic Christmas Party was a good deal more subdued.
“We could try again next year,” said The Senate Majority leader half heartedly.
There were some murmurs and despairing looks and some feeble nods but more shakes of the head.
“We could,” said the Speaker of The House. “But with many of our members facing tough elections, and the mood of the country having been turned so against the idea by the insurance industry's and Republicans' distortions and downright deceptions, I don’t think there’s much hope of getting even everyone here to work on it again.”
Those who heard her words gave despairing nods and glances.
“What happened?” demanded another House member. “Last November we took The White House and both Houses of Congress running on just this platform, or at least this as a major portion of the platform. Why did the public vote as they did if they didn’t want us to do what we said we’d do if we got in?”
There was no answer to this question, of course.
After the remainder of the very subdued party, members left for their offices, packed, went home and spent Christmas Eve with their families and those with young children hung stockings before putting them to bed and then going to be themselves.
The subdued nature of the Democratic Christmas Party on the Twenty-Third, however, was nothing compared to the mood at the Free Health clinic and Hospital on the far side of D.C. from the Capital. Many of the children had been there for days, some even longer, and while the volunteer staff did everything they could to take care of them...
“A change in the whole system is really needed,” said one doctor. “We do the best we can with what we have, but a system that actually took care of all its citizens in some way would really make it a much bigger difference for us and more importantly a whole lot better for the patients. I really thought that this time, with friends of the less fortunate and disadvantaged financially and otherwise in The White House and in control of both Houses of Congress, it would be different, but I guess that we should have known that greed and selfishness would not be so easily defeated.”
His staff nodded, and then finished their duties, putting all of the children to bed and wishing them a Merry Christmas as best they could and hanging stocking in all of their rooms, although many were so sick they would not be able to enjoy tomorrow at all, some suffering from ailments that more money could have easily treated, and a few who might not even make it through the night to see Christmas.
Once all of the patients were settled, the staff not on duty went sadly to their own beds, and their low moods soon took them to sleep, albeit a troubled sleep in many cases.
CHRISTMAS MORNING, 2009.
The minority leader of The Senate woke Christmas morning to an angry shout and something hard and heavy hitting his leg. Looking up, he saw his seven year old daughter’s crimson and tear streaked face glaring at him as one hand held a note towards him and the other still held the dust from the lump of coal that she had just hurled on his leg.
Taking the note from his daughter, he read it carefully.
“Dear, Minority Leader’s children, you have all been very good this year, so I am sorry to have to leave you nothing but a lump of coal, but your father’s stinginess and selfishness in refusing to recognize the needs of those less fortunate than your family and friends leaves me no choice. Children, and grown-ups, are dying of treatable diseases every day throughout your country because they cannot get the care they need, and your father just ensured that this will not change and then celebrated having done so at a party the night before flying home to you. Christmas Spirit demands open hearts and minds year round, and since your father has neither, all you get for Christmas this year is a lump of coal. Sincerely, Santa Claus”
He looked up at his daughter, thinking to explain that people had to take care of themselves, but before he could even open his mouth she shouted, “I HATE you daddy,” shook some coal dust off her other hand towards him, and stomped out of the room.
Calls to his G.O.P. colleagues with children all recounted almost exactly the same experience, the only difference being in their children’s exact choice of words to express their feelings.
The Majority Leader of The Senate woke Christmas morning to the sound of his children crying downstairs. Puzzled, he got out of bed, put on his robe, and crept downstairs.
Instead of the dozens of toys and other presents that he had expected to see spread all over the floor, he saw that each of his children had just one new toy. Looking up and seeing him, his nine year old daughter, the only one of his children old enough to read, held out a note, her face streaked with tears but the normal color.
“Why. . .?” was all she could manage.
Taking the note, he read the even and easy to read printing. “Dear Majority Leader’s children, you have been ver good thisyear, so I'm sorry to have to leave you this little, but eventselsewheredemand it. I appreciate your father’s efforts on behalf of the uninsured and under-insured this past year, but he fell a little short, therefore so did your presents, especially because he sounded at his party before leaving D.C. like he was giving up, and if he gives up, next year may be like his colleagues on the other side of the isle’s Christmas is this year. If he doesn’t give up, and gets something done on this in the coming year, next year you’ll get a full stocking plus what you missed this year. Sincerely, Santa Claus.”
He looked up at his daughter’s tear streaked face. “Promise me you’ll do as he says, so next year, Billy” she nodded at his four year old son, dissolved in tears “won’t be so upset.”
“I’ll, I’ll do my best,” he stammered. “That’s all I can promise.”
His answer hardly seemed to satisfy her, but after looking pleadingly for another minute into his eyes, she shrugged, shook her head in disgust, and turned back to her one new toy.
Calls to his Democratic colleagues recounted similar stories, although not all of their children had taken it quite so well, but one said they had it on good authority that all of the G. O. P children had gotten nothing but a lump of coal.
On Christmas morning at the free clinic and hospital, the staff awoke to shouts and quickly got out of bed, thinking that something was wrong.
But they soon realized that these were not shouts of alarm, but shouts of joy. Coming to the stairs down to the common area, they saw all the children in the hospital there, even those they thought bedridden, all before stockings packed to overflowing and with dozens of new toys spread throughout the room. Children who hadn’t walked in weeks ran to and fro with joyous strides, and everywhere they looked they saw smiling children, parents, and even childless patients. A child ran up the stairs holding a note, and the head of the clinic took it, then the child, who the night before had seemed on death’s door from a disease that could have been easily treated with adequate funds, ran off back down the stairs. The clinic president read the note.
“Dear head of this free healthcare clinic, I really appreciate all of the work that you and yourstaff are doing for these patients, on behalf of those society would like to forget. I know that with a better way of funding your work and delivery system, you could do a lot more, but greed and selfishness are strong forces to overcome. Maybe by next year you’ll be able to effect these changes permanently, for my magic is only effective on Christmas Day, tomorrow all of these patients will be as they were, but I can bring them this one day of relief and grant them all the presents they wish, and so it’s a small thing, really, but I can only do so much, I’m only a man with a little extra magic, but I am happy to do what I can and so I have. Keep up the good work and keep fighting the good fight, and maybe next year you’ll have more support from those who can really make a change. Good luck and keep up the good work. Sincerely, Santa Claus.”
They all looked at each other, smiling for the joy of today, but concerned for what the future held nevertheless, for it would take a lot of work to make this ray of hope become a complete light for all of these people.
“Still,” said one of the staff. “At least we got this ray of hope, and we can work to build upon it. Let’s let the patients enjoy today and do the same though, for starting tomorrow, we will have taking care of them and other work to do.”
They all nodded, then went down the remaining stairs to the common area to join the festivities, to enjoy this one day of peace and generosity before the work they had been called to by Father Christmas in the fight ahead.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Commentaary Onn The Eight Stories Showing The Evils of The Old System And The Accompanying Commentaries As A Whole
So, an insurance company that let's a litte boy die so they can give his heart to scientists doing experiments in human cloning, one of thevery few things which nearly all in thiscountry agree should not be done, A Health Care Mall which can only treat a man's potentially fatal heart condition on a flor that his insurance company won't allow him to go to, an insurance agent that tells a man with a different heart condition that it's not good business sense to pay for histratment and in fact the best business decision would be for him to just kill himself and makea a quick end of it, an insurance company that won't pay for new legs or a wheelchair or therapy for a man thrown from the third floor of a building and when one of the stumps that was once one of his legs gets infected, won't even pay for life saving treatment, a system that even at the sight of a massive train wreck will only give treatment to those who were able to purchase insurance, a system that gives medical treatment to those who can pay whether they need it or not and denies it to those who do need it but ccanot pay like items sold at an auction, a system that when reform seems near these companies get together to seek ways to stop it if they can and thwart reform in any and all waysthey can to ensure they're cotinued profits and never mind the good of the patients, and a system that treated people like numbers in a ledger to be cut to save money regardless of how it adversely affected their lives andthe lives of those close to them, that is the system that some said needed no reform. Obviously the names in these stories are made up, and some of the specifics may be slight exagerations, but the old system, the system some said did not needreform, did put money before people all the time and did let people, adults and children, die every day to save money. The new system may not be perfect, but at least it puts people before money, which is the way it should be, which all major moral trditions teach us is the way that it should be, and so all talk of undoing Health Care Reform should and MUST CEASE IMMEDIATELY or our nation will be on THE SON OF MAN's left side on The Day of Judgement, which may be soon. So thus far in this blog I have clearly shown the evils of the old system of Health Care in thiscountry, the system that put profits before people, 'THESYSTEM THAT SOME SAY NEEDS NO REFORM' and why the old system was so corrupt that any who said Health Care Reform was not needed or now say that it should be undone now that it has been done are simply morally andfactually wrong and should look inside their hearts very closely and if they do not change thir minds then they will have shown that they have no hearts to look into and should read -JEREMIAH- on what happens to people who neglect the rights of the poor, and tomorrow I shall start showing them, but that is all that 'A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS' has to say tonight, so everyone who reads this should search their hearts and if they decide to actto support decent affordable healt care for all Americans should do so and if not should keep searching, and if they still think Health Care Reform is a bad idea andshould be undone, they should go find a heart to search, and that is absolutely all that my voice, 'A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS' through whom The One Who Inspired the original bearer of that name, has to say tonight, Tuesday, Septemberr Fourteenth, 2010. AMEN.
Comentary On 'The Ultimate Number Cruncher'
'The UltimateNumber Cruncher' is a harsh but accurate look at the old, profits before people, system of doing health care in this country. To a business, or industry, person, cutting anumber to save money makes sense. However, when that number represents a person, as this story shows, at least that person's life and often the lives of all of those they are close to are ruined. Letting the single father of four die leaving no one to care for his children, causing a teenage boy to starve himself to death, and letting children die to save money, all for nothing more than to pursue the all mighty dollar, is totally morally unjustifiable. These specific people are fictional, but things like this happened every day under the old system, and with those of us over eighteen will continue to happen until 2014. To a businessman those of us who might actually at some point need medical treatment may just be a number, and GOD forbid we have a pre-existing health condition that could make that even more likely, even though in my particular case, my particular overall medical history since my 1984 car acident would suggest that I would not, because I have not been in and out of the hospital for the past 26 years, but we are not just numbers, we are human beings with lives to live and people who love usand whom we love, and so just writing us off and letting us die to save our insurance company money is totally morally indefensible, and so 'The Ultimate Number Cruncher' model of health care must stayy dead for children and become dead for adults and anyone and everyone who even has any sense of compassion or cares at all for anyone other than themselves must stop even thinking abouut undoing even one comma of the reform that has made this old system and let the new system work for all Americans, and anyone who thinks at all of undoing Health Care Reform at all from 9:31P.m. Central time on Tuesday, September fourteenth, 2010 on shows that there is no room in their hearts for anyone but themselves, and if that's how the majority of the country really feels, what does that say about our country? I'll leave my readers with that to think about.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
THE ULTIMATE NUMBER CRUNCHER
The accountant at Family Health Plans looked over the books, frowning.
“What's the matter,” asked the President of the insurance giant, Galenda Standin.
“We are not making a profit for the overall year.”
“How can that be?” demanded Galenda. “We've got more clients than ever.”
“Yes,” said the accountant, Sam. “But a lot of our clients are also receiving services, which of course we're paying for, and so we're losing money. If we paid a bit less. Let's see, Client 447 is really costing us a lot of money. We can't drop 447 entirely, but we could stop paying the full cost of 447's rather expensive treatment.”
Galenda nodded her assent and a note was made to only pay for the cost of half of patient 447's medical treatment.
And who was patient 447? Patient 447 was Tom Broadback, the single father of four who had a rare blood disorder that required transfusions at least twice a month and occasionally three times. When he was told that Family Health Plans henceforth would only pay for half of his treatment, he practically fainted and would have fallen had his friend George Glemps not been there to catch him.
“We're barely getting by as it is,” gasped Tom. “And now I have to pay for half of my treatment. If it were just me alone, I wouldn't worry, but if I die or become incapacitated, what will happen to the kids. Sam's fifteen, he might be OK, but the others are all preteen, and Duke's only four.”
George nodded and patted his back in sympathy, but said nothing, for there was nothing to say, especially since he'd gotten a similar letter from them regarding his diabetic medication.
“And then,” said Sam, if we didn't pay for patient 513's cosmetic face surgery at all, we could save money there.”
Again, his boss nodded her approval.
Patient 513 was Linda Franciesco, and she hardly viewed the surgery as cosmetic, since her face had been mauled by a rabid dog and then severely burned in a fire, and when she got her letter and then the hospital said tat it wouldn't give treatment without assurance of payment, she set her house on fire deliberately and did not live, almost burning down two neighbors houses with children asleep inside in addition to killing herself.
“And patient 725's prosthetic arms and legs,” said Sam.
“Out,” agreed Galinda. “So, are we turning a profit yet?”
“Not quite, but we're close,” replied Sam. “This will save us a lot.”
Patient 725 was Eddie Ombald, a fourteen year old boy who had lost all four of his limbs in a skiing accident, and when he heard that there would be no replacements, he went on a hunger strike which ultimately lead to his death, breaking his parents' and his boy-friend's hearts.
“If we eliminate pediatric care across the board we'll be in the right place financially,” said Sam.
Galenda merely nodded, no more being necessary.
So all of the children were stripped from the plan, and the children whose parents could afford to just started paying out of pocket. Of those whose parents could not do this, the ones who stayed healthy only had minor difficulties due to no regular check-ups and the treatment given at such times, and those who did get seriously ill died or were permanently incapacitated. But. ..
“We're very far in the black,” Sam told Galenda at the next year's report, and she nodded approvingly.
The accountant at Family Health Plans looked over the books, frowning.
“What's the matter,” asked the President of the insurance giant, Galenda Standin.
“We are not making a profit for the overall year.”
“How can that be?” demanded Galenda. “We've got more clients than ever.”
“Yes,” said the accountant, Sam. “But a lot of our clients are also receiving services, which of course we're paying for, and so we're losing money. If we paid a bit less. Let's see, Client 447 is really costing us a lot of money. We can't drop 447 entirely, but we could stop paying the full cost of 447's rather expensive treatment.”
Galenda nodded her assent and a note was made to only pay for the cost of half of patient 447's medical treatment.
And who was patient 447? Patient 447 was Tom Broadback, the single father of four who had a rare blood disorder that required transfusions at least twice a month and occasionally three times. When he was told that Family Health Plans henceforth would only pay for half of his treatment, he practically fainted and would have fallen had his friend George Glemps not been there to catch him.
“We're barely getting by as it is,” gasped Tom. “And now I have to pay for half of my treatment. If it were just me alone, I wouldn't worry, but if I die or become incapacitated, what will happen to the kids. Sam's fifteen, he might be OK, but the others are all preteen, and Duke's only four.”
George nodded and patted his back in sympathy, but said nothing, for there was nothing to say, especially since he'd gotten a similar letter from them regarding his diabetic medication.
“And then,” said Sam, if we didn't pay for patient 513's cosmetic face surgery at all, we could save money there.”
Again, his boss nodded her approval.
Patient 513 was Linda Franciesco, and she hardly viewed the surgery as cosmetic, since her face had been mauled by a rabid dog and then severely burned in a fire, and when she got her letter and then the hospital said tat it wouldn't give treatment without assurance of payment, she set her house on fire deliberately and did not live, almost burning down two neighbors houses with children asleep inside in addition to killing herself.
“And patient 725's prosthetic arms and legs,” said Sam.
“Out,” agreed Galinda. “So, are we turning a profit yet?”
“Not quite, but we're close,” replied Sam. “This will save us a lot.”
Patient 725 was Eddie Ombald, a fourteen year old boy who had lost all four of his limbs in a skiing accident, and when he heard that there would be no replacements, he went on a hunger strike which ultimately lead to his death, breaking his parents' and his boy-friend's hearts.
“If we eliminate pediatric care across the board we'll be in the right place financially,” said Sam.
Galenda merely nodded, no more being necessary.
So all of the children were stripped from the plan, and the children whose parents could afford to just started paying out of pocket. Of those whose parents could not do this, the ones who stayed healthy only had minor difficulties due to no regular check-ups and the treatment given at such times, and those who did get seriously ill died or were permanently incapacitated. But. ..
“We're very far in the black,” Sam told Galenda at the next year's report, and she nodded approvingly.
Comentary on profits over peope and the letters
So, theinsurancecompanies in my story are ofcourse made up, but the one in the two letters that are posted just before this comentary are not. I did have aclosed head injury in 1984, but the appplication only asked about the past five years andthat was much more than that, and I have not been in and out of the hospital for the past twenty-six years, and so if they had looked at my medical history as a whole rather than onesnippit they would have seen that I am not likely to be an excesssively expensive patent, I haven't been an overnight patient in hospital in more than twenty years, since 1985 when I had the plate taken out of my leg that they put in it in 1984. But even someone who would cost a substatial amount should not bedenied health insurancce because of it, that's supposed to be why we havehealth insurance. So my most recent story clearly shows insurance companies under the old system putting profits over people, and the letters prove that that is in truth the way they did opporae under the old system, the system that some said did not need to be reformed, and clearly shows that anyone who thought and or thinks that simply has not been paying attention. The letters prove the truth of the story, and of all thestories on this blog, and thestories prove that health care reform was needed and not only needed but morally imparative, and I challenge any who disagree to prove their case in acomment on this entry, and beyond that I think the letters and the stories above speak for themselves ad do so much better than anthing further I can say here and so that ends this comentary, with theabove letters proving the case made beyond doubt in the stories above them, so now I end this comentary.
GoldenRule"
^
December 19, 2001
Matthew L Beckett
3806BrookfieldDr
Arlington TX 76001-5282
Identification No.: 054514928
Insured: Matthew Beckett
Claimant: Matthew Beckett
Dear Mr. Beckett:
On December 17, 2001, we notified you that your certificate has been voided due to
material misstatements in your application. As we explained in that letter, the enclosed
check represents a refund of all premiums paid on your certificate.
If any further premiums are still in the collection system, they will be promptly
refunded to you as soon as they are received and identified.
Please note that there is a release on the back of your premium check. By cashing the
enclosed check, you are accepting Golden Rule's decision to void your certificate.
Golden Rule will have no further liability for your expenses.
Failure to cash your premium refund check will be deemed a rejection of our
decision to void your coverage. Golden Rule may then file a declaratory judgment
action in a court of competent jurisdiction to determine our rights under the
policy/certificate.
Sincerely,
Claims Review Analyst
Enclosure
Golden Rule Insurance Comp<
Home Office
712 Eleventh Street
Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439
¥Q (618)943-8000
www.goldenrule.com
Golden Rule Insurance Company
Golden Rule Building
7440 Woodland Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46278-1719
S-017) 297-4123
www.eoldenrule.com
^
December 19, 2001
Matthew L Beckett
3806BrookfieldDr
Arlington TX 76001-5282
Identification No.: 054514928
Insured: Matthew Beckett
Claimant: Matthew Beckett
Dear Mr. Beckett:
On December 17, 2001, we notified you that your certificate has been voided due to
material misstatements in your application. As we explained in that letter, the enclosed
check represents a refund of all premiums paid on your certificate.
If any further premiums are still in the collection system, they will be promptly
refunded to you as soon as they are received and identified.
Please note that there is a release on the back of your premium check. By cashing the
enclosed check, you are accepting Golden Rule's decision to void your certificate.
Golden Rule will have no further liability for your expenses.
Failure to cash your premium refund check will be deemed a rejection of our
decision to void your coverage. Golden Rule may then file a declaratory judgment
action in a court of competent jurisdiction to determine our rights under the
policy/certificate.
Sincerely,
Claims Review Analyst
Enclosure
Golden Rule Insurance Comp<
Home Office
712 Eleventh Street
Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439
¥Q (618)943-8000
www.goldenrule.com
Golden Rule Insurance Company
Golden Rule Building
7440 Woodland Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46278-1719
S-017) 297-4123
www.eoldenrule.com
GoldenRule8
December 17, 2001
Matthew L Beckett
3806BrookfieldDr
Arlington TX 76001-5282
Identification No.: 054514928
Insured: Matthew Beckett
Claimant: Matthew Beckett
Dear Mr. Beckett:
Your request for benefits has been reviewed very carefully.
Before an insurance certificate can be issued, it is necessary that a formal application be
completed. This is the only thing we have to tell us if an applicant is eligible and if a
certificate can be issued.
If the application is approved, a copy of it is attached and made part of the certificate.
This is done so the insured can check the answers and notify the company if any are
incorrect. On the front of the certificate there is a warning, in bold face type, to "Check
the Attached Application." The warning goes on to state, "Please read the copy of the
application attached to your policy. If it is not complete or has an error, please let us
know immediately. An incorrect application may cause your coverage under the policy
to be voided or a claim to be reduced or denied."
During the course of investigating your claim, medical records were requested and
received from Dr. Bradley Wasson at Family Healthcare Associates and Hanger
Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc. These medical records indicate significant medical history
that was not reported on your application for insurance coverage. The medical records
from Dr. Wasson indicate that you have a history of a closed head injury with residual
neurological disorders, wasting of the muscles in your right hand and a decrease in the
right kidney function. You were seen on November 22, 1999, with indication of
hyperreflexive reflexes and on December 4, 2000, (the day before you completed your
application) with notation ofcontractures developing on both feet. You were then
Golden Rule Insurance Company
Home Office
712 Eleventh Street
Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439
¥S- (618)943-8000
www.goldenrule.com
Golden Rule Insurance Company
Golden Rule Building
7440 Woodland Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46278-1719
¥S" (317) 297-4123
www.goldenrule.com
Matthew L Beckett
Page 2
December 17, 2001
referred for a walking stick/cane evaluation. If you would like to review your medical
records, please contact Dr. Wasson.
According to this information, your response to the following application questions
were incorrect or incomplete: 17, 18d, 2 Id, 23 and 28. Enclosed is a copy of the
application for your reference.
Based on the above, material misstatements were made on your application for
insurance. Therefore, Golden Rule is exercising its right to rescind your coverage.
Your certificate has been voided; it has been set aside from the date of issue, as though
it was never in effect. Any premium presently in the collection system, as well as all
other premiums paid, will be refunded to you shortly.
The claims submitted for you are currently being denied due to the voidance of your
certificate. In addition, we reserve all rights under the contract of insurance including
those under the Preexisting Conditions provision.
Failure to cash your premium refund check will be deemed a rejection of our
decision to void your coverage. Golden Rule may then file a declaratory judgment
action in a court of competent jurisdiction to determine our rights under the
policy/certificate.
Golden Rule will no longer be able to collect your Federation of American Consumers
and Travelers (FACT) membership dues. To avoid any concerns you may have about
your refund amount, your premium refund check includes the amount we collected on
behalf of FACT. We have not recovered this amount from FACT. You are still a
member. If you wish to remain a member, you should arrange to send your payments
directly to FACT. Their toll free number is 1-800-USA-FACT (1-800-272-3228), or
you may write to them at:
FACT
Membership Service Office
P.O. Box 104
Edwardsville, IL 62025
December 17, 2001
Matthew L Beckett
3806BrookfieldDr
Arlington TX 76001-5282
Identification No.: 054514928
Insured: Matthew Beckett
Claimant: Matthew Beckett
Dear Mr. Beckett:
Your request for benefits has been reviewed very carefully.
Before an insurance certificate can be issued, it is necessary that a formal application be
completed. This is the only thing we have to tell us if an applicant is eligible and if a
certificate can be issued.
If the application is approved, a copy of it is attached and made part of the certificate.
This is done so the insured can check the answers and notify the company if any are
incorrect. On the front of the certificate there is a warning, in bold face type, to "Check
the Attached Application." The warning goes on to state, "Please read the copy of the
application attached to your policy. If it is not complete or has an error, please let us
know immediately. An incorrect application may cause your coverage under the policy
to be voided or a claim to be reduced or denied."
During the course of investigating your claim, medical records were requested and
received from Dr. Bradley Wasson at Family Healthcare Associates and Hanger
Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc. These medical records indicate significant medical history
that was not reported on your application for insurance coverage. The medical records
from Dr. Wasson indicate that you have a history of a closed head injury with residual
neurological disorders, wasting of the muscles in your right hand and a decrease in the
right kidney function. You were seen on November 22, 1999, with indication of
hyperreflexive reflexes and on December 4, 2000, (the day before you completed your
application) with notation ofcontractures developing on both feet. You were then
Golden Rule Insurance Company
Home Office
712 Eleventh Street
Lawrenceville, Illinois 62439
¥S- (618)943-8000
www.goldenrule.com
Golden Rule Insurance Company
Golden Rule Building
7440 Woodland Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46278-1719
¥S" (317) 297-4123
www.goldenrule.com
Matthew L Beckett
Page 2
December 17, 2001
referred for a walking stick/cane evaluation. If you would like to review your medical
records, please contact Dr. Wasson.
According to this information, your response to the following application questions
were incorrect or incomplete: 17, 18d, 2 Id, 23 and 28. Enclosed is a copy of the
application for your reference.
Based on the above, material misstatements were made on your application for
insurance. Therefore, Golden Rule is exercising its right to rescind your coverage.
Your certificate has been voided; it has been set aside from the date of issue, as though
it was never in effect. Any premium presently in the collection system, as well as all
other premiums paid, will be refunded to you shortly.
The claims submitted for you are currently being denied due to the voidance of your
certificate. In addition, we reserve all rights under the contract of insurance including
those under the Preexisting Conditions provision.
Failure to cash your premium refund check will be deemed a rejection of our
decision to void your coverage. Golden Rule may then file a declaratory judgment
action in a court of competent jurisdiction to determine our rights under the
policy/certificate.
Golden Rule will no longer be able to collect your Federation of American Consumers
and Travelers (FACT) membership dues. To avoid any concerns you may have about
your refund amount, your premium refund check includes the amount we collected on
behalf of FACT. We have not recovered this amount from FACT. You are still a
member. If you wish to remain a member, you should arrange to send your payments
directly to FACT. Their toll free number is 1-800-USA-FACT (1-800-272-3228), or
you may write to them at:
FACT
Membership Service Office
P.O. Box 104
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Friday, September 10, 2010
Profits over People
PROFITS OVER PEOPLE.
The Representatives of Our Policy Is Profit, Silver Law, Orange Moon and Mountains Out of Health Mole Hills met in the grand suit of the Hotel's Conference Center and shook hands, even though they were not fond of each other personally or professionally.
“But we have a bigger problem than each other at the moment,” said the president of Our Policy Is Profit, Mr. Greenbackhand.
“Yes,” said the president of Mountains Out of Health Mole Hills, Mrs. Goldnuggetheart. “This pending new law that we have to even cover those whom may file substantial claims. Much as my company would like to take all of each of your companies' profitable business, if we have to ensure those with potential and even actual health. . .issues, our profits will go down considerably, and that will dissatisfy our stock holders greatly.”
“Yes,” agreed John Don Conn, CEO of Orange Moon. “So we must pool our resources in order to ensure our continued profits.”
“So tonight we form The Profits Over People Private Insurance Pool,”said Joe Jean Caching, head of Silver Law. “To stop reform if we can, and delay, reduce if possible and undo it if not. Any ideas?”
“Well,” said the Mr. Greenbackhand “A few months back, my company successfully denied coverage to a little boy with kidney failure by saying that he was not viable long term because his kidney type was a difficult match. So saying covering all Americans will lead to prolonged pain and suffering for those with difficult conditions to treat is one argument we could make to the public. And anyone with a preexisting health condition is probably not viable long term anyway.”
“True,” said the president of Silver Law, Mr. Caching. “If they were viable long term, they would be profitable to cover, or at least, if they were profitable to cover, they would be viable long term.”
They all laughed at this. Then turned serious once more.
“So we've got that,” said Mr. Conn. “What else?'
“We could say it's unconstitutional to compel citizens to purchase something which may very well someday be vital to their health and financial survival,” mused the Vice President of Mountains Out of Health Mole Hills, half to himself. All of the others gave him a very strange look. “Of course leaving out all of the last,” he quickly added. “We could just say it infringes on personal liberty.” under his breath he added “Never mind that without one's health one has no liberty.”
Failing to hear this, the others forged ahead.
“It costs too much to ensure those who will likely never be able to contribute to society anyway.”
“Why give life sustaining treatment to someone who will probably never contribute to society due to disease anyway.”
“If we're forced to care for these people, we'll go bankrupt and then no one will have coverage.”
“We'll lose our twelve estates and, no wait, that won't convince anyone but us that covering everyone is a bad idea.”
“But that's why we must defeat decent affordable health care for all,” said the same vice president (...) “To ensure that we can keep reeling in the profits, which means we must avoid any customers we'll have to pay for the care of since they would cut into our profits.”
At this point the others in the room decided this vice president must be not truly on their side and threw him out, and so he could not provide any more details of this meeting, but what is here says enough.
COMENTARY
As someone with a preexisting condition who has been denied coverage because of it, despite the fact that it was an auto-pedestrian accident in 1984 and I have not had recurring health issues over the past 26 years, I see the old system that puts profits above people as practicing the love of money, which is immoral, and so those who intend to fight reform now that it is happening, I urge to take a very hard look inside their consciences before fighting for the love of money, but if they choose to fight on there is at least one voice, A Voice In The Wilderness, who will fight them every quarter step of the way, and so the gauntlet is cast, and that is all that I have to say tonight.
The Representatives of Our Policy Is Profit, Silver Law, Orange Moon and Mountains Out of Health Mole Hills met in the grand suit of the Hotel's Conference Center and shook hands, even though they were not fond of each other personally or professionally.
“But we have a bigger problem than each other at the moment,” said the president of Our Policy Is Profit, Mr. Greenbackhand.
“Yes,” said the president of Mountains Out of Health Mole Hills, Mrs. Goldnuggetheart. “This pending new law that we have to even cover those whom may file substantial claims. Much as my company would like to take all of each of your companies' profitable business, if we have to ensure those with potential and even actual health. . .issues, our profits will go down considerably, and that will dissatisfy our stock holders greatly.”
“Yes,” agreed John Don Conn, CEO of Orange Moon. “So we must pool our resources in order to ensure our continued profits.”
“So tonight we form The Profits Over People Private Insurance Pool,”said Joe Jean Caching, head of Silver Law. “To stop reform if we can, and delay, reduce if possible and undo it if not. Any ideas?”
“Well,” said the Mr. Greenbackhand “A few months back, my company successfully denied coverage to a little boy with kidney failure by saying that he was not viable long term because his kidney type was a difficult match. So saying covering all Americans will lead to prolonged pain and suffering for those with difficult conditions to treat is one argument we could make to the public. And anyone with a preexisting health condition is probably not viable long term anyway.”
“True,” said the president of Silver Law, Mr. Caching. “If they were viable long term, they would be profitable to cover, or at least, if they were profitable to cover, they would be viable long term.”
They all laughed at this. Then turned serious once more.
“So we've got that,” said Mr. Conn. “What else?'
“We could say it's unconstitutional to compel citizens to purchase something which may very well someday be vital to their health and financial survival,” mused the Vice President of Mountains Out of Health Mole Hills, half to himself. All of the others gave him a very strange look. “Of course leaving out all of the last,” he quickly added. “We could just say it infringes on personal liberty.” under his breath he added “Never mind that without one's health one has no liberty.”
Failing to hear this, the others forged ahead.
“It costs too much to ensure those who will likely never be able to contribute to society anyway.”
“Why give life sustaining treatment to someone who will probably never contribute to society due to disease anyway.”
“If we're forced to care for these people, we'll go bankrupt and then no one will have coverage.”
“We'll lose our twelve estates and, no wait, that won't convince anyone but us that covering everyone is a bad idea.”
“But that's why we must defeat decent affordable health care for all,” said the same vice president (...) “To ensure that we can keep reeling in the profits, which means we must avoid any customers we'll have to pay for the care of since they would cut into our profits.”
At this point the others in the room decided this vice president must be not truly on their side and threw him out, and so he could not provide any more details of this meeting, but what is here says enough.
COMENTARY
As someone with a preexisting condition who has been denied coverage because of it, despite the fact that it was an auto-pedestrian accident in 1984 and I have not had recurring health issues over the past 26 years, I see the old system that puts profits above people as practicing the love of money, which is immoral, and so those who intend to fight reform now that it is happening, I urge to take a very hard look inside their consciences before fighting for the love of money, but if they choose to fight on there is at least one voice, A Voice In The Wilderness, who will fight them every quarter step of the way, and so the gauntlet is cast, and that is all that I have to say tonight.
Ccommentary on AND THE BYPASS, SOLD! TO A CHILD
A man hating woman buying a male cancer exam, men with no female connection buying a female cancer exam, people with healthy legs buying a leg transplant, and a boy who obviously has decades before he will need a heart bypass buying one and refusing to share it with a man who actually needs it. This may seem harsh, and it is. But that's how a system that puts profits before people opporates, and that's how the old system, thesystem that somesaid needed no reform, opporated. Denying coverage to someone for an alement that they need to be treated for in order to cut medical costs and increase profits by an insurance business is no different than selling amale cancer exam to a man hating woman because she put in the highest bid, selling afemale canccer exam to males with no female connection because they put in the highest bid, selling aleg transplant to someone with two perfectly intact and healthy legs because they put in thehighest bid, or selling atriple bypass surgery to a perfectly healthy boy because he put in the highest bid, even when there is a man present who actually has a heart condition. This story exposes the old system for the profits ovcer people thing that it was, and puts in stark relief howcorrupt such a system is, but that isthesystem that some said did not need to bereformed. This story, more than any previous one, clearly exposes the old system for what it was and clearly exposes anyone who sayshealth care reform was not needed to either have no heart or have not been paying attention, for those who have been paying attention, especially those who know someone who has partially or entirely been denied coverage, will recognize this story as the way the old system in fact did work, and will recognize it as not the way we ought to treat one another. Therefore, anyone who thinks the old system was fine and did not needto be reformed, should read 'AND THE BYPASS SOLD! TO A CHILD' again and very carefully and know that someone they know has been on the losing end of thismetaphoric auction and in some way been denied necessary medical care for monitary reasons, perhaps not resultiing in adeath, but resulting in some manner of injury or disability that could have been avoided if human life and well being had counted for more than money, asshould be the case. So health cae needs soldat an auction to the highest biddder isa harsh indigtment of the oldsystem, but an accurate one. And some say no changes were needed to that? How Can they? How can anyone say that a system that would let cancer screenings only be done for the highest bidder, especially since early detection generatesthe best survival rates, that would let transplants only be given to the highrst bidder and that would let life-saving heart bypass surgery only be given to the highest bidder was fine as it was and did not need to bereformed?
Friday, September 3, 2010
“AND.THE BYPASS, SOLD, TO A CHILD!”
The auction house that night was packed, for there was a rumor that a quadruple bypass would be among the items sold that night, and everyone wanted to have that handy, “just in case” as they liked to say.
The auctioneer walked to the podium. “We'll start tonight's auction with a testicular cancer exam,” he announced. “Let's open the bidding at five hundred. Do I hear five hundred?”
A youth of no more than twenty raised his hand. “Five hundred!” he shouted.
From there, the auctioneer was in his element.
“Five Hundred. Do I hear six hundred?”
“Six Hundred,” shouted an elderly man who looked like he might actually make some use of it in the near future.
“Six hundred,” said the auctioneer. “Do I hear . ?”
“Seven hundred,” shouted the youth from before.
Before the auctioneer could even repeat this a woman wearing a shirt that read “All men are scum and I wouldn't give one even the time of day even if my soul depended on it” stood up.
“One Thousand,” she said.
“Two thousand,” said the old man.
“A hundred thousand,” said the woman.
Everyone froze. This was a woman who wanted this exam and was going to own it one way or another.
“But why?” said the old man. “You obviously have no man in your life, so why do you want it? What will you do with it?”
“Keep all scum like you from ever getting it,” she answered harshly. “And no, I won't share it or in any way give you a chance to get it.”
The old man sat down, appalled at her total disregard for any life but her own.
“Sold, to the man hater,” said the auctioneer, and she walked up to claim her prize.
“Next, we have a vaginal cancer screening test up for auction. Let's start the bidding at five hundred again.”
“Seven hundred,” shouted an older woman.
“One thousand,” shouted the youth from before.
“One thousand,” said the auctioneer, but before he could go further there was another bid.
“Five Hundred Thousand,” said a different young woman.
All of the older women sat in stunned silence. Then. . .
“One million,” shouted a pair of men that were obviously a gay couple.
“One million, from the men who clearly have no women at all in their lives. Going once, going twice, SOLD, to the two people in this audience least likely to ever need it.”
The two men made no argument with any of this as they walked u;p and claimed their prize.
“Next up we have a leg transplant, so we'll start the bidding at one thousand. . .”
“One thousand,” said a man with only one leg.
Before the auctioneer could even respond, a young woman who obviously had two fully functional legs stood up. “Five hundred Thousand,” she said. “Man this country is great. I can buy this even though I don't need it.”
And she was right, for while a man with one leg in a wheelchair swore bitterly under his breath, none even tried to outbid her.
“Next we have a full face transplant. We'll start the bidding at five-hundred thousand. This will only be good for two weeks before the face spoils, so someone who already needs one or knows omeone who does would be”the auctioneer began.
“One and a half million,” said a woman with a perfectly normal and intact and even beautiful face.
Before the auctioneer could say a word, a young man with half his face gone and the other half badly mutilated stood up. “Five Million,” he said.
The woman gasped and sat down.
“Five million from the man with only half of a badly mutilated face. Going once, going. . .”
“One Hundred million,” said a very handsome young man whose face was obviously in perfect condition and totally intact.
Everyone else sat down, stunned, and so it went to him, and he refused to share it in any way with the man who actually did have a ruined face.
“Lastly, we have a triple bypass heart operation. Let's start the bidding at. . .”
“Fifty Thousand dollars,” said woman who looked far too young to be thinking about this.
Before the auctioneer could respond a man stood up. “Since I actually have a heart condition I'll bid a hundred thousand.”
“Two hundred thousand,” said a boy who looked in top shape but was known to have no living family or friends to speak of. “And I'll not share it if I win it.”
None could outbid that, and so the auctioneer pointed at him and said “SOLD!”
Moments later, the man who had a heart condition collapsed clutching his chest.
“Quick, give us the bypass” said a doctor who had been at the auction.
“No,” said the boy. “I told you, it's mine and I'll not share.”
“But you have no heart condition while this man is dying.”
The boy shrugged indifferently. “Not my problem,” and turned to walk away just as the man's death cry echoed through the auction house.
The auction house that night was packed, for there was a rumor that a quadruple bypass would be among the items sold that night, and everyone wanted to have that handy, “just in case” as they liked to say.
The auctioneer walked to the podium. “We'll start tonight's auction with a testicular cancer exam,” he announced. “Let's open the bidding at five hundred. Do I hear five hundred?”
A youth of no more than twenty raised his hand. “Five hundred!” he shouted.
From there, the auctioneer was in his element.
“Five Hundred. Do I hear six hundred?”
“Six Hundred,” shouted an elderly man who looked like he might actually make some use of it in the near future.
“Six hundred,” said the auctioneer. “Do I hear . ?”
“Seven hundred,” shouted the youth from before.
Before the auctioneer could even repeat this a woman wearing a shirt that read “All men are scum and I wouldn't give one even the time of day even if my soul depended on it” stood up.
“One Thousand,” she said.
“Two thousand,” said the old man.
“A hundred thousand,” said the woman.
Everyone froze. This was a woman who wanted this exam and was going to own it one way or another.
“But why?” said the old man. “You obviously have no man in your life, so why do you want it? What will you do with it?”
“Keep all scum like you from ever getting it,” she answered harshly. “And no, I won't share it or in any way give you a chance to get it.”
The old man sat down, appalled at her total disregard for any life but her own.
“Sold, to the man hater,” said the auctioneer, and she walked up to claim her prize.
“Next, we have a vaginal cancer screening test up for auction. Let's start the bidding at five hundred again.”
“Seven hundred,” shouted an older woman.
“One thousand,” shouted the youth from before.
“One thousand,” said the auctioneer, but before he could go further there was another bid.
“Five Hundred Thousand,” said a different young woman.
All of the older women sat in stunned silence. Then. . .
“One million,” shouted a pair of men that were obviously a gay couple.
“One million, from the men who clearly have no women at all in their lives. Going once, going twice, SOLD, to the two people in this audience least likely to ever need it.”
The two men made no argument with any of this as they walked u;p and claimed their prize.
“Next up we have a leg transplant, so we'll start the bidding at one thousand. . .”
“One thousand,” said a man with only one leg.
Before the auctioneer could even respond, a young woman who obviously had two fully functional legs stood up. “Five hundred Thousand,” she said. “Man this country is great. I can buy this even though I don't need it.”
And she was right, for while a man with one leg in a wheelchair swore bitterly under his breath, none even tried to outbid her.
“Next we have a full face transplant. We'll start the bidding at five-hundred thousand. This will only be good for two weeks before the face spoils, so someone who already needs one or knows omeone who does would be”the auctioneer began.
“One and a half million,” said a woman with a perfectly normal and intact and even beautiful face.
Before the auctioneer could say a word, a young man with half his face gone and the other half badly mutilated stood up. “Five Million,” he said.
The woman gasped and sat down.
“Five million from the man with only half of a badly mutilated face. Going once, going. . .”
“One Hundred million,” said a very handsome young man whose face was obviously in perfect condition and totally intact.
Everyone else sat down, stunned, and so it went to him, and he refused to share it in any way with the man who actually did have a ruined face.
“Lastly, we have a triple bypass heart operation. Let's start the bidding at. . .”
“Fifty Thousand dollars,” said woman who looked far too young to be thinking about this.
Before the auctioneer could respond a man stood up. “Since I actually have a heart condition I'll bid a hundred thousand.”
“Two hundred thousand,” said a boy who looked in top shape but was known to have no living family or friends to speak of. “And I'll not share it if I win it.”
None could outbid that, and so the auctioneer pointed at him and said “SOLD!”
Moments later, the man who had a heart condition collapsed clutching his chest.
“Quick, give us the bypass” said a doctor who had been at the auction.
“No,” said the boy. “I told you, it's mine and I'll not share.”
“But you have no heart condition while this man is dying.”
The boy shrugged indifferently. “Not my problem,” and turned to walk away just as the man's death cry echoed through the auction house.
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