So, will this administration also fail in its attempts to reform the healthcare system? The current proposals for healthcare reform have created an uproar in many communities. One of the many hurdles in gaining acceptance of any healthcare reform proposal is that 80% of Americans are pleased with their health insurance and are generally satisfied with the care they receive. These insured individuals fear change. Yet, the US spends twice as much per person as do the 10 next richest countries in the world. But still, 1 out of 6 Americans under the age of 65 are uninsured or worse are uninsurable.

For those who are blessed to be insured, proposals that threaten to change the status quo are viewed with great suspicion. It doesn’t seem to matter that 40 million Americans are without healthcare. There doesn’t seem to be great concern that if the costs for healthcare continue to rise, our country will be in financial ruin. The American public just doesn’t like change and healthcare reform represents change that the most vocal just aren’t willing to accept. We will have to see if we will be part of history – either by having FAILED again or by reforming a broken healthcare system.

I think most of us know that Healthcare Reform has been an important focus for President Obama. With 40 million plus Americans uninsured and the costs of healthcare totally out of control, it seems now is the time to change the system. But guess what? The discussion about Healthcare Reform started back in 1912.

President Teddy Roosevelt introduced a platform calling for national health insurance. Then in 1934 President Franklin Roosevelt considered Universal Health coverage as part of the Social Security Act. Presidents including Truman, Carter, Ford, Clinton and both Bushes introduced various proposals for healthcare reform with Universal coverage as the goal. All of these proposals had one thing in common – they FAILED.

8 common myths about healthcare reform

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.

Learn more and get details:
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

1. Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
6. Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
7. Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
8. 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.

Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

So, I decided to go to the source. I went to the White House’s website to get the facts. My next couple of posts will be from that website and will be titled Health Insurance Reform – Reality Check. 

Now, there are those who really don’t believe anything that comes from the White House as being fact so I’ve included links to websites  that independently track political truths, myths and lies. Here are two of the most reputable fact checker websites:

Politifact

Fact Check

As a registered nurse, I personally believe there needs to be reform of our current health insurance system. What form it will take is something I definitely need to continue to monitor and share. That’s my responsibility to myself and to each of you who read my blog. Your comments are welcome.