The Senate Doctors Show, Episode 7, 07/30/09

[purlsbeforeswine]

He retired, and part of his reasons were that the amount of governmental BS associated with the job had increased to the point where being a doctor was just becoming a chore. For 2 years, he refused to go shopping with us because patients would stop him, tell him how great he was, and complain about the restrictions they had to deal with now in terms of access and quality.

[terrasears]

My daughter has government insurance and blue cross blue shield. Blue cross is by far the bigger pain in the rear... I have had zero problems with her governmental care. However, blue cross blue shield tries to deny every claim... So I am not sure that I buy that argument...

[terrasears]

Oh and she has an autoimmune disease... She looses both types of insurance when she turns 18, with a preexisting condition... A lifetime of not being able to pay her bills, (either insurance if the preexisting condition stuff passes) or the actual doctor (if the legislation doesn't pass.) Many people like her, they need the hand up... Otherwise they will live with hand outs their entire lives.

[purlsbeforeswine]

My step-father who was a retired internal medicine doctor in CT, told me the same thing you are saying about medicare. It does not actually cover expenses on a large number of tests. It is extremely cumbersome in terms of paperwork.

[purlsbeforeswine]

I see the trolls have found you. I read the Associated Press reports on the web, and found that democrats are outspending republicans 2 to 1 for their bill. I appreciate actual information on the bill, rather than the name-calling above. I found the bill on the web, and I'm going thru it 20 pages at a time.

[terrasears]

Washington Post - The hirings are part of a record-breaking influence campaign by the health-care industry, which is spending more than $1.4 million a day on lobbying in the current fight, according to disclosure records. And even in a city where lobbying is a part of life, ... For example, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) doubled its spending to nearly $7 million in the first quarter of 2009, followed by Pfizer, with more than $6 million.

[terrasears]

I am SO proud that my Senator can be bought and paid for... So proud of you Barrasso, don't worry I plan on letting everyone in my family know how proud I am, and my friends... :) I am sure you will get voted back in with our help... :)

[terrasears]

don't lie... you "senate doctors' aren't worried about rationing. we have a HUGE amount of rationing here already. instead of the government it is the money and the insurance companies that do it, but it is still rationing... here is a legitimate question for you, how much money has the insurance people (in any venue) donated to you(question mark)

[gzwebdiver]

How much money have the unions, the ACLU, the American Socialist groups and other Communists donated to Obama and the Dems to get these Socialist programs (like Govt. Health Care) pushed forward against the will of the people?

[terrasears]

The reality is most of us want single payer. I know not everyone does. However, with about seventy percent of us wanting it, something needs done...

It isn't about the lobbies, other than my senator (Barrasso) was someone that I was generally impressed with. Someone that generally I could agree with. On this subject, he won't even look past politics, If he was to look and have a real argument, even if I didn't agree I would stand up for him. However, he isn't.

[TheTurtle5517]

My husband is retired from a Civil Service job and we are on Medicare. We also have our Health Insurance through the Civil Service with GEHA. We pay part of the premium and the government pays the rest of the premium. I would like to know if the government will probably just switch us to the lower cost program against our wishes? This really scares us as we like what we have and don't want to change. Please reply as this will effect lots of people like us. Thanks

Marei Tuttle, Woodsboro, TX

[terrasears]

These questions can't honestly be answered as the bill isn't written or done. However, for intentions those aren't there. Medicare would stay the same (with a few reforms that make sense), the other program would essentially be an extension of medicare to those that want it. the public option is essentially allowing everyone to buy their own medicare at any age... It would save everyone money though as there would be a greater amount of people that aren't sick on it (rather than as is today.)

[gzwebdiver]

What have YOU been smoking? If you REALLY believe this, I've got some swamp land in Florida that I'd like to sell you.

[terrasears]

there is a website titled conservatives for single payer(which is the best system by far). also there is pnhp.both of these explain the idea, and why it is really a fiscally conservative idea. :) we essentially pay for single payer the way the market is currently, we just don't get it. (explanations on both of those sites.)