Healthcare - Part 2

So what's my point? Why should we too have a socialized health care system? Because the proposed plan will help us in the following ways:
- An electronic database will allow all practitioners to maintain more accurate files - which ensures better safety for you! Doctors will be less likely to miss important information, and can update your medical records instantly- allowing for better communication between practitioners as well insurance companies (which may or may not be eliminated all-together.)
- A wider range of coverage.
- More affordable prescriptions.
- Prevention programs so we can AVOID problems before they start!
- Lower patient costs
- More research, less waste.

Opposition to this plan seems rather weak to me. For example, some worry that electronic records mean the government will be spying on our every move, that it means less privacy and less security (black hat--"bad" hackers - but really - "Oh no! Now he knows I liked about my broken leg!" Hi, my name is Encryption. Use me. Have a nice day.). Believe me, I hate the idea of Big Brother as much as the next person. That Patriot Act bullshit was the worst thing I've ever heard. But electronic records are a considerably better option, especially considering that the alternative (that was and I believe still is being discussed) could be implanted microchips - you know, the same ones people have been putting in their dogs to track them? There are some seriously considering putting the RFIDS in children! Your credit cards and passports already have RFIDS, so why not your children too? Imagine, every fucking aspect of your life tracked by government satellites! Now doesn't that database sound just a little bit better? Just think of it as an online bank account. No matter where you go, all of your information is a few clicks and a password away. Switching doctors? No problem at all. The only real concern I have with this system is the supermarket card- if they should connect the systems. Over the past few years there has also been talk of insurance companies monitoring the food we buy in order to decide who to insure. As if there weren't enough reasons to be paranoid in this country, now even buying a box of Cap'n Crunch every once in a while can have disastrous effects on our life. Yay. Go America. It's not the fault of the poor that all of the food they can afford is full of sugar and fat and preservatives - we all do the best we can with what we can. I shop at Whole Foods (although they're really no better than Pathmark or Acme... they just have a wider variety of "natural" foods than most stores) when I can afford to, buy organic when I can. But yes, on a Friday night, don't be surprised if I'm sitting at home in front of the TV with a 99 cent bag of potato chips and a $3 frozen pizza. But really, I digress.

For more information, do some research, or leave a comment requesting my sources. I did an extensive (read "graduate level") research project on this, so I have plenty of data, including a comprehensive Powerpoint overview. My project presents a reformed healthcare system, based on the Obama health-care plan and the systems of 5-10 other countries (I don't remember how many actually made it into the Powerpoint itself...), and also includes various aspects not addressed by Obama or other American socialist groups, as well as amendments and areas for improvement. I also outline a full budget for the plan that takes into consideration current spending and taxation - and guess what else? My plan requires NO TAX HIKE. IT CAN BE DONE!!! (I'm not an expert, apparently just an overly pretentious college student, but once you see my plan and my sources, you'll understand that it really is a plausible and feasible plan.) Also, Michael Moore's fim Sicko (while all too clearly biased) is a good starting point for anyone completely unfamiliar with the issues presented here.

A personal note: My mother was uninsured for quite some time over the last few years. She finally found a plan (with a VERY well known company) that she could afford. Last summer, my mother had to have surgery to fix torn cartilage in her knee. She had only had her new insurance plan for a few weeks, but the company assured her that the surgery was completely covered and that everything, including post-surgical rehab would be taken care of - so she went through with it. A few weeks later, a bill arrived for over $20,000 - the insurance company had decided AFTER the surgery that it was a pre-existing condition and would not be covered. Now my mother is again without insurance and owes $20,000 for a minor surgery. What a wonderful world we live in. A reminder - this affects us ALL.

And really, wouldn't you want your tax dollars spent on something useful for a change???