We should morally do what's right when it comes to health care for all Americans. The moral argument is getting us no where as town hall meetings erupt like volcanoes. Now the public option is sinking faster than the Titanic. We're concerned more about wealth than health. If you can't beat them, then let's join them. Let's place the focus of the health care reform on money. A recent study by Timothy Waidmann at the Urban Institute estimates the increased costs due to racial and ethnic health disparitites is almost $24 billion in 2009. Right now there are almost 10 million Americans, depending on who's counting, without health insurance. We know the lack of affordable and quality health care results in poor health. Some would say, who cares. What the town hall erupters failed to realize is there is a higher cost for poor health. Simply put, it's not cheaper to keep us in poor health or uninsured. According to Mr. Waidmann's study, the racial and ethnic health disparity among … [Read more...] about Health Care: It’s All About The Money
LegalSpeaks Blog
GIVE A SISTA A HEALTH CARE BREAK!
Michelle Obama got it right this past week. She paused for a moment to advocate for health care reform for women. Women make up a disproportionate number of those who are without health care insurance. Many are the primary breadwinner, sole breadwinner, work part time and work in jobs with no health benefits. Employer paid health insurance is quite different than buying coverage on the open market. On the open market, it's outright war. Many legal obstacles exist for women in securing non-employer paid insurance. Plus, there's a bias against women in the health care insurance industry. The insurance gods deliberately make it difficult for many women to obtain insurance. It is legal in nine states and the District of Columbia for insurance companies to reject applicants for health coverage in areas related to women. Victims of domestic abuse can be denied coverage. Pregnant applicants can be denied coverage due to what they call a pre-existing condition. Yet, even a past … [Read more...] about GIVE A SISTA A HEALTH CARE BREAK!
YOU LIE, YOU’RE FIRED!
Imagine if during the annual meeting of a major corporation, a senior executive shouted "you lie" to the CEO while he was speaking. Imagine if your co-worker or supervisor shouted the same words to your boss during a meeting. What about if a nun shouted "you lie" to the Priest during communion service. Imagine if a deacon said "you lie" to the Pastor while he was preaching. Would anyone ever say those words to a Rabbi speaking during high holy services? We all find these examples to be outrageous, offensive, disruptive, disrespectful and deliberate. Let's put them in the context of Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) shouting "you lie" during President Obama's speech before the joint session of Congress. Why isn't everyone outraged at these antics? His repugnant act goes beyond bad manners. And no, I don't buy for one minute that he accidentally blurted out those words. Everyone regardless of race, age, sex or party affiliation should be outraged at the outlandish act of Rep. Wilson (R-S.C.). … [Read more...] about YOU LIE, YOU’RE FIRED!
Mr. President Please Put Patient Safety First
Shakespeare once said let’s kill all the lawyers. Many people still think that trial lawyers are the root of all our problems. Trial lawyers are blamed for causing doctors to go out of business due to sky high medical insurance premiums and costs. Of course, it’s the trial lawyers who sue when patients have been catastrophically injured or died by the hands of doctors. And the argument is these trials, lawyers and judgments drive doctors out of business. Letting “bad” doctors or negligent doctors and hospitals off the hook is not the answer either. There must be a balance between patient safety and the costs of doctors able to practice medicine. But in reality lawyers and doctors have more in common than one might think. If either group could look beyond their own faces, they would see the enemy. We are not causing the problem. The real culprits are not doctors nor lawyers in causing the medical crisis problems. The real culprits are the insurance companies. Running a … [Read more...] about Mr. President Please Put Patient Safety First
Ted Kennedy Was One Of Us
I've often read about the Kennedy family mystic. There was nothing mystical about Ted Kennedy. He was one of us. He fought for African Americans, women and everyone in between. He helped to pass more race based and women legislation than anyone else in the last 40 years. He championed causes of justice. He fought for justice for all. I met Senator Kennedy at American University in 2008 when he and other members of his family endorsed Barack Obama for the presidency. It was a moment of historic proportions. Senator Kennedy was eloquent and moving in his endorsement for President Obama, the first African American president. I will remember him for all the ways he supported women and African Americans. He introduced the Civil Rights Bill of 1964 allowing African Americans to be served in establishments open to the public. African Americans no longer had to go through the back door or no door of restaurants, stores, hotels and other public facilities. The bill forbid discrimination on … [Read more...] about Ted Kennedy Was One Of Us
President Obama, Protesters and Guns
I was appalled at the recent so-called town hall meetings and the gun packing protesters. Living in Washington, DC, I'm used to protests, demonstators and public events. Everyone protests here from anti-abortion, anti-gay rights to IMF and World Bank protests. Since 9-11, many restrictions have been placed on those attending public events. Gone are the days when you are free to roam and bring whatever your heart desires to an event. There is always a restricted list of forbidden items. I understand the need for these restrictions. Violence is real in this country. I'm not speaking about the street violence in urban cities. There's violence in suburban America where many of the town hall meeting raucus took place. I'm talking about killing an abortion doctor in Wichita, Kansas in May, 2009 because his views differed from the killer. In Maryville, Illinois, a gunman entred a church in March and killed the Pastor. Then there's the recent gym killing of women during an aerobics … [Read more...] about President Obama, Protesters and Guns