Who else watched 20/20 Tonight? Very interesting, indeed. A universal healthcare policy may hurt research. Without big profits, who will come up with new cures and technology?

Let's discuss it tomorrow, when we are fresh..

Sally,
Probably some foreign companies. If we get access to their products that is okay with me. There are some very smart people in other parts of the world, and they don't get paid the big bucks. Go figure..

I didn't see the show, but I read that there will continue to be institutions such as Universities, NIH, and other privately funded institutions, that will continue to research extensively for the reputation and/or the "other sales" it brings. Research funds are hugely important for "good" medical schools, it helps them attract the best and brightest students as well as instructors who need to publish research papers to advance their career and build a reputation.

It probably really depends on how the health care plan is structured in the end.

Seems like big celebs, when they find a cause, can really get a fundraiser going. Too bad they have to *get* something before it's important to them.

But even the rest of us... if we didn't have to spend SO much on day to day medical, do you think we'd be more apt to do some grass roots fundraising? Now that we know how critical it is, I do.

MS studies/research - as well as medical studies for all medicine - goes on all around the world. I read that Israel and Great Britain both have MS studies that look sorta/hopefully promising. Both have a form of socialized medicine.

Scientists, doctors, nurses, lab techs do not go into the medical field because of the money. They go into it because it interests them. At least that is what I know. Maybe there are SOME that go in for money. But lots of people, like teachers, become so because of their love for what they will do.

I was listening to the radio yesterday. A woman called in to say the health position should rename socialized medicine to civilized medicine because EVERYONE has a right to good medical care.

I liked that way of thinking.

If health care (I am selfish for ME and my kids) means healthcare for all but I can continue my own private policy thru DH's work but get some to defray his end of cost (YIPES!), I'm all for it. Everyone should get health care. I did not see 20/20 so know nothing. Government health care quality scares me. I like quality I get. But right now I get it. Things change. I know that.

I get the feeling that could happen. Whet I see is, there are too many companies who may not make it if they have to dole out for ins. And too many people who do not qualify for either work benefits or gov't benefits as things stand now.

This is where one big happy social policy is needed badly. There may still be companies who see it beneficial to offer such a perk as private insurance, just as they offer other things, to attract a better workforce.

I too am not too certain if our gov can utilize the money in a good way. We have a history of horrible waste and misdirection of funds. That is really my biggest worry in this. I'd like to see a team of coupon clipping moms run the committee if it happens.

These are the people who would not be buying jets and having huge parties in Vegas while kids went without chemo.

Pay the bills, no frills.

Sally - whatever happens, we will survive. Change is always scary.



But keep this in mind too, with our gov, change is always slow, lol.

The whole change things scares me. I see good points on both sides of the fence. I see changes already in my own insurance company in anticipation of these bills passing. They have stopped offering the top tier programs, and are making statements that many will be asked to join the "government policy" to lower the costs of the programs they are currently providing. I have friends who run small business' and they are hurting. The minimum wage was just increased, and that was a hit, and now they are facing being forced to open and provide healthcare programs that are prohibitively expensive. Most are saying they will not be able to keep their doors open. From my friend who makes bath products, and perfumed honey products, to my mates that run an oil change business. They are all saying that with the current costs they will not be able to handle it, and will be forced to release employees to be able to cover the costs. As it is, the oil change guy had to lay off one employee to afford the increase in min wage.

I am trying hard to listen carefully, and examine both sides of the street, but so far while i do want healtcare for all, I also want my friends to be able to keep their doors open, and I want to be able to continue to count on my current policies not cutting costs, and slashing what they are currently paying for as a way to save costs.

Im afraid. I am worried.

I worry that the premium plan that I have now will be discontinued. I mean, it's already been discontinued but the original plan members had the choice of staying in it or going for one of the lesser plans.

I pay a HUGE chunk of my weekly pay for this plan and I kept it before I was diagnosed because it was so good. Now I NEED it and the thought of it going away scares me. If I had a lesser plan I would be broke, and unable to afford anything else in my life in order to cover my medical stuff.

I'm not a big user. I don't ask for extra tests. I make sure my test results are shared between all my doctors and if one wants to order something I shuffle through my notes and give them the latest results if that test has already been done. I've got a HUGE binder with everything in it. BUT- my plan pays 100% for major medical and that includes my Tysabri infusion. It covers all but my OOP portion of regular medical and the OOP is limited to $500.00 a year. It has an excellent prescription plan.

Unless the government is going to match it, I don't want the government. If the government plans make my insurance company raise my premiums, then I want the government to make up the difference. It's already 1/5th of my weekly salary. I can't afford much more.

Why is it ok for the Senate and House to have cheap premium plans, but not the citizens of this country? I want what they have. I want to be able to get what I need at a reasonable price. Is that so hard?

Are we dreamers, to think that maybe everyone in this country could actually HAVE the same health plan for a reasonable cost?

I try to read up and educate myself on the subject....and watch the news shows if I know they're on. But my cog fog problems prevent me from retaining alot of the information I hear. I hear it, I understand it, but after it's over it flies right out of my head. It's terribly frustrating because I need health care insurance desperately. I'll have to wait until 2010 for Medicare if something isn't done soon. I hesitate to comment on alot of the topics because I'm afraid I'll look dumb....because I can't remember alot of it. Some days I'm good. I'll read or see something and "get it". Other days it may as well be written in gibberish.