It's Now, or (for too many) Never

[NanceGreggs]

TO: President Barack H. Obama

Sir:

I realize you have a lot to deal with. I know there are not enough hours in a day to do what needs to be done, to address the many problems you’ve inherited, to set our nation on the path that leads us back to our values and principles, as well as future prosperity, and away from the disastrous course set upon by the administration that preceded yours.

I am also appreciative of the fact that you are intelligent, well-informed, and completely cognizant of things to which I, an ordinary citizen, am not privy.

I trust your judgment, and I support your initiatives one hundred percent.

I do not deign to educate you on matters you are no doubt more schooled in than I. Nor am I suggesting that you are less aware of any current situation than you ought to be.

Therefore, this missive is not meant to be a scolding, a lecture, a means by which to tell you something you don’t already know – and probably know better than any of us.

This is meant to be a reminder.

The health insurance industry, as it currently operates in the United States, is not a legitimate business; it is legalized extortion. It demands payment for services that will allegedly be rendered - services which it in fact rarely, if ever, delivers as advertised.

This so-called “business” generates billions of dollars in revenue each year – billions of which find their way into the pockets of executives and shareholders, while hard-working Americans suffer and die for lack of the care they have, in all good faith, paid for.

Every day, American citizens face bankruptcy because they cannot pay medical bills – bills they were assured would be covered by a “business” whose only goal is to collect exorbitant premiums, while finding ways to deny coverage when it is most needed.

This is not a matter of paying into a system that might, or might not, pay to fix your leaky roof, so long as you have a legitimate claim. This is, for far too many people, a matter of life and death – a matter of watching a child die for lack of necessary, life-saving treatment. This is a matter of arguing with a nameless, faceless insurance pencil-pusher for months – whose only hope of a promotion and raise is increasing bottom-line profits – while your parent or spouse is given weeks to live without the benefit of costly medical intervention.

It is obvious that when a system such as this flourishes - when it rakes in obscene amounts of money while, simultaneously, it denies the very coverage it has been handsomely paid to extend – it is no longer a question of corporate fiscal prudence. It becomes a question of criminality being permitted to not only exist, but to prosper.

Forgive my familiarity, sir, but I feel I have come to know you. I know you would not stand for organized crime being allowed to profit by means of putting a gun to a citizen’s head and demanding money, in exchange for which said citizen receives nothing. You would not stand for criminals being permitted to consistently find “legal loopholes” that acquit them of such blatant disregard for human life, free to prey on the helpless yet again and again.

I know you do not condone such behavior, nor do you turn a blind eye to its continuance. I have no doubt that this is the very reason you have taken on the formidable challenge of reforming the present “healthcare system” – which is, in its present state, nothing more than a currently legal, albeit morally reprehensible, way of a so-called business being allowed to profit from the desperation of those whose lives, or the lives of their loved ones, are potentially at stake.

I am an American citizen, sir, who lives in Canada. I count myself lucky to be living in a country where I will never be denied medical treatment, where I will never face personal financial ruin as a result of a medical condition over which I have no control.

I ask you, sir: How sad is it when an American counts themselves fortunate to not be living in their own country?

As I stated at the outset, this letter is not meant as a chastisement, nor a means of conveying information of which you are not already aware.

It is merely a reminder that millions of Americans are counting on you to do whatever is necessary to put greedy, profit-above-life criminals out of business.

The time is now. For too many citizens, tomorrow will be too late.

Whatever it takes, just do it.

Yours Most Respectfully,
Nance Greggs

[proudohioan]

1. Very well put.

I hope you sent it.

t.

[Mithreal]

6. +1 Agreed, well said.

[emanymton]

2. Govern - Govern - Govern!

.

It is time. The Democratic Party has exhausted every possible excuse to avoid doing the right thing. The people voted for Democratic members of Congress and a Democratic President to govern.

All members of the Democratic Party have run out of excuses, it is time. No more half-stepping, no more posturing. It is time to begin to govern.

Bring the major legislative action on Health Care to an "Up Or Down" vote. No excuses. Should any piece of Democratic legislation be threatened with a filibuster, the Democratic Party response MUST be "Bring it to the floor. Give the piece of legislation an up or down vote."

No more 'sun was in my eyes and it was too dark to see, the world is flat no body likes me' excuses. Bring on the vote and govern!

Ema Nymton
~@:o?
.

[sandnsea]

3. Take It To The Streets - Feb 17

I think the President would be more than happy to sign a good bill that comes to his desk.

Are we going to make it happen?

Full list of events.

http://healthcareforamericanow.org/site/frrv2_events/

http://www.healthcareforamericanow.org/

[Skittles]

4. yeah, good luck with that

[Divine Discontent]

5. or in much less poignant wording

stand up to the cesspool of corruption that 'is' the beltway, and FLUSH 'it' down the toilet!


I really believed the president when he said that he didn't care if he got re-elected as long as he did what was right for the nation - well, Mr. President - getting the health insurance industry in line with profit controls (which simply makes sense for an industry that gives treatment to keeping us alive - or allows us to die if we don't pay up) would be a great accomplishment for you!



K&R

[secondwind]

7. Damnit, govern by Executive Order if necessary! Every week, every month...we're going to hell in

a handbasket if Obama doesn't govern !

The Republicans are in worse shape, but that should be precious little consolation, it is AMERICA that is suffering, AMERICA that needs Obama now, AMERICA that is dying by the hundreds of thousands who have no healthcare, AMERICA that needs tax dollars to fix crumbling infrastructure and create jobs.

AMERICA needs YOU, Mr. President!

[The Wizard]

8. Yet another gem

that gets to the heart of the matter.
Our health care delivery system is borderline functional because of the anti trust exemption the insurance industry has been abusing over the years. That abuse, like an infected boil, needs to be lanced by common sense legislation that promotes the general welfare.
Republicans and enabling Democrats like Max Baucus have sold out the American people for the benefit of their Swiss bank accounts. The insurance lobby has been spending 1.4 million a day to influence our legislators to ensure their obscene profits and bonuses for upper management. Where did all that money go? It brings back memories of the payoffs in suitcases full of hundred dollar bills for hush money during the Watergate scandal.
It is now decision time. As Howard Dean has said many times, "You're either with the insurance companies or your with the American people."

[Demeter]

9. Oh, Really?

"I know you would not stand for organized crime being allowed to profit by means of putting a gun to a citizen’s head and demanding money, in exchange for which said citizen receives nothing. You would not stand for criminals being permitted to consistently find “legal loopholes” that acquit them of such blatant disregard for human life, free to prey on the helpless yet again and again."


I have two words for you, Nance: WAR CRIMES

[rasputin1952]

10. Two different issues...

and if you want to bring up "war crimes", start with the previous administration first.

[Demeter]

12. Two Issues, Same Lack of Integrity

and it goes back to Clinton. Iran/Contra, remember that little pile swept under the rug?

[rasputin1952]

14. Swept under the rug, by whom?...

bush I came after Reagan...but that's another issue as well.

[Cha]

52. The Obama admin has integrity.

[Fire1]

39. Slam dunk! n/t

[Cha]

32. Yes, Really.

[rasputin1952]

11. There are so many injustices in this nation and the world...

but when it comes down to, "the greatest nation on earth", as so many put it, not being able to care for it's own citizens, we are but a mere shadow of what we claim to be.

We have immersed ourselves in death and darkness, pushed by neo-con ideology that seems to believe that everyone is destined to be poor and miserable unless one, "hits it big" in the money factory.

Well...for all those who vote against their interests and often their very survival...by somehow following an ideology that thinks corporations are better than people, we will be mired in our own self-pity for a long time.

Your letter rings truth, I am waiting for the day when insurance companies state:

"Birth begins the pre-existing condition of life, whatever happens during that life, therefore, is part of that pre-exisitng condition, we have decided to deny your claim on the logical basis, that the pre-existing condition of life, brought about the illness you are suffering from, and we are not subject to covering pre-existing conditions. We have accepted your most recent premium, please accept our most sincere regrets".
PS: In lieu of the previous statement, we will not be honoring our obligation to pay the life insurance benefits to your estate; we have determined that life in itself, is a pre-existing condition to death, and we are not obligated to pay benefits for a pre-existing condition. However, we are nor heartless, we are sending your survivors a shovel, where they decide to bury you, is up to them; please check local laws.

[cornermouse]

13. If he wants to meet what you've stated above he's going to have

to start over from scratch and (according to what he seems to think necessary) persuade the republicans to vote for single payer or universal healthcare. What they were pushing last time I looked won't do a thing to solve any of the problems you mentioned above and will probably be successfully spun to angry voters by the republicans as the reason for the huge increases in their premiums.

By the way, isn't single payer or universal healthcare pretty much what Canada has and why you don't have to worry about being denied healthcare?

[Amonester]

41. Yes, it's single payer and universal healthcare, and a lot more taxes as well.

I just finished my 63-days in a row 'recovery' period for an open wound (outpatient excision and primary closure of pilonidal cyst sinus long-term follow-up) in Canada.

Waiting period up to surgery: Two months (mid-Oct. to mid-Dec). (Note: It was not an emergency.)

Surgery: One morning + one afternoon stay at the Hospital.

Since then, and up to today: Sixty-three daily visits to a local community clinic called CLSC ('Centre Local Services Communautaires') for saline water cleanup (1.5 inch deep cut) plus new bandage+aquacell silver mesh every day. (Pain-killer & Antibiotic pills at the beginning for 10 days included.)

My total out-of-pocket disb. for ALL THAT? $0.00 :party:
NO PHONE CALLS NEEDED TO ANYONE FOR APPROVAL OF ANYTHING.

Of course, I purchased a couple of bottles of over-the-counter Acetaminophen capsules myself, but that's all. The Provincial Gov. (and Fed. Gov.) will take charge of the bill (through my almost 40% of all income taxes). I owe nothing to anyone for all this care I just had, and I've been treated like a King by the staff everywhere. Like every citizen and legal immigrant here, I have to carry an ID card with my picture on it, and I don't care.

We have that system since 1970.

Why doesn't the 'all-mighty' USA? (Is Beyond moi...)
:shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug: :shrug:

[Bette Noir]

15. Sometimes, I just want to rec something a thousand times.

This is one of those times.

I seem to have entered the part of my life when I require medical intervention to avoid suffering and death, at the same time that my insurance has decided to only cover a percentage of my bills, instead of the previous everything-less-a-small-deductible. The result is having to pay thousands of dollars for things that, a year ago, would have cost $100, or nothing.

[LittleGirl]

16. absolutely!

Nance, you're the reason I joined DU. I lurked for months reading your posts and had to respond, so I joined. This post is another that speaks for me!

I just returned from living abroad and am now in the midst of fighting the insurance company (Anthem, big surprise eh?) to pay for the annual physical that they 'allow' in their plan. They won't pay! It makes me sick that a doctor's visit in Europe cost me 10 euros (about 15 bucks) and here, it's well over a hundred. Why is that?

Indeed, there are Americans abroad that are saddened that their native citizens can't get decent affordable health care when it is so available every where else. And?
Why is every other commerical on tv an ad for another drug?

While I lived abroad, I called the health care in this country the insurance mafia...I want universal health care for all.
Thanks for writing all this, better than I can!

[Drops_not_Dope]

17. Trying to find the words for this faulty belief system

:eyes: :crazy: :silly: :freak:

[LatteLibertine]

18. Excellent entry

I'm worried because so many politicians seem to be there to serve the highest paying lobbyists. When they get thrown out of office they go work directly for them. This is a back and forth dynamic between the two industries or revolving door. Some really are there simply for ever increasing wealth. Yes, you may get flowery rhetoric out of them and no real meaningful legislation. Right now there is nothing in place to prevent another financial market "crisis". No real reforms have been made. In addition, 92% of the people who caused the problem still work in the industry.

I'm pushing for HCR too and unfortunately the "industry experts" that have been playing (paying :p) a large part in shaping it are lobbyists.

[asdjrocky]

19. Nance, honestly now-

tell me you think he's listening.

Just please, show me some sign he hears us.

[Armstead]

21. He's listening -- But real reform is not a priority. Just appearances

If he and the rest of the Democrats really cared about real reform, they'd act like Republicans and ram something through, and take the heat.

Collectively, the leadership and their apologists don't care enough about results. They are more concerned with appearances.

[asdjrocky]

22. Maybe we should sneer more, like Dick Cheany. nt

[emanymton]

26. Not Quite Ready To Go So Far...

.

Yes I am running out of patience with so many members of the Democratic Party who are not willing to govern properly. I am ready to call them on their excruciatingly slow pace. I do give them credit though for knowing that this is more than just appearance and empty rhetoric message. It is clear to all, for the Democratic Party to 'do nothing' is not an option.

Ema
~@:o|
.

[niceypoo]

51. It is as if

The process is more important than the end result. Meanwhile back in the real world my insurance cost goes up 40% ten days from now. Fuck the goddamn process, NOBODY WILL REMEMBER THE GODDAMN PROCESS!!

Having said all that, now works just fine for me.

[freddie mertz]

20. The president is not listening to his constituents.

That is how it looks to me right now.

He's cosy with the bankers and their bonuses, and in bed with big Pharma and the HC Insurers on the very issue you address here.

There was never any plan for a public option, and always a plan to bypass and discredit any real attempts at reform (single-payer advocates arrested, the bill denied a CBO work up, etc).

It is already too late, I am afraid, for millions of us.

What a disappointment this has turned out to be.

[defendandprotect]

34. Agree . . . and Michael Moore issued pleas on health care and war two months ago...

NOTHING . . . NADA . . .

it was an appeal to conscience -- !!

Time to stop begging this corporate president to do the right thing ---

and begin to decide what we, ourselves, are going to be doing in next elections!!

[newtothegame]

23. Let us know what he says. n/t

[AllentownJake]

24. How do you propose he does this?

Does he have a magic wand? He lost the battle in congress. He does not have the votes in the Senate.

Unfortunately this debate is over for at least a year.

[madamesilverspurs]

25. Excellent. Again.

Wish you could be with us tomorrow, as we attend a grassroots reception with President Obama and Michael Bennet (who just penned the public option letter to Harry Reid).

---

[Mira]

27. Beautifully crafted and argued. It would not be fittin' and proper

to rant at the President.
;)
(I care deeply about him, too)

This is the crux of your letter to me:
Quote:
"I ask you, sir: How sad is it when an American counts themselves fortunate to not be living in their own country?"

What I am simply aghast at, what I cannot understand, what will not fit into my brain even when shoved in sideways, is that we are again in a position to beg, cajole, explain, march, hold feet to fire, and have to hope and pray our properly elected President will do right by us.

We gave them the power, we told them what we want, we believed the promises.
It's high noon.

[last1standing]

28. "How sad is it when an American counts themselves fortunate to not be living in their own country?"

I'm going to K&R this OP just for that line. I may just steal it for another post in the future.

[arcadian]

29. That would be so much better with out all the grovelling.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. You've gone to the heart of the matter, my dear Nance...

Well said, as usual...

I am very sad about our lost opportunities...

K&R

[slipslidingaway]

31. knr - Medicare for All - Profits for largest insurers now 30%

and current bills mandate that people buy their products.

:(

Profits for largest insurers now 30%
http://www.pnhp.org/news/2010/february/profits-for-largest-insurers-now-30

[defendandprotect]

33. Obama well knows what he's doing -- this isn't happening by accident . ..

any more than throwing more filthy nuclear power plants at us is

happening by accident!!

[theaocp]

35. Nice letter

However, I'm not afraid of hurting Obama's feelings when it comes to doing what I think is right. He gets carrots when carrots are merited and sticks when they're deserved. I'm tired of begging and asking nicely for him to do the right thing. Pressure from the left will get him centered again. Appealing to his intellect will apparently not build him a spine. Push him, push him, push him!

[bertman]

36. 60 Recs BEFORE I Recced. 60 Recs AFTER I Recced. WTF would anyone UNrec this?

Thank you, Nance. That just about covers it.

[SlingBlade]

37. I'm for anything that'll work. But the Buck stops at HIS desk

Don't EVER forget that and we may, Just may get to the destination that we all
hope to arrive at.

Forget that and you might as well pack up your playthings and go home, For good !

[maryf]

38. Improved and Expanded singel payer Medicare for All!!

Obama said it was the best, why settle for anything less? Its simple, HR 676 is only 15 pages long...and the original Medicare took just over a year to implement...the Senate bill wouldn't even start to be implemented until 2013...

[Fire1]

40. K&R n/t

[hulka38]

42. I don't think he's going to read it.

[Highway61]

43. Thank you Nance

Thank you so much! You're amazing.

[slipslidingaway]

44. kick - unfortunately P. Obama is not listening. n/t

[inna]

45. KR+90. Please let us know if you hear anything back. nt

[Oldtimeralso]

46. K & R For Public Option for ALL N/T

[FourScore]

49. Ditto. n/t

[rpannier]

47. Count me among the group you described -- although I don't live in Canada

I live in Korea and we have National Health Care -- It's not as great as Canada, Britain or France, but it's still pretty good
I am eternally grateful that I live here right now

I've had a bout with ulcers caused by infection (stomach and throat), a hernia operation, four root canals, a new crown put on a tooth and I've been battling horrid allergies.

None of this has created any financial hardship for me and the government would not cut me off -- Ever

What boggles my mind is... I tell all my friends back home and they are shocked how great it sounds. And there is still that group that won't go for it. "Oh, it sounds great. But it would never work here."

It's insane

[NBachers]

48. Thank you, Nance

I'm glad to see this from you.

[theFrankFactor]

50. My Opinion: Obama knows all of this. He's owned. He's doing exactly what he wants...

and that is just enough to "appear" ham-stringed by... oh, I dunno, a Republican minority? We are being taken for morons and some... too many, fit the bill.

The Democratic party is rotten from the top down. It needs to be purged and set straight. This Washington Generals act has got to stop.

[Cha]

54. Yeah, your opinion is just so much

internet hogwash.

[NYC_SKP]

53. If I were Runnin' Things...

:kick:

I've been away but wanted to kick this post and rec your more recent thread, Nance, now locked.

Interested DUers can read it in your Journal (thank you for adding it there), here: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/NanceGreggs/553

:P