What is the cost of doing nothing ?
An American economy crippled by the spiraling costs of healthcare, American businesses or individuals who are unable to compete globally because our competitors have minimized their Health Care cost or in some cases offer none.
Health Care and Health Care Insurance are not the same thing .... some Health Care Insurance policies aren't worth the paper their printed because they cover very little. We cannot rely on Health Care Insurance policies if their are no standards on what minimums they have to cover. Preventative care should be covered for all so that expensive surgeries and procedures due to neglect are minimized.
Having a public HealthCare option makes good economic sense in the long run. We need to work towards phasing in a Single Payer system because the numerous for profit Health Care systems are not cost effective in the numbers they serve. A good first start would be establishing a centralized modern Information System network which could share Health Care information with every Major Health Care facility on an as needed basis. The ultimate goal would be that a U.S. Citizen enters any Hospital or treatment facility with his Social Security or Insurance plan number and a record of important healthcare information about the patient is made available so that nurses and doctors can have some basic information to better care for the patient. Example: A patient has a known allergy to various medications. This information alone could save many American Lives, prevent malpractice lawsuits and eliminate the costly and endless reiteration of basic patient information. Safe Guarding and verification of this centralized Information would have to be a number one priority of a National Health Care Organization; new Quantum Encryption technology could be used to safeguard the security of this data.
Maybe the answer is a Quasi Public Agency (Not unlike the U.S. Postal Service) single payer organization staffed with formerly practicing medical professionals with the goal of maximizing benefits at the lowest reasonable cost ?
We cannot rely on the private sector which is motivated by profit to serve the best interest of the American people. An efficient public or Quasi-Public Agency is needed to institute real change with the ultimate goal of a Single payer system. I urge you to consider these ideas so that we can move forward in providing healthcare for every American citizen in this country.
Please post your opinions on HealthCare here:
http://pol.moveon.org/public_option/?rc=homepage
Sincerely,
Vince Cipriano
United We Can !
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/vince
"This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless
we make it a good place for all of us to live in." -Theodore Roosevelt
It was a pleasure to greet those of you who came to discuss the Health Care Policy Options with Judy Pelham at Tom Haas Studio yesterday, in Phoenix, Arizona. The GOOD NEWS is that all of you (and your friends) can easily access her Primary Resource: www.randcompare.org
RAND Corporation’s COMPARE project (Comprehensive Assessment of Reform Efforts) is an online tool to synthesize what is known about the current healthcare system; provides information on proposals to modify the system; and provides insights into how potential policy changes are likely to affect health care delivery, insurance coverage, spending, consumer financial risk, health, and costs.
As many of you know, Judy Pelham has been a leader and recognized pioneer in developing programs to improve the health status of communities for 20 years, particularly for the poor and underserved. She championed the "intelligent network", designed to encourage partnerships and the development and sharing of best practices throughout the system. She was president and CEO of Mercy Health Services (1993-2000) and later served as leader of Trinity Health--the third largest Catholic health system in the United States. She's also served as the chairperson of the Washington, D.C.-based Coalition for Nonprofit Health Care.Judy was a volunteer consultant on the COMPARE project. I trust you’ll find its website interesting and helpful.
Vicki Haas, Learn Debate Advocate Event Host, artist@tom-haas.com
* 75% are worried, of which 33% of are "very worried" about paying for their college education. * 33% had no tuition money saved. * Of those who did have tuition money saved, 55% recently lost money in their college savings. the most shocking stat, however, was that an overwhelming 96% said "Yes" when asked "In times of economic crisis, does a college degree become even more important for your employability?" What can we do to make college more affordable?!!!
Demographic that voted Obama in demands accountability on college costs, employment
Obama’s election victory was in great part driven by his ability to rally youth and first time voters. In fact, USA Today reported that 66% of voters aged 18-29 and 68% of first-time voters voted for Obama.
Now the demographic that put him in office wants to know: how will President Obama respond to the issues that most concern them?
In a recent survey, CampusCompare asked nearly 2000 college students “What is the one question you would want to ask the future president?” Not surprisingly, college costs and future employability were top of the list. Increasing unemployment rates are raising concerns amongst students that they will not find the jobs they need after college to pay back those hefty loans. Through their questions – submitted anonymously – students are sending a clear message that government has a role to play in looking out for their interests.
Are today’s market conditions undermining our nations’ students’ drive to seek higher education? It seems that students are still betting on education. An overwhelming 96% of survey respondents agreed when asked “In times of economic crisis, does a college degree become even more important for your employability?” But they are making frugal choices. 70% are not willing to splurge on Ivy League and say, “I just need a degree in order to compete in this job market. Any degree or school will do.”
Dear Friends,
There has been a growing cry for a community gathering about the Gaza crisis that calls for an end to the violence while expressing our anguish for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
Boston-area Muslim, Christian, and Jewish leaders have jointly written a statement calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and expressing our desire to demonstrate that during these most difficult of times we are prepared to stretch our hands out to each other. The statement with initial signatures can be found at the URL below.
Join us for a silent INTERFAITH VIGIL to make the declaration public and stand shoulder to shoulder with members of Boston’s Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities. Signs (drawn from the statement) will be provided. No other signs please.
There is a new spirit of change in this country - a time to throw off the chains of cynicism and apathy that have strangled our great nation for the last eight years. With the election of Barack Obama as our President, we stand poised to usher in a new era of prosperity, peace, and progress. We've been in this fight together and last night our efforts were fully realized as Barack Obama became the nation's choice for the presidency.
I know there is already an organization developing so that we may continue onward to change this nation for the better, but I also wanted to reach out to all of you that I've enjoyed being alongside on this road to victory. On a personal level, I hope that I will one day meet many of you. To that end, I'd like to extend an invitation to get to know me better, to connect, and network (if I may be of service to you in that regard) and embrace the vision that we are all each other's keeper.
If you are interested, I invite you to connect with me at the following places online. I'm looking forward to expanding my own circle of friends and new allies in the push for a better tomorrow. I hope you'll consider saying hello and reaching out as well.
Where I'm at online:
http://www.twitter.com/jonfmerz
http://jonfmerz.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=709881835
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonfmerz
http://jonfmerz.myplaxo.com
http://www.thefixer.tv
I hope to hear from lots of new friends! I'm still on cloud nine that victory was achieved and am filled with boundless enthusiasm, hope, and commitment toward a brighter, better future.
Be well!
-Jon
***
Jon F. Merz
After the polls close tonight, here's the next step: Grow The Hope <http://www.growthehope.org>
For so many of us the Obama campaign has inspired us to hope for a better future and engage in the political process to make change possible. We know that something special is happening in this campaign. We feel it. We experience it personally and share this profound and moving feeling with others.
We celebrate this special moment and continue our work to elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States. The final day of this historic campaign is crucial to our success. We will canvass, phone bank, and organize until the polls close. While we keep focused on the prize - electing a smart and moral man as the next president of the United States, we also feel moved to do what we can to nurture the hope that has built within this campaign and within many of us. Thus we begin the process of building Grow The Hope - a people's movement for progressive social change. We seek to capture the spark of creativity and hope that has come alive during this campaign. If you are interested, please join us. Explore the brief introductory website at: http://www.growthehope.org and sign up by giving us your contact information. As this movement unfolds we will reach out to you.
Those of us working on Grow The Hope are so busy with the campaign that we don't yet have complete answers about what's next. We have not yet determined our organizational structure, programmatic initiatives, or funding options. If you get involved now, you can help shape the future direction of this emerging movement. At this point, we urge all those interested to take one minute to sign up, spread the word, and get back to working on the campaign! Let's do all we can this final crucial day of the campaign to make sure that we can celebrate on November 4th. Then on November 5th, let's take a day of well deserved rest. On November 6th, let's be back in touch to see how we might join together and Grow the Hope.
Yes We Can!Brian
Brian CorrOrganizer, Progresive Massachusetts for Barack Obamahttp://my.barackobama.com/page/group/ProgressiveMassachusettsforBarackObamaBCorr@CambridgeConsultingServices.com -----------Grow the Hope is not affiliated with Obama For America.
Tomorrow is a tough day for Barack Obama, his Grandmother, 'Toot', passed away last night.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081103/ap_on_el_pr/obama_grandmother
Please lift him and his family up in prayer,She is smiling down on you Obama,
~Tif
Hi all, I'm really shy to people I don't know well on the phone and in person. I've done canvassing before, years ago for something else, and I've done phone banking for Obama. I'm terrible at it. I'm just very uncomfortable and not quick enough in my responses to do well at it.
So I took Election Day off, I'd like to help by holding a sign somewhere for the day. I see a lot of opportunities to canvas or phone back, but how do I just get a sign and hold it up at my local polling place or get a ride to somewhere else where I'm needed. Thanks.
Helpful comments would be VERY helpful!!!
Obama/Biden 2008!!!
Wow, a sit com length commercial from Obama, to be aired almost right before election. I have to say I am pretty excited about this one, almost like waiting for the fist epiosde of a new show (hopefully this metaphor is a sign of things to come, keep your fingers crossed guys)
Check for more details here: http://kronomy.com/event/2bLnWX5swt/
Ruth
and hand grenades.
Barack is winning over conservatives in greater numbers than usual.
Christopher Buckley, the son of the late conservative icon William F. Buckley, said Friday he's decided to back Barack Obama's White House bid, the first time in his life he will vote Democrat.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/10/a-buckley-endorses-obama/
Barack delivered a very strong performance in the last debate.
McCain's V.P. pick of Palin marginalized his chances for the White House leaving the Republican ticket with only Two political tools left, character assassination of Obama and Biden and making promises you cannot keep.
Its time to press our advantage.
Lets seal the deal and deliver real change to the White House.
Lets re-double our efforts to win this race.
Please donate what you can afford Now on my fundraising page and I'll match it.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/UNITEDWECAN
Obama/Biden '08 ..... Hope and a new direction !
-Vince ;-}
A Veteran for Obama
Thanks for all you do for Barack, Michelle and Joe.
Just looking at the debate, I really can't say who I feel performed better. It's all pretty standard from both sides, no earth shattering new policies revealed and no major bloopers besides both sides stretching the facts a little, but that's to be expected in all political debates. What do you guys think?
http://kronomy.com/event/7GKhrYmWFt/
usbattle.com
See full coverage on Obama’s bipartisan message at http://kronomy.com/event/XCeB4NcMrq/, including pictures, videos and text. “A new survey conducted by Quinnipiac University over the weekend shows Obama leading McCain in Florida 51 percent to 43 percent, in Ohio 50 percent to 42 percent and in Pennsylvania 54 percent to 39 percent. Since 1960, no president has been elected without winning two of those three states.” Things are looking good for Obama!
Again, good message, nice gesture at this turbulent time from both sides. Just wish it didn’t take a financial meltdown to bring this spirit of cooperation around. Drop me a line at my blog, thanks.
Go to Fight4Obama.com, grab his 3D timeline and embed it everywhere. Spread the word of this educational online bumper sticker to your friends! Help Obama win the fight for US presidency!
A great article on the "real" McCain from the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone magazine - it's long, but woirth reading:
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/1
See full event here: http://kronomy.com/event/s2aE0odrK9/ .
So Obama responded to the rejection of the bailout plan. I like that he is encouraging people to stay hopeful, and I like that he is encouraging the Congress to actually do their job. But, I am curious about how active a role he is taking in coming up with the next bill. Beyond calling for more regulations, I would like to see him offer some more concrete details of what he thinks THE bill should include.
