Posted by LauraV on 4/3/06 9:51am
Msg #110525

OT: Affordable health insurance :::: NOT an advertisement

This is NOT an ad for health insurance.

It is a post to let you know about a bill before congress that would give small business owners, like mobile notaries, access to affordable health insurance. Most of us cannot afford the premiums unless we take very high deductibles and skimpy coverage.

I hope you will read the information below and then send an email to your congressperson. This note is from Laura Vestanen, the gal who wrote the marketing booklet for getting non-loan work.

Please send one email to your congressperson in support of a bill currently facing congress. HR 676 will change our health insurance system to a Medicare-style system.

This bill does not propose socialized medicine. It will work the way Medicare works for seniors. You will continue to choose your medical providers. The difference is that instead of the claim form being sent to a private insurance company, it will go to the government for processing. There will be no deductibles or co-pays.

This system would provide health care to all Americans. Currently millions of children and poor Americans are going without health care. This bill would provide care for them and more affordable access to care for all of us.

By cutting out private health insurance companies and reducing the amount of paperwork for medical providers, it is estimated that overhead costs for providing health care will drop by 27%.

The California Nurses Association strongly endorses this bill. Read a short and excellent article about how this new insurance system will work at their website:
www.CalNurses.org/Healthcare/hr676-summary.html

This health insurance system was proposed in 1992. Insurance lobbyists quickly squashed it. Since then, insurance premiums have doubled. Please help by sending an email to your congressperson.

Congressional aides may not read every email but they definitely tally the numbers of ayes and nays. Please send an email to let our voices be louder than those of the insurance lobbyists.

You can find the name and email address of your local congressperson at this website:
www.House.gov

Compose your own message or simply copy-paste the text below if you wish. Add your name to the bottom.

Please email this message to all your friends.

Thank you!
Laura

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Email sample text

Subject line:
Vote yes on HR 676

Body of message:
Americans need access to affordable health care.

As a small business owner, I cannot get affordable health insurance. Millions of children and lower-income people are not getting the health care they need simply because of the cost of overhead in a multiple-insurer health system.

Vote yes on HR 676 and we will remember you truly care about Americans when it is time for us to vote for our congressional representative.

Reply by FlaMac on 4/3/06 10:10am
Msg #110529

Email sent to Rep & others. Thanks for the reminder. n/m

Reply by PAW on 4/3/06 11:13am
Msg #110566

We all know how well Medicare works, right? n/m

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/3/06 11:20am
Msg #110574

I've read through this bill and it looks like a great bill, but it'll never pass as long as Republicans control Congress. And to be fair, I'll say THIS class of Republicans for the following reasons:

1. It was introduced by Democrats (John Conyers of Michigan, Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, and US Virgin Island Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christiensen) marking it dead by party affiliation.

2. As long as the health insurance lobby is in the back pocket of Congress by way of the K Street Project, they'll weigh it down with riders and special interest earmarks.

3. Republicans will call it a burden on the current medicare system, that it will cost too much, and that they have to keep spending down. We all know there are other spending priorities elsewhere like tax cuts, tort reform to corporations from lawsuits in the event they actually do something to endanger the public, and helping oil companies like ExxonMobile break the $40 Billion dollar mark for record profits in 2006. Oops, I cant forget War on Error. Providing universal healthcare for Americans, building stronger levees and rebuilding New Orleans, funding stem cell research and actually funding education so that teachers can teach american children so they can know the material up and down versus memorizing material to pass a test have never been priorities despite the lip service. Sad to say that the US Congress helping Americans would break the bank but helping other countries without blinking an eye would not.

4. Even if it survives a floor vote and gets to the President's desk he'll threaten to veto the bill again sighting budget concerns.

Sorry, I didnt mean to get on a soapbox on this posting board but, as I said, with congress in the hands of THESE Republicans, this bill doesnt have a chance. If you have CSPAN, watch and you will see what I mean because the news has been cancelled on network news. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong and will gladly admit it. The only way this bill has a chance of passing in THIS congress is if its attached as a rider to a defense spending bill for Iraq and Afganistan. The reason I say that is because no one wants YOU to think they are voting against supporting the troops.

Reply by John_NorCal on 4/3/06 11:23am
Msg #110575

Re: Very good take on this bill Jahari.. I agree! n/m

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/3/06 11:27am
Msg #110577

Apologies for the political post if it offended anyone

I apologize if I offended anyone here, Republicans in particular. I know this isnt a political posting board but you cant talk about universal healthcare or anything for american citizens without the spending and issues with congress in general.

Reply by HisHughness on 4/3/06 11:58am
Msg #110582

Re: Apologies for the political post if it offended anyone

I don't understand, Jahari: Why would you apologize for calling bottom feeders, scum suckers, parasites, and bloodsuckers Republicans? It's reached the point where they are actually proud to be identified as such.

This is not intended to be a political post, of course. I wouldn't want to offend any of those who dine on flesh ripped from the emaciated corpses of people killed by global warming, Merck-driven health care, environmental degradation, governmental corruption, immoral aggressive war, and smug, guilt-dispensing fundamentalist fanatics.

Lord, I'm glad I've mellowed in my old age. Were that not the case, the above would not be quite so mild.

Reply by John_NorCal on 4/3/06 12:07pm
Msg #110587

Re: Hugh, can you us tell how you really feel! :-} n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 4/3/06 12:31pm
Msg #110596

Socialized Medicine

There was a time when I thought medical care is something that should be taken care of by the government. Then I managed a store in an area with a lot of Canadaian snowbirds. Many of them would be having their annual physicals down here in the States as there was a two or three year waiting list for something as simple as a physical. Since then, I have been reading as much as I can about Socialized Medicine and how it is doing in the world and the answer is : not well.

The pro side will tell you that there is plenty of money in the health care system now to fund it. While that may be true now, the fact of the matter is whenever anyone perceives that a service is "free" to them, then it gets used more. It will get overwhelmed to the point of having to raise taxes or ration services. Canada is not rationing services currently and since private insurance is against the law in Canada, those who can afford have to come to the United States to get something as simple as an annual physical.

Here are some interesting on the Canadian Broadcaseing System on the pros and cons of the syetem.

http://bag.cbc.ca/search?ie=&site=CBC&output=xml_no_dtd&client=CBC&lr=&getfields=description&proxystylesheet=CBC&oe=&q=health+insurance&x=16&y=15

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 4/3/06 12:42pm
Msg #110600

Correction: Canada is now rationing services. n/m

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/3/06 1:04pm
Msg #110613

Re: Socialized Medicine

Ok, for the real deal instead of recycled talking points, go to http://www.canadian-healthcare.org/. Every canadian citizen qualifies for coverage under their national healthcare plan from preventative care to even urgent care. On the page marked "Private Health Insurance" you will see this paragraph at the top:

"While the health care system in Canada covers basic services, including primary care physicians and hospitals, there are many services that are not covered. These include things like dental services, optometrists, and prescription medications."

I can't believe that the Canadian snowbirds Glenn referred to would come down just for their annual physical. It's likely they went for a physical while here in the US escaping the winter and not because they could get a physical cheaper or in a more timely fashion.

Reply by Shane_OH on 4/3/06 9:35pm
Msg #110758

I am way late on this topic....

But my mother's family all lives in Kitchener, Ontario...and sure enough, they all come down for some pretty basic medical stuff as well, simply because their doctors won't schedule them to come in, until their Health Care System approves it, which can be several months in some instances.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/4/06 2:32am
Msg #110774

What I want to know is...

What I genuinely want to know is who decides what gets covered and what doesn't, in terms of drugs, treatments, etc. , with a system like this? Would this force us all into the equivalent of a national HMO? The concept sounds good on the face of it, but these are real concerns - not hypothetical political statements. They are potentially life and death decisions! Anyone know?

A plan like this would save me huge amounts of money on healthcare, undoubtedly, but I sure like being able to have choices! And how do we protect ourselves from not ending up with another disaster like the prescription drug program under Medicare? As we've had re-emphasized recently, the devil is in the details...

Reply by Paul_IL on 4/3/06 4:00pm
Msg #110678

Re: Apologies for the political post if it offended anyone

Hugh,
Was it painful when they drilled that hole in your head and sucked out your common sense and made you a Liberal Democrat. Calling Republicans parasites!! Now that is funny coming from a Democrat whose party wants to get deeper in our wallets cause they believe that they are better qualified to determine how we spend our hard earned money. Immoral war? You must have forgotten 9/11 but that is no surprise considering the normal short-sightedness of Democrats and you are probably one of those whiners that think Osama should be able to call someone in this country and we should not listen in unless we have a warrant.
The Democratic party is such a joke these days! You must be so proud to be represented by the likes of Harry Reed, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi and the screaming head of the DNC Howard Dean himself!!

Reply by dickb/wi on 4/3/06 4:12pm
Msg #110680

hear--hear---you are so right................. n/m

Reply by HisHughness on 4/3/06 4:17pm
Msg #110681

Re: Apologies for the political post if it offended anyone

Paul barfs:

***The Democratic party is such a joke these days!***

Please, somebody quick make sure there's no shotgun within reach of Paul. Otherwise, none of us will be safe -- unless we each go stand right in the middle of a covey of quail. That oughta take us out of his line of fire.

Reply by Paul_IL on 4/3/06 7:44pm
Msg #110734

Re: Apologies for the political post if it offended anyone

Hugh whines and makes jokes about a man injured in a hunting accident. Hugh's democratic poster boys Mr. John "I voted for the money before I voted against it" Kerry(otherwise known as "The Loser"!! or that famous underwater driver can I have another drink Ted Kennedy.

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/3/06 4:56pm
Msg #110683

Paul, take the Red Pill and wake up!

First, I did not intend for this to become a political posting board. Its a notary discussion forum. But Paul since you attacked, I must respond to this post of yours....

The fact you've invoked 9/11 yet again shows me you've listen to Rush, drink the kool-aid and have nothing but GOP talking points to adhere to. Call me a liberal democrat all you want. I agree. To be a liberal is to a progressive forward thinking individual. Conservatives yearn for the bad old days before the new deal. The fact is, the democrats are not the ones in power and they arent the ones that have raised the national debt ceiling to $9 Trillion dollars and we're already over $8.4 Trillion in debt speeding down the tracks toward that $9 Trillion. This president has borrowed more money from foreign governments than all 42 before him combined. You dont believe me, google it. Most people dont know this because the major networks buried it. Democrats are not digging in your pockets, George Bush is with his tax cuts, irresponsible budgets, and never vetoing a single spending bill. This president has never vetoed a single bill yet he wants to make the Dubai Ports deal his first veto? My Republican friend, before you attack someone, stop listening to Rush and Hannity, and Fux News and actually find your own facts and think about what you are saying and what is going on. Think logically!! You're smarter than this I know.

Democrats have no power as the minority party. They have no subpeona power! They have no chairmanships! They have nothing being the minority party and not a lot of people know this! They dont even get the media and press because they are the minority party which is why I said to watch CSPAN and CSPAN 2 that way you can see what these people really are about and not the edited 30 second clip you see behind Bob Schieffer. Yes, I said it...the media you attack as being liberal is actually on your side. The Republicans have control of everything and yet they still havent passed what they say are their core values. Ask yourself, why havent they passed real anti-abortion legislation banning Roe V. Wade? Why havent they made Bush's tax cuts permanent? Why havent they passed that coveted constitutional amendment banning gay marriage? Why are they dragging their feet on this immigration bill? Why did they let lobbyists write the Medicare drug bill and the Bankruptcy bill? Because they need issues to keep the base alive and to divide people like you and me fighting amongst ourselves while they rob the country blind, tell you to wave a flag, support the troops and buy your 99 cent ribbon that was made in China. Here there president has committed repeat felonies spying on americans and you still support this president and this congress. What will it take? Does there need to be a dead gay male prosititute in the White House for people to actually take notice?

Oh, and I urge you look at 9/11 hard before you invoke it again. Go to video.google.com and search for Loose Change 2nd Edition and just watch. Then email me what you think of the documentary. I want to hear from you. My Republican friend go to http://www.newamericancentury.org/RebuildingAmericasDefenses.pdf and read this report. I am a proud American but this congress and this president has broken the promise this country makes to its people and to the world all in the name of power and money and scaring you senseless so they can do whatever he wants with your full support. I dont know about you Paul, but I've got facts and multiple reputable sources on my side. What do you have other than talking points and Rush Limbaugh?

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 4/3/06 5:28pm
Msg #110684

Hail to the Chief

These boards are no place for politcal debate. As much as I would really love to get in the ring with you over this subject this is not the place to do it. But the political yammering has got to go. I for one could have a hearty debate with you, but not here. Find a forum that's purpose is political debate and go have a good time.

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/3/06 5:57pm
Msg #110692

Re: Hail to the Chief

I've apologized and expressed that I didnt mean for this to become a political discussion. This board is a notary forum and this posting thread started from a post about a universal healthcare bill before congress. I responded to that posting commenting on how good the bill was and why the bill will never pass in THIS congress with THIS president, and THIS group of Republicans that control it and my feelings on it. There are good Republicans, but these guys that are there now need to be sent home so real Republicans with real ideas can and do the business of the people. I mean come on, how big a stretch is it to actually invest in america and americans and make the country stronger for everyone? The fact I have to ask that question alone should make any american angry and if your not angry, you're either not paying attention or your too afraid to.

Reply by TitleGalCA on 4/3/06 6:04pm
Msg #110693

SarahBeth was being nice Jahari....

but since you post something like this:

*** The fact I have to ask that question alone should make any american angry and if your not angry, you're either not paying attention or your too afraid to.***

Excuse me? Since I am not "angry" and agree with your politics on this one bill/topic I'm afraid?

Take your politics and put them in your blue rear end and quite bashing others beliefs here. Think of this place as a social gathering...you don't discuss politics or religion. It's just too personal.

Reply by HisHughness on 4/3/06 6:58pm
Msg #110703

Re: SarahBeth was being nice Jahari....

TGC opines:

***Think of this place as a social gathering...you don't discuss politics or religion.***

Maybe that's why I don't get invited to a lot of barbecues?

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/3/06 7:01pm
Msg #110707

Re: SarahBeth was being nice Jahari....

I guess that happened to my invites to Hugh!! LOL!

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 4/3/06 7:08pm
Msg #110712

Hey Hugh I Know Where You Are From

Texans are nuts about football. If you can talk football you are ok! Steaks, Aggies and a brew, now there's some good bbq talk. I guess I better learn footballese.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 4/3/06 11:40pm
Msg #110771

Hugh if you ever find that widow

with the big chest, bass boat and owns a liquor store, she'll probably be a Republican!!! LOL

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/3/06 7:00pm
Msg #110706

This is the last thing I have to say on this subject...

I have not bashed anyone's beliefs here and I have never expressly said you yourself were afraid. Anyone reading my previous posts can see that. You chose "afraid" because it is the attention grabbing part of the comment that struck a nerve drawing attention away from the part where I wonder if people are paying attention or not to make some kind of point. I only said this is why this bill will not pass with THIS congress and THIS president and the people currently in control of it. I have not nor do I intend to bash or call anyone on this board a name or tell them to stick it to paraphrase your earlier comment. I only asked them to look for their own facts and info instead of taking the word of pundits and talking heads that subscribe to talking points from the mothership. Our politics and the way we see things may differ but logic is logic and fact is fact. We're all Americans and we should start acting like it. You dont have to believe a word I say which is why I list sources and references to back up what I say. We all operate under that premiss as we share notary info.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 4/3/06 7:23pm
Msg #110722

Re: This is the last thing I have to say on this subject...

So ***This is the last thing I have to say on this subject.*** do you promise? Wait don't respond because then you would be saying something.

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/3/06 7:33pm
Msg #110729

Re: This is the last thing I have to say on this subject...

Yes its the last thing. Can we all now get on to being friends again?

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 4/3/06 8:43pm
Msg #110746

Re: This is the last thing I have to say on this subject...

I thought the last thing you were going to say was the last thing you were going to say. You fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/4/06 4:31am
Msg #110775

*Sigh* n/m

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 4/3/06 6:58pm
Msg #110704

Re: Hail to the Chief

Gee Jahari when one does something wrong, then apologizes, then turns around and repeats that very same thing then thier apology isn't worth squat. Drop the politics and get to the water cooler talk already.

Oh and don't tell me that I'm not paying attention or afraid. I could take you to the carpet in a debate if I felt inclined to do so. The point is this isn't the place and I'm going to be respectful of that. You need to also.

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/3/06 7:04pm
Msg #110710

Re: Hail to the Chief

I welcome your opinions and your debate.

Reply by SarahBeth_CA on 4/3/06 7:08pm
Msg #110713

Re: Hail to the Chief

You do but the boards don't. I choose to respect that.

Reply by FlaMac on 4/4/06 7:29am
Msg #110783

This is the perfect place for this debate n/m

Reply by Paul A. Oaks on 4/3/06 8:18pm
Msg #110740

Re: Paul, take the Red Pill and wake up!

Too bad your facts are so lacking as there we no felonies committed. There was no law broken according to former FISA court judges and in fact also by your beloved former President Bill Clinton who used similiar inteligence sources during his terms in office. This is foreign intelligence and the only Americans being tapped are those that are getting phone calls from terrorists. I got news for you but rational people want to know about those calls. Your Democratic leaders are only saying "President Bush should have got a warrant" not that they do not believe this is a legitimate intelligence resource. They are simply trying for some cheap political capital instead of honesty!

Since you did not know anyone that died from that terrorist attack on 9/11 you are the last person that can tell me to go watch some documentary, Next you will be suggesting something form Michael Moore". I lost a good friend in tower 2 so you can keep your movie.


I am not happy with some of the fiscal choices that President Bush has made but facts are facts and his taxcuts did in fact stimulate growth in the economy and if you think that the Democratic party has absolutely no power because they are the minority then you need to fully open your eyes and look around. For being the minority they still manage to get in the way and also because many Republicans have wavered from the core values that got them elected.

Immigration....now there is a problem with a simple answer....Send them Home!! Why the President keeps doing this song and dance is beyond me. We just need to enforce the laws we already have instead of this STUPID catch and release program that they are using..These are Illegal Aliens Not not small bass or trout!

The Bankruptcy Bill....Now what could possibly be wrong with requiring Chaper 13 instead of Chapter 7. If the people are able to pay then they should!

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/4/06 4:39am
Msg #110776

I'm shaking my head because I vowed no more on subject n/m

Reply by HisHughness on 4/3/06 5:51pm
Msg #110690

Re: Apologies for the political post if it offended anyone

Geez...all you have to do is use a couple of nondescript worcs like "scumsucker" and "bottom-feeder" in describing Republicans, and somebody starts lobbing heavy artillery at you, throwing all restraint to the wind and using obscenities like "Liberal Democrat!" That was pretty low, Paul, pretty low. That hurts my feelings -- both of them (I used to have more, but that was when Democrats were in power, and I could afford more).

Reply by TitleGalCA on 4/3/06 1:44pm
Msg #110626

Thats okay Jahari no offense- You're entitled to be wrong :) n/m

Reply by newlysmomva on 4/3/06 1:46pm
Msg #110628

Re: Jahari no offense- You're absolutely right!!! n/m

Reply by Jahari Davis on 4/3/06 3:28pm
Msg #110664

Re: Thats okay Jahari no offense- You're entitled to be wrong :)

Wrong about what exactly?

Reply by Mia on 4/3/06 4:34pm
Msg #110682

Re: OT: Affordable health insurance -- well.....

I think there just might be enough money for all Americans to have Health / Dental
Care, if we just get rid of Congress, period. The Congressman / women do 2 things really
well, #1. Nothing and #2 Are outraged over somethiing.... other than that, they don't
do much.

I have many friends that live in Canada. They all say the same thing... Don't touch our
Health / Dental coverage! Yes they do have Dental coverage -- they pay a flat amount for
it, on top of what they have to pay (flat fee) for the Health Care.

There are many Michiganders that are going to Canada to get Lasik Eye Surgery -- because,
it is way cheaper than the US.

Reply by Drakester_IA on 4/3/06 8:30pm
Msg #110741

Re: OT: Affordable health insurance -- well.....

Mia for the most part you are absolutly correct. I am Canadian and dental is not covered unless you are below a certain income and even then it is only in certain provinces. As for an earlier post I don't recall ever having to wait three years for a physical.
3 weeks maybe but never longer than that. If it were urgent then you go to emergency, no co-pay nothing and go as often as you like, never a charge, and definatly none of this pre-existing conditions. I feel it is a great system

Reply by FlaMac on 4/4/06 7:22am
Msg #110782

I hope all whom agree... sent the email... because...

whether you think it will help bring change or not.....at least let the number's speak for themselves. Thanks to the dawn of email...these guy's in D.C. get a ton of coorespondence.

And, say what you will, but they ARE aware of the numbers. That doesn't mean they will do what the majority wants, obviously...but at least we are letting them know. The Poll's, the emails, volunteerism, voting..all of it..will help bring change...if we all participate.

You can "cut and paste" the form letter that LauraV included in her post. Took me a total of 2 minutes to go the the site and send it. Please