First, I am getting tired of politicians saying how much the health care system sucks in this country. If it was that bad why would leaders from around the world come to the United States for medical treatment when they have a serious medical situation? I can remember Anastasio Somoza of Nicaragua coming to Miami Beach in the 70's for treatment (I was the orthopedic technician assigned to maintain some of the equipment that was going to be used for his surgery and care), and then there was the Prime Minister of Italy that came to the United States for his care (I believe it was in 2005).
OK, now that I've unwrapped myself from the flag let me say that our system is not perfect, and I believe this country needs to do something to enhance the health care, and to assist low income persons obtain health care. That is the key word, ASSIST. However, I have serious concerns about the pending legislation; its cost, negative impact on coverage a person already has, the reduced and rationed care that is likely to result. Finally, I have a BIG problem with the speed in which this is being pushed through. My concerns are based on my experiences, as a law enforcement officer I've worked in low income areas and seen the impact the problems with the health care system have had on people.
I have another prospective as well, for five and a half years I was a trustee on the Fraternal Order of Police Miami Lodge 20 Insurance Trust Fund, nearly three years of that time as Chairperson (in the City of Miami the police run their own health insurance). It is because of this experience that I have a problem with the speed in which this legislation is being pushed, and the delays in (and rationing of) care that will be caused. At the police department annual physicals were mandatory for the sworn personnel (those personnel with arrest powers). The trust meets monthly and a part of those business meetings is to review claims for the previous month as well as year to date, hear appeals if a member was denied coverage for an issue (During my time as Chairperson our operating budgets were over six million dollars). We began to notice an increase in cancer related illnesses in the dependants of officers and retired officers. As we looked into this trend more we discovered that in most of the cases early detection would have significantly reduced the aggressiveness of the course of treatment, as well as the cost. We decided to implement annual physical coverage for dependants and retired members. Although the initial cost would increase if a large number took advantage of this new benefit, early detection would reduce our costs over a long period of time. It worked, and as a result of being able to reduce annual costs the trust was able to consider additional benefits to our members.
Another lesson that was reinforced during that time, and one that Congress and President Obama should seriously consider is that you can’t give everyone what they want without there being consequences. When the FOP Insurance Trust Fund first began (1985) the trust would reimburse for prescriptions. You could either submit your receipts and paperwork requesting the reimbursement as the expense occurred or once a year (your choice). The trust was doing well and members began to ask if we could try a prescription card instead of the reimbursement process. Finally, the trust was doing well enough that we decided to try it for a year as a test program, study the cost impact. At the end of that year our costs went crazy, the program was a financial failure because the payments were immediate, versus the reimbursement program. The largest costs were from the retirees. The trustees felt that the trust should return to the reimbursement program, it was easier to predict annual costs when preparing budgets, and the costs were spread out over a period of time minimizing the impact. That was twelve years ago and despite the financial burden to the trust the prescription card is still in place.
The proposed legislation is going to increase the number of patients, yet it does not appear to do anything to increase the number of professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel to care for the patients. Hospitals are having trouble staffing to care for the current patient levels, how are they going to adequately handle the proposed increase. How about dealing with that first. The federal government has implemented programs in the past to increase the people that choose law enforcement as a career, why not do similar programs for the medical field. When there is a natural disaster the military will deploy medical personnel in the affected area, they also have had programs in the past when going into a community for “Fleet Week”, medical staff will go into an area and work in a clinic. Many medical personnel are members of the medical reserves; why not have them do their weekend or two week duty in the area county hospital. Could the government offer incentive programs for people to become doctors, nurses, etc, such as assistance with student loans, or paid education in return for a commitment to work in the county hospitals for a certain number of years. I know there are arguments against, but if the government is determined to spend trillions of dollars just so they can say that they did something, regardless if their proposal will accomplish the intended goals, why not look at these types of alternatives? I would rather the government take a few more months and come up with a workable program that won’t punish me for already having coverage, or stick my great grandchildren with the debt caused by a rushed failure. President Obama likes to talk about FDR, well if the U.S. has been waiting since FDR’s time for a health care program, will a few more months really be that devastating to the country.
As I have mentioned before, history is a favorite topic of mine. As is the ole saying about being doomed to repeat history if you don’t study it. Well, previous attempts to reform health care, going back to FDR, have failed because they have been rushed and the leadership has tried to ram it through without doing due diligence.
Finally, could I please get a straight answer with details? The argument that there are fifty million people without health care is misleading. It gives the perception that all fifty million want healthcare but can’t afford it. There are a portion that can’t afford it, a portion with income in excess of fifty thousand a year that choose not to have it, a portion that are in the process of changing jobs (and coverage), and the indestructible youth that believe that they do not need coverage. Another argument that gives a false perception is that currently no one’s insurance covers pre existing conditions. Legislation was enacted in the past that addresses this. I’ve changed coverage several times in the past and none of the coverage’s refused to ever cover pre existing conditions. There was a waiting period for pre existing conditions, my experience ranged between thirty to one hundred and eighty days. It is possible that there are programs that will never cover a pre existing condition, but to borrow one of the president’s favorite words, it is disingenuous to imply that all insurance carriers refuse pre existing conditions.
I would also like a straight answer about the impact on small businesses. Two days ago President Obama was on a conference call with some bloggers (I wasn’t one of them) and he was asked about a provision in H.R. 3200 that would prohibit you from changing coverage, if you dropped your current coverage you would be mandated to go into the government plan. The president’s response was that he wasn’t familiar with the provisions in H.R. 3200. Shouldn’t you become familiar with the entire bill, all the provisions, the pros and cons of the legislation if it is enacted before you tell me that it is great and will make my life so much better. I remember as a child reading about another time when this happened, people were telling the emperor how great his new clothes were.
I have been looking at H.R. 3200, and will read it a second time, but some provisions (if I’m reading them correctly) would prohibit changes in your current coverage once this legislation is enacted. If your life situation changes you would not be able to adjust your current coverage. Like I said, once I finish reading this I am going to go over it again to make sure I have an accurate understanding (apparently there is a federal regulation prohibiting the drafting of a bill in plain/ easy to understand language rather than “legalese”) (no offense meant to my Esq. friends).
I will be listening to President Obama’s news conference this evening in hopes that he is able to provide details, give a straight answer.
I am including a link to H.R. 3200, the legislation from the House of Representatives so that you could read, or look at, the legislation for yourself (of course reading this may disqualify you from being a member of Congress, or President). That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours?
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3200:
About Me
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- James N. Mann
- I retired after completing 38 years as a law enforcement officer in the State of Florida. I began my law enforcement career with the City of Miami, where I served for nearly 27 years before serving with a state agency for 11 1/2 years (part of that time as Interim Inspector General). During my career with Miami I worked in uniform patrol, the detective bureau, and the 911 center. I was also a member of the first law enforcement crew to respond to New York City on September 11, 2001. From January 2007 to April 2011 I also served as a commissioner on the state commission that governs the certification of law enforcement, correctional and probation officers in the state. I am a Past President of the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police (President 2004-2006); I was an employee representative with Miami FOP Lodge #20 for almost 21 years (6 years serving at the Chief Steward). I have worked on legislative issues at all levels, worked on political screening committees. I’m a past member of the Dade County Republican Executive Committee, and have been an advisor/ law enforcement liaison for a presidential candidate..
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Blog Updates
I have got a lot of positive feedback from people, including those that have read printed copies of the posts. I really appreciate the feedback, and ideas.
I decided to try some of the suggestions and felt that it was time to try and expand a bit. I have modified the blog to allow comments from anybody, including anonymous comments. Because of that I added a comment moderation as well, not to censor differing points of view (those will be published as well), just to keep profane comments out. As vast as the English language is if you can not express your thoughts without being profane or offensive without putting your name to what you say you shouldn't be posting comments. At least not on a Blog where it will also be a reflection of me.
I have also invited others to write posts if they choose. These are people who's opinions I respect, and people that I enjoy having conversations with because of their perspectives.
I may from time to time add a poll question, and would appreciate any suggestions.
I decided to try some of the suggestions and felt that it was time to try and expand a bit. I have modified the blog to allow comments from anybody, including anonymous comments. Because of that I added a comment moderation as well, not to censor differing points of view (those will be published as well), just to keep profane comments out. As vast as the English language is if you can not express your thoughts without being profane or offensive without putting your name to what you say you shouldn't be posting comments. At least not on a Blog where it will also be a reflection of me.
I have also invited others to write posts if they choose. These are people who's opinions I respect, and people that I enjoy having conversations with because of their perspectives.
I may from time to time add a poll question, and would appreciate any suggestions.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
What happened to the “civil” in civilization?
On June 6th I was watching the D-Day remembrance/ ceremony. I remembered my mother telling me about learning of the invasion on the radio, as well as stories about sitting around the radio for updates throughout the war (and the fear that the war might come to American shores). I also thought about how fortunate I’ve been throughout my life.
After graduating high school I went to work at Miami Heart Institute (at the time a major hospital located on Miami Beach) as an Orthopedic Technician, I was a part of the Physical Therapy Department. In addition to the orthopedic assignments I also assisted the aides with patients. During that time I had patients that had been a part of the armed forces in World War II; some had taken part in the D-Day invasion. I also had patients that had been victims of the Holocaust, suffered in and lost family in the Nazi concentration camps. With very, very few exceptions these were the most polite, patient, understanding people I have ever met either before or since. With only one exception, they all would apologize to the hospital staff caring for them, they would apologize for inconveniencing the staff, their health made it very difficult (if not impossible) to care for themselves and they were the ones that were apologizing.
Some were alone because their spouse had passed away, but rarely did I ever find one that felt lonely. I would talk with them as I set up or checked on their equipment, or were taking them to therapy. I would ask why they had kept the tattoo that the Nazi’s had branded them with? They kept it to remember what had happened to them, to remind them that no matter the trials they were suffering, they had already suffered the worst thing that could possibly happen to a person so their current situation was just an inconvenience. Most also kept the tattoos as a reminder to the rest of us of what happened, and of what man is capable of when evil goes unchallenged.
I mention this because just four days later a man went to the Holocaust Museum and opened fire with a rifle, killing a security guard before being wounded by other guards. Later that day it was reported that apparently Security Guard, Stephen T. Johns, saw an older man approaching the entrance and as an act of courtesy he opened the door for this elder “gentleman”, this act of decency rewarded with a bullet.
Within hours of the shooting some media and “Bloggers” began saying that the gunman was an “extreme right wing nut.” Looking at some of this individual’s writings (I won’t mention his name and give him the satisfaction of being remembered or put him on the same level as Stephen Johns) you would see that he wasn’t “right” or “left”, he was just full of hate. However, there were those that had to “label” him the same as others they dislike, and I have to ask WHY? Why is it OK to “paint” those that disagree with your philosophy with the same brush as the individual that would commit such a crime? It’s wrong when you’re labeled, so why perpetuate the wrong.
Is it possible to have civil discourse, how about working together establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, and promoting the general welfare of the country instead of trying to reshape the country in the image of only those that we agree with. Does that sound familiar; maybe you’ll remember it like this;
“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide, for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The founders of this country had a lot of faults, after all they were only human, but maybe we should stop hating one another because we have different beliefs and be thankful that this Republic allows us the freedom to have different thoughts and ideas. Maybe we should work together to ensure that future generations have the ability to disagree and speak our opinions, after all, thousands of people try to come to the United States each year so that they can enjoy such freedom.
Just maybe we can remember what is really important, and eleven year old boy lost his father, a woman her husband, and another family has to deal with the fact that they are the decedents of a hateful individual.
If that is too much to hope for, maybe we can follow the example of those that survived the Holocaust. That’s my opinion, what’s yours?
After graduating high school I went to work at Miami Heart Institute (at the time a major hospital located on Miami Beach) as an Orthopedic Technician, I was a part of the Physical Therapy Department. In addition to the orthopedic assignments I also assisted the aides with patients. During that time I had patients that had been a part of the armed forces in World War II; some had taken part in the D-Day invasion. I also had patients that had been victims of the Holocaust, suffered in and lost family in the Nazi concentration camps. With very, very few exceptions these were the most polite, patient, understanding people I have ever met either before or since. With only one exception, they all would apologize to the hospital staff caring for them, they would apologize for inconveniencing the staff, their health made it very difficult (if not impossible) to care for themselves and they were the ones that were apologizing.
Some were alone because their spouse had passed away, but rarely did I ever find one that felt lonely. I would talk with them as I set up or checked on their equipment, or were taking them to therapy. I would ask why they had kept the tattoo that the Nazi’s had branded them with? They kept it to remember what had happened to them, to remind them that no matter the trials they were suffering, they had already suffered the worst thing that could possibly happen to a person so their current situation was just an inconvenience. Most also kept the tattoos as a reminder to the rest of us of what happened, and of what man is capable of when evil goes unchallenged.
I mention this because just four days later a man went to the Holocaust Museum and opened fire with a rifle, killing a security guard before being wounded by other guards. Later that day it was reported that apparently Security Guard, Stephen T. Johns, saw an older man approaching the entrance and as an act of courtesy he opened the door for this elder “gentleman”, this act of decency rewarded with a bullet.
Within hours of the shooting some media and “Bloggers” began saying that the gunman was an “extreme right wing nut.” Looking at some of this individual’s writings (I won’t mention his name and give him the satisfaction of being remembered or put him on the same level as Stephen Johns) you would see that he wasn’t “right” or “left”, he was just full of hate. However, there were those that had to “label” him the same as others they dislike, and I have to ask WHY? Why is it OK to “paint” those that disagree with your philosophy with the same brush as the individual that would commit such a crime? It’s wrong when you’re labeled, so why perpetuate the wrong.
Is it possible to have civil discourse, how about working together establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, and promoting the general welfare of the country instead of trying to reshape the country in the image of only those that we agree with. Does that sound familiar; maybe you’ll remember it like this;
“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide, for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The founders of this country had a lot of faults, after all they were only human, but maybe we should stop hating one another because we have different beliefs and be thankful that this Republic allows us the freedom to have different thoughts and ideas. Maybe we should work together to ensure that future generations have the ability to disagree and speak our opinions, after all, thousands of people try to come to the United States each year so that they can enjoy such freedom.
Just maybe we can remember what is really important, and eleven year old boy lost his father, a woman her husband, and another family has to deal with the fact that they are the decedents of a hateful individual.
If that is too much to hope for, maybe we can follow the example of those that survived the Holocaust. That’s my opinion, what’s yours?
No I haven't disappeared or given up (not yet anyway)
No I haven't disappeared or given up. I haven't been able to post as often as I had originally planned. I got busy and to be honest, when I would get home the last thing I wanted to do was sit down at the PC and write (even though it would be for pleasure).
Things have slowed down a bit, and I'm feeling better (I've been contributing to my doctor's vacation fund). I am working on completing a couple of articles that were in the draft stage and will post them. I am also reading a couple of books and may have a thought or two when I'm finished.
Things have slowed down a bit, and I'm feeling better (I've been contributing to my doctor's vacation fund). I am working on completing a couple of articles that were in the draft stage and will post them. I am also reading a couple of books and may have a thought or two when I'm finished.
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