What Will Happen to Health Care Reform?

What will happen to health care reform? Nothing, or a worsening of the situation unless the politics are left out and the Republicans stop using obstructionist tactics to derail this and just about every other initiative the President undertakes.

The Democrats aren’t blameless either. Their willingness to stoop to backroom deal making and concessions just to get a bill passed have resulted in the loss of two vital provisions: the public option and the threat of serious limitations on women’s reproductive services which, I maintain, creates another pre-existing condition the bill was envisioned to eliminate.

The insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies will do anything to maintain their profit margins. Witness Anthem Blue Cross raising rates in California in anticipation of a bill's passage.

Here’s what else can happen if people are forced to buy coverage from the very companies ripping us off now. Without a public option, if you lose your job and have a family to support, perhaps the only insurance you can buy will be on a private exchange. Even if you can't afford it, you’re required to buy coverage. How will you pay for that, as well as mortgage/rent, utilities and food? If your spouse makes too much for you to qualify for Medicaid (or an exemption from the mandatory coverage) this is all too possible.

And here is an example of the convoluted way reproductive health services would work: In the military, where men no doubt can obtain condoms, women can’t get emergency contraception. Most health plans will follow the Federal guidelines and likely exclude birth control abortion coverage unless you pay out of pocket. The argument: "It's a rather small expense." My argument: "Pay for your Viagra, penile pumps and other treatments for erectile dysfunction. If you can't afford it, not having sex won't kill you."

Here's an editorial from The New York Times on this issue: Showing Respect for Women In Uniform

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/15/opinion/15mon3.html?scp=1&sq=emergency%20contraception%20military&st=Search

How about respect for women in general? I'm sick of my body being divided into pieces deserving of care and parts that are "my responsibility" or "my irresponsibility" depending upon whose opinion is being voiced. It takes two to tango, as they say.

Meanwhile, yet another hospital here in NYC (St. Vincent’s) is bankrupt due to bad debt and charity care and lowered insurance reimbursement. They just had a layoff and more are likely. If they close, surrounding institutions will have to absorb the volume-and that means longer waits, understaffing which endanger patient safety and affect infection control measures (more crowding, less cleaning).

What about tort reform and provisions to address the malpractice morass? Lawyers are still advertising no fee unless we win, wasting money on frivolous cases, many of which have not merit but are settled to avoid costly litigation.

I have a great insurance plan, and would likely have to give up some perks, like my health care spending account funded from pre-tax payroll deduction. But my optical benefits have already been reduced and I must go to one vision care provider. I must fill all prescriptions at certain pharmacies to get that benefit.

We’re all going to have to give up something. But unless the health of the American people is put first, not ideology, politics and vengeance there will be no meaningful reform.

Without a viable public option, protection for women's health care services, and changes in the legal system reform is not going to reform anything.

Finally, this is a very intelligent op-ed from The New York Times on how the GOP can fix health care.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/22/opinion/22healthintro.html?th&emc=th

It contains proposals for health care reform written by conservative Republicans. If they can write such reasonable suggestions why can't the House and Senate come to some consensus? The answer: politics.

The Experts Have Spoken. Will the Politicians Listen?

This letter was posted to the ACNM website and represents the joint efforts of a lot of organizations involved with women's health and women's rights. For a look at the posts that came before, check out my LJ blog which has been around longer.


December 1, 2009
Dear Senator:

The undersigned organizations committed to protecting and improving women's health appreciate efforts to advance health care reform that works towards improving access to quality, affordable and comprehensive health care for all Americans. To that end, we urge your support for Senator Mikulski's Women’s Health Amendment, which will help ensure that health care reform meets women's needs.

The Women's Health Amendment will ensure that women have access to key preventive services they need throughout their lives by strengthening the bill's existing protections. A May 2009 report by the Commonwealth Foundation found that nearly half of women delayed or avoided preventive care due to cost—a serious women's health issue that any health care reform plan must address.

While the current bill takes important steps toward improving access to preventive health care by making those recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) available with no or limited cost sharing, USPSTF recommendations do not fully account for the range of preventive services a woman’s doctor may recommend or that a woman may need. The Women's Health Amendment will allow HRSA to develop evidence-based guidelines to help bridge critical gaps in coverage and cost-sharing for preventive health services, the same approach the bill takes to address gaps in preventive services for children. This needed change is intended to make women's unique health care needs – from family planning and well-woman visits to breast cancer screening and preconception counseling that promotes healthier pregnancies and optimal birth outcomes-- more accessible and affordable for women.

As you consider health care reform legislation, we urge you to vote in favor of the Mikulski Women's Health Amendment that will help millions of women receive essential health care.

Sincerely,

National Women’s Law Center
Advocates for Youth
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
American Civil Liberties Union
American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
American College of Radiology (ACR)
American Medical Women’s Association
American Nurses Association (ANA)
American Psychological Association
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
Break the Cycle
Center for Reproductive Rights
Family Violence Prevention Fund
Jewish Women International
March of Dimes
Maryland Women's Coalition for Health Care Reform
Medical Students for Choice
National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF)
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) - HPV Cancer Coalition
The National Coalition for LGBT Health
National Council of Jewish Women
National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA)
National Institute for Reproductive Health
National Latina Health Network
National Organization for Women (NOW)
National Partnership for Women & Families
National Women's Health Network
Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
OWL - The Voice of Midlife and Older Women
Physicians for Reproductive Choice & Health (PRCH)
Raising Women's Voices for the Health Care We Need
Reproductive Health Technologies Project
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS)
YWCA USA

And this action alert was sent out by the APHA to it's members. They have been active in fighting the Stupak amendment, and the last word I heard was that the Nelson amendment was also defeated.

Senate debate began today on the Nelson Amendment to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which would significantly impact women who can't afford to purchase separate supplemental coverage for abortion services.
Please take the time to send this message to your Senators today urging that they vote NO when the Senate votes on the Nelson Amendment.
Thank you,
APHA Government Relations

I still don't see how it's fair to ask women to pay extra for premiums in the event they need or want and abortion, when men don't have to pay extra premiums in the event they need treatments for erectile dysfunction. Then again, I've never been (and never will be) a politician.

Please contact your Senators and voice your opinion-whatever it is.

My Livejournal blog is at: http://cmoleti-cnm.livejournal.com/