Health Care Reform

The U.S. House of Representatives will begin debate on the 1,990 page H.R. 3962 the 1st week of November.

Other bills:

HR 3200: America's Affordable Health Choices Act

S 1679: Affordable Health Choices Act

S 1796: America's Healthy Future Act

Health Care Forum

The "Health Care Forum" was a huge success and Door County citizens showed why people want to live here. The audience was respectful and civil and asked great questions. Our panel of 4 did a terrific job of answering the questions. Thanks to the panel and the audience for participating in this important discussion!

Panel members

WI Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-27) Chairman of the Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief and Revenue Committee. Jon told about the cost-savings benefits of having all WI citizens in the same health care pool and the importance of insurance portability so a consumer can keep their primary care physician when they change jobs or lose their job. Our WI health care program works and should be a model for the rest of the country. We need to work on adding dental care and mental health care to the program.

Dr. William Perloff, MD, retired physician and newsletter editor. Bill spoke of the importance of a "Living Will" and told of the "Five Lies" being spread by the anti-reformists. 

1. President Obama wants to euthanize your grandmother! (Click her for the TRUTH!)
   
2. Democrats are going to outlaw private insurance and force you into a government plan! (Click her for the TRUTH!)
3. President Obama wants to implement Soviet-style rationing! (Click her for the TRUTH!)
4. President Obama is secretly plotting to cut senior citizens' Medicare benefits! (Click her for the TRUTH!)
5. Obama's health care plan will bankrupt America! (Click her for the TRUTH!)

Dr. Phil Hansotia, MD, past board member and chair of the resolutions committee made the following points:

1. Health care is a right of citizenship not a product for sale
2. All developed societies provide health care
3. Our system of employer-based private health care insurance has failed to provide health care or security
4. All agree the present system needs changing

                                            Essential Elements:

1. Definition of basic essentials of health care
2. Universal access and coverage
3. Quality care with preservation of doctor - patient relationship
4. Affordable: cost control and cost containment

In addition, he spoke of:

1. Duplication of equipment & services have added costs
2. Fee for service is more expensive than salaried health professionals
3. Cost shifting
4. Private insurance companies lobbies our elected representatives

Phil concluded:

1. We must support universal, single-payor health insurance
2. We must insist on a government health care plan in any mix of choices
3. We must make health care part of Social Security

Jo Guenzel has been active in public health issues in Door County for many years, working to establish the Free Dental Clinic, the Wellness Center, the Hispanic Resource Center of Door & Kewaunee Counties and the Community Clinic of Door County. She has been awarded a community service award for her work with the clinic from both Rotary and United Way and recently received the Philanthropist of the Year award from the Door County Community Foundation.

One question was posed about Wendell Potter, former head of Public Relations for Cigna (one of the nation's largest insurers). In his BIll Moyers interview he talks about how the health insurance industry that is corrupted by greed and how for profit insurers hijacked our health care system and put profits before patients.

Health Care Links

Access: You Connection to Health & Nutrition Benefits (Badger Care, Badger Care +, )

Badger Care + (Covered Services) Rules: WI resident, U.S. citizen or legal immigrant, age 19 - 64, do not have dependent children under age 19 living with you, not pregnant, family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level guidelines (single: $1,805/month; married: $2,428.33/month), do not have private health insurance, are not getting Badger Care Plus, Medicaid or Medicare.

Forward Health (Benefit programs offered in WI: health care, nutrition, other programs, online tools)

Community Clinic of Door County (Jo Guenzel), 1623 Rhode Island St., Sturgeon Bay. 920.746.8989. Community Clinic of Door County is enrolling eligible folks and assisting with $60 enrollment fee and will continue as long as they can. Their mission is to "Get Door County Insured"

"Living Will" (Online advance directive forms -- Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services)

ABC This Week with George Stephanopoulos -- The Ted Kennedy Legacy

White House Reality Check

Health Care Reform - How it will help WI & what you can do (OFA)

Rachel Maddow Show (videos on health care investigative reporting) Scroll down to "Video" and click on TRMS videos

Top 5 Health Care Lies and How to Fight Back!

Health Care for U.S. Congress

Salary & Benefits of U.S. Congress (Pay & Health Insurance)