What makes you think that the dems are gonna do a damn thing about the issue of health care? Health care was an issue long before Bush was in office and its not going to get better just because clinton is preaching to the poor about this wonderful form of national health care. Someone still has to pay for the service and it is going to be us whether its via fee for service, insurance, or federal taxes. I would rather give my money to the insurance company or the doctor and know that I will have medical access than to give it to the government and have to stand in line or be denied service because I am too old or whatever else they feel like telling me that particular day.

I don't think there is an answer that is why we are still in such debate on the issue. Here is the problem. If you take market out of market-driven health care then you have what? Government driven health care. I don't want that. And I would be surprised if the majority of health care professionals particularly nurses disagree with me on this. Could you imagine our jobs if the profession was controlled by the government? Yikes. However, in order to make health care, particularly drugs, affordable you have to make the system less of a market driven industry. If the government did indeed step in and health care became government driven all people would sacrifice access and quality in order to get service, slow service. We are just going to have to decide what is more important. Besides, we have some form of government intervention already for people who lack insurance, Medicaid. And they cannot even come up with the funds to pay that bill. A great deal of providers are not even taking Medicaid any longer because the reimbursement process is a such a nightmare. This is why I am not in support of the idea to have a general health care service provided by the government where everyone is guaranteed a particular amount of health care and then are given the opportunity to supplement with private insurance if they can and choose to do so. It is not going to work.

Ljr and Georgia nurse: Yes I do agree that the politicians will use “The topic of the day” to get the most exposure at the news hour. You may be interested to know that politicians will usually not follow through on the majority of what they promise when campaigning and the voters will not even remember what was promised to them. Another tidbit, most voters will not be able to tell you a specific reason they voted for who they voted for. I too would rather give my money not to the government but to my own insurance company or doctor. However there are far too many people out there who cannot afford insurance. These are not “lazy people” only. I have worked with CNAs raising children on their own and they are working tow and even three jobs and cannot afford insurance. They need every penny to care for their children. Insurance for many is thought of as a luxury. They do not worry about losing their house or car in the event of a medical disaster because they do not own a house or a car. The drug companies are doing a tiny bit to help those who need meds and cannot afford it. But get this, it requires they do it online. Now, how many patients have you cared for that are illiterate and no access to a computer? Many do not even have a telephone. Answer this for me. Why are the same drugs significantly lower in other countries than they are here? Yes, we have Medicaid and Medicare. We all need to really listen to the patients that are on these insufficient plans. Do you really know what they cover and do not cover? Why can’t the government support these plans better? And, how many news articles have you seen about the docs that steal from Medicaid and Medicare? It is a moral choice Ljr Please take a look at the article that I posted under User Headlines: Discount structure for uninsured. I was disappointed that on this, a website for nurses, there was only one response posted there. . I was disappointed that on this, a website for nurses, there was only one response posted there.

I think that it is a sin that healthcare facilities do not offer free health care to their employees. It is sickening to me that hospital employees, CNAs, lab techs, housekeepers and nurses cannot afford healthcare.

Hey, great subject and title, you should run for office. I wrote a response earlier, but did not go on. I think if you are not loged in it will not take.
cdnurse, yes I agree. I work at a cooperation hosptial, sure they offer health care at 300-500/month WOW. it is cheaper to get it on my own via an idividual plan. Most emplyees let alone pts cannot afford health care up here (in faribanks) there is a monopoly and very expensive as everywhere. what happended to emplyoees getting free health care, pharmacy at the hospital they work at, gone with these cooperations taking over.
*****To get involved in the exsisting Revolution, please join NLN and ANA. "We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." - Thomas Jefferson
at the very least check out their web sites.

y'all know you can go overseas and receive care equivalent to most of our university hospitals for 50 to 70% less in cost. Even dental care, you pay $1000 or more for a root canal and crown here, like $300 there. Check out this link if you're curious. Says even poorest 25% of the population there receive the same care that medical tourists go there to get. http://www.amazing-thailand.com/Thailand-medical-services-3.html

kat88 said:

also I think we need to get rid of state licensure/nursing government and have everything via NLN, that would make for a stronger group and better lobying power of nurses. THere are A lot of us, but we are despersed (as well as our money) and powerless governed by individual states and organizations.