The Health Care Industry

Much has been made about the upcoming release of Michael Moore's documentary SICKO. There has been a lot of praise from those that work in the health care field, including many doctors, nurses and care givers. There is also the usual outcry from the right wing media, led by FOX News and the like screaming that Michael Moore is distorting the reality of the world's 'greatest health care system' and they are sadly trying to muddle the issue .

I would like to take a moment and share my own personal experiences. I worked in the health care field as an Administrator and know first hand how broken the system really is. Insurance companies making vital health care decisions, crooked physicians on the take from the large pharmaceutical companies, overpriced medications and procedures, hospitals neglecting the true need of their patients in the name of profit. When health care 'facilities' are making decisions regarding patient care on such factors as Medicare/Medicaid or insurance reimbursements and what will net the most money for them, how can a patient really believe that their own best interests are being met? The Medicare and Medicaid systems are a joke and are manipulated by hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes to maximize their own profits while the programs themselves are slowly being drained and are unable to help people.

Upon graduating from college. I was excited about the prospect of working in the field. I actually believed that I would be helping people and felt that the personal rewards would be great. Seven years later, I left feeling disgusted and sorry for the very people that I thought I could help.

I hope that with the release of SICKO, Moore can create enough of an outcry to force the powers that be to get off of their asses and do something meaningful. It will be a tough fight, though, with the incredible power and wealth of the pharmaceutical and insurance companies, giant hospital ’chains’, lawyers and the almost hypnotic power they have over Congress.

I know that with all the important ‘news’ lately (Paris Hilton, The Sopranos, etc. etc.), you may have forgotten about this recent tragedy. I think it shines light on this subject all too well:

SICKO- An Encore

The sad state of affairs in the health care system.

Health Care For All?

Sen. Barack Obama stated "The time has come for universal, affordable health care in America" and has proposed a plan extending benefits to almost 45 million Americans who currently do not have coverage. He calls for the costs to be shared by government, business and the consumer. Under the proposal, everyone would be able to obtain health insurance and it would create a National Health Insurance Exchange to monitor insurance companies in offering the coverage. It would also prohibit insurance companies from refusing coverage bacause of preexisting conditions. With his plan, he states that the average consumer would save about $2500.00 per year.

I worked in the health care field for many years and can tell you that there is indeed a crisis. Refusing treatment to the uninsured, insurance companies dictating treatment, hospitals only concerned with the famous 'bottom line'. The state of health care in this country is deplorable and not getting any better. For years there has been talk and more talk but no action. This isn't surprising when you think of the money spent by lobbyists and the insurance companies to quelch any serious debate. Many on the Republican side will use the tired 'He's increasing the size of the government' line but I think after the past few years, Republicans should look at the increase in the size of government (not to mention the inefficiency- FEMA, FDA) under their watch. Hopefully this will be the first in what I hope will become a nationwide dialogue regarding this crisis and will lead to some meaningful solutions. There is no excuse for our country to have the broken down health care system that currently exists.