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Nebraska groups push for universal health care

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By JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008 - 12:41:26 pm CDT

In the “try, try again” division of effort, Nebraska Appleseed along with other groups on Tuesday launched Nebraska’s version of a new push to get universal health care in America.

“Today in Lincoln and in 52 other cities and state capitols across the country … men and women are coming together to say that this is the year America decides,” said Jennifer Carter, director of Nebraska Appleseed’s health care access program.

Nebraskans are like others across the country at the mercy of private health insurance companies that are charging more, giving less and putting profits before the health of people, Carter said.

Story Photo

Pediatrician Stacie Bleicher said a broken health care finance system is affecting the wellness of  average Nebraskans.

Every day in her practice she hears families talking about increasing costs and lack of availability of health insurance. They have higher and higher deductibles that are hard to meet, increasing co-payments and significant restrictions on what is covered.

“I see children that are denied health care coverage altogether because of prior resolved health issues,” she said.

Some children who have had seizures in the past but are now determined to be seizure-free, for example, are denied coverage because the word seizure appeared in their records, she said.

Bleicher said families are delaying care because of out-of-pocket costs they can’t pay on top of premium expenses. They are reliant on free medication samples that are getting more scarce, or they are not taking needed medications for chronic problems such as asthma or uncontrolled seizures and are making more frequent emergency room visits.

Bleicher would support insurance plans that protect a person’s ability to get health insurance if there is a current or preexisting medical condition, and that allow people to have a medical “home” where they are known.

The campaign, known as Health Care for America Now, is supported in Nebraska by unions, the Center for People in Need, the Nebraska chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and Voices for Children in Nebraska.

Small businesses also support the campaign.

Rick Poore, who has a screen printing company that employs 24, said every year he makes changes in the health insurance he offers employees, to make it more affordable.

But no matter what he does, costs go up and benefits go down.

“We’re way past the point of throwing a new coat of paint on this and calling it reform,” he said.

Carter said the campaign and the 95 mostly liberal groups it brings together is unprecedented in the history of health care reform efforts. National and local groups represent labor, community organizations, doctors, nurses, women, small businesses, faith-based organizations, people of color, and think tanks.

It plans to spend $40 million on advertising, e-mail blasts and promotion of the ideals of health care changes and force discussion of the issue.

Ads started running Tuesday on CNN and MSNBC, and they are planned to run in every Congressional district, Carter said.

The campaign is not offering a particular health reform proposal, but rather principles the groups would like to see.

“The campaign’s general principles believe families, employers and the government all have a shared responsibility to help pay for the cost,” Carter said.

Reach JoAnne Young at 473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com.


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Alan wrote on July 8, 2008 12:55 pm:
" I'm skeptical of anything Nebraska Appleseed is involved in and the unions more so. Shared cost is just a shibbolith for higher taxes and more government involvement. Get government mandates out of health care and reform the tort system first. Let the market work without so much interference. "

 DJ Stone wrote on July 8, 2008 1:05 pm:
" “The campaign’s general principles believe families, employers and the government all have a shared responsibility to help pay for the cost,” What ever happened to taking care of yourself. Why do I have to pay for someone else’s health care? Sounds like socialism.
If Ms. Bleicher is so troubled by peoples inability to pay for the health care she provides she could always lower her fees. But that is just logic talking. "

 Mike McDermott wrote on July 8, 2008 1:39 pm:
" I'm a liberal Democrat and I'm tired of hearing about the "broken health care system." Unless and until someone such as Democratic U.S. Senator Ben Nelson or the Nebraska Democratic Party can explain how a 30 year old hospital can replace itself with a $65 million hospital out of their own pocket when it didn't need one, simply because it is non profit and didn't need the autorization or scrutiny of the people, then I refuse to believe that a crisis exists. How can an institution be allowed to accumulate $65 million when people such as myself cannot afford insurance, or people like my friend are forced to file bankruptcy because of overinflated medical charges, all while these non profit institutions are accumulating enormous amounts of wealth and supposedly operating in the interests of the public? It seems like there is plenty of money, it's just been allowed to accumulate in the wrong hands with no oversight, or no accountability. Is there a more pertinent concern today? Isn't the National Democratic Party interested in univeral healthcare? Shouldn't this be a concern for the Nebraska Democratic Party? Where's Ben Nelson? What's wrong with this picture? "

 Marie wrote on July 8, 2008 1:40 pm:
" DJ's "if they can't afford bread - let them eat cake" attitude goes a long way in illuminating a basic and alarming ill of our society. The lack of basic social cohesiveness is destroying our country, that is, the parts which are still left. I can't believe that people don't see something like healthcare as a basic need, which it obviously is. It should be provided by society for societal use, on an as-needed basis. Why have a layer of middlemen (i.e. insurance companies) be involved, since they do nothing but take resources from the system? The status quo makes no sense , and thus it is failing.

A single-payer system would be a good first step in bringing the US back up to the standards of most other industrialized countries. "

 Gina wrote on July 8, 2008 2:05 pm:
" I'd like to take care of myself, but I work full time and so does my husband and we are barely covering our health care premiums for ourselves and our 2 kids. Several times I have not gone to the doctor when I needed to because I just didn't have the $25 co-pay and hadn't met the deductible yet on my plan. The "individuals take care of themselves approach" has led to the insurance companies pricing us all out of the market. I'm ready for change and will gladly support any effort that will make sure my family has access to the health care we need. "

 Jack wrote on July 8, 2008 2:16 pm:
" To DJ Stone: You already pay for other people healthcare--military, prisoners, United States Post office workers, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. The government controls all these and we pay for it. A Universal Healthcare plan is the only solution. Treat me the same as everyone else. I want to be covered too! "

 Money wrote on July 8, 2008 2:34 pm:
" $40 million on advertising? I wonder how many people they could help if they put that towards health care costs instead... Let's spend millions of dollars to show how people don't have any money? "

 barbara wrote on July 8, 2008 2:51 pm:
" What is wrong when 66% of doctors associated with the AMA say the system is broke? Our healthcare system is broke, folks. We need choice, universal health care Or private, you pick. Private insurance is not competitive - it needs to brought down to reality. Universal coverage options would wake up the insurance companies and force them to change the way they do business. "

 Dustin wrote on July 8, 2008 2:53 pm:
" DJ STONE- Actually great britian has universal health care and it is much cheaper than individual health insurance rates. I have many friends there and they are very well off and were skeptical at first but in the end they are quite happy with the coverage (there are different levels based on physicals you can receive to lower or raise the type of coverage you require/want).

You would actually be saving money rather than throwing your tax money away to various health programs that do not promote health care to everyone but to a select few.

However, the only disadvantage is that if you need specialized surgeries or are world renowned athletes they often come over to the US to get those procedures done. Such as knee scoping etc which my friend did because he's an World Cup ALpine skier and wanted it done by someone who does thousands of them. "

 Eric wrote on July 8, 2008 3:10 pm:
" The health care crisis doesnt center around hospitals and such. It centers around the fact that people cant afford insurance. My employer offers group health insurance. In order to cover myself and my 2 kids it would be $890 per month. And thats group insurance costs. By the time I pay that and pay my child support I would be left with approximately $184 per paycheck to pay rent, utilities, groceries, car expenses, etc. and I make fairly decent money. So all you holier than thou, who think that you are too good to help defray the cost, figure out a way to make health insurance affordable. Right now it isnt. Fact of the matter is either I buy insurance or I buy food and other necessities. I dont know about anyone else, but food comes higher on my list of priorities. "

 Healthcare should be socialized wrote on July 8, 2008 3:36 pm:
" The moldy scrooge-like rhetoric that DJ Stone presents is a product of ignorance. Healthcare should not be based on how well off a person is finacially. DJ may be that cold and heartless but I think even nebraskans are seeing the light here. With all the complaints about other countries social healthcare programs, the fact is that most have better outcomes then the US care for profit system despite our huge expenditure on healthcare.If you or your employer can afford the insurance, you are in pretty good shape (although insurance companies will still deny you services based on what they think you need). However, those who get laid off, or cannot find an employer who offered insurance benefits have little choice. They do without. Sounds like DJ Stone believes we should cancel Medicare also, since it embodies social healthcare. Let those older people pay their own way. No reason not to work into your 90's or save all your life so you can cover your illness in later life. The real inrony here is that those without insurance, are typically charged more for their healthcare as insurance compaines negotiate better prices. Take care of your self DJ? As a registered nurse of 2 decades I suggest that next time you are ill you take care of yourself. I really don't want a thing to do with you. However, just as I would those people who cannot pay for the huge bills they are accumulating, I will care for you. Sometimes you have to do what is morally right. Who knows, maybe in the process the ghost of healthcare future might pay you a visit. "

 Behind the times wrote on July 8, 2008 3:37 pm:
" At a time when all other nations with socialized health care are moving towards a private model, we have folks in our state and nation that was socialized healthcare? Wanna derail the world's best medical professions and research - vote for this ignorant plan and I will meet you in long waiting line at your nearest hospital. "

 Hey Alan... wrote on July 8, 2008 4:54 pm:
" Have you forgotten that tort reform has actually occurred in some states such as Florida and California, yet those states still have high medical costs. The fact of the matter is that tort reform is a crock, tort suits against insurance companies, medical hospitals, and doctors makes very little impact on the costs of the taxpayer. http://www.factcheck.org/politics/insurance_industry_ad_makes_fishy_claim_about.html

http://www.factcheck.org/president_uses_dubious_statistics_on_costs_of.html

Please go to these sites and read the truth about tort reform for yourself. "

 What insurance company wrote on July 8, 2008 8:25 pm:
" What insurance company does "Behind the Times" work for and where do these facts about France, Great Britain and Canada moving towards private health come from? As far as the "the world's best medical professions" is concerned, the outcomes measures in the above mentioned countries trump those of the US despite our HUGE expenditure on healthcare. The key outcome could be length of life, in which all three beat the US with France averaging about 4 years longer average life span. Now if you are talking about profits, well, maybe the US has an edge. But tell that to the uninsured person who spends a week in the hospital with a necrotic bowel, the ensuing bowel resection and the recovery time on antibiotics. "

 Nurse wrote on July 9, 2008 9:01 am:
" I have been a nurse for over 20 years. Universal Healthcare is the only way to go. "

 nemo wrote on July 9, 2008 10:18 am:
" But Gina, you didn't go to the doctor when you thought you needed to, yet you are still here, able to voice your opinion. The argument could be made that people are running to the doc when they get a sniffle or a pain, something that will take care of itself with time. This is another thing that insurance companies end up paying for and via them, yourself. Appleseed is doing me no favors by telling me what they think our principles should be. I know sick people should be able to get health care, give me something with meat to chew on. "

 Check out the VA Hospital system wrote on July 9, 2008 11:34 am:
" Ask any veteran about the VA system for healthcare. If that is how government run health care is, good luck to everyone. "

 fifteen wrote on July 9, 2008 11:48 am:
" Let those non profits and "religion" affiliated med centers start contributing in real estate taxes. Perhaps then, with this bit of property tax relief, the rest of us could have more money to spend on insurance premiums.

Besides, people live too long anyway. Maybe we don't need everyone going to the doctor...maybe then I'll be able to see some social security come my way. "

 jl wrote on July 9, 2008 1:37 pm:
" To "Money": With roughly 47 million uninsured Americans, $40 million spent on advertising works out to less than $1 per uninsured person. How much care do you think that would provide? "

 Mike wrote on July 9, 2008 4:30 pm:
" Behind the times - I throw the BS flag. I haven't seen any move towards privatization in Europe. In fact the 20+ Europeans I am friends with all say that if the governments there tried to move away from Universal HC there would be chaos on the streets.

An American friend of mine shattered his leg in the running of the bulls this year. He was fearful of the cost of getting treatment. But was amazed at how wrong he was. The Spanish hospital fixed everything with no questions and told him he could stay in the hospital as long as wanted...at no cost.

And just to preempt the"Canadians come here for healthcare" argument. I know a lot of Canadians who laugh at that every time they hear it, bc they know no Canadians can afford healthcare in the US. "

 What happened wrote on July 9, 2008 4:55 pm:
" I can't believe what I'm hearing from some people...what happened to the "we look out for each other" mentality? Just recently many Nebraskans pitched in to help those dealing with floods in Iowa, but helping make sure a child is able to get the vaccines he/she needs is too much???
Here's a good story for you...
My daughter was born when my fiance and I were 21 and 20, respectively. We were both low-income college students, but were determined to take care of our daughter on our own, so we purchased expensive private insurance for her (no welfare for us). When she was born, we found out she had congenital heart defects (which we later found out was due to Turner Syndrome). Our insurance didn't cover a dime of her $15,500 NICU bill. It also didn't cover any well baby check-ups or immunizations. They denied our 4 appeals to get her Synagis, a vaccine for RSV, which she was at risk for. We ended up having to use student loans and credit cards to cover her medical expenses. It was either that, or deny her needed vaccinations, procedures, checkups, etc. Despite that, he and I both graduated from college in 4 years, and I will graduate with my Master's degree next May. Between student loans and credit cards, by then we will have over $100,000 worth of debt.
Is that what we want for our society? Everyone take care of their own, don't worry about each other, and end up in massive debt? Do we really care so little about each other? It's insane when the insurance you pay for refuses to pay for anything. We would've been better off uninsured...the insurance costed much more than the benefits we got from it. Or maybe we should've just gone with the national health insurance we already have...Medicaid. We would've been much better off. "

 Dr Marcus Welby wrote on July 9, 2008 6:43 pm:
" The entire article is misguided by pointing the blame at the health insurance companies. Some of the better Health Insurance companies operate on 10% or less profit. The Doctors, Hospitals, and the American Medical Association are the ones redistributing the wealth. The double-digit medical inflation that goes on year after year when a Republican President is in office (check it out) is finally at a breaking point. They now own 20% of the US economy. Universal Health care is coming. Get used to it. "

 ummm...Mike wrote on July 9, 2008 6:45 pm:
" How much power does the Nebraska Democratic party have? We still vote with the Confederates around here. Check the Red State/Blue State map. "

 me wrote on July 9, 2008 8:11 pm:
" there are alot of employers that are switching their insurance packages to only let you hve 1 physical paid per year with the 25 copay. you get sick the rest of the year or break a leg its up to you to pay the Dr bill along with the presciption also. Me and my 2 kids went on the wonderful plan-not my choice- a few years ago all 3 of us got severe sinus infections in the same week, yep 3 -$90.00 Dr office visits and 3- $100 presciptions later, i was broke. Thank God my Dr office let me make payments on the $270 i owed him other wise we wouldnt have been able to eat the rest of the month. I worked fulltime and have insurance coverage from my employer, but I still couldnt afford to go to the Dr. Thats not right when you have to choose between going broke and not eating or being able to go to the Dr office. I hate the attitude that some have of Too bad, so sad on this post. Cant wait for it to happen to them. I wouldve been better off to not even pay for coverage every month and save the money for when i did need to go to the Dr office. "

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