The Malicious GOP

 

Healthcare in the United States is both pertinent and personal  based on the following: 1.  Recently, Linda was s een in the emergency room  hospital in Auburn.  Then , a private ambulance transported her to a critical care unit hospital in Modesto. The bill was $ 332 over Medicare and 0 dollars paid by the supplement . After a number of  hospital days, she was admitted to a rehab hospital in Sacramento. The grand total of that bill totaled $49,178 for eight days.She was also seen by an orthopedic surgeon. She did not require surgery but wound care. Upon returning home, she is being seen by the nurse and physical therapist.  2.  I received a letter from Anthem Blue Cross, my Medicare supplement.  They wanted to know if I like the plan that I have.  The rates are outrageous,  more than my Medicare payment and  only minimally cover what Medicare covers. There is a plethora of TV  advertising regarding so-called Medicare supplement Advantage plans.  However, the only advantage is to the insurance companies.  3. The New York Times article dated October 13, 2024 titled "Resistance to Public Health, No Longer Fringe, Gains Foothold in GOP Politics.  This disposition pertains to US healthcare.

Over  many years there has been negative publicity and propaganda against universal healthcare.  It ‘s stated that there are long waiting lines , it takes too long for certain procedures and that our healthcare system is superb.  Recent statistics regarding the ranking of healthcare in countries present a different picture. In the 2024 ranking of countries ,  the US healthcare system was not included in the top 20 healthiest  in the world.  Americans ,no matter what state they live  in, die younger than people in the 29 top  countries.  The cost of not receiving  health care ,insurance disputes,  and affordability of healthcare services  affect outcomes.  The US healthcare system from a global perspective has accelerating spending and worsening outcomes. 

A study by the Commonwealth Fund evaluated the healthcare of 10 countries that included Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the US.  The researchers looked at the following five intervening variables: 1.  Care process - the acquisition of primary care practices , health systems and private equity investors 2 Access to Care -  affordability, availability of health services 3 .  Administration Efficiency -doctors dealing with insurance, medical claim issues, reporting to, government agencies, patient time resolving medical bill discrepancies.  4.  Equity - people above and below average incomes , access to healthcare and healthcare experience 5.  Health outcomes -  life expectancy, behavioral choices related to health,  preventability of excess deaths.

The findings from this study found that the percentage of the healthcare spending of the US ranked number one and we had the worst overall performance from 1980 to 2023.  The US had the shortest life expectancy with the most avoidable deaths.  The US underperforms in the healthcare sector as nine other countries have found a way to provide  better  health care while meeting the most basic healthcare needs  with  universal coverage.

Linda has received many EOBs  from  Medicare for healthcare services.  They are complicated, seem arbitrary with medical costs based on some actuarial statistics.  Linda also received a letter from one  party wanting to know if she was involved in an automobile accident.  Numerous calls,waiting for someone to answer  resulted in no  response at all.  Finally, an email resulted in a phone conversation.  The person on the other end said to ignore the letter since they've updated.  According to the home healthcare nurse, “ wound care expertise is not in the orthopedic surgeons wheel house. “  Linda's wound requires her to put no weight bearing on her left leg.  She forgets and that interferes with the healing process. I asked the  ortho doctor if the boot that she initially wore would help with healing.  He agreed and she's wearing the boot again.

The New York Times article was about resistance to Public Health and crazy ideas such as vaccinations are bad and the possibility that the Kennedy Jr. nut case is going to have an  important position in Trump's administration.  The idea that's taking hold is that individuals  should be able to make health decisions regarding their kids, Irrespective of medical advice. 

I remember the Covid-  19 debacle under Trump.  He and his cronies silenced Anthony Fauci and the  CDC regarding  disease prevention.  These idiots did not want to mask up nor receive vaccinations.  A whole host of nonsensical products were promoted by  Trump and his lunatics.  Yes,  a million people died from the disease and the hospital system was pushed to its limits.  If you're alone on a desert island, and don't want to receive medical treatment, that's okay. However, In a society, one's  behavior affects others.  Another example of the craziness is parents not wanting to vaccinate their young children,while sending them to school anyway.  You have permission to be crazy, self defeating  and harm yourself but don't tread on me .

Health in the United States is  not influenced primarily by genetics but by behavioral choices.  There are health care issues that are compromised with unintended consequences  that are related to driving practices, alcohol, drug, work-related, all types of sporting behaviors, eating abuse, nonexercise, gun deaths,  not following medical advice and person-to-person interaction.

Who  benefits from mental and physical illness and health in  our country ?  There is a  profit correlation. In our capitalistic system it is about profits.  Healthcare is being taken over by Wall Street private equity investors .  The investors are concerned and place  profits above everything else within  the complexity of the healthcare complex . Controlling nonmedical oriented individuals are  driven by profit.  The GOP supports capitalism, corporations with private equity as its mission.  It's no wonder that many billionaires support the GOP policies.  Just think of all the benefactors such as the food industry, drug and supplement industry , insurance companies, physical fitness establishments, clothing, healthcare equipment , medical devices, products and accessories , number of people employed credentialed and not  that benefit from this enormous health- illness industry. 

 According to the 2024  federal budget, health accounts for 14% ,Medicare  13%  and veterans benefits are at 5%.  On the other hand, what if we looked at profits from all related systems associated with health, illness and death? Ill health is important to our economy, says the GOP. They still do not support Obama's Affordable Care plan, are against lower drug costs , reducing Medicare age eligibility,increasing minimum  age, overturning Roe vs Wade - not allowing women medical treatment  , promoting crazy health ideas, polluting the environment, and  especially  clean water . The malicious GOP is hazardous to your health.