S.B. 1955 HIMMAA defeated

What is it that I do..? I guess I really do not do much, not much that makes a difference to anyone...or maybe I just do not see it?

The S.B. 1955 Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act was defeated!!

I would like to think that writing letters to my representatives made a difference, but they were likely not too influential...maybe a drop in the hat. Really, there is no way to tell, is there...unles maybe I were to make appointments with my Senators and ask them if mail from constituents made a difference or at least was a variable in their decision making process.

There are many organizations out there that exist to help inform votes, to serve as a gateway to make voters and link them into the system. In past blogs I discussed like Moveon.org and other political action committees like Democracy for America.

Then there are organizations like Congress.org that serve as a portal to link people into bills in the House and Senate and that also help people to immediately discover who their representatives are by entering a zip code.

But what are these things, what is the point of them if no one is using them? I wonder who uses them....you can use them...I use them...I hope this is a habit I can keep.

Picking Up and Taking Off

Perhaps Americans are politically depressed? Am I?

How can we make change if we do not feel we have a voice.

What we need is a sense of agency, a sense of being able to run with a candidate and watching that candidate take office. We need a sense that not only will our voice be heard, should we speak up but also that if we take action we will see a difference.

I guess after watching so many things happen and none of them being what you want or what it in your interest it is easy to let go and give up....

so what can we do?

Take a nap, get rested and then PICK yourself UP and TAKE OFF!
Find a cause to get behind and keep at it.
A little at a time, and eventually...if nothing else, you might feel better, feel the self-righteous satisfaction of knowing that you tried.

Making Change, Managing Overwhelming Circumstances

Change is hard, not just the kind that takes you by surprise, but the kind that you propel yourself toward. Here are some tops on how to propel toward a difference through incremental change and the sense of being overwhelmed. I offer this advice as someone who as lived it as well as someone who has often advised others.

Tips:

1. Clearly define goals, not just the big things…operationalize, come up with the signposts so you know you are close to your goals as well as the steps (the pathways) for getting to them.

2. Identify pitfalls, barriers, hardships, and potential holdups, put this list in your journal

3. Make a timeline and consider not only the signposts but also places where you should sit down and reassess your strategies, make a couple…

• a. best case scenario with no hold ups
• b. okay and delayed scenarios
• c. and then the scenario that you are hoping will never ever come true…

4. Because having clear goals is not easy, keep a journal where you write about

• a. what you want
• b. if it is still what you want
• c. if your strategies for getting there are feasible and enjoyable

5. Much like goals, strategies need to be clearly stated…and also much like goals sometimes they need to be reworked. As you set your timeline, include in the schedule moments to assess if the strategies are working and sometimes it just takes a little bit longer before you should stop and try something else.

6. Post your accomplishments

7. Keep a list of what you have yet to achieve

Its Health Week in DC: Tell your Representatives What you want and Why you might Vote for them

This week Congress is addressing the complex issue of health insurance.

I wish I had more to say, more ideas to share to help devise a way to give all Americans health insurance, which at least seems to be a goal shared by Democrats, Republicans, and Independents in Congress.

All I can do is vote and remind people in government that I vote, its what I do, I vote for them and it puts them in office, but I do not just vote for the hell of it, I vote for people who serve my interests.

I vote for people who I believe will do what is best for America and especially for people who are economically disadvantaged.

What I have done, all I can do is to tell my representatives in the Senate that they should be working to not only help more if not all American to have health insurance but also to ensure that health insurance providers be regulated and required to provide preventative care screenings in addition to a myriad of services that are necessary to promote productive, healthy, and happy lives for all regardless of age, gender, religion (and hopefully soon economic standing).

In addition to blocking two other bills that would limit patients' financial gains from malpractice suits, Democrats in the Senate have also committed themselves to finding a way to make health insurance affordable.

Democrats have a limited time to address the cost of health insurance, although the Washington Post article by Kevin Freking states that the democrats have not ruled out a filibuster, as of 10:00 am today the Senate voted 96-2 to invoke Cloture on the Motion to proceed to S. 1955; Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2005.

Apparently the democrats are putting together an alternative bill that would help small businesses to insure their workers, the new bill is expected to mimic the health insurance for federal workers.

However, the question is if hey will be able to maintain state regulations on benefits. According to the article, some small business plans are already exempt from State regulations. This is perhaps the biggest issue of all, how to keep health care affordable while maintaining a commitment to fight preventable diseases through early screenings, immunizations, and treatments.

Following issues is an important part of involvement. I was lucky enough to be alerted to S. 1955, I investigated it, and I have followed its progress. I wish I had more ideas of how to keep insurance premiums down while also promoting preventative care!

The sense of not being informed and able to offer constructive criticism is probably the most defeating feeling of citizenship.

I am not an expert, I barely have a clue on how to resolve this issue, and I certainly do not have enough information, but I do have an opinion about what is best for me and for fellow citizens. All I can do, the least that I can do...or is it the most that I can do??? Is to tell my representatives what I want and to remind them that my next vote in their favor is dependent on their actions, is dependent on how well they represent my interests!

Be Vigilant and Protect States Rights to Regulate your Health Care Coverage

Everyone deserves health care coverage, but what is the coverage worth if you still cannot afford necessary tests?

I don’t want the government to have to be involved in the choices I make, but I also want people to have access to affordable health insurance and health care!

Apparently, we need regulation to ensure that all Americans get the health care they deserve. Because different areas have different needs as well as different values, regulation of individual choices are probably best kept at the State level...It is a complicated issue, one further complecated by the particular needs of women.

I first heard about this issue after I receiving a Take Action Alert from Planned Parenthood. Without this message, I would not have known that there was legislation regulating my health insurance. After reading the Action Alert, I immediately took the two minutes they said it would take to slightly edit their form letter and email it to my representatives.

But not wanting to be a complete chump, I checked around to see the bill and try to understand why other people supported it.

Ultimately, I am glad I wrote my resentatives to tell them that I opposed the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2005 bill S. 1955 .

According to Tom Stevens an Op-Ed in The Hill on May 2, 2006, S. 1955 is a reason to thank the government for looking out for our health care needs, for making health insurance affordable for SMALL BUSINESSES.

Ethan Heitner at TomPaine.com points out what I would expect more Repulicans to take note of, that S. 1955 is looking to flatten State's Rights and impose a "one size fits all" policy that would ultimately benefit health insurance companies more so than small business or clients.

Opponents to S. 1955 include the American Health Association, the American Diabetes Association, the American Chiropractic Association and on and on....

For a more personal look at why we should oppose S. 1955 visit the blogspot Six Until Me

Health Insurance is way too expensive! If S. 1955 passes, women are not the only one's whose health care will be effected, but they will be the hardest hit.

According to Planned Parenthood women will lose many services that advocates have fought for 10 years to get legislation passed in 23 states! The legislation ensures coverage for expensive and necessary screenings and procedures for quality care as well as preventative measures against potentially fatal (as well as terribly expensive) diseases!!

I am not sure if it is the job of government to regulate any market, but without these regulations I imagine that many, many women would not have received mammograms, cervical cancer or osteoporosis screenings, or would being pay full price for contraceptives. Families would not have received well-child care or a myriad of other services including diabetes medicines and other cancer screenings.

If this government regulation goes away, I really do not think health insurance companies would lower premiums. I think the premiums would stay the same while clients, and women in particular, would be paying high prices for important preventative care as well as basic quality services like:

• maternity care
• the ability to go straight to your OB/GYN when you have aproblem
• the ability to stay with the same doctor throughout apregnancy

Although I have my doubts about some services being necessary, when I consider how many children in the world need good parents, I am not certain I would want to take away a woman’s access to something like infertility treatment.


If you are wondering what services you could lose in your home state, you can find out at Planned Parenthood http://www.ppaction.org/network/himmaa.html.

If you are ready to take action, and show your oppostition to S. 1955 go here: http://www.ppaction.org/campaign/benefits2

Please also go this site to learn more about how to get your insurance in your state to COVER YOUR PILLS!!!
http://www.covermypills.org/