Healthcare Reform Issues
News from some of the town hall meetings that have been happening around the country reminds me of the Vietnam War protests of the late 60's. Large organized groups of people protesting issues with proposed government actions. There were protesters carrying signs with defaced pictures of the president, who would loudly interrupt any speaker representing the government. People accused the government of being murderers. Some of the meetings became quite heated, yet the message still did not get through.
From the few polls I've seen, only 30-35% of all respondents support government healthcare reform. The majority of respondents oppose any form of government run healthcare insurance. The small numbers of supporters are very vocal, however, and if you do not support the changes this reform will bring then it's time to speak out.
One major change of the proposed reform will be additional financial cuts to long term care facilities. At a time when every item in the nursing home is already selected for price instead of quality, what will our seniors be forced to give up next? The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living has initiated a Save Our Seniors (S.O.S.) campaign to fight these cuts. On their site you can send your congressional leaders an e-mail stating your opposition, find all sorts of information, find town hall meetings, and even invite your local representatives to tour your facility.
DirectSupply also has its Washington Wire news post. On here they have an entire Health Care Reform Toolkit with so much information it took me a couple of days to scan it all.
The proposed cuts will affect jobs in long term care. If anyone remembers the 1998 cuts imposed by PPS, there were some therapists who were forced to take up to a 50% salary reduction. Therapy basically shut down for two years until companies could figure out the new system.
Unfortunately, some companies have figured out the new system too well and continue to financially drain Medicare.
Until next time, hope all your "Thoughts" are Good-
Tim