Healthcare Press Conference

Doncha’ just love the news media! The latest news on every media outlet concerns President Obama’s news conference on the subject of healthcare. After a brief introductory speech (at least for the President, brief) the various media representatives asked questions that were supposed to give them, then us, updated information on the progress of a healthcare program working it way through the Congress and Senate.

Every question was supposed to be crafted to result in some miraculous revelation about this complex issue. We’ve seen this scenario repeated over and over in media interviews. ‘Who can be the cleverest media person?” None of this process is aimed at getting facts, or truth, but in evoking something sensational that will get that news source more fans than their competition. (Yes, fans, not fellow-citizens searching for solutions.)

Each news source has a bias. Oh! They say they are “fair and balanced”, but only if it suits their purposes for attracting folks who are on a certain side of an issue. Each newscast or newspaper or on-line journalist (using the term “journalist” lightly) interviews only people who will support their side. The occasional “enemy” interview is aimed at trying to embarrass or trap the person into saying something that can be used to undermind, not to better understand, the pros and cons of the issue at hand.

The general public is getting tired and bored of this technique. It takes time and energy to research the facts and then decide what you want for yourself and your community. Delving into the “other side’s” views is especially difficult. It’s far easier and much more fun to watch reality TV or go to a local bar than to read or listen to news.

This recent News Conference did produce some new information thanks to the President’s very long and articulate answers. However there was no final, definitive answer because the folks in congress that make the rules are still arguing among themselves in committees and in the hallways of the capitol building. This gave the media something to report. The left could be critical that the President didn’t dictate the “rules” and force the bill into existence. The right could be critical because he was biased (meaning he wasn’t on their side).

The real truth is that our elected officials always have their own jobs at stake and will always do whatever it takes to keep them. They certainly do not want to jeopardize their great healthcare and retirement plans. They would much rather criticize the opponents than take the risk to compromise and think of ways to work together to find a solution. They make their money by pleasing a multitude of lobbyists representing every insurance company, hospital organization, medical employee and from a few wealthy citizens.

This healthcare crisis is exactly that, “a crisis”. There is no perfect solution. It will only work perfectly for a few and be okay for the rest of us. Every segment of the healthcare industry, from doctors to insurance companies to us, the patients, will have to sacrifice to make it work.

Finally, in this news conference, the media got their sensational, news-show worthy, ratings-making story with the last question asked. The question was directed at one of our country’s emotional issues, race relations, which was certain to up their ratings for days. The question asked the President what he thought about a renowned African American Harvard Professor breaking into his own home after loosing his keys and being arrested by local white police. Regardless of how the President would have addressed this question, his response was domed. After all, it was aimed at an African American who understands all to well, about racial profiling. He made the one personal observation the media was waiting for.

Now, instead of trying to find ways to get a fair healthcare system in place, we’re twittering, e-mailing and writing about the age old question of racial prejudices. These issues should be long gone, over, finished! Of course, they are not long gone, over, finished, but are very much alive and well. The issue of racial profiling and prejudices deserves an open dialogue from every section of our diverse country every day. Unfortunately the discussions are overshadowing, interfering and even influencing the healthcare issue.

About the healthcare issue……………….it’s time to get some teamwork going, to overhaul the medical system. Surely if we could figure out how to get to the moon together, we can figure out a healthcare plan and surely those folks who are stuck with prejudices can take a “time out” or work on two issues at once!

Medicare Paperwork Challenge

ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE…..approaching 65.......

Today I received another large packet of Medicare Insurance information. My knee-jerk impulse was to make a quick call to the 800 number telling these well-meaning folks that I know I’m going to be 65 in a couple of months and I don’t need a reminder. Leave me alone while I pretend I’m still 40. I think the whole Medicare paperwork nightmare is really one gigantic test designed to punish baby boomers for using up the nation’s wealth.

It takes the nerves and patience of a brain surgeon to sort through the stacks of insurance information arriving daily in my mailbox. There are pamphlets from companies like Blue Cross, Blue Shield and AARP which I keep in one stack. The envelopes from companies I’ve never heard of, like Northwest National Heritage Association and Homeland Health, land in the garbage. I have to wonder how this many companies found out I have “the big birthday” looming in my immediate future.

The myriad of letters and booklets offer information designed to tell us seniors (that’s the nice word for old folks) how to prepare for the onslaught of medical expenses on the horizon. These complicated insurance plan catalogues are designed to prove we are no longer functioning adults. They are full of undecipherable charts, graphs, and statistics reminding that now is the time for me to spend all my savings; not on the trips I had imagined, but on bedpans and pills.

Thinking of the old codgers up in Congress who want to add even more government regulations, makes me shutter. I worried about having early Alzheimer’s, and after reading through a few pages of the government’s plan, I am sure I have symptoms. Did plan J include a hospital stay deductible or was that Plan I? If my ears go out would a hearing aid be covered on Part A or was that Part B; or, would supplement C kick-in if surgery is necessary? I double checked on the mental health coverage. I suspect I’ll need to be committed soon, due to the stress of working through the mass of forms.

As I take a break for my lunch of salad greens and chopped veggies dotted with vinegar and a touch of olive oil, I reminisce about the hamburger, fries and malt days. I remembered the times my mailbox was full of fashion catalogues and Reader’s Digest Sweepstakes, not promotions for preplanned funeral arrangements.