From the Deck of Hawker Hurricane

Of Near Death Experiences and other depressing thoughts

Readers of this board will remember that I suffered from a near disaster: a tear in my esophogas leading to heavy internal bleeding. If not for professionally provided medical care, I would not be typing this today...

And my thoughts turn to the health of others.

I am covered, probably for life, with a health care service. As a active duty member and soon to be veteran of 20 years of service, I should not have a problem getting health care for myself and my spouse. It will not be easy; I will have lines and beaurocrats to deal with; and efforts to prevent my care 'to save the nation money'. But I will have something; maybe not the finest, but something.
But what of others?
My problem was life threatening, but proper care made my survival 'a sure thing'. But what of the people in this country who cannot get the proper care? What of the ones who do not have health insurance, who do not go to the emergency room with a problem but stay home and hope it goes away, for they cannot afford health care, even bad health care.
What shall we do for them?

The right wing has an answer for this, the same they have for everything else: If you can't afford something to save your life, you don't deserve to live. Sounds like something thier favorite philosopher, Iesus, Nazarine, Rexus Isreal would say.

For a long time, I was 'iffy' on the subject of National Health Care. I had heard the horror stories; I am familiar with the problems of the system used in Ireland and Venezuala due to family connections. But what is worse; Iffy care or no care at all? What is worse, a government beaurocrat whose job depends on NOT GETTING IN TROUBLE or a corparate beaurocrat whose job depends on SAVING MONEY FOR THE CORPERATION?

I am no longer 'iffy'. I support national health care, for those who, vomiting blood on Christmas day, would not go to the hospital for fear of being bankrupt. For those who, if they went to the hospital, would recieve inadequate care because the insurance company doesn't want to pay for the services it is contractually required to provide. For the least among us, who deserve better than to bleed to death from something that is easily treated.

"What you do for the least among you, you do for me" - Jesus, Nazarine, called the King of the Jews and The Christ.

In other news...

'Wheel' is on my case; he's got to do all my paperwork while I am convalescing. And he'll vote Democratic in the next election. He likes Dean, Clark, and Kerry in that order.

'Guns' is convinced that it's the Democrats election to lose; Bush cannot win an honest campaign. He likes Clark best, but will vote for any Democrat before Bush.

'Fire' is also voting for Any Democrat, but has not stated a preference yet. His home state is still listed as Missouri... How much time does he have to pick?

'Sparks' is getting foolish; he's convinced the reason Goveror Arnie has to break his promises is because of the Democrats... And that Bush was right to invade Iraq, since it is our job to shoot the mad dog we created. Therefore, those who say it was wrong to invade Iraq will not get his vote. I'm working on him. He likes Clark, but thinks Dean is a fool for saying 'we aren't safer because Saddam is captured'... The country going to orange alert really helped my arguements there.

For myself, I have not decided on a presidential candidate, but am working with my congressman's campaign (Bob Filner) and on local races. I'm leaning toward Clark, but call myself one of the ABB crowd, with pride. Looking at the Democratic field, I cannot find one of the 9 (or is it 10?) who would be worse the G. Bush (the Lesser). While some may indeed be 'Bush lite' on some subjects, they aren't on all of them... and if I have to compromise to get Bush out of office, well I shall. I will not allow my dislike of some policies of any given Democratic candidate to take my eyes away from the main prize: Getting the Republican plutocrats out of power so we can restore MY country to sanity.

Please, don't let inter-party bickering harm our chances. The opposition is taking notes. Remember, Reagan won in 1980 because of Carter's nomination fight with Kennedy.
We lost in Florida because of many little things, any one of which changing could have made a difference.
The Butterfly ballot.
The voter purge.
The selective counting of absentee ballots.
The illegal modification of absentee ballots by Republican operatives.
Nader breaking his promise not to run in close states.
The prevention of the count by Republican operatives.
The failure to count over 60,000 ballots.
Don't let the little things steal this election from us also.

And I remain
HawkerHurricane
PO1(SW) USN
Leading Patient, NMCSD Bldg. 1, ward 1N.
Living proof that universal health care is a good idea.

I'm glad you're recovering.

I alway look forward to your posts and this one was a real treat.

Thanks.......get healthy quick.

Don't let anyone ever say that liberals don't support their troops. Thanks for your insightful posts, especially this one.

You have some smart shipmates there too.....:kick:

Please keep us posted.

:hi:
DemEx

To poor to afford insurance , but to rich to
qualify for assistance . My son, Thanks to healthy
families of California has good Coverage that we
pay a small amount for monthly .

It has been 3 years since I've seen a Doctor
that's how long it's been since we had insurance .

I'm so glad you are still with us HH , am hope
your recovery goes well .

okay.

I am about to get health insurance for the 1st time in 15 years. What a relief. It's hell without it. Remembering nursing pneumonia at home after being sent away from an ER because I couldn't pay was a frightening thing. I really feel that most Americans don't think such things happen. They do.

They looked at me, gave me a shot and scripts for drugs I couldn't afford, then the Dr. apologized and sent me on my way.

The humiliation was very nearly as bad as the illness.

Sorry to hear about your health problems, but I am glad to hear you are recovering.

Thanks for your insight into health care. I think you are right on the money. More and more people are coming to the same conclusion every day.

I find it incredible that our reservists are getting shot at daily and yet have no VA health benefits when they leave the service. That is a disgrace.

I would like to see all Americans covered under Medicare. I would eliminate the VA system and allow vets to go to whatever doctor they want to (same as the elderly). That would help eliminate the waits. I would keep some military 'specialist hospitals' open to care for vets with war injuries after combat, because those injuries are usually very traumatic and need specialist care. Once they are well enough to leave I would transfer their care to the doctor of their choice.

Take care! :hi:

Glad to hear you're condition was diagnosed quickly and treated effectively. May your recovery be swift and complete, DU Friend!



PS: Really like your wheels! Here's a Mark XII with four cannon built in Canada for the RCAF.

I'm happy to see you're recovering well - and so grateful for your words.

The lack of
Universal Health Care in a nation as wealthy as ours (despite the deficits) is a disgrace. Let's not forget that many who are now shut out from care are people who paid into the insurance companies and to Medicare for years without ever drawing on it to any great extent. Though they be characterized today by some as deadbeats, it was their dollars that kept the ponzi scheme afloat.

Thanks again - and keep on kicking!

... anyone who goes to an ER at ANY non-private hospital in this country bleeding for their life cannot be refused care by that hospital whether they can afford the life-saving care or not... sortof, like a universal health-care for those w/o. That's why it costs out the yeng-yang for people WITH private insurance to be hospitalized. Hospitals make-up the difference for giving care to the uninsured by OVERCHARGING those with private insurance and by accepting Medicare reimbursements. Tell those you know w/o health care who stay home with any serious illness because they think they cannot afford it to GO TO THE ER ... THE HOSPITAL CANNOT REFUSE THEM CARE.

The insurance industry in this country, along with lawyers who chase ambulances around are wrecking the health-care in this country. Insurance companies are practicing medicine. They determine who gets what, not beaurocrats. Their lobbyists are ultra powerful and elected beaurocrats cannot turn down their money in Washington. THAT'S the problem.

Hospitals are pursuing those who can't pay.... even to jail:

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0108-07.htm

People think there is so much more available than there really is.

Kanary

the moment, but we're energized and mad as hell.
:D

That was very eloquently written and hit home with me and my family. As of January 1, we no longer have health insurance. My husband worked for the state (of Illinois) and was laid off for budgetary reasons. The state was kind enough to pay for our health insurance for 6 months. Since there aren't any jobs out there for an IT professional, he is now without a job and health insurance. To top it off, we just got our cobra information. For our family we are looking at 937.00 per month. We are the poster family for the drowning middle class.

Life sucks under bu$h. ABB. I hope you are recovering and thank you for your moving prose.

I am so glad your are doing better. Remember that you are my Sec'y of the Navy in that thread I had assuming I was prez and I appointed DUers. You are doing a great job with your shipmates, preaching the truth!! Keep on em!!

I am an Architect, I have my own small firm and have been licensed for 20 years. My firm is essentially myself and 2 or 3 contract workers. This year has been a good year, I may top $70k take home. Last year it was about $40k, we had a big job that made us healthy. Nevertheless, I pay about $1,600/mo. for my healthcare insurance for my family of 4, my mortgage including escrow for taxes and homeowners insurance is $1,300, and I have a $5,000 deductible. My retirement is whatever I save plus SS, I have no corporate parachutes. This is the real world in amerika.

Even so, I can't complain of my lot in life. I have a stimulating job and enjoy more comforts than 95% of the people in the world, there are MANY worse off. I live in a nice town with decent enough schools and don't feel entitled to a beemer in lieu of my civic, I am on the local plan commission and coach baseball and do what I can. I just wish it weren't so damn hard to make ends meet in middle class america, or for those many less fortunate while the fat cats who benifit most from our system bitch about the taxes that go to the "welfare mothers."

Kinda rambling here but your great post inspired me. I WISH I had your healthcare and retirement benefits, or even those of someone working for a large corporation. My retirement is what I save, which is hard with 2 teens. My safety net is me, I often wish i had taken a different path...

BTW: as always, thank you for your service to all of us, and please let your shipmates know we progressives care!!

read recently...

I have looking into final solution remedies which are common place items in most homes just not widely understood as fatal in certain porportions. If time comes when I am in too much pain, it stops.

In case of accident, I bleed. In case of illness, I get better or I don't. I do take care of myself as I am all I have.

Glad you are doing OK, HawkerHuricane. An Older vetern pal of mine had an educational experience at the VA. Doing some smooping around at the new rules, regs and fine print. I hope you and your wife stay healthy. He was apalled at what he found out regarding how they qualify 'new kids' trying to get medical care under their veterns' benifits. He said he is glad he is old and won't have to think about the 'new kids' getting turned away much longer.

have you heard the horror stories about veterans' hostitals? Worse than national health.

VA hospitals in cities with large universities and/or large military facilities tend to be teaching hospitals and vets can get very good care if they qualify to enter the facility for treatment.

However, that's only about 10% of the VA hospitals.
I'm under the impression that most vets staying in or using VA hospitals are there because there's no local facility they can use, and/or they are without health care because even though they served their time, they aren't officially "retired" from the military.
Most officially retired vets * qualify for Tricare, which allows them to use complete military hospital facilities or comparable civilian facilities (at no extra fee).
Military hospitals (a different animal than VA hospitals) generally good or at least "decent" - and in my experiance, they have become (over the years) much better in the services they provide than most of the HMO hospital facilities or clinics in the location.

* - Reservist and Guard retirees are not considered officially retired from the military until they become 60 years of age. While they are eligible for Commisary, MWR, and Space A benefits, they are not eligible for the retainer pay, the rapidly disappearing VA disabled/geriatric housing benefit, or medical benefits until they reach official retirement age.

Haele

people we can't give them care for their cancer because they haven't the "right" kind of insurance, or no insurance, and one who has to deal with the terrible quality of care in the US, I say universal health care is an EXCELLENT idea.
Had we not let the foolish conservatives throw us off the path of universal health care, we might have the very high quality health care and coverage seen in those "communist" countries like Sweden, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Cuba, etc. We are waaaay down the list as far as quality goes and getting worse every day. The changes in healthcare over the last twenty years is truly frightening. The insurance and the pharmaceutical company's profit margins are swell though!

I have fought them every inch of the way even on DU. The insurance companies and HMO's are in full force to stifle any meaningful discussion of national health care. They must be fought without relenting.

It never ceases to amaze me how conservatives can opine bombastically on the horrific evils of universal health care -- you won't be able to choose your own doctor!! -- one minute, then praise to the heavens the fine, patriotic men and women in uniform, on whom they so cavalierly foist this socialist tyranny, the next. You military folks should rebel against all Republicans. They are, by their own tacit admission, forcing Communism down your throats.

FYI, I quite agree. I spent 9 1/2 years in the USAF, and can say with confidence that military medical care, government provided though it may be, is a damn sight better than no coverage at all. (I've been there, too)

BTW, how many of you out there with private coverage get to choose your own doctor? (I don't !!)

It's getting worse now because the health care providers are starting to refuse to accept the plans.

When this debate was raging back in 1992, the Republican scare tactics designed to steer us away from universal health care included "you'll wait weeks before being able to see a doctor!!" and "You won't be able to choose you own doctor!!". Isn't that what's happening anyway?

I thought privatization was supposed to eliminate bureaucratic waste and inefficiency, and keep costs down. Why is our privatized health care system, without question, the most expensive in the world?

that a country as rich as the U.S. doesn't have universal health coverage. The HMO's don't do anything but add another layer of expense to health care costs.

If this country would use common sense, we would establish priorities that emphasize health care, education, housing, and job creation. We would end the ridiculous "War on Drugs" that keeps so many of our citizens in prisons.

It is a shame and a disgrace that the right-wing, who claim to be the party of family values, shows so little concern for the health of those families. Nobody in this country should have to die, or suffer because of lack of money. Nobody.

Knowing that there are members of the military not buying the Bushit gives me some hope.

I wonder, though.

This is a tough one, Hawker.

If another terrorist attack occurs on American soil, and Bush uses it as a justification to declare martial law, are there enough "good men" in the upper echelons of the Officer Corps to refuse to comply?
Are there any Smedley Butlers left?

Because, I'm afraid that retired? General Tommy Franks has already made his mind up.

Gen. Franks Doubts Constitution Will Survive WMD Attack
Newsmax

Gen. Tommy Franks says that if the United States is hit with a weapon of mass destruction that inflicts large casualties, the Constitution will likely be discarded in favor of a military form of government.
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/11/20/185048.shtml

Here's the best article I've read on the underlying sense that the BFEE is planning to apply the coup de grace.
The “war on terror” and American democracy—some ominous warnings
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/nov2003/warn-n27.shtml

I feel it to.
http://www.rbham.com/articles/031206_winter_of_discontent.htm

I don't mean to be provocative, Hawker. I just think that there are, indeed, ominous signs.

So, do you think there enough Butlers to stop the Franks'?

But we need to start, now, the story or 'meme' that any terror attack that occurs on US soil is G Bush's fault, for wasting our time and money on Saddam instead of going after the 'real' terrorists.

As for General Smedley Butler, how much are you willing to bet that any flag officer, picked by a group of fascists to be thier leader, would listen to thier offer , convincing them that he was interested, and then betray them like the traitors they were?
What Gen. Franks is proposing is not just a military dictatorship, but a civil war, as different parts of the military refuse the orders to disobey their oath.
We swear our oath to "Uphold and defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foriegn and domestic" and "To obey the orders of the President of the United States and those he appoints over me" IN THAT ORDER.

The mental health inpatient ward?

Actually, it is, I checked with one of the NMCSD people ;)

1 North is 'Mental Health Inpatient, non-dangerous'
1 West is the dangerous one.
I used to work in the hospital as part of the base police force. We hated calls to 1 West, as that meant that a patient had gotten out of the control of the medical personel there...

I am so glad you are doing well. And I am glad your eloquence is speaking for us. I have no doubt you will persuade the people you talk to to vote for a Democratic candidate.

Good to know that you're hanging in there and doing well.

Thanks for using your (unfortunate) first-hand personal experience to flesh out your excellent thoughts on universal health care.

All best to you -- :toast:

here at DU?

If you don't you should.

I hope everyone reads what you write here, and I'm happy to hear you survived your crisis.

Bless you and yours.

Haven't you seen them before?