Open letter to the Edwards' about Healthcare

In these times when  heath care is one of the most important,
if not the most important issue, facing the American families
it seems that all three democratic front runners are trying to
position themselves as “understanding” the needs of those in
need when facing a health crisis and  those dealing with
insurance companies or the lack of insurance coverage.   As a
person who has been  disabled with a medical condition and who
therefore has been dependent both for myself and worse still
for my children, on Medicare and/or  Medicaid (mass health /MA
state heath plan from Mitt ), I would like to offer a piece of
unsolicited advice to  The Edwards’ campaign strategists .

While Medicare/Medicaid is reputed to cover certain areas and
certain Dr.‘s are on their list of “available” providers  it
has been my experience, and that of many others I have spoken
to, that  when you try to find  a provider  in your area for
your particular need you are more likely to fine the Holy
grail or the Lost Arc of the Covenant, than to find a Dr. who
will accept these insurance plans.  Harder still to find one
within 25 miles, has no less than 2 LISTED law suits against
them or has not been suspended from one or more hospitals.

When you do find a provider that  will take this insurance and
you venture forth for your first visit be prepared  and
forewarned.  My son still refers to his visit to the Mass
Health provided dentist to the time he went to the “dentist
that was like the one in the Flintstones cartoon.”  And he was
quite astute and accurate.

 Of course there are wonderful Dr’s who take these insurance
plans, but they become so overwhelmed because the plans do not
pay enough to cover their costs and do not pay in  a timely
fashion,.  Due to the fact that there are so few sainted 
people who can put up with this abuse the valued doctors who
remain in the community of providers are overwhelmed by
patients.  When you go to see these Dr’s. you will WAIT.  If
you are going to an OB/GYN(and if you have been  to one you
know what I mean) YOU WILL REALLY WAIT.

So what does this mean to our three front runners.  I ask the
Edwards, the couple I feel have felt the worst pain any family
can feel to step up and step apart, once again, by calling for
all Dr.’s who are accepting either a license to provide care
in a state  to be required by law to accept the Health Care
Insurance offered by that state and by extension, if you are
licensed and working in the USA you MUST accept Medicare
Insurance.  The end.  No option.  If you want to make money
off the other insurance industries you must accept the state
and federal insurance.  Provide to all or provide to none. 
Make this a part of the health care reform.

On the side of the providers , a reasonable fee that covers 
the costs the doctor occurs and allows him/her to make a
negotiable % profit and which pays ON TIME (they can still pay
their phone bill late.  That’s ok with me, but pay the Dr.’s)
can be worked out.

The Edwards’ team, I feel, would be open to new ideas on this
subject.  I hope they are.  I hope they see this and ideas
like it.  I hope ,if they do, they do something about it and
THEY WIN.

Good healthcare from a good healthcare provider keeps HOPE
alive too.