House passes health care bill on 219-212 vote

[Beryana]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Have you looked into seeing any other physicians who are in network? There are other solutions than going to a physician who isn't covered by your insurance policy. One imporant part of any health care reform will include cost containment, and that WILL include limiting which physicians you can go to, what tests you can have and what medications you can take that the plan will cover. Otherwise, costs skyrocket. I think finding the right doctor sometimes takes trial and error. It took me several physicians to find the right neurologist for me. Just like with every other profession, we're human. Not all of us are good. Not all of us are going to mesh well with you. Not all of us really care that you want to have a say in your health care. Find the one that does. Don't give up, but try working within the system so you don't throw away good money.

This will be the third doctor that I am going to for something relatively simple as hypothyroidism (compared to the psuedotumor cerebri which I had for roughly the past year - but that's gone because my brain trauma was allowed to heal on the medication I was on). Both previous doctors have shown they really don't care that I want to be involved in my healthcare - it was almost like pulling teeth even to get copies of the test results so I had them for my records! The current doctor said that she will not prescribe anything other than synthetic thyroid - which really makes me wonder what she would make me take for the rest of the symptoms I'm experiencing?!

But the question is why should I be a slave to the system? Why must I settle for only doctors that have made a deal with the health insurance companies? Why should I not be allowed to look outside the 'normal' system and work with an MD who looks at alternative means of health care (preventative rather than waiting until I'm actually sick)? I'm willing to drive 1.5 hours each way to see a doctor who, on paper, is willing to work WITH me to make me a healthier person all around - and if I have to pay for the office visits out of my own pocket (if insurance only will cover the tests) then so be it.

My view, as a patient, of the where our healthcare system is broke is that the patient is left out of the equation most of the time - its the doctors and insurance companies making the decisions. The first doctor I saw lied right to my face when I asked for specific blood tests to establish a baseline (D3, T3 and T4) - said he would order them and didn't (his nurse said because the insurance company wouldn't cover those tests - and T3 and T4 are only checked for hyperthyroid patients). I left after finding that out as I don't care for lip service, especially when my health is involved.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Beryana

This will be the third doctor that I am going to for something relatively simple as hypothyroidism (compared to the psuedotumor cerebri which I had for roughly the past year - but that's gone because my brain trauma was allowed to heal on the medication I was on). Both previous doctors have shown they really don't care that I want to be involved in my healthcare - it was almost like pulling teeth even to get copies of the test results so I had them for my records! The current doctor said that she will not prescribe anything other than synthetic thyroid - which really makes me wonder what she would make me take for the rest of the symptoms I'm experiencing?!

But the question is why should I be a slave to the system? Why must I settle for only doctors that have made a deal with the health insurance companies? Why should I not be allowed to look outside the 'normal' system and work with an MD who looks at alternative means of health care (preventative rather than waiting until I'm actually sick)? I'm willing to drive 1.5 hours each way to see a doctor who, on paper, is willing to work WITH me to make me a healthier person all around - and if I have to pay for the office visits out of my own pocket (if insurance only will cover the tests) then so be it.

My view, as a patient, of the where our healthcare system is broke is that the patient is left out of the equation most of the time - its the doctors and insurance companies making the decisions. The first doctor I saw lied right to my face when I asked for specific blood tests to establish a baseline (D3, T3 and T4) - said he would order them and didn't (his nurse said because the insurance company wouldn't cover those tests - and T3 and T4 are only checked for hyperthyroid patients). I left after finding that out as I don't care for lip service, especially when my health is involved.

The first bold isn't really correct. Physicians elect whether or not to accept certain insurance providers. They don't "make deals" with them. Physicians actually have very little bargaining power when it comes to insurance companies. We can just refuse to see patients from companies that we don't wish to deal with.

The second bolded section caught my eye because I wonder if you told him that you were willing to pay for the tests even if your insurance company wouldn't cover them. I can feel the frustration in your story, but T3 and T4 levels are not covered for hypothyroidism for a reason. If your physician didn't know you would pay for them regardless of the price, and he knew they were not indicated, he probably thought it was best to exclude an unnecessary test rather than have you charged for it. If you did tell him, than shame on him.

Also, your symptoms may not be related to hypothyroidism. The thyroid gets a bad rap for lots of symptoms, ie. fatigue, weight gain, sluggishness. There are lots of things that can cause these symptoms other than the thyroid, and treating hypothyroidism doesn't magically give you tons of energy...that would be giving you hyperthyroidism! My husband is an endocrinologist. He complains all the time about the misconceptions people have about all the magic the thryroid can do.

[Beryana]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

The first bold isn't really correct. Physicians elect whether or not to accept certain insurance providers. They don't "make deals" with them. Physicians actually have very little bargaining power when it comes to insurance companies. We can just refuse to see patients from companies that we don't wish to deal with.

The second bolded section caught my eye because I wonder if you told him that you were willing to pay for the tests even if your insurance company wouldn't cover them. I can feel the frustration in your story, but T3 and T4 levels are not covered for hypothyroidism for a reason. If your physician didn't know you would pay for them regardless of the price, and he knew they were not indicated, he probably thought it was best to exclude an unnecessary test rather than have you charged for it. If you did tell him, than shame on him.

Also, your symptoms may not be related to hypothyroidism. The thyroid gets a bad rap for lots of symptoms, ie. fatigue, weight gain, sluggishness. There are lots of things that can cause these symptoms other than the thyroid, and treating hypothyroidism doesn't magically give you tons of energy...that would be giving you hyperthyroidism! My husband is an endocrinologist. He complains all the time about the misconceptions people have about all the magic the thryroid can do.

So even if you are the best doctor for me, because I happen to work for a place that offers the 'wrong' insurance and chose the 'wrong' company for my own policy I can't see you without paying out of pocket? How is that truly helping the patient? "I'm sorry, but I won't see you because of the insurance you carry and can't afford to pay the bills out of your own pocket.. . ." I understand doctors are running a business, but shouldn't the patients be at the heart of that business? (and I did offer to pay for those tests - and was still given lip service).

How is it my pituitary gland is what is tested to see how my thyroid is working? Wouldn't you actually want to see how the thyroid is actually functioning in order to properly medicate? Yes, I am a silly lay person who has done research by talking to other hypothyroid patients - and only one of the symptoms you listed is on my personal list of concerns. Your responses are why I am going 'outside the system' to someone who will actually work with me about my symptoms and all that - and if it should happen to be something else, let's work on that but most of what I'm experiencing are the same things experienced by other hypothyroid patients - and looking at the whole picture is better than one test of a gland not related to the thyroid. why treat individual symptoms when they can all be related - and you just can't see that without looking at the whole picture?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I agree with this statement. I'm glad the hoopla is over. Change freaks everyone out. They've done a really good job of making people believe that this bill is a lot of things that it's not. It's been passed, good or bad. Personally, I'm glad that nearly everyone will now (by 2014) be insured. We already pay for everyone anyway.

I'm with you. And yes, I'll admit I was glued to C-SPAN much of the afternoon yesterday and all last night. (It was worth the wait to hear Stupak's speech, IMO.)

But I was reminded of GC as I watched while representative after representative claimed that this bill imposed socialism or, worse, totalitarianism. All I could think of was the Glenn Beck--Social Justice thread as I wondered if the speakers really know what socialism or totalitarianism are.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

This frightens me. I'm 100% behind health coverage for all, but I just don't know if this is the best way to achieve it.

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Washington (CNN) --
The bill passed in a 219-212 vote after more than a year of bitter partisan debate. All 178 Republicans opposed it, along with 34 Democrats.

In the 2004 elections, George Bush won 50.7% of the popular vote, vs. John Kerry gaining 48.3%. I know that it's the electoral college that chooses, but the percentage of yays to nays is pretty darn close 50.930 (or 50.9%) to 49.30 (49.3%), with the electoral college voting 286 for Bush and 251v for Kerry. In the 2000 election, 47.9% of the popular vote voted for Bush, and 48.4% for Gore (although the electoral college voted 271 to 266 in favor Bush).

Democratic supporters questioned the extremely close results in both elections (not just based on the popular vote, there were other issues as well), and Republican supporters accused the Dems of "sour grapes". Isn't this kind of the same thing?

I get it - that close margin shows that there is a strong division amongst the congress, and likely the citizens of the US. But majority rules, even in the closest of races, and in the most important (the presidential election).

[KSUViolet06]

What parts of the bill go into effect immediately upon signing?

I've heard that the age extensions on coverage do, but I'm not sure.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

What parts of the bill go into effect immediately upon signing?

I've heard that the age extensions on coverage do, but I'm not sure.

What has been reported on the news is that the yearly and lifetime caps are eliminated immediately and that children with pre-existing conditions cannot be excluded from health care companies.

[Kappamd]

Until something is done about the SKYROCKETING cost of of med school, Obama can bite me.

I'll post a more civilized response to this whole debate later, once I'm less pissed about financial aid paperwork.

[ZTA72]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

Until something is done about the SKYROCKETING cost of of med school...

I feel ya...
We've got two daughters to bankroll/get loans starting this fall.
It is truly shocking how much it is going to cost.
I'd like a little of that stimulus money to come our way.

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by ZTA72

I feel ya...
We've got two daughters to bankroll/get loans starting this fall.
It is truly shocking how much it is going to cost.
I'd like a little of that stimulus money to come our way.

It's ridiculous.
I am one year in and ~$50,000 down. By the time I'm done I'll have over $200,000 in loans/interest. THANK GOD I didn't have any from undergrad.

And they wonder why no one wants to go into primary care.....

[ZTA72]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

It's ridiculous.
I am one year in and ~$50,000 down. By the time I'm done I'll have over $200,000 in loans/interest. THANK GOD I didn't have any from undergrad.

And they wonder why no one wants to go into primary care.....

Yep, and that's the sad thing about it...that's where the need is.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Kappamd

It's ridiculous.
I am one year in and ~$50,000 down. By the time I'm done I'll have over $200,000 in loans/interest. THANK GOD I didn't have any from undergrad.

And they wonder why no one wants to go into primary care.....

Wow.

My med school friends tell me that med school is much more expensive than other programs, but seeing it typed out is crazy.

Kudos to you for sticking with wanting to be a primary care Dr. (the cost is a huge disincentive for some.) There is a huge need for good physicians who are interested in it.

[Kappamd]

^^^Thank you

[Gatorbaby]

I'm reluctant to post only because I believe this is one of the few things I'm *not* supposed to talk about at Rush (haha, I'm getting into that mode..). But here goes.

Ladies..and gentlemen...please, please trust Federalism. Already, 37 (or 39?) states have filed suit against the national government. The balance between the national and state powers has not been struck and many states are upset (rightfully so) concerning the passage of this bill and the powers given to the national government under it.
Also remember that voters have the power to change things. If you do not like how the legislation is going, please, feel free to change your votes this November and do not re-elect either your Congresspeople (most importantly - the House...because these folks set legislation as to how the people should be taxed - they are representing you and your beliefs). The reverse goes for if you like the outcome to the healthcare bill.
I can't form a complete opinion on the bill because I haven't read its >1,000 pages, and, as Ms. Pelosi once said (something to the effect of) we wouldn't know exactly what we were passing until we've passed it, and I haven't even taken a shot at the legal jargon that's presented in it. Does any normal, working person have the time to?
I do have an opinion as far as the legislation goes. The fact it passed by such a slim margin disturbs me. I feel uncomfortable with that. The politics that are going into this bill (and disregard for the people or the deficeit) concern me, though.
Only time will tell..

[KSUViolet06]

Guess the limited edition Jordans have to go back to the store.

*hangs head*