http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/category_rss/healthcare On Colorado Matters the other day, the host was interviewing our own Political Opportunist and Congresswoman Diana DeGette about the impending official nomination of Barack Obama. There was the usual pre-determined political banter about Democratic Candidates, supporting Mark Udall for Senate, future issues, etc. when the host finally got to a pointed question for Rep. DeGette. He asked her that since Sen Clinton had released her delegates, and the process was over, would she now be campaigning for Sen. Obama. After a brief pause for dramatic effect, the Congresswoman from CD1 proceeded to deliver a series of faux emotions about "how this was so sudden" and how "she was uncertain about the future of campaigning." REALLY. Rep DeGette, you did yourself no favors by playing a series of emotions like cards in a poker game. Your attempt at emotional twitter and rise did NOT present you like a conflicted Hillary supporter, it displayed you for the Con Artist you are. I know this was a game of emotional three-card monte because you've ALREADY been campaigning on behalf of the good Senator from Illinois. Are you saying in the grip of emotion of losing your Cabinet Meal Ticket, you FORGOT you hosted a Campaign for Change event on Health Care in North Denver? Did you forget you slyly played Shrinking Violet with the Colorado Obama staff, and said you'd like to advise the Senator on oh, Health Care, if that was ok? Rep. DeGette, I don't know if I'm more shocked by your fake emotional manipulation of the radio audience, or by your calculated attempt(s) to weasel your way into another Presidential Race. You've backed the wrong horse TWICE now, and this attempt to try and attach yourself on another is not just sad and shameful, it's proof that you need to find a honest job. Like being a lobbyist for the Health Care Industry, which is what you've been doing for the last few years in Congress. Ms. DeGette, please take your snake-oil show back to DC, where most of us are used to seeing you peddle your legislative wares. But please, spare the President Rae some dignity, and stop trying to attach yourself to the Obama Campaign like some political Remora. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/KevlarLiberal/Cq7V http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/KevlarLiberal/Cq7V/commentary#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:27:16 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/KevlarLiberal/Cq7V SSG_Dan http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/27da3aa426a47b5f56_f3bmv2g7x.gif SSG_Dan 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cq7V/ OK, this idea is beyond crazy.... The Obama Campaign is having a series of Solutions for Colorado meetings on a number of topics. They're being hosted by different Colorado Dems, at different locations across the State. Looking at the lineup, it does mostly match up experts on the Topic with a state politician. Rep Romanoff is talking about education, but Ed Perlumtter is talking Vets issues when it should be Mark Udall (considering committee assignments.) But there's one that leaves me speechless - Rep. Diana DeGette is hosting the forum on healthcare. That's right - the Congresswoman who's recieved over $170,000 in contributions from the Health Care Industry. The Congresswoman who was named by the BioTech Industry as their "Legislator of the Year." One of the few people in Congress specifically called out by Michael Moore for her opposition to single payer health care (HR676).... The Congresswoman from CD1, who's in the pocket of the Health Care Industry, is promoting Sen. Obama's health care plan. It's like having Dick Cheney in charge of reforming the Energy Industry. This fine event is being held at North High School on Saturday, August 16th at 11:30 AM. I encourage all readers of this fine website to RSVP to http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/cosolutions or call 720.982.9244 to get entrance to this event, and let's call out the Congresswoman from CD1 on her record. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/KevlarLiberal/Cq4W http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/KevlarLiberal/Cq4W/commentary#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:46:08 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/KevlarLiberal/Cq4W SSG_Dan http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/27da3aa426a47b5f56_f3bmv2g7x.gif SSG_Dan 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cq4W/ When Democrat Mark Udall debated Republican Bob Schaffer in July, he made no effort to refute Schaffer’s distortions surrounding health care reform. In fact, he essentially short-circuited meaningful debate by adopting the nebulous right-wing description of single-payer health care as “government health care,” thus capitulating to Republican framing of the issue. Just what is government health care? Is it the more than 60 percent of all health care costs that are paid by taxpayers, including subsidies for inflated costs of private insurances? Private insurers skim the cream and game the system for profit, and count on government (taxpayers) to pick up the health care costs of all whose coverage they reject. Does government health care include the 70 percent of our legislators’ health coverage that is funded by taxpayers? Democrats who facilely echo GOP talking points grossly misrepresent single-payer health care. In fact, contrary to assertions by the right-wing “free market” chorus, only single-risk-pool insurance provides true free choice of private providers, the same as traditional Medicare before Republicans moved to privatize Medicare (at 12 percent higher cost). Private insurance plans limit choice to “in plan” doctors, often requiring change of providers when plans are changed. Only single payer is capable of providing comprehensive, continuous health care benefits and protection against medical bankruptcy. Our leaders should vigorously protest the abomination of Medicare prescription drug reform that was written by insurance and pharmaceutical lobbies with billions of dollars of taxpayer subsidies and inflated profits to benefit their bottom lines, while prohibiting negotiation of bulk drug prices. Instead of privatizing Medicare-for-profit, why not improve and expand its coverage for everyone? Traditional Medicare has lower overhead costs – less than 4 percent – whereas private insurances divert 25 percent or more to profits, lobbying, marketing, exhorbitant CEO salaries and wasteful administrative costs. Profit is a perverse incentive for health insurance, which protects its bottom line by reducing benefits and shifting ever-greater costs to consumers. The insulated political class in Washington, dependent upon corporate money and privy to 70 percent taxpayer-subsidized health coverage, seem out of touch with the U.S. people. Polls by Pew and others have revealed that increasing numbers – 54 to 65 percent – support a national single-payer health care plan. A recent study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine (3-31-08) that 59 percent of U.S. physicians “support government legislation to establish national health insurance,” an increase of 10 percent since 2002. Notably, more than 20 federal and state studies since 1990, including the 2007 Lewin Group evaluation in Colorado, have demonstrated that single-payer health insurance is the only reform model that can both save money and provide comprehensive health care benefits for all. The Colorado single-payer proposal and Rep. John Conyers’ national health care bill, HR 676, both deserve serious further study. We have everything to gain from an honest dialogue about quality-, saftey-centered universal single payer health care, in place of profiteering health insurance gatekeepers. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqPs http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqPs/commentary#comments Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:50:53 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqPs Michele S Michele S 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqPs/ "Our Health Freedoms " Educational Seminar Oriental Theater (http://theorientaltheater. com) Denver, Colorado THURSDAY AUGUST 21, 2008 9a.m. to 6p.m. A unique opportunity for the public, interested parties, patients, and holistic professionals to gather and learn about a new program designed to help their client base, while assisting veterans, other social work cases, and the general public on the road to better health utilizing a wide variety of complimentary therapies. Our forefathers worked hard to see through the Freedoms of Democracy, and NOW is the opportunity for us to work hard at assuring, "Our Health Freedoms", instead of those being dictated by BIG PHARMA's multi-Billion dollar daily lobbying efforts diverting our government in unhealthy directions. Registration is ONLY $35., payable by CASH ONLY the day of the event, or by depositing via credit card payment through paypal account (paypal.com) deposit $35. to account name goldnkid@earthlink.net . Your conference payment includes continental breakfast, lunch (hamburgers and hot dogs), and Colorado made "HEMP I SCREAM" afternoon treat. Within walking distance remain several restaurants including Swing Thai, Mexican Jalapeno Grill, and others. It should, however, be noted that there will be a lunch time speaker that you might not want to miss. Warning, your conference fee does NOT automatically entitle you to concert entry for the 1st THC National Convention in the evening. Tickets may be purchased separately online through the box office at http://theorientaltheater.com Please Note: Due to the considerable excitement surrounding these unique events and due to the fact that thousands of individuals will be coming to Denver for the Democratic National Convention, ticket availability is going fast. Get yours today, and DON'T get left out in the cold!) SCHEDULE OF EVENTS • 8a.m. to 9 a.m. REGISTRATION & SET-UP ACTIVITIES "Meet & Greet" time. • 9a.m. to 10a.m. Continental Breakfast with Opening Speaker • 10a.m. to 11:15a.m. "Why a Collective or Cooperative?" • 11:15 a.m. to 1p.m. Lunch with speaker. • 1:00p.m. to 3p.m. Breakout Sessions including: 1. Growers(Balcony) 2. Caregivers & Patient Advocacy 3. "Holistic Practitioners -enhance your client base" 4. "The Business of Cannabis (medical) in Colorado" • 3:00p.m. to 3:30p.m. BREAK TIME (complimentary Colorado HEMP ICE SCREAM served). • 3:30p.m. to 5:30p.m. "FREE SPEECH DIALOGUE"-with numerous representatives of the politics of the day. Included will be a Recreate 68 representative (recreate68.org) and an Alliance for Real Democracy representative along with other speakers, and having moderation by the U.S. Department of Peace. A unique experience following the concept of "Community Mediation". • 5:30p.m to 6:30p.m. Networking and Cash Bar. THE FIRST HEMP AND CANNABIS NATIONAL CONVENTION http://thcnationalconvention.com http://www.myspace.com/thcnationalconvention Official Gear: http://www.cafepress.com/THCNC The HEMP CANNABIS NATIONAL CONVENTION Oriental Theater (http://theorientaltheater. com) Denver, Colorado THURSDAY AUGUST 21, 2008 6 p.m. to Midnight PUBLIC INVITED • 6:30p.m. to Midnight Continuous Live Entertainment including: BIG BUDS BLUES BAND ONE MANNA (Anna, the one woman band) APEX VIBE Comedians and More POLITICAL ACTIVISM, EDUCATION, COMMUNITY This will be a celebration of Our Freedoms following a daylong seminar for Medical Marijuana in Colorado HIGHLY PRIZED & extremely limited $10 tickets (now available Online at http://theorientaltheater. com or at the Oriental Theater Box Office) Complimentary VIP for ALL legal Colorado Medical Marijuana patients at the door with package including buffet, limited laminate, official THC National Convention t-shirt, "Green Cross" goodie bag and more!) Sorry, price of the Concert is NOT included in the educational conference fee. BE WARNED, this event and conference WILL sell out early) If interested, please obtain your $10. concert tickets separately online at http://www. theorientaltheater.com Very limited Sponsorship Opportunities and Vendor Booths remain available (Deadline for paid application: August 10, 2008) contact Bobby at 720-628-6291. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/timothytipton/CqPP http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/timothytipton/CqPP/commentary#comments Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:42:22 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/timothytipton/CqPP COmidnightrider46 COmidnightrider46 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqPP/ Progressive Democrats of America with The Nation magazine are setting up headquarters at Central Presbyterian Church (1660 Sherman St.), where they have scheduled issues forums over 5 days of the Democratic National Convention. Free daily panels moderated by The Nation 's John Nichols at 11 AM, are followed by additional panels covering Health Care on Monday, August 25, followed the rest of the week with forums on Media and Election Reform, Economic Justice, Global Warming and Constitutional Law. Participants include Reps. John Conyers, Barbara Lee, Robert Wexler, Keith Ellison and Lynn Woolsey; Tom Hayden, Jim Hightower and authors David Sirota and Vincent Bugliosi; various writers and publisher of The Nation ; journalist and radio host Laura Flanders; Jeff Cohen, author and founder of FAIR; and many others. For schedule and more info, check Web site http://pdamerica.org , click on "Progressive Central" in green bar at page top. Watch for posting of PDF event flyer. Also, check link to HCAC page for Democratic Convention Actions around Health Care . http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqPk http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqPk/commentary#comments Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:00:39 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqPk Michele S Michele S 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqPk/ Phil Graham former Senator and current Economic advisor to Presidential candidate John Mc Cain, believes we're a nation of whiners. If he were a liberal he'd be accused of hating America. I wouldn't go that far but it does appears Graham hates Americans enough to call them whiners and tell us any economic woes we are experiencing are merely figments of our whining imagination. Can you blame him? After all, a complaint against our economy is a direct attack on the failure of the economic philosophy Graham and his conservative buddies worked so hard to build. He was instrumental in de-regulating the home mortgage industry himself. If you lost your home because you were duped into signing a flexible rate mortgage by being told you could re-do it later, you can thank conservative economics and Phil Graham personally. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/bingvangorden/Cqy4 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/bingvangorden/Cqy4/commentary#comments Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:19:27 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/bingvangorden/Cqy4 BingVanGorden http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/25bd1354620e434bc8_ixsmv2dwg.jpg BingVanGorden 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqy4/ From David Swanson: The peace movement has stood for peace and justice, for ending wars, preventing new ones, and building peace. Our top priority in Washington, D.C., has been ending the funding of the occupation. That work is over for the next year, because Congress has provided that funding. We can still work against recruitment, we can still educate, we can still agitate, we can still oppose an attack on Iran. But one of our secondary priorities in Washington has been imposing a penalty for the illegal attack on Iraq in order to discourage future attacks on Iran or anywhere else. We have pushed half-heartedly for impeachment, with our main lobbying focus on cutting off the money. Now, at the same time that the money is a done deal for another year, the possibility of impeachment is beginning to spark. After over two years of declaring impeachment "off the table," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has relented and suggested that some sort of preliminary hearing be held in the Judiciary Committee - and specifically on the impeachable offense of misleading a nation into war. If the peace movement is not just a movement against one war or occupation, but a movement for peace, we should push with everything we've got for that (impeachment) hearing to happen, happen soon, and happen well. We should ask everyone who cares about peace to phone Pelosi and Committee Chairman John Conyers, as well as their own representatives, whom they should ask to introduce their own articles of impeachment. We've been on a losing streak, brothers and sisters, and the door is cracking open toward a major victory. Let's open that door fully and lead a peaceful march of millions through it. http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/34705 PLEASE CALL and demand that Impeachment Hearings be started BEFORE the Election House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers, Jr.: (202) 225-5126 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: (202) 225-4965 And your Congressman: Contact info Please join our weekly Impeachment Events, see our Calendar on the website ImpeachCO.com or in the Calendar here on ProgressNowAction.org John H Kennedy, organizer Impeach Colorado Coalition ImpeachCO.com .. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/kennedyjohn/CqyT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/kennedyjohn/CqyT/commentary#comments Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:32:28 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/kennedyjohn/CqyT John H Kennedy http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/5e4c96e6db734362f3_l5hmv2v71.jpg John H Kennedy 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqyT/ Read Resolution overwhelmingly passed by U.S. Conference of Mayors at their Jun 22-24, 2008 annual meeting. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/Cqy5 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/Cqy5/commentary#comments Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:39:24 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/Cqy5 Michele S Michele S 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqy5/ Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' Current mood: inspired Category: Life Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation. Martin Luther King, Jr. He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. Martin Luther King, Jr. (WAR = EVIL) THIS IS MY FAVORITE ONE...... An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. Martin Luther King, Jr. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. Martin Luther King, Jr. NO I LIED....these next two are my favorite ones...... I so would go to jail if I had too!!!! An individual who breaks a law that his conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law. Martin Luther King, Jr. A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men. Martin Luther King, Jr. A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus. Martin Luther King, Jr. A man can't ride your back unless it's bent. Martin Luther King, Jr. A man who won't die for something is not fit to live. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/jaquelinechristopher/Cqyg http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/jaquelinechristopher/Cqyg/commentary#comments Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:31:41 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/jaquelinechristopher/Cqyg Seeker of truth and freedom! http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/5cb1b68022f95ff4c0_ng4mv24hl.jpg Seeker of truth and freedom! 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqyg/ The Denver Post highlights some recent votes by Colorado's congressional delegation, and the results are fairly typical, but still worth noting. Bottom line: Members of Colorado's Republican delegation are far out of the mainstream of their own party, and are not representing Colorado's interests in the least. For example: http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/agadorspartacus/CqyB http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/agadorspartacus/CqyB/commentary#comments Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:21:26 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/agadorspartacus/CqyB Agador Spartacus Agador Spartacus 5 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqyB/ What a week it was...a week of dreams rotting...of blood...of gasping rails of a dying nation........ An open letter to Nancy Pelosi: To Nancy Pelosi: TIME to leave your position in disgrace - YOU are a disgrace to your office and your gender. You were the FIRST to break that glass ceiling and you have become a joke. A sad, cruel joke for those of us who had so much hope. A change that was to be brought in with the election of 2006 But that all changed. We hear it over and over and over again. Any challenge to the cruelties, the evils, the horrors brought by this administration is met with the same standard; Any response or action that is morally correct or ethically right. You take it "off the table" or it is "not an option". http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/Jan/Cq9f http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/Jan/Cq9f/commentary#comments Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:27:58 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/Jan/Cq9f The Mad Woman http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/fcb34917d9fd3e3809_u806mvulr.jpg The Mad Woman 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cq9f/ A study published in Health Affairs (6-10-08) documents a sharp (60%) increase in numbers of underinsured between 2003-2007. Underinsurance rates nearly tripled among those with incomes above 200% of poverty. Consequently, 42 percent of U.S. adults were under- or uninsured in 2007, reporting high levels of access problems and financial stress. Even among those with incomes over 400% of poverty, 15% are underinsured. The study indicates that the move toward greater consumer cost-sharing for minimum benefit insurance policies in recent years is pushing millions of insured non-elderly adults toward spending large shares of their incomes on health care. The clear impact is to increase the share of families at risk for medical debt and loss of savings for retirement, college, or other long-term needs. Our current insurance system is working well only for the wealthy, who can afford high costs. Politicians' promises that "you can keep the insurance you have" also apply to the wealthy.  Read the Report Following is a 650-word piece I wrote about the failure of profit-centered health care that has been picked up by several newspapers around the state.                               Failure of U.S. profit-centered health insurance Spending almost twice as much, the U.S. has worse health outcomes than other industrialized nations. Uniquely, U.S. health care is dependent on over 1200 for-profit health insurances, functioning as gatekeepers. Underwriting – the art of risk evaluation and avoidance – insures profits by covering the healthy and rejecting everyone else as a "pre-existing condition." Profit is a perverse incentive for quality health care: imagine for-profit fire or police protection. "Market-driven" health care treats health as a commodity, to be negotiated like a car or a house. The free market has also spawned "designer hospitals," offering only the most profitable specialties, e.g., cardiac procedures, and eliminating less profitable services, e.g., emergency and mental health. No reform proposal by current presidential candidates addresses the failure of the private health insurance industry, characterized principally by decreasing benefits and greater costs and risks shifted to consumers. In turn, more are subjected to underinsurance and unpaid medical bills – now the leading cause of personal bankruptcies. Premium increases of 87 percent over 6 years have outpaced both cost-of-living and median family income increases. Incremental reform proposals demonstrate lack of political will – the same failure to confront corporate profit-taking by insurance and pharmaceutical industries that wrote Medicare prescription drug reform with billions of dollars of taxpayer subsidies and inflated profits to benefit their bottom lines. Commercial health insurance is the 800-pound gorilla, responsible for over 25% of health care dollars siphoned to excessive administrative costs, lobbying, marketing, CEO salaries and profit-taking: $30 billion annual health insurance profits; $32 billion insurance underwriting and marketing costs (McKinsey Group, 2007). Gaming the system for profit has given rise to the annual $20 billion business of "denial managment" – health insurance middlemen who search claims for excuses to delay, deny or renege on reimbursements. Responding to double-digit premium increases, more employers are opting to move employees into underinsurance – high-deductible catastrophic plans. Simultaneously, the American Hospital Association reports that both family out-of-pocket health expenses and unpaid medical bills have risen approximately 60% over a decade – still more costs ultimately shifted to taxpayers and consumers. Notably, more than 20 federal and state studies since 1990, including the 2007 Lewin Group evaluation in Colorado, have demonstrated that single-payer health insurance is the only reform model that can both save money and provide comprehensive health care benefits for all. Indeed, the single payer model is the only truly efficient, equitable, and sustainable financing system, enabling universal coverage by spreading risk across the entire population. Contrary to assertions by the "free market" choir, only single payer insurance permits true choice of pubic and private providers; private insurance is limited to "in plan" doctors. Only single payer provides comprehensive benefits and protection against medical bankruptcy. Rather than comprehensive health care reform, most current proposals revert to a Massachusetts-style nostrum, preserving insurance profits and requiring an individual mandate to purchase minimum-benefit insurance, subsidized by taxpayers as needed. It is a formula for continued inflationary consumer health costs and decreasing benefits. National single payer bill, HR676, calls for a progressive 3 to 4 percent employer and employee payroll tax to replace all health deductibles and premiums. Full-coverage costs for a family of four earning $40,000 annually would drop to $110 a month, from recent levels of $273/month for employer-sponsored coverage, or $489/month for an individually-insured family (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2007). A political class dependent on corporate money (and privy to 70 percent-taxpayer-subsidized health coverage) sidesteps meaningful reform. Nevertheless, polls by Pew and others have revealed increasing numbers – 54 to 65 percent of people – support a national single-payer health care plan. A recent survey reports that 59 percent of U.S. physicians now support national health care, up 10 percent from 2002. A grassroots movement and political reforms, including publicly-financed campaigns, may be necessary to instill the political will for meaningful reform. We have everything to gain from quality-, saftey-centered universal single payer health care to replace U.S. dependence on profiteering health care gatekeepers. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/Cq45 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/Cq45/commentary#comments Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:35:09 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/Cq45 Michele S Michele S 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cq45/ I wasn't goofing off because it was a holiday weekend, I swear! JUST as I was patting myself on the back last Friday evening for being almost caught up, I noticed I was suddenly awfully congested in my chest. As though it had been booked for a tour by Bronchitis and the Wheezers, the atonal faux-accordion-pop group. So I was mainly in bed from then until noon or so today. Thank goodness for my trusty laptop, which not only let me keep up virtually with the big world, but is warm and comforting to cuddle when you are sore from coughing. Could have been worse, of course. In a funny co-incidence, as I was looking over the blogs I read on Wednesdays I found this article on Damn Interesting.com about The Heroes of SARS. It's an excellent overview of the epidemic from start to finish, showing how some things that are often politicized worked RIGHT for once. There's even a whistle-blower who got listened to! And not stomped on later! By the way, if anyone is interested in ancient history, I did a write-up on my personal experiences and views of the State Assembly and Convention. First part of Friday Second part, Friday Saturday http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/neonnurse/CqYp http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/neonnurse/CqYp/commentary#comments Wed, 28 May 2008 23:48:37 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/neonnurse/CqYp Susan the Neon Nurse http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/4d9f8366c95149b114_4l1gmvoe1.jpg Susan the Neon Nurse 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqYp/ CheneyCare -- We taxpayers pay 70% of guaranteed coverage for VP Dick Cheney and 2 million federal legislators and employees.  Link: Bill Moyers' Journal 5/9/08 -- California Nurses' campaign for "CheneyCare" for all.  Read transcript or view program: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/05092008/transcript1.html Video "Who the Health Cares?" gets straight to the point: Presidential candidates will not determine health care reform -- the ball is in the court of Congress. http://www.moblogic.tv/video/2008/04/30/who-the-health-cares/ For-Profit Health Insurance and Pharmaceutical Industries -- scary statistics 1) Melody Peterson's book "Our Daily Meds" reveals that the benefit of medicines marketed by pharmaceutical companies "has become secondary to how much it will bring shareholders in profit"...due to constant pressure by Wall Street for drug companies to exceed profits made the year before; Big Pharma employs 2 lobbyists for every Congress member. 2) Tests show that placebos often work as well as the drugs being marketed to the public. 3) 100,000 Americans die annually from taking prescribed drugs as prescribed (FDA reports). 4) U.S. experiences 75,000-100,000 preventable deaths annually, ranking 19 out of 19 nations. (Recent study, Ellen Nolte & Martin McKee, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)  http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqYV http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqYV/commentary#comments Sun, 25 May 2008 21:39:15 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqYV Michele S Michele S 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqYV/ Please join Be the Change-USA & Health Care for All Colorado for an exciting, engaging and fun event May 31 Are We All Really Covered? Closing the Gaps in Health Care 12 noon - 7:30 PM, Sat., May 31, 2008 First Plymouth Congregational Church 3501 S. Colorado Blvd. (Hampden and Colorado Blvd) Englewood, CO Registration: Full program: $35; Dinner & evening speakers: $25; Evening speakers only: $10. Discount for Seniors, students, veterans, BTC and HCAC members: $5 Special program features: 1-3 PM Providers and Patients Panel: "How did we get into this mess, and how can we get out?" 3-5 PM Presentations by CO elected officials and candidates: "Will Colorado begin to close the gap?" 5 PM Dinner "Legislative Grill" -- Members of Congress and candidates and representatives of Presidential campaigns: "Will Congress or our next President begin to close the gap?" 6 PM Evening Keynote speaker: Elizabeth Kucinich More info: www.BTC-USA.org or www.healthcareforallcolorado.org or call Dick Barkey, 303-808-8504, or Eliza Carney, 970-416-0636 To register online: www.BTC-USA.org   http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqYj http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqYj/commentary#comments Sun, 25 May 2008 21:20:23 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/micheleswenson/CqYj Michele S Michele S 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqYj/ How is it that after the un-fabulous IG report from a few years back that all but recommended closing the DVAMC asap, and after years of hearing about the new DVAMC at Fitzsimmons, that the decision to not build a new hospital gets no press? I'm unclear on the details- but will I really have to move to another state to continue relying on the VA ? My current understanding is that the VA will lease space in the new UC Hospital. Sounds like a sure way to cut expenses- and also services. Details to follow. Please reply to me directly if you wish to be added to my email list for this issue. (I'll never share you r inf with anyone- nor spam you). Mike Darling http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/michaeldarling/CqsB http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/michaeldarling/CqsB/commentary#comments Thu, 08 May 2008 13:10:23 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/michaeldarling/CqsB MDarling http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/eec4455190d3e3fb22_m1x0mvvgx.jpg MDarling 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqsB/ I just heard from our friends at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative that the Fair Accountable Insurance Rates bill passed in the Senate Appropriations this morning. It could be voted on the Senate floor this afternoon. Thank you to everyone who has contacted your Senator. You can still help by email your Senator through our simple online site at ProgressNowAction.org/FAIRSpeakout . http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/Cq9p http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/Cq9p/commentary#comments Thu, 01 May 2008 08:51:10 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/Cq9p Bobby http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/ee6099c9a5ad8f13ea_6dm6bih04.jpg Bobby 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cq9p/ We've just learned that John McCain will be in Denver this FRIDAY (May 2) for a townhall on healthcare. McCain's campaign claims that this an "open townhall" that the general public can attend. Click here to rsvp. McCain says that his healthcare plan is designed to lower costs. But McCain's plan appears to lower costs "by cutting benefits to people." The mainstream media has basically given McCain a free ride so far by not asking him tough questions. So it's important for citizens to ask those questions ourselves. If you can make it on Friday, please attend McCain's townhall. After the townhall, tell us about your experience here on our blog. If for any reason you are not allowed to attend this "open townhall", please call 303-991-1900. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/Cq9j http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/Cq9j/commentary#comments Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:58:05 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/Cq9j Bobby http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/ee6099c9a5ad8f13ea_6dm6bih04.jpg Bobby 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cq9j/ UPDATE: The FAIR bill was held over until TODAY. The Senate Finance Committee hearing is about to begin. If you have a spare couple of minutes, please call one or more of the Senators on the committee and urge them to support the FAIR bill for more accountability and transparency from Insurance companies. The next hurdle for the Fair Accountable Insurance Rates ("FAIR") bill today will be in committee in the Senate. Following is a list of Senators on the committee. Please contact them TODAY (especially Veiga and Isgar) and urge them to support the FAIR bill for more accountability and transparancy from insurance companies: Senator Sandoval(D)(CHAIR and Senate sponsor for FAIR): 303-866-4862 Senator Romer (D): 303.866.4852 Senator Brophy (R): 303.866.6360 Senator Harvey (R): 303.866.4881 Senator Isgar (D): 303.866.4884 Senator Kopp (R): 303.866.2683 Senator Veiga (D): 303.866.4861 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/Cq9x http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/Cq9x/commentary#comments Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:45:42 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/Cq9x Bobby http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/ee6099c9a5ad8f13ea_6dm6bih04.jpg Bobby 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cq9x/ ProgressNow members have written over 800 emails to legislators in support of the Fair Accountable Insurance Rates ("FAIR") bill just since yesterday afternoon. You can contact your legislators using our simple online form at: www.ProgressNowAction.org/FAIRSpeakout . For more info on the FAIR bill, go to www.ProgressNowAction.org/FAIRFacts . UPDATE: The FAIR bill has now passed the House, and it's on to the Senate. You can still use the link above to contact your Senator by email. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/CqYl http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/CqYl/commentary#comments Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:50:08 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/think/CqYl Bobby http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/ee6099c9a5ad8f13ea_6dm6bih04.jpg Bobby 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqYl/