About Us
Mission Statement
Rules of Conduct
 
Name:
Pswd:
Remember Me
Register
 

The Real Death Panels
Author: Raine    Date: 08/10/2009 12:42:08

They aren't anything imagined up by Sarah Palin's speechwriter. They aren't anything the riotous mobs are at the Town hall events. The real death panels Do exist, they are called insurance companies.

A few years ago, we were quite outraged and saddened by the death of a 17 year old leukemia sufferer. She died because Cigna Health insurance decided that a liver transplant was "experimental". Over the weekend I read a story about a baby, 6 moths old, who died at the hands of a hospital panel.
A terminally ill infant at the center of a life support fight died Wednesday while still receiving full medical treatment.

Six-month-old Knya Dismuke-Howard had leukemia that spread to her brain. Doctors at Memorial Hermann Children's hospital said continued care would be futile and a hospital ethics committee decided last week to remove her from life support Monday, despite objections from her family.

Knya also had multiple-organ failure and a serious bacterial infection and was on morphine to relieve pain. She was diagnosed with leukemia five months ago.
When people like Sarah Palin holds up her child as a possible candidate for an Obama Death Panel regarding Health care reform -- I wonder -- Where was Sarah Palin for this baby? Where? Nowhere. She would rather fearomger than save sick children's lives. One of the biggest and scariest lies being told about the bills out there is that Barack Obama wants to euthanize people. Sarah Palin seems pretty quick to take that one and run with it.

Well I have some very interesting news for her. She most likely no longer gets government run and provided health care. Her lovely son Trig was born with a pre-existing condition. When he turns 18 (under the plan we have now) he will need Medicaid and Social Security, because he wouldn't have a snowballs chance in Florida of getting decent private insurance. Same with Sarah-- I believe she had a Cesarean section-- what Ms. Palin doesn't seem to know is that after a c-section your private insurance goes up.
When the Golden Rule Insurance Company rejected her application for health coverage last year, Peggy Robertson was mystified.

“It made no sense,” said Ms. Robertson, 39, who lives in Centennial, Colo. “I’m in perfect health.”

She was turned down because she had given birth by Cesarean section.
Funny thing about that, with our healthcare the way it is now, refuse a C-Section, you can lose custody of your baby.
Doctors thought the C-section was necessary; the laboring mother did not. As it happens, she was right, because the baby was born vaginally, and healthy. But the court has upheld the original petition by the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (NJDYF) that the mother “abused and neglected” her child. (The court reversed similar charges against the father, B.G., and also said their reason in upholding was not the c-section per se, but rather other factors brought to the bench by authorities.)
So while Sarah Palin tries to scare America into thinking we are some kind of fascism state with death panels looking for the final solution, she is wrong. We already have death panels. They are called insurance companies.

And they have the right to decide whether you live or die. Why? Remember Terri Shiavo? Deep down there in that bill (signed in the wee hours of the night, if you recall) it gives the right for hospital administrators to make that choice. When a hospital administrator is beholden to an insurance company -- what do you think is gonna happen? That is why end of life counseling is very important to have. This way the choice is TRULY between you and a doctor -- unlike the lies that are being told out there now. I believe we will have more mental health covered with the public option. Good thing, being a pathological liar can be treated.

and
Raine
 

79 comments (Latest Comment: 08/14/2009 19:51:36 by bloodystanng)
   Perma Link

Share This!

Furl it!
Spurl
NewsVine
Reddit
Technorati

Add a Comment

Please login to add a comment...


Comments:

Order comments Newest to Oldest  Refresh Comments

Comment by TriSec on 08/10/2009 12:51:09
I used to deny claims for a living.



While I hope now that nobody died because we didn't cover something, I really and truly have no way of knowing that.



I worked for an HMO. While we didn't go out of our way to find loopholes to deny claims, it wasn't discouraged, either. It was far easier to reject something because a patient name was misspelled, or a digit in the ID number got transposed, or the benefits assignment box wasn't checked off (all valid reasons to reject a claim, BTW) than it was to pick up the phone and call the doctor's office for a correction.



Months later when the patient called wanting to know why we didn't pay...."Sorry, that's past the filing limit. Nothing we can do about it now." And another patient heads to collection, or pays out-of-pocket.



Insurance is a machine; all the layers of beaurocracy and hundreds of claim filing rules and guidelines exist for one reason only....to make it easier for them to deny a claim and save the shareholders money.



If, by accident, something goes through and gets paid, and you get the care you need....it isn't by design.



That's what the true problem with the healthcare industry is, and until profit is removed from the equation, nothing will change.









Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 12:52:23
Morning



Insurance companies use evey excuse possible to deny stuff - one of my docs has to make sure he writes things a certain way or they would deny my claims and I'd have to pay an s-load of money. Too bad doctors have to learn to play the game instead treating their patients with what they need.

Comment by BobR on 08/10/2009 13:10:04
Once again, those that would scuttle healthcare reform are using projection to tar the reform with the very feathers they use to line their own mattresses.



or something...

Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 13:11:47
Does anyone remember this case? It was signed into law under then Governor, Bush.
Hudson gave birth to a son with an unknown father (she is said to believe his father was the Sun) on September 25, 2004, at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas, with thanatophoric dysplasia, a typically fatal form of congenital dwarfism. She was informed that the infant was most likely unable to survive, and should have his breathing tube removed pursuant to Chapter 166 of the Texas Health & Safety Code, the Advance Directives Act. Under this act, a doctor's recommendations to withdraw medical treatment can be followed, after they have been reviewed by the hospital's ethics committee and after 10 days' notice is given to the patient or guardian. Hudson was given 10 days from written notice to find a new facility to accommodate the infant, but was unable to do so. Texas Children's Hospital states that it attempted to contact 40 facilities without finding a willing one.



Legal delays prevented the removal of the breathing tube, which would have occurred on November 28, 2004, but a judge ruled that the removal of the tube did not require Hudson's agreement. On March 15, 2005, Texas Children's Hospital personnel removed the breathing tube. Official reports state that he was sedated, and asphyxiated in under a minute. Hudson disputes this, and told reporters, who were not permitted entrance, "I wanted y'all to see my son for yourself, so you could see he was actually moving around. He was conscious."



The hospital lacked confidence in Ms. Hudson's mental competence; she was quoted by The Dallas Morning News as saying that she didn't seek prenatal care "because I trusted in the Sun", which she claimed fathered the baby. She also made similar comments during an interview with Greta Van Susteren .


Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 13:15:53
Would ZOmbies vote? I'm thinking they would be more apathic

Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 13:18:08
Faye Shout Out!

Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 13:20:19
Faye! Her letter is being read!

Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 13:22:05
Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 13:24:10
Comment by m-hadley on 08/10/2009 13:41:13
Great Post Raine :clap:

This morning on NPR I heard a piece that completely debunked the GOP claim that Canada's health care system kills people because they have to wait so long to be seen. How about folks who wait until their symptoms are so bad, painful and extreme before they go to the ER for treatment? Only to find out that their cancer has metatacized into their bones and brain and is no longer treatable. How about that scenario? It happens hundreds of time every day in this country. Check out the piece on NPR: Does Canada's Health Care Need Fixing?. I thought an interesting stat that they presented in this piece was that the US ranked last out of 19 countries in prevenatable deaths - Canada ranked 6th. Just FYI....

Happee Mondee Everybodee :P

Cheers,

mfaye

Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 13:45:09
Hey guys - does anyone here now anything about programing?

Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 13:48:16
Quote by wickedpam:

Hey guys - does anyone here now anything about programing?


What kind of programming?

Comment by BobR on 08/10/2009 13:50:37
Quote by wickedpam:

Hey guys - does anyone here now anything about programing?


I guess I know a LITTLE....

Comment by BobR on 08/10/2009 13:51:35
Quote by Raine:

Uh oh... Bad Donut news....


that is very very disappointing...



and now I want a donut.

Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 13:56:59
Quote by Raine:

Quote by wickedpam:

Hey guys - does anyone here now anything about programing?


What kind of programming?






I need help recreating or changing a shelf talker program into a wine review program and I have no clue how to even figure out how to do it

Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 13:58:02
Quote by BobR:

Quote by wickedpam:

Hey guys - does anyone here now anything about programing?


I guess I know a LITTLE....






:D If I sent you something could you tell me how to modify it? If I even could

Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 13:58:57
Quote by BobR:

Quote by Raine:

Uh oh... Bad Donut news....


that is very very disappointing...



and now I want a donut.






I got a free donut this moring thanks to the driver meeting

Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 14:08:14
Of the GOP senators standing for re-election next year, all 12 voted against Sotomayor.



Sens. Robert Bennett of Utah and John McCain of Arizona are facing primary challenges from conservative rivals. Although they have no declared challengers, Sens. Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and David Vitter of Louisiana may wish to preemptively discourage any potential primary opponents.



Of the seven Republicans likely to retire between now and 2010, four voted yes — Sens. Christopher (Kit) Bond of Missouri, Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, Mel Martínez of Florida and George Voinovich of Ohio. Voting no were retiring Sens. Sam Brownback of Kansas, Jim Bunning of Kentucky and Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas.



Brownback and Hutchison intend to run for governor in their respective states.
Interesting...

Comment by BobR on 08/10/2009 14:13:11
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by BobR:

Quote by wickedpam:

Hey guys - does anyone here now anything about programing?


I guess I know a LITTLE....






:D If I sent you something could you tell me how to modify it? If I even could


sure!

Comment by trojanrabbit on 08/10/2009 14:16:16
Good morning everyone.



Will try popping in and out today. I thought my vacation was starting today, but I'm actually at work (boss called me on Saturday night), so the vaca gets put off another day.



Just as well, it's HHH out there today, it's more comfortable in here.

Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 14:17:34
Quote by trojanrabbit:

Good morning everyone.



Will try popping in and out today. I thought my vacation was starting today, but I'm actually at work (boss called me on Saturday night), so the vaca gets put off another day.



Just as well, it's HHH out there today, it's more comfortable in here.
Well that is good news for you, right?



Comment by Scoopster on 08/10/2009 14:21:32
Morning all! And happy Victory-Japan Day from the state where's it's a holiday, albeit not for yours truly!

Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 14:22:27
Jim's *rush* is a little too realistic for comfort.

Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 14:26:28
Quote by BobR:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by BobR:

Quote by wickedpam:

Hey guys - does anyone here now anything about programing?


I guess I know a LITTLE....






:D If I sent you something could you tell me how to modify it? If I even could


sure!




cool beans! Since its work related I'll send it via my work email :)



Comment by trojanrabbit on 08/10/2009 14:35:48
Quote by Raine:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Good morning everyone.



Will try popping in and out today. I thought my vacation was starting today, but I'm actually at work (boss called me on Saturday night), so the vaca gets put off another day.



Just as well, it's HHH out there today, it's more comfortable in here.
Well that is good news for you, right?





Yeah, but I couldn't tell my body that at 4AM this morning when I was trying to wake up.



Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 14:37:44
sent!

Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 15:01:44
Check out what Chris just Tweeted!



@radioguychrisDebunking health care reform myths! http://bit.ly/QxJlw

less than 20 seconds ago from web

Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 15:11:45
Nice! People of Faith for HCR! Video at link!

Comment by BobR on 08/10/2009 15:24:26
A friend of mine pasted this on facecrack. It HAS to be a fake, but it's cool nonetheless:





Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 15:32:41
Quote by wickedpam:

Check out what Chris just Tweeted!



@radioguychrisDebunking health care reform myths! http://bit.ly/QxJlw

less than 20 seconds ago from web
That is Amazing! I just called Rebekah and asked her to thank chris... they didn't know it was us!



W00T!!!!



Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 15:53:32
I set up an appointment to meet with John Lewis regarding Health Care Reform.



You can set up a meeting too!

Comment by Scoopster on 08/10/2009 15:54:50
So yea.. this weekend my landlord decided it was time the house dog was put down. She had been anemic and not eating regular food for a while, and was now completely blind and having serious problems walking (we were all watching her on Friday night and her hip joints were so far out of whack she could barely stand her back legs up).







His birthday is coming up, so I thought of getting him another dog. Only problem is she was a purebred Tibetan (as was his other five dogs before her - he used to breed 'em) so it's not only gonna be tough to find 'em but also damned expensive.

Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 16:00:40
Quote by Scoopster:

So yea.. this weekend my landlord decided it was time the house dog was put down. She had been anemic and not eating regular food for a while, and was now completely blind and having serious problems walking (we were all watching her on Friday night and her hip joints were so far out of whack she could barely stand her back legs up).







His birthday is coming up, so I thought of getting him another dog. Only problem is she was a purebred Tibetan (as was his other five dogs before her - he used to breed 'em) so it's not only gonna be tough to find 'em but also damned expensive.
sorry to read this scoop.



Have you tried this site? http://www.petfinder.com/ ?



Comment by livingonli on 08/10/2009 16:01:41
A belated good day to everyone. Another day where I just did not want to get up so I slept through most of Momma. I need to get up in the morning so I can listen to Momma live again..

Comment by Mondobubba on 08/10/2009 16:08:46
Quote by Raine:

I set up an appointment to meet with John Lewis regarding Health Care Reform.



You can set up a meeting too!




I've got an appointment at Bill Nelson's office.

Comment by Scoopster on 08/10/2009 16:12:49
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Scoopster:

So yea.. this weekend my landlord decided it was time the house dog was put down. She had been anemic and not eating regular food for a while, and was now completely blind and having serious problems walking (we were all watching her on Friday night and her hip joints were so far out of whack she could barely stand her back legs up).







His birthday is coming up, so I thought of getting him another dog. Only problem is she was a purebred Tibetan (as was his other five dogs before her - he used to breed 'em) so it's not only gonna be tough to find 'em but also damned expensive.
sorry to read this scoop.



Have you tried this site? http://www.petfinder.com/ ?



Checking it out now.. since it's a purebreed I was trying the AKC angle.

Comment by Raine on 08/10/2009 16:15:11
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

I set up an appointment to meet with John Lewis regarding Health Care Reform.



You can set up a meeting too!




I've got an appointment at Bill Nelson's office.
NICE!



We are going Thursday, 1 pm. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! please pass it on to everyone you know!



btw, Mondo --- we saved some Jerk Chicken for you....



Comment by Mondobubba on 08/10/2009 16:18:03
Quote by wickedpam:

Would ZOmbies vote? I'm thinking they would be more apathic




They voted in "Homecoming"

Comment by BobR on 08/10/2009 16:27:25
Mala - I sent you an email with some questions...

Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 16:35:21
Quote by BobR:

Mala - I sent you an email with some questions...






I sent you some answers

Comment by Mondobubba on 08/10/2009 16:35:58
As friend of mine, a multiple type of cancer survivor pointed out about "death panels" why does AARP support HCR? I mean the panels are gonna kill old people, right?

Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 16:38:01
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by wickedpam:

Would ZOmbies vote? I'm thinking they would be more apathic




They voted in "Homecoming"






hmmm - that sounds more like a paranormal movie and not a zombie movie

Comment by Mondobubba on 08/10/2009 16:39:43
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by wickedpam:

Would ZOmbies vote? I'm thinking they would be more apathic




They voted in "Homecoming"






hmmm - that sounds more like a paranormal movie and not a zombie movie




Zombies eat the Ann Coulter-like character and don't spit her out! So,yeah maybe it is a paranormal movie.

Comment by TriSec on 08/10/2009 16:40:47
Hi folks.



I'm no longer unemployed.



They pay more than athena did.



It's close to my ancestral hometown, but 20 miles from here.



'nuff said.



We're heading for the pool....TTFN! :sprint:



Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 16:41:30
Yeah Tri!



That was fast!

Comment by wickedpam on 08/10/2009 16:42:42
Quote by Mondobubba:

As friend of mine, a multiple type of cancer survivor pointed out about "death panels" why does AARP support HCR? I mean the panels are gonna kill old people, right?






not unless the crystal in their hands starts flashing

Comment by Scoopster on 08/10/2009 16:44:27
Quote by TriSec:

Hi folks.



I'm no longer unemployed.



They pay more than athena did.



It's close to my ancestral hometown, but 20 miles from here.



'nuff said.



We're heading for the pool....TTFN! :sprint:


AWESOME!!!

Comment by Scoopster on 08/10/2009 16:46:19
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Mondobubba:

As friend of mine, a multiple type of cancer survivor pointed out about "death panels" why does AARP support HCR? I mean the panels are gonna kill old people, right?


not unless the crystal in their hands starts flashing


If that ever happened I'd be more worried about the Gelfling prophecy coming true.

Comment by Mondobubba on 08/10/2009 16:49:36
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Mondobubba:

As friend of mine, a multiple type of cancer survivor pointed out about "death panels" why does AARP support HCR? I mean the panels are gonna kill old people, right?






not unless the crystal in their hands starts flashing




Nice Logan's Run pull, Mala!