"FOR THE PEOPLE . . ."

Last month, President Obama had his physical examination (which we presume was unremarkable). More interesting, though, was that in addition to the tests the rest of us would receive during an annual physical examination, he also received a coronary artery scan and a CT scan of his colon (also known as “virtual colonoscopy”). Now, while there are arguments for and against these tests being routine, there are two factors that cannot be denied. First, no one asked whether he could afford them because his insurance didn’t cover them and, secondly, he underwent non-invasive testing that provided significant information to his physicians that would have been unavailable without invasive tests. We do not know whether the tests were paid for by his federal insurance plan, whether he paid for them out if his own pocket, or whether he was provided them simply because he is the President of the United States. It doesn’t matter.

Every day thousands of physicians argue with insurance companies across the country to get needed tests and treatments from companies that excuse themselves from paying because: 1) it isn’t covered, or 2) it isn’t covered for THIS condition, or 3) it is “experimental,” or 4) it isn’t “medically necessary,” 5) it isn’t how “we” (the insurance companies) define “emergency, or 6) they simply deny coverage and will wait until you go through their entire appeals process before they will pay. Remember, under ERISA (another gift to them from Congress), they can only be liable for the costs of the test or treatment they denied, even if you die without them. The excuses are endless but they all amount to one thing – you’re “screwed” unless you happen to get elected to Congress or are in the White House.

If this is truly a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” shouldn’t we all have the same opportunities? If your representatives in Congress refuse to vote for health care reform (after more than 60 years of procrastination on behalf of their insurance company donors) isn’t it time we rid ourselves of these individuals who put their own welfare, or that of a single constituent group about the welfare of the nation and vote others in? Let them know how you feel. Call, write, or fax your legislators and demand health care reform now. Without it;

IT’S TIME TO MAKE RECALCINTRANT INCUMBENTS OF BOTH PARTIES AN ENDANGERED SPECIES IN NOVEMBER!