thanks, Patti, was that Medicare benefit for a total of 6 days or 6 days a
week?

Ray
Rayilyn Brown
Director AZNPF
Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
[log in to unmask]

--------------------------------------------------
From: "PATTI ZAPF" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 6:15 AM
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Home Health Care Medicare Benefit

> Rayliyn
>
> I didn't know about the benefit either until recently, alan's neurologist
> mentioned it for at home health physical therapy. Our neurologist and
> her nurse questioned alan's need and i said he isn't driving, i'm
> working, he needs exercise, which is very difficult for him. and they
> understood.
> That made me smile.
>
> PD has it compassionate side, as we both enjoy the warm smile we get and
> gentle expression received when someone understands this disease and
> knows of it's nasty effects. These past 16+ years of PD, i have noticed
> this compassion amongst many. The one thing i have not enjoyed during
> alan's pd is a person's response to PD of OH, I'M SO SORRY. I hate that.
> I'm like it is what it is and we are moving on. I know people mean well,
> really, and are somehow trying to make me feel better or... they are
> really deep down, so glad it's us and not them. My mind sometimes can be
> mean.
>
> Anyway, alan and i called medicare and asked what other home health
> benefits there are. We were amazed and excited!!! There are definite
> time rules on these benefits, but benefit times can be renewed and there
> are guidelines that Medicare exactly tells you.
> Call Medicare and ask them about home health care @ 1-800-MEDICARE.
>
> Now we had to find the right certified home health care agency to bring
> these benefits to our home.
> We googled home health care for our small town, 30 miles east of dallas.
> With these results, we were able to see hhc agency comparisons of our
> selected needs and % of patient improvement in those needs, during a hhc
> session. That was great to see and helpful.
>
> We called the HHC agency that had the highest %. It took talking to 2
> gals that could have done a better job on answering the phone, but the
> 3rd was a charm ( she help start this agency) and alan and i felt
> confident.
>
> The next day our neurologist faxed the doctor order to the this agency,
> and that afternoon, a very nice nurse called and scheduled the initial
> evaluation of alan's hhc need. The RN was here the next day, yesterday,
> for an hour, and she was a delight and very knowledgeable. There was
> that caring compassion again. It's a gift to be cherised.
>
> i also did due diligence, with the texas dept of aging and they helped me
> see on their website, if there were any complaints to this hhc agency.
> There were some complaints from 2007, with their other facility, not the
> one we were using. I called the gal i spoke with at the hhc agency we
> liked, left a message, and the owner of the agency called me back to
> explain the complaints and what they have done to correct them. We were
> satisfied with her response.
>
> Alan will get a home health aide to come every day for 6 days, an hour
> each time, to help him bath, shave, dress, fix a light meal, and do a few
> dishes!!!. sounds too good to be true! i will be anxious to hear what
> actually goes down. the RN left a folder that each hhc person will enter
> their session info into, for us to keep. alan may keep his own calender
> of events.
>
> i am going out of town for 6 days, to visit my folks in chicago area.
> they are mid 80's and my dad has a syndrome that is affecting his balance
> and speech. i miss them a lot and will savor these days together. I
> will bring some business work with me, so i can reward myself from this
> trip, with some money making success:>) Hoping alan does really well
> while i'm gone. our son will stay over at night and the weekend.
>
> It's opening season for deer that weekend and our son will miss out, but
> he adores and loves his dad and loves me, and wants to help out:>) alan
> and weston have done much deer hunting together thru the years:>) it's
> been a bond builder and yummy! i got to go one time! our daughter has
> fished, but never hunted. her wonderful husband we'll be a part changing
> this,
> i think.
>
> Patti cg 16
>
> ps. hhc could have a lot of abuse to it, but Medicare has some built- in
> check points every 3 years (if you get good grades or more often if you
> get bad reports, and as long as there is enough staff), i figure more
> check points in the future.
> The bad apples rock this boat.
> For now, i am not mentioning one word about home health care and
> reform... i promise!
>
>
>> Patti
>>
>> I didn't know there was a home care Medicare benefit. I have help two
>> days a week which I have always paid for. Its costly. For about a year
>> I did have a Medicare nurse who came once a month to check on me. Then
>> they stopped it. It was an experimental program I found out about at a
>> AZNPF yearly meeting or a symposium.
>>
>> In my first years of PD in CA I looked into long term care and learned
>> then that Medicare would pay for it if you were destitute and could find
>> an available bed. Apparently there are different levels of assisted
>> living in nursing homes. You could go from bad to worse (after spending
>> ALL of your own money of course.
>>
>> I have always lived alone and am going to try to stay at home as long as
>> I can. I would be interested in any information you might have on this
>> benefit. I am 73 and have Medicare as my primary and Anthem Blue
>> Cross/Blue Shield as my secondary.
>>
>> thanks, Ray
>>
>> Rayilyn Brown
>> Director AZNPF
>> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "PATTI ZAPF" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 5:02 AM
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: PARKINSON'S AND HEALTH CARE REFORM
>>
>>> Dear Alison:
>>>
>>> the hmo isn't the only option when you are disabled<65. there are
>>> medicare advantage ppo's too. These PPO network's allow you to use in
>>> and out of network providers and also include rx drug coverage. The
>>> PPO plans have a monthly premium.
>>>
>>> yes, i agree with you... it is very difficult sorting thru all the
>>> options on Medicare.
>>> i don't believe many seniors are up to the task, especially those in
>>> their 80's
>>> and those without internet.
>>>
>>> Single payor sure sounds simple.
>>> Who ever can figure out what the actual costs will be for Medicare,
>>> with all the baby boomers coming on board over the next few years,
>>> will win the grand prize. If all providers were honest, maybe the
>>> figure would be easier to figure out.
>>>
>>> Everyone's dilemma...How do you find providers that you believe in? If
>>> you live close to the big city, there is no problem finding a
>>> specialist. who may or may not be a good fit. When doctors send you
>>> for labs or x-rays do you question them why? Do your other doctors
>>> duplicate these same procedures? I have noticed medical lawsuits,
>>> insurance executive salaries, and the want for more income driving
>>> part of the medical train.
>>>
>>> Two years ago, i signed my husband up for a MA ppo and after one month
>>> disenrolled him because i got worried about all those copays adding
>>> up, which would cost more then the Part B $135 deductible + 20%. plus
>>> the hospital copay was $800 on this PPO plan, so we decided to gamble
>>> on just medicare parts a & b for his coverage, with no supplement and
>>> he bought a Part D drug plan. you thought i would have figured that
>>> out before enrolling him in the PPO, but it was an after thought after
>>> talking with a client that was using their PPO, that pushed me to
>>> switch him back to original medicare. the Medicare guarantee that
>>> allows you to try a Medicare Advantage plan and then switch back to
>>> original Medicare if you don't like it, only lasts the first 12 months
>>> of Advantage coverage.
>>>
>>> right now our savings are slowly depleting, my income is not growing
>>> like i want it to.
>>> it's hard to focus on my job, when caregiving in itself has been a
>>> full time job. these last couple months i notice new signs of
>>> advancing PD symptoms and for the first time i am seeing a mild
>>> cognitive impairment. i'm exploring extended care options, which i'm
>>> just beginning to understand, for down the road needs
>>>
>>> I am also exploring the home health care benefit thru Medicare. i am
>>> going out of town for 6 days next week and our neurologist wrote a
>>> prescription for home health care, as alan doesn't drive and requires
>>> assistance. our cost = 0 (benefit thru Part A Medicare).
>>>
>>> an RN comes today to make an evaluation of his needs during his home
>>> health care assistance. i am asking for an aid to help him bath,
>>> dress, and prepare a light meal. i am also asking for a physical
>>> therapist to come and an RN to check his rx intake. this is a huge
>>> relief. i office in our home, so alan is used to help around the
>>> clock. Home health will only be a very small portion of each day and
>>> I am so thankful for their professional help, plus i am counting on
>>> our son to help in the evenings. the isolation factor is another
>>> worry. gosh, getting older is complicated!
>>>
>>> for those PWP without caregivers... you are amazing and my hat goes
>>> off to you.
>>>
>>> in reflection~
>>> i remember the early years of PD when you couldn't tell Alan had PD...
>>> we started a local PWP support group that had 3 other PWP show up to
>>> our first of 4 meetings. They were in their 70-80's, with advanced
>>> symptoms. That sure scared us both and we dissolved the group, because
>>> at the time, we really didn't want to know the end of the story. I
>>> also remember our retired neurologist giving me a big hug one time and
>>> said how he wished for me, things would be different. i really didn't
>>> understand what he was saying, now i do. My husband is the greatest
>>> guy, full of love and knowledge. At this point, he is not able to
>>> meet many of my needs, which i miss. The good news is, i am remaining
>>> healthy and happy:>)
>>>
>>> patti cg 16
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sep 22, 2009, at 5:48 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote:
>>>
>>>> Dear Patti,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you for your suggestions.? We've printed them out to look at
>>>> more carefully in case we've overlooked anything.? We've met with
>>>> representatives from numerous health insurance companies, phoned? many
>>>> others, spoke with the health insurance department and? volunteers
>>>> "trained" in?comparing the different plans and how to find the best
>>>> options under the circumstances.? Insurance plans differ tremendously
>>>> from state to state and the question remains as to why health
>>>> insurance must be so incredibly complicated and "stacked" against the
>>>> people needing health care the most.?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you for your offer to assist off line.? I may reach out to you
>>>> for more information about your perspective on the current system and
>>>> what is currently being discussed.??If you would take the time to
>>>> read the "Open letter to Congressman Phil Hare and Senator Richard
>>>> Durbin; A fundraiser for one does not equal health care for all,"
>>>> your comments and insight would be greatly appreciated in helping
>>>> move the debate forward in another venue, www.PassHR676.org ? focused
>>>> entirely on health care?reform.?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you in advance for visiting?www.PassHR676.org by typing it into
>>>> the address bar.??You have to log on and register to write a comment,
>>>> but can write your comments anonymously.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Feel free to leave an address for the ListServe so others can find
>>>> their way back to?an invaluable resource with?tremendous insight from
>>>> those in the trenches.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Alison Landes
>>>>
>>>> [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: PATTI ZAPF <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>> Sent: Mon, Sep 21, 2009 7:56 am
>>>> Subject: Re: PARKINSON'S AND HEALTH CARE REFORM
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> hmo's have a $0 plan premium monthly cost, the secondary plan has a
>>>> big monthly premium.?
>>>> hmo plans include a rx drug benefit, the secondary plans do not.?
>>>> ?
>>>> hmo doctors need lots of traffic, so they can make some money.?
>>>> all doctors don't graduate at the top of their class and in many
>>>> cases, hmo doctors can be those doctors who have struggled to
>>>> graduate.?
>>>> ?
>>>> those just turning 65 and decide to enroll in a secondary plan, like
>>>> popular Plan F, will pay over $100 month, more like $130-$150 mo for
>>>> this secondary plan. Each year this secondary premium will increase.?
>>>> ?
>>>> on either plan: hmo, secondary plan, or no secondary plan, you still
>>>> have to pay Medicare part B premium of at least $96.40 month, unless
>>>> you qualify for extra help.?
>>>> ?
>>>> Maybe your sister should go back to original medicare and not buy a
>>>> secondary plan. This switch is only allowed once during the first 12
>>>> months of her hmo enrollment. If she doesn't buy a secondary plan
>>>> (too expensive) after the switch back to original Medicare, she'll
>>>> pay the part B annual deductible of $135 + 20% of doctor visit
>>>> costs., which is usually very small and she gets to see the doctors
>>>> she wants. she would still have the part B $96.40 premium. the
>>>> drawback is she would have the part A deductible of $1064, each time
>>>> she had a hospital stay.?
>>>> ?
>>>> it's hard to determine what the year may bring in medical costs but
>>>> if she doesn't require any hospitalization, she could see any doctor
>>>> accepting medicare and only be responsible for the part b $135
>>>> deductible annually + 20% of the office visit. this has worked out
>>>> well for my husband and several medicare clients i work with.?
>>>> ?
>>>> if she does have a hospital stay, she can work out a monthly payment
>>>> arrangement with the hospital with no finance charges added, but
>>>> payments must be made on time.?
>>>> ?
>>>> it's all a gamble, but with your hands tied in a hmo, because you
>>>> have to use network doctors and hospitals only, she could back to
>>>> original medicare (part a & b) for a year without a supplement plan
>>>> and see how it works out. if it doesn't work well, she can switch to
>>>> a hmo, ppo, or buy a supplement (AARP offers a guarantee issue) at
>>>> open enrollment.?
>>>> ?
>>>> the other draw back is, she would need to buy a rx drug plan. Plan
>>>> costs range from $13mo to $100mo. if she goes to medicare.gov, they
>>>> have a nifty rx drug calculator that compares drug costs and monthly
>>>> plan premiums, with all the plans available in your state.?
>>>> ?
>>>> call medicare at 1-800-medicare for help with their website and
>>>> adding your medications, unless you live in Texas, then call me and i
>>>> will help you. 1-800-510-6097.?
>>>> Have ready your drug names, amount you take, and how often you take
>>>> them.?
>>>> If you live in Texas, you can fax me your list and we'll calculate
>>>> your drug costs for 2010 plans, after October 15, when new plans come
>>>> out. fax me@ 972-771-8455.?
>>>> ?
>>>> the Medicare rx drug calulator shows when you get in the donut hole,
>>>> what your monthly costs are, and a way to budget. if her income is
>>>> below around $12,000 year she can qualify for assistance, thru social
>>>> security.?
>>>> ?
>>>> i know some of the rx drug plans offer FREE generics. check out your
>>>> current rx drug plan and see if this is available. Humana's Medicare
>>>> Advantage hmo and ppo plans do offer free generics, thru their mail
>>>> order service Right Source. Aetna's do too. Humana and Aetna have
>>>> their own drug calculator's that are easy to use on their websites.?
>>>> ?
>>>> I wish the USA would allow all generics, like entacapone for COMTAN',
>>>> which we buy in Canada now, during the donut hole.?
>>>> ?
>>>> patti cg?
>>>> ?
>>>> On Sep 20, 2009, at 3:45 PM, rayilynlee wrote:?
>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison is advocating for HR 676 and her email to me explains how
>>>>> > PWP, especially young-onset PWP, are impacted by our present
>>>>> health
>>>>> > care system.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> We need HR 676 Medicare for All because we are no longer a tribal or
>>>>> > farming community where sick people are hopefully taken care of by
>>>>> > the private sector or kindness of neighbors.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> I do not wish to offend anyone, but don't you think this is >
>>>>> important enough for us to talk about? If you are not affected,
>>>>> > just delete.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Ray?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Rayilyn Brown?
>>>>> Director AZNPF?
>>>>> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation?
>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> From: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2009 9:46 AM?
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Subject: Re: PARKINSON'S AND HEALTH CARE REFORM in Washington?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Hi Ray,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> If you have to get an email to me quickly, my computer is usually
>>>>> > open to [log in to unmask] . Otherwise, the
>>>>> [log in to unmask] > is best. My AOL account bounces emails back
>>>>> with anything over > 1,000 emails. I'm often at the limit at the
>>>>> [log in to unmask] address.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> My sister, diagnosed in 1998 at age 44, is on an HMO Medicare >
>>>>> Advantage Plan. Our father, in his 80's, was diagnosed with >
>>>>> Parkinson's 2 years ago, is on Medicare and a secondary policy.
>>>>> > Fran has to get referrals to see a specialist each and every
>>>>> time.
>>>>> > The specialists are the doctors that her primary physician
>>>>> refers her > to. They are not necessarily the doctors we would
>>>>> choose. >
>>>>> Second opinions from another specialist are few and hard to come by
>>>>> > as the primary physician does the referrals. HMO Medicare
>>>>> Advantage > Plans restrict the hospitals a patient can go to.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Physical therapy; Dad can see anyone he chooses. My sister has to
>>>>> > go to the physical therapist she is referred to. Often times
>>>>> the > physical therapy center they refer to is owned by the Medicare
>>>>> > Advantage company.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> How many Parkinsonians fall into the "donut" hole and either have to
>>>>> > rely on the mercy of the drug company to donate medicine or go to
>>>>> > Canada to buy it less expensively. The drug companies are doing >
>>>>> just fine financially. Pfizer this year was fined $2.3 billion this
>>>>> > year for violations involving paying physicians speaking fees for
>>>>> > basically "pushing" their drugs. Drug companies consider these >
>>>>> fines the cost of doing business. Health insurance and >
>>>>> pharmaceutical companies are making a fortune at the expense of >
>>>>> people who are fighting for their health.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> It would be far better for Parkinson's patients if they could see
>>>>> > the specialists of their choice who would actually spend some
>>>>> time
>>>>> > examining them rather than being bombarded by xrays and MRIs and
>>>>> cat > scans by primary care physicians who find it necessary to
>>>>> "cover" > themselves so they won't be sued.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> A Parkinson's patient shouldn't have to fight to see a nutritionist
>>>>> > when they are losing weight and bone mass due to Parkinsons and
>>>>> need > personalized help by someone trained in the field rather than
>>>>> being > handed several pages of photocopied materials on diet, which
>>>>> has > happened.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> H.R. 676 is approximately 27 pages in length. H.R.676 details are
>>>>> > on the Thomas.gov website. It lists sponsors, complete
>>>>> legislation
>>>>> > and summary of legislation at http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/
>>>>> thomas. > I've copied the Summary from the thomas.gov site, below.
>>>>> The entire > legislation and sponsors are at the link above.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF H.R.676?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> HR 676 would institute a single payer health care system by >
>>>>> expanding a?
>>>>> greatly improved Medicare system to everyone residing in the U. S.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> HR 676 would cover every person for all necessary medical care >
>>>>> including prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient >
>>>>> services, primary and preventive care, emergency services, dental,
>>>>> > mental health, home health, physical therapy, rehabilitation >
>>>>> (including for substance abuse), vision care, hearing services >
>>>>> including hearing aids, chiropractic, durable medical equipment,
>>>>> > palliative care, and long term care.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> HR 676 ends deductibles and co-payments. HR 676 would save hundreds
>>>>> > of?
>>>>> billions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits of
>>>>> the?
>>>>> private health insurance industry and HMOs.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> In the current Congress, HR 676 has 86 co-sponsors in addition to
>>>>> > Conyers. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced SB 703,
>>>>> a > single payer bill in the Senate.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> HR 676 has been endorsed by 566 union organizations in 49 states
>>>>> > including 134 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations
>>>>> and
>>>>> > 39 state AFL-CIO's (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND, WA, SC, WY, VT, FL,
>>>>> WI, > WV, SD, NC, MO,MN, ME, AR, MD-DC, TX, IA, AZ, TN, OR, GA, OK,
>>>>> KS, > CO, IN, AL, CA, AK, MI,MT, NE, NY, NV & MA?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> It is endorsed by the California Nurses and the California Nurses
>>>>> > Organizing Committee and by 16,000 physicians in Physicians for
>>>>> a > National Health Program (PNHP). It has been endorsed by the
>>>>> United
>>>>> > States Conference of Mayors.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> COPIED FROM THE THOMAS.GOV SITE;?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> H.R.676?
>>>>> Title: To provide for comprehensive health insurance coverage for
>>>>> > all United States residents, improved health care delivery,
>>>>> and for
>>>>> > other purposes.?
>>>>> Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 1/26/2009) >
>>>>> Cosponsors (86)?
>>>>> Latest Major Action: 1/26/2009 Referred to House committee. Status:
>>>>> > Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition
>>>>> to > the Committees on Ways and Means, and Natural Resources, for a
>>>>> > period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each
>>>>> case for > consideration of such provisions as fall within the
>>>>> jurisdiction > of the committee concerned.?
>>>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------?
>>>>> SUMMARY AS OF:?
>>>>> 1/26/2009--Introduced.?
>>>>> United States National Health Care Act or the Expanded and Improved
>>>>> > Medicare for All Act - Establishes the United States National
>>>>> Health > Care (USNHC) Program to provide all individuals residing in
>>>>> the > United States and U.S. territories with free health care that
>>>>> > includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care and >
>>>>> prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, long-term care, >
>>>>> mental health services, dental services, and vision care.?
>>>>> Prohibits an institution from participating unless it is a public or
>>>>> > nonprofit institution. Allows nonprofit health maintenance >
>>>>> organizations (HMOs) that deliver care in their own facilities to >
>>>>> participate.?
>>>>> Gives patients the freedom to choose from participating physicians
>>>>> > and institutions.?
>>>>> Prohibits a private health insurer from selling health insurance
>>>>> > coverage that duplicates the benefits provided under this Act.
>>>>> > Allows such insurers to sell benefits that are not medically
>>>>> > necessary, such as cosmetic surgery benefits.?
>>>>> Sets forth methods to pay institutional providers of care and health
>>>>> > professionals for services. Prohibits financial incentives between
>>>>> > HMOs and physicians based on utilization.?
>>>>> Establishes the USNHC Trust Fund to finance the Program with amounts
>>>>> > deposited: (1) from existing sources of government revenues for >
>>>>> health care; (2) by increasing personal income taxes on the top 5% >
>>>>> income earners; (3) by instituting a progressive excise tax on >
>>>>> payroll and self-employment income; and (4) by instituting a small >
>>>>> tax on stock and bond transactions. Transfers and appropriates to >
>>>>> carry out this Act amounts that would have been appropriated for >
>>>>> federal public health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, >
>>>>> and the State Children's Health Insurance Program.?
>>>>> Requires the USNHC Program to give first priority in retraining and
>>>>> > job placement and USNHC employment transition benefits to >
>>>>> individuals whose jobs are eliminated due to reduced administration.?
>>>>> Requires creation of a confidential electronic patient record
>>>>> system.?
>>>>> Establishes a National Board of Universal Quality and Access to >
>>>>> provide advice on quality, access, and affordability.?
>>>>> Provides for: (1) the eventual integration of the Indian Health >
>>>>> Service into the Program; and (2) evaluation of the continued >
>>>>> independence of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health programs.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Sincerely,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison Landes?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> -----Original Message-----?
>>>>> From: rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]>?
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Cc: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Sent: Sat, Sep 19, 2009 10:17 pm?
>>>>> Subject: Re: PARKINSONS AND HEALTH CARE REFORM in Washington?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> You don't have to convince me. What I need to do is find the parts
>>>>> > of HR 676 that would help people with Parkinson's in order to
>>>>> sneak > it into the PIEN. I'm all for Medicare for All, but have to
>>>>> find a > way to promote HR 676 on PIEN by connecting it with
>>>>> Parkinson's > disease. We just came out of a dustup re my comments
>>>>> and others > about HR 3200. Some people on the List can't stand
>>>>> controversy even > when it affects their health.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> My letter to legislators should call for support of HR 676, right??
>>>>> mainly because the other legislation does not help PWPs??
>>>>> ?
>>>>> I'll go back to to the sites you mention and see if I can take a
>>>>> > look at HR 676.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Ray?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Rayilyn Brown?
>>>>> Director AZNPF?
>>>>> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation?
>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> From: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 6:57 PM?
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Cc: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Subject: Re: PARKINSONS AND HEALTH CARE REFORM in Washington?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Hi Ray,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Thank you for your reply. H.R. 676, the United States National >
>>>>> Health Insurance Act, is single--payer, expanded and improved >
>>>>> Medicare for All. If you log onto the site www.PassHR676.org , I've
>>>>> > attempted to provide background information, bringing folks up
>>>>> to > speed on what has been going on behind the scenes for 3 years
>>>>> that > I've been involved.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> The ABOUT page provides background information and the MULTIMEDIA
>>>>> > page has assortment of videos and articles that reveal the
>>>>> truth > about our health care crisis. Wendell Potter, a former CIGNA
>>>>> > executive, is interviewed by Bill Moyers and has testified before >
>>>>> congress about how the health insurance industry is ripping off >
>>>>> consumers.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> The average person on the street does not realize the depth of >
>>>>> deception in that mainstream media wants advertising dollars, Wall
>>>>> > Street wants return on investment for stockholders and our
>>>>> elected > officials reap millions of dollars in campaign
>>>>> contributions. > Senator Max Baucus has received over $3million
>>>>> dollars from the > health insurance industry.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> The health insurance and pharmaceutical industries, special interest
>>>>> > groups and lobbyists are spending close to $2 million per day to >
>>>>> defeat health care reform. Executives who are earning multi-million
>>>>> > dollar salaries and billions in stock options want the status
>>>>> quo.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Young onset patients with Parkinson's and others under the age of 65
>>>>> > were essentially forced onto HMO Medicare Advantage Plans by the >
>>>>> last administration attempting to privatize Medicare. The only way >
>>>>> to get access to Medicare Part D for prescription drugs was to get >
>>>>> onto HMO Medicare Advantage Plan if you didn't have a secondary >
>>>>> policy and had a pre-existing condition precluding your getting >
>>>>> access to a secondary policy.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> HMO Medicare Advantage Plans were paid an extra 14% above what was
>>>>> > paid to regular Medicare. Where Medicare has a 3%
>>>>> administrative > overhead, private insurers have close to 30%
>>>>> overhead. Watch some of > the videos. Listen to the videos with
>>>>> Congressman Anthony
>>>>> Weiner > (D-NY) or Eric Massa (D-NY) or Senator Bernie Sanders (I-
>>>>> VT).?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Congressman Phil Hare, who is in former Lane Evan's seat in >
>>>>> Illinois, is a co-sponsor of H.R. 676. Lane Evans was a sponsor of
>>>>> > H.R. 676. We are fighting a huge uphill battle because the
>>>>> grass > roots, has limited resources in comparison to corporate
>>>>> America.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> What is really needed is a total, comprehensive overhaul of our >
>>>>> campaign finance system. There is a link to that on the ACTION >
>>>>> page. I think the site is www.change-congress.org .?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Do you know that Senator Max Baucus had a total of 13 doctors, >
>>>>> nurses and patient advocates arrested when they attempted to voice
>>>>> > their objection to the fact that he was leaving single-payer
>>>>> health > care off the table. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D- IL)
>>>>> has been > sponsoring this same bill since 2003. There are now 86
>>>>> co-sponsors > signed on. Congressman Anthony Weiner submitted an
>>>>> amendment to > substitute the language of H.R. 676 (single-payer)
>>>>> for H.R.3200. > Nancy Pelosi and Waxman asked him to hold off on the
>>>>> vote in the > session right before the August recess in exchange for
>>>>> floor vote in > the full House of Representatives in September. Then
>>>>> all hell broke > lose with the Tea Party Patriots and the Town Hall
>>>>> Meetings in August.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Mainstream Media, especially Fox, covered the Tea Party Express ad
>>>>> > nauseum. They have a super expensive luxury coach bus with 12 >
>>>>> sleeping berths driving cross country. Mad As Hell Doctors,
>>>>> www.MadAsHellDoctors.com
>>>>> > , are driving cross country in a group owned recreational
>>>>> vehicle, > stoppingin 27 cities nationwide. It has not been covered
>>>>> yet on > Mainstream Media. They are supporting single- payer health
>>>>> care.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> If you know anyone in Illinois, their comments on the website
>>>>> www.PassHR676.org
>>>>> > in reference to the OPEN LETTER to Rep. Phil Hare and Sen. Dick >
>>>>> Durbin would be very helpful. It talks about the $100,000 >
>>>>> collection they are taking up for their friend and former colleague,
>>>>> > Lane Evans, who has Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia. His >
>>>>> expenses in the assisted living facility are beyond his reach. H.R.
>>>>> > 676 would help with these costs for all Americans and we wouldn't
>>>>> > have 47 million uninsured. Our representatives cannot take up >
>>>>> collections for themselves and not own up to the fact that they are
>>>>> > selling out the people who elected them to office.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> All single-payer means is that funds would be paid to the government
>>>>> > and they would in turn pay the doctors and medical providers. We >
>>>>> would get rid of all insurance companies. They are unnecessary. >
>>>>> They put profits before people, making profits by denying care. >
>>>>> Wendell Potter was an executive with Cigna for 18 years. He knows >
>>>>> full well what went on but it didn't even register with him until he
>>>>> > saw what was going on with REMOTE ACCESS MEDICAL one weekend when
>>>>> > visiting his parents in Tennessee.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Look for that video on the MULTIMEDIA page as well. It's all >
>>>>> there. It's really quite simple. We don't need health insurance
>>>>> > companies. We need Medicare for All. We would save $400
>>>>> billion > annually with H.R. 676.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Congressman Anthony Weiner is finally having success getting the
>>>>> > Congressional Budget Office to score H.R. 676. Senator Edward >
>>>>> Kennedy, Senator Paul Wellstone both wanted all Americans to have
>>>>> > access to health care. There's even a video on the site where
>>>>> > Barack Obama says "If we were starting from scratch, single-
>>>>> payer > would be the way to go." There are too many of our
>>>>> representatives
>>>>> > raking in millions of dollars in campaign contributions from
>>>>> the > health insurance and pharmaceutical companies.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Listen to Senator Bernie Sanders video on the MULTIMEDIA page. It's
>>>>> > been a racket. Medicare should be able to negotiate for better >
>>>>> prices on drugs. It's possible to buy drugs from Canada for half of
>>>>> > what they charge in the U.S. Did you see the Michael Moore
>>>>> movie, > SICKO? If not, rent it. Wendell Potter says Michael Moore
>>>>> was >
>>>>> right. The insurance companies did what they could to spin it to
>>>>> > make it sound like he was wrong.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Look at the video and article about T.R. Reid who did the >
>>>>> documentary for PBS Frontline, "Sick Around the World." They asked
>>>>> > him to do "Sick Around America." When he saw how they edited it,
>>>>> he > was furious as even PBS Frontline altered his message. He
>>>>> refused > to have them use his name and he walked out.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Again, the ABOUT page on www.PassHR676.org explains the background.
>>>>> > The MULTIMEDIA page has lots of videos and articles, many of
>>>>> which > one would not readily see on mainstream media. The issue has
>>>>> been > confused. First they tried to pass the "Public Option" now
>>>>> they're > moving to "Co-Ops." Both of these are destined to fail. We
>>>>> need > Single-Payer. The powers that be, of course, like things the
>>>>> way > they are.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Single-payer health care, expanded and improved Medicare for All,
>>>>> > everybody in, nobody out. It is NOT socialized medicine. You
>>>>> can > see any doctor or go to any hospital you want.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Thanks for your assistance. Let me know if you want more >
>>>>> clarification.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Sincerely,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison Landes?
>>>>> www.PassHR676.org?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> -----Original Message-----?
>>>>> From: rayilynlee <[log in to unmask]>?
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Sent: Sat, Sep 19, 2009 3:00 pm?
>>>>> Subject: Re: PARKINSONS AND HEALTH CARE REFORM in Washington?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> I will be glad to help you and "push" this on PIEN, but I'm confused
>>>>> > as to what HR 676 is - single payer plan? campaign finance reform?
>>>>> > I favor both but can't begin to attack this until I know what I'm
>>>>> > talking about. Alison, a way has to be found to reduce the size of
>>>>> > the letter, even I couldn't digest it all. What I got from it was
>>>>> > that there has been an effort to raise money for Lane Evans, but
>>>>> the > million+ other Parkies don't have $ to defray economic
>>>>> disaster. > But my question is why do we want HR 676? Is it a single
>>>>> payer plan > or a campaign finance reform bill? I'm pretty skilled
>>>>> at getting > to the point when I know what it is, so let me hear
>>>>> from you.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Ray?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Rayilyn Brown?
>>>>> Director AZNPF?
>>>>> Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation?
>>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> From: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 9:11 AM?
>>>>> To: [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] ; >
>>>>> [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] ;
>>>>> [log in to unmask]> ; [log in to unmask] ?
>>>>> Cc: [log in to unmask]
>>>>> Subject: PARKINSONS AND HEALTH CARE REFORM in Washington?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Hello Fellow Advocates,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> As some of you know, my sister was diagnosed with Parkinson's in
>>>>> > 1998 at age 44. I started Take Charge! Cure Parkinson's in
>>>>> 1999. > There is a short bio about what I've been working on since
>>>>> that time > on the blog www.PassHR676.org . It is one of the earlier
>>>>> entries.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Your input would be most welcome, particularly in regards to the
>>>>> > entry titled "Open Letter to Representative Phil Hare (D-IL)
>>>>> and > Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), fundraising for 'one' does not
>>>>> equal
>>>>> > health care for all. If you would spend a few minutes looking >
>>>>> around the site, full information about what is going on behind the
>>>>> > scenes in this debate has been difficult to come by, as you will
>>>>> see.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Please do take the time to register at www.PassHR676.org and leave a
>>>>> > comment there for Congressman Phil Hare and Senator Dick Durbin. >
>>>>> This is very important in order for us to advance our position and >
>>>>> to be heard. Congressman Phil Hare and former Congressman Lane >
>>>>> Evans are both supporters of H.R. 676.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> If you LOG ON, you can post your comment on the site. Congressman
>>>>> > Phil Hare and Senator Richard Durbin have received the letter
>>>>> at > their office. I've left word that we've invited people in
>>>>> Illinois
>>>>> > and nationwide to register their comments regarding health care >
>>>>> reform and how patients with Parkinson's are impacted, young onset
>>>>> > patients in particular.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> If not 65, young onset patients would, in most instances, have to
>>>>> > rely on HMO Medicare Advantage Plans, rather than Medicare, as
>>>>> they
>>>>> > would be unable to get a secondary policy for Medicare Part D due
>>>>> to > a "pre-existing" condition.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> The ABOUT section at the website explains the background of the >
>>>>> reform effort and the MULTIMEDIA has myriad videos and articles that
>>>>> > reveal more of what is going on behind the scenes.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> The overriding issue is that the U.S.A. desperately needs campaign
>>>>> > finance reform in order to serve the people instead of special >
>>>>> interest groups.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> I've sent a copy of this to the ListServe.?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Sincerely,?
>>>>> ?
>>>>> Alison Landes?
>>>>> Founder & Editor?
>>>>> www.PassHR676.org?
>>>>> Executive Board Member?
>>>>> Floridians for Health Care?
>>>>> ?
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