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Authors, sign in!Sen. Alexander: "Dumping of 15 million low-income Americans into a medical ghetto called Medicaid that none of us or any of our families would ever want to be a part of for our health care… "...Moving 15 million Americans into this medical ghetto… "…Moving 15 million low-income Americans into a program called Medicaid which is a medical ghetto is not health care reform."Even though I expect this post will set off a firestorm of comments, many or most of which will be very negative, I cannot find the words to properly express just how offensive I find the words of Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) during a speech he delivered in the current Senate health care debate.
Give him your attention. In the first place, Medicaid represents the only health care option available to a portion, and only a portion, of the very poor in America. The major negative associated with Medicaid relates directly to the fact that so few physicians will accept patients covered by the otherwise very good plan.
As a result, my poorest neighbors must wait for care, and not only in long lines or in crowded clinic and ER waiting rooms, but for weeks at a time for scheduled treatment. This would be remedied if we had the benefit of a comprehensive, national health care plan.
But second, and even more offensive, if the good Senator feels that Medicaid is a "health care ghetto." doesn't he have a moral responsibility to improve it?
Doesn't he have a fiscal responsibility to the nation to reform it, extend it and promote it? Hasn't he signed on as a national leader with the responsibilities that accompany such a decision?
Never mind the obvious race baiting here. Let's talk quality, equity and health care justice, not to mention improving the nation's wellness and health outcomes across a broad array of health measures.
Senator, please!
Published December 8, 2009 by Larry James |
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| Tags:
Health Care Reform
Health Disparity
Income Disparity
Lamar Alexander
Medicaid
Poverty
Public Policy
Racism
Senate
Tennessee
Uninsured
Comments (2)
Larry
You should get comments and they should declare their dissappointment in the reformless Health Care Reform bill !
A public that allows the gross misrepresenting of parts of the bill is beyond comprehension. A public that is convinced that the for profit insurance industry is interested in their health before the company's profit is not thinking for themselves. Even the so called non profit companies are making sure their executives are enjoying quite generous compensation.
If we think the executives and CEOs of the insurance industry are to be trusted above the bureaucrats and elected representatives in government then we simply don't understand the nature and greed of man.
Posted by Ken Poland
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December 9, 2009 7:10 AM
Posted on December 9, 2009 07:10
A Medical Ghetto? This is truly offensive.
Comparing Medicaid to the Ghetto is absurd.
I think that I am clearly disappointed that they would deny healthcare to millions of people. What it says to me is that these people are Greedy and willing to allow others to suffer so that they can live beyond their means.
It is a Shame....
Posted by Tatiana McKinney
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December 9, 2009 8:38 AM
Posted on December 9, 2009 08:38