Melissa, Thank you SOOOO much for trusting us with your views. This is not a place for us to all be drones who share the same beliefs. It's a place to be ALL YOU, ALL THE TIME. To be real, authentic, and whole in a loving way.

So thank you for trusting us. Big big love for all of you Lissa

I really wanted to leave this alone, as I, too, typically avoid political discussions because they can so easily and quickly turn ‘ugly.’ I was especially hesitant to voice my opinion in a space (although ‘safe’ – and I trust you all implicitly even thought I don’t actually KNOW you directly) where I’m clearly in the minority. Thank you to the other few who posted your opinions opposed to the legislation.

I’m opposed to this bill and even more so to universal health care. From the broadest perspective, I believe that governments can do *almost nothing* as effectively as ‘we the people’ can do for ourselves. Are there problems with our health care system? Yes. Are there good, smart things in the bill? Yes. Is it shameful that in a country as abundant and strong as ours that we should not be able to take care of everyone? Yes. But I believe the government is over-reaching its responsibilities and creating a big, expensive mess. (And I’d also repeat the other expressions voiced here about everyone needing to take care of themselves. If you rely on someone else for your well-being, what is the incentive for taking care of yourself?)

Next, our *rights* are enumerated in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Health care is not among them – any more than are the other things we NEED to live – e.g., food, shelter, clothing (or even simply jobs/money to secure those things we need). Even if you’re expressing your view that health care is a “right” from a loftier perspective – v. confining your view to what’s strictly defined by our legal rights – how then, do you apply those “rights” *within* our system of government? Said differently, what “rights” *wouldn’t* you awesome, generous, loving, kind Pinkies bestow upon us all? What ABOUT food? (Or better “a healthy, nourishing diet.”) Money? Clothing? Shelter? Taken even further – Meaningful work? Safety? Or even loving, supportive families who never harm us in any way? As much as we Pinkies would all love to see all of humankind thrive in a loving, kind, generous world, there’s no one (save a higher power) to go to for those “rights.”

Finally, my most glaring ‘issue’ with this bill is this (and I will admit, I did not think this up on my own, but someone else pointed out this perspective to me): I don’t believe it’s about health care / medicine (v. money, power, control, “fairness,” etc.). If it were, I believe our government officials would have reached out to the people who administer health care (e.g., doctors, hospital administrators, insurers) and tried to facilitate private sector solutions before they swooped in and simply tried to solve the problem all on its own. As it is, our government officials have virtually taken over an industry (two, if you count medicine itself and medical insurance separately) in which they have no experience.

And I don’t even want to touch how I think there’s NO possible way that passing something so expensive can even be presented as something that will REDUCE the deficit. That will make my head explode!

I often wish that I didn’t hold these views. It seems like it would be so much easier to believe that this is a smart solution. It seems so much easier for people to believe that you care about your fellow human beings if you’re for this. I’m for life circumstances improving for any and all. I just think that this is something that sounds good but won’t actually make things better. (By which I mean on the whole. Clearly, certain individuals will reap immediate improvements.)

Really thoughtful responses and Lissa thanks for starting the conversation. I think the big issue that I see not discussed enough it that there needs to be more regulations and competition in the health industry. I have had tons of problems dealing with my insurance company and I am healthy. I have no pre existing conditions but it was extremely difficult to get insurance and I pay through the nose. We can afford it, but not for much longer since our rates go up about 40% a year, not to include the age hikes every five years.

In 6 years, our insurance will be the same amount as our mortgage if the rate increase we've seen in the last 4 years hold at the 40%. Something will have to give.

Imagine if other things in life went up that much that quickly. I hope that this can become part of the discussion more and more.

Thanks!

Amber

Lissa, You are a voice of reason in the darkness of this corrigendum. I appreciate you. Much Love Always Tara Sutphen XOXOOX

What a great question, Carla! In answering, I do so only for myself (so speak up Pinkies. Tell us what you think!)

I hear you- and I value what you say beyond measure. Just as we can't count on doctor or other health care providers to "fix" us, we can't count on the government to make us healthy. You can never go outside of yourself for the answers. And yes, this is what Owning Pink is all about- realizing that you already have all that you need to have all that you want.

But here's the problem when it comes to health care. It all comes back to money. Because health care in this country is so expensive, and many simply don't have the money either to buy health insurance or to pay cash for their care, they wind up in the ER in the midst of an emergency and we all wind up paying for it. An uninsured person's heart attack is paid for by us all. In this country, preventative care will not get covered for the uninsured. You can't show up in an ER and demand a mammogram. But catastrophic care is considered a right. This is just WRONG. If health care is going to be considered a right, we must cover preventative care too. And we just can't count on the individual to do this.

Yes, I hear you. We should be able to be accountable for ourselves and not expect big government to save us. But it doesn't work. It hasn't been working for ages in this country. We need help.

So I think universal coverage- for both preventative and catastrophic care- is the answer. With that in place, it's up to all of us to OWN our bodies, nurture our temples, and be responsible health care consumers.

That's just my two cents, for what it's worth.

Lissa, an interesting conversation and one I appreciate. After reading your message, the messages of others and knowing the message of Owning Pink, I feel a contradiction. Pinkies and Owning Pink are all about embracing who we are, being free and owning our power...why then do we want to look to others to provide and take care of us? Don't we want to be free to take responsibility for our own lives? -living the life of our dreams and pouring out the generosity of our hearts when we feel called to do so - not when the government demands we do?

I agree everyone deserves the right to be healthy. A question to ponder is "where do our rights come from? If the government gives us the right to health care - then, can they too take it away? Do we as powerful beings have the right to demand others to take care of our health or do we want to own that ourselves? The beautiful message I hear on this site and from all you amazing people in this community is to fly free, be who you are, take charge of the power within to shine. How can we truly be this if we are looking for something or someone else to provide for us?

Mr Rogers from Michegan stated it far better than I can. This is video of hearings in the legislature.... http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=G44NCvNDLfc

I agree that the private sector should step up to the plate to fix the problem. When I see repeated documentation of decreased survival rates for cancer (mr rogers mentions this in his commentary as well) it makes me cringe. When I see federal funding for abortion held off 'only' by a presidential order (which may be rescinded at will-as Prs.Obama did by rescinding the Mexico agreement that provides federal funding for elective abortion in foriegn countries) I cringe for the children that will be murdered. The elders that will be counseled into 'end of life decisions' that are essentially suicide.

Limit lawsuits. Put an end to insurance companies outrageous practices. Allow transportable insurance. Let us group together across state borders so we can bargain with insurers on health care. Do NOT increase medicare premiums for seniors.

this is NOT a good thing. Unfortunately this bill passed.

S.

Thank you for sharing this Lissa.

Lissa, This is brilliant. Because of your making it concise and down to its smallest increment, I can now speak about health care without sounding like a babbling idiot.

It is an honor to be on your site and to be touched and fed by you. Thank you.

I will return in kind whenever and however I can. Strength, Woman.

Mary

FYI, PInkies, here's a letter from the President of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, in case you're curious:

http://www.acog.org/departments/govtrel/20100320PelosiLtr.pdf

Thank you all for your brilliant, astute, heartfelt, impassioned truth. xoxo Lissa

Thank you for posting such a postive and realistic approach to this topic. I firmly believe this has opened up discussion for true healthcare reform in hopes to possibly strong arm insurance companies to do the "right thing" in America.

I am a nurse who works in a non-profit healthcare system inthe suburbs of Phoenix area in Arizona. Large numbers of our patients get medical care when it is an emergency (not just illegal immigrants). Why? Because they do not have insurance to see their primary care doctor and do routine maintenance of their disease due to lost jobs, self employment or it's just too expensive to pay for when earning minimum wage.

Amazingly very few doctors are in agreement for healthcare reform. The few doctors that are in favor for healthcare reform are those that have lived in different countries where decent universal healthcare is available.

Hopefully, some good work can be done with this passage of healthcare reform and help millions of underserved people in our communities.

Lissa, I applaud you for going out on that limb. So many times we are afraid to tackle such highly charged issues. My thoughts are like many others, but my worries are different, or maybe not so different. I worry about my parents as they age and are on Medicare, I worry about their prescription costs. I worry about my sister and her upcoming hysterectomy, because she is only 39 and I worry about the care she will receive not just for her body but for her spirit. I worry about so much when it comes to health care.

I too, was for Universal health care back when Hillary was fighting for it. What I don't understand is how these so called law makers can, with good conscience, not do what is right by the people who elected them. I believe health care is the right of everyone.

I often find it interesting that "we the people" seem to have a better grasp on what would be good for our country than the elected ones.

I am grateful to President Obama for starting what I can only hope will be a giant step towards healing our country. and you are right, there was a time when women didn't have a voice and now look at us. Health care will have its day too.

Thank you for bringing this subject to light and giving us all an opportunity to share our personal views. This is what makes me proud to be a member of the Pink Posse.

Lissa-

Thank you for sharing your voice on such a charged topic. I also avoid political issues because they tend to be so divisive but once again you deliver your truth with love. Thank you for speaking up as not only a MD but as all of the other hats you wear.

I was rejected for health insurance last year because of an illness I had over a year ago, that was quickly cured in a matter of days, but it shows up on the insurance "reject list" in the computer. I was baffled. ME, not eligible for health insurance? I hardly ever get sick, my physicals are off the charts and I'm fiscally responsible, (I don't even have credit card debt!), and I teach people about preventative health. It was then I personally realized something was way off.

I honestly don't know what the best solution is but I believe we all want the same thing: good, affordable health care and the freedom to choose our care. The details of how is where it seems to get hazy.

I think we're just having growing pains. Whenever a system that no longer serves us is crumbling there's always a little dust and a little mess. I hope we do look back one day and say "what was all the fuss about?"

Some of the provisions in this health care bill are definitely a step in the right direction, although I feel the omissions and private deals could prove to be huge and expensive failure. In rushing through and only doing part of what is necessary, I think this bill will probably be a disaster and way more expensive than anyone realizes.

I am also concerned that the very bill that is suppose to give insurance to everyone will take mine away ... here's why ... This bill creates a new doughnut hole. I am self-employed (so no employer sponsored health care plan) and I fought tooth and nail to get the individual insurance I have for a reasonable price (benign medical condition with daily meds). I am at the bottom end of the income bracket that receives no subsidy, but it barely keeps our family afloat. I can't afford an increase in my premium or a decrease in covered services, will get no help paying for it, not eligible for Medicaid or other such programs and face a fine of $700+ dollars plus the entire cost of medical care if I don't get any. So what am I suppose to do?

Lissa, I am one who avoids politics at all costs. However, in some cases I need to be aware of the changes taking place so I can see how they might affect/benefit me in the future.

Thank you for sharing your voice with us, laying out the facts and your opinion. It is appreciated.

More so, thank you for having a sacred space where we can still love each other in spite our difference of opinion.

I live in the UK where we have had universal healthcare for many years and where few people take out insurance. Is it perfect? No. Am I still proud of it? Yes.

For example, I recently needed a potentially life-saving test. I went to see my local doctor and got the test two weeks later. No money changed hands and cost was never mentioned.

Of course I understand the anxiety about taxes but what you save on removing lawyers and insurers from the mix will more than pay for what you have to give. Really, it will.

Also, I think everyone needs to ask themselves, what price basic care for all citizens? What is that worth, and not just in an economic sense? What does it say about a country and its priorities?

Christina, I hear you, girlfriend. This is an expensive proposition. But imagine how much money we might save from what we are currently paying via Medicare and Medicaid if we can actually offer people prevention???

Thank you Deborah for recognizing how much guts it took for me to write this- especially here!

Linda, Yes. I do pray for our President. May he guide us towards the highest good for the most people with God's blessings.

Thank you for trying to create a safe space where the subject of health care can be talked about in a different way. Of course the solution is flawed because politics and debate have been dominated by the self-centered question, “How is this going to affect ME, ME, ME.”

When was the ethic of making this a better world for all people lost in this country? Kudos to Obama, and others with vision, to push forward with a health care initiative which tries to help the disempowered who don’t have lobbies, who don’t have money, who don’t have a voice in the arena of money politics which has come to dominate our country.

Is what was passed in MY best interest? Not entirely, but I’m willing to suffer a little financial loss, not always get exactly what is in my best interest, not have a law that is all about ME, so that others might have the chance to receive healthcare.

This is not the last word on change in healthcare, merely a first step. It would be a better, Pinker, world if we could all step back from our own needs and think too about the needs of others. And when we find ourselves talking about healthcare wouldn’t it be great if we could try to understand (rather than criticize) people with different needs, opinions, and expectations, and treat each other with kindness and respect.

Lissa,

Very well written! That's what I call "Pinkie Courage" I couldn't agree more with you, actually I'm a little relieved to see your professional point(s) of view. I can't image the stress placed on doctors today it's so much harder to be a physician these days due to litigation. I want to thank you for putting your thoughts out there. Two steps forward...

Amen, sister.

Yes, I do have hope. It is definitely a step in the right direction. And yes, I know that our political system is so divided and so bullheaded on both sides that major reform will never happen overnight. Even if this bill serves only to keep insurance companies from dropping people when they get sick, this will be huge.

So yes, deep breath.... It's all good...

That's how I feel, Karen. It's all about the people. I've seen way too many people who have neglected their own health care simply because they can't afford to pay cash for preventative measures and wind up with emergencies. It's heartbreaking. My bleeding heart aches.

The way I see it, I think health care in the US will ultimately wind up being a two tiered system. We will have universal health care as a baseline. It won't be great. And no- it probably won't be what we're used to. The docs that staff that program may be more technicians than healers. But at least their overhead will be reduced, they won't waste energy fighting insurance companies, and all Americans will have coverage.

Those who can afford it will pay cash for the premier doctors who opt out of being providers for universal coverage. (It's happening already.) Those who are privileged will get better care, it's true. But at least the underprivileged will get SOMETHING. And the docs will be able to focus on what they do best- serving the people.

Dear S, Good luck in medical school (sending out a little prayer for you- it's rough. But you'll make it through!)

And yes, there is a lot of scare tactics, misinformation, and hoopla around the whole thing.

Stay true to what you believe. You will be the future of this world. Our lives are in your hands. Bless you for being here among us. Love, Lissa

Deb, I did once write an article about Sarah Palin's hair loss for another website- so I assume you're speaking about that. And yes, it's true- I'm not a fan politically. I'm sure she's a perfectly lovely human being, and were she here in our community, I would give her a great big hug. And frankly, the way in which some Pinkies lashed out at me for saying something I considered honest to my integrity and truthful, I felt a bit wounded. So you're right. This is the second time I have alluded to something political.

And Anges, thank you sweetheart. I agree with you. Personal responsibility for health is critical. Waiting until we're having a heart attack to nurture our bodies is not the way to go. I love what you represent.

Much love and respect to you all Lissa

Lissa, I am in love with you. I love your appeal to talk about politics with love and respect and anyway I agree with everything you said. I go further, I am a pro-preventative health management, i.e. I believe that every person should take responsibility for their health by pursuing a health promoting lifestyle (I am not preaching here but I used to smoke, weight 24 pounds more, eat not very healthily - although I thought I did - and was really rubbish at managing my emotions... plus I didn't exercise. All that has been put right, one thing at a time... I want to motivate others to do the same.