Views on Health Reform.

Monday, August 31, 2009

The proposals of Health reform and the debates that are being currently discussed in America are of academic interest to me. The reform as proposed in the Bill aptly titled “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009”, are comprehensive to make health care affordable to ALL Americans and reduce their spending on Health Care in the long run.

The aim of universal coverage for all is certainly laudable. The need for the Health Reform arose because under the present status quo, there appear serious flaws in the health care industry, and many are opting out of the coverage due to high cost of insurance premiums, and escalating costs in healthcare. Just to cite an example: It is estimated that an older couple may need to save $ 300,000 to pay for health care costs not covered by Medicare alone. This Information is obtained from - www.healthreform.gov/. That is staggering!

While a very healthy debate is going on both for and against the proposals, the subtle point of the healthcare, as a social necessity and requirement is being slightly overlooked. Every family should treat this as fixed expense in their house budget. The new proposal makes coverage mandatory. People must consider it as their right rather than a privilege.

Any country trying to bring about reforms in any segment of its economy should be country specific. This should be based on its own culture, its own philosophy of life, and its affordability. I am rather shocked at the American media bashing Britain’s NHS (National Health Service) infuriating that Country. The right-wing critics of President Obama’s proposals on healthcare reforms are spreading canards and misinforming the American Public about NHS, and if that system were to be introduced, Americans would be worse off. This is purely exaggeration.

What Americans need is to look at the proposals with a COOL mind and study it comprehensively what the Nation needs as a whole rather than on individual specific.

This reform aims at making it mandatory for all to be covered. This requires rules to be framed and regulated so that no body (Insurance Companies or any related organization) could prevent from denying coverage, whatever may be the medical history of the insured. Currently certain pre-existing conditions are NOT covered by the insurance companies. This is plain cruelty and stupid thinking. Do the insurance companies expect Healthy persons to visit and get admitted in the hospitals? It is a premise and fundamental that insurance companies use the money they get from the healthy to expend on the sick and make a profit from the difference. Like the Banks receiving deposits and lending to the needy, as the latter group in both cases is always less in monetary value.

Sometimes, the reforms also warrant provision of subsidies, which could be in the form of tax rebates or assistance to such of those small companies to cover their lower-income employees, whose families could also be brought under insurance coverage. By this, they can afford healthcare.

To keep the escalating cost of insurance premia under check and induce competition, the reform proposes that a government run insurance plan is made available to public through public auction. In other words, a choice is offered to the public as another option to take care of their health needs.

This Public auction is being vehemently opposed out of fear that the healthcare in future would become inefficient due to government involvement; would not care the elderly; would further weaken the system due to bureaucratic wrangles; would consider the lives of disabled persons as worthless; would drive some to opt for euthanasia. So on and so forth.

All this talk and fears are baseless, and needs to be condemned. A media report went to the extent of saying that Britain’s NHS considers the life of its citizen Stephen Hawking, an eminent globally known Astro-physicist and an advanced ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) patient as worthless, and not fit for coverage. This is purely absurd. He refuted the statement saying he is surviving because he is covered by NHS.

Now, the reform proposals do require funds. This can only be raised through additional taxes and cost savings elsewhere in the budget. An exercise is needed and would be done in such a way to keep the federal deficit under check from further bulging.

And that is Government’s responsibility, which has to bear the risk, and is willing to take it.

It’s a balancing act, and government alone has the wherewithal to set things right. The globe has already seen the type of players in the private sector plunging American economy, and that of the world close to abyss, through financial sector. Would the American public ready for a similar scenario to emerge through its present status quo on healthcare sans reform?

It is wise to save, invest and spend on Healthcare, than on Defense to fight an endless war in other countries. A healthy nation would always become a wealthy nation in letter and in spirit.

These are thoughts to ponder.

Comparatively speaking, India does not have a uniform Health policy for all its citizens. The government is not even thinking about it, nor is it in its priority right now. That is a pity.

That does not mean there are no schemes at all. There are; covering different classes of people by different organizations. Each scheme has its own rules and regulations. Some are effective, some are evasive, and finally we end up paying from our personal savings to meet the medical expenses that often drive many into bankruptcy. Coverage is not mandatory.

So long I was in employment; my employer covered the medical expenses of my family. After retirement, I took a health insurance policy, paying the premium annually through my interest income I get from my bank deposits. The insurance company meets my hospitalization expenses (Should I get admitted) only partly. I am disabled with ALS; do not require hospitalization as yet, but engaged a full time care giver at home to assist my basic needs. I am totally dependent on him. I pay the expenses from my pocket, which is a huge burden on my family budget. Only god knows how long this would be. There is no provision in any scheme to come to my aid. I have to live with this burden which could increase along with progression in my disability till my death.

I digress a bit from my views. My friend Baikal at the Blogosphere of Austin American Statesman sent a public message, requesting my views on healthcare debate, and how care and treatment in USA for me would be different than in my country. His message prompted me to write this blog.

It is a hypothetical case, but let me imagine the care and treatment that may be available. Under the reforms, I would be covered; provided with palliative care; provided with quality accessories, like wheel chair, whose cost may be subsidized or fully met by the government. Mine is an incurable disease and as long as I live I may be taken care of. Just like Stephen Hawking being cared under NHS. Such assistance is NOT available to me in India.

Every reform is beset with flaws like human being born with imperfections. He/she continues to be imperfect even today.

A broader vision and understanding is the need of the hour to the proposed healthcare reform. And that is my considered view.

I feel Sad.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I feel sad at the demise of Democrat Senator EDWARD KENNEDY, late on Tuesday night. I join Americans, and other admirers in offering my condolences to his family members.

Many of us in India of my age, though not connected with American Politics, have been following American Politics, ever since John F. Kennedy became President, whose speeches were inspirational. Since then, the political careers of the Kennedy Family were always in the news.

Despite hailing from that illustrious family, the three brothers have earned a name for themselves, and their contribution to uplift America as a nation in modern times is immeasurable.

The youngest of all, Ted Kennedy, as we Indians know lived politically a bit under the shadow of his brothers. Nevertheless, he was as much admired.

It is a pity that he will not be there to see the Health Care Reforms, which are so dear to him, take a firm shape. It will in due course and that would be the greatest tribute the Americans can pay.

May his soul rest in peace.

Bailout and Stimulus for the Mind.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

For quite sometime I wanted to write a blog on this topic. But my views were not making any headway; were always fading away from clarity, often getting confused at the unfolding scenario of recession that engulfed the globe. The financial crisis that started the destruction soon assumed a global power decimating the intelligent minds. It looked as if there was no solution and the mind itself required a ‘Bailout and Stimulus’.

I strongly felt that the solution was embedded in the mind and was in need of the right key. The starting point was to sit, analyse ant put the mind to work. In my view, that would be the Stimulus.

I mustered all my thoughts and started stimulating. Here I go.

What follows a crisis is invariably a knee-jerk reaction. Thereafter, the fall out results in leaders taking measures to solve and wriggle out of the crisis. They name the measures with words that keep resonating, and such words buzz around as if they are the panacea for solving such crisis.

The financial meltdown that crippled the economy in USA, and crippled the economies of other countries one by one, required urgent measures to freeze the meltdown. That’s when the words “Bail-out” and “Stimulus” came out of the lexicon.

Bailing out is fine when some one is in distress. But is it prudent if an industry in the economy slips into a crisis by its own reckless performance and is bailed out by the government? That becomes debatable in a free market economy where there is not much control by the state excepting the regulatory bodies monitoring industry performance.

The crisis in the financial sector was not confined to that sector alone, but spread ominously to other sectors of American economy and across the world. Whatever the type of economies the other countries were pursuing, they were simply swallowed plunging the globe into gloom.

In such a situation, who will bail out whom, and where should the stimulation start? Obviously it should begin in the USA from where the crisis emanated, and am glad it did. Only the government in power has a moral responsibility to revive its country’s economy with slew of measures. None in the private sector would work for the country’s economy on its own. This is a reality to be taken with a pinch of salt. The Government has to intervene, and needs to give directions through rules and regulations. Whatever may be the type of economy, whatever may be the type of governance, all activities need to be governed by rules, and monitored by regulatory bodies. All of us have seen the results of violating these rules and failure of the regulatory bodies. That is sad and unfortunate.

It was appropriate that President Barack Obama’s administration took the initiative. The critics of the stimulus package, whether they are media, from GOP, from within the Democratic Party have little substance in their criticism. What is the alternative?

Critics may argue that the stimulus plan may be small. It ought to be like that. You treat a patient with appropriate dosages of medicine; watch for the response and resuscitate the patient gradually, and put him on the road to recovery. That’s how things work.

Amidst this, those responsible for triggering this collapse seem to get away. Are they? Investigations would be made and trials would certainly follow, if the government is sincere. Let us hope it will. For a second, just ponder. Have not the Banks, the financial institutions exploited our psyche of greed? We allowed them. We tried to live beyond our means. We are equally at fault for the financial mess.

Now is the time to introspect. It is time to change our habits and our mind set too. It is a sign of immaturity and smallness of our minds if we expect government alone to set things right. As citizens, we need to co-operate and also act as watchdogs.

Finance is the backbone of any economy. The finance industry must be strengthened so that finance is available to the firms, and the fiscal stimulus would only create and lift demand. The starting point for obtaining Finance is at the banks. Their functions need to be streamlined and strictly monitored.

Nationalization of the Banks is an option resorted to by the Government to control flow of money into the economy, and monitor the function of the banks through which it reaches out to people. The capitalism fears that this measure is an intrusion into its system and an affront to its ethos. But Capitalism failed this time to stem the rot.

Economists, Financial analysts continue to say there are no signs of the recovery. Yet, economy is moving at a snails pace, and has not totally collapsed. In my opinion, recession is deeply embedded in our minds, and we need to develop the habit of being frugal in our lifestyle and curb our temptations of becoming greedy. It is true that life is there to be enjoyed, but within means of affordability.

Tailpiece: If we do not bailout our thoughts and stimulate our minds, we will all end up as Nero’s while our Nations get burnt.

It Happened To Me.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

It was way back during the summer of 1967 in New Delhi that an incident happened to me due to disobedience and impertinence on my part befitting my young age then to a saner advice of a cousin sister.

She advised me NOT to have a Hair-cut on a Friday. The consequences of not heeding to that simple advice, proved costly in terms of money and with it brickbats to an extant that to this day I do NOT go for a hair cut on Fridays.

On that fateful cloudy FRIDAY after noon, out of impulse I wanted to have a hair-cut at Plaza, a fashionable Hair-dressing Saloon in Connaught Place- An Expensive shopping promenade- about TEN miles away despite a saloon being there at a walking distance from my house, where I have the cut regularly. As my father was away on an official tour, the family car – Hindustan Landmaster- was at my disposal. The thrill of a long drive was tempting. I set out against advice and warning.

The onward drive was pleasant. The hair-cut in a comfortable ambience was smooth, the scalp massage and the shampooing put me into a slumberous mood for a while. The ever smiling, tall fair complexioned- a la Clark Gable- Barber combed my hair setting into a style akin to Junior Clark Gable, and finished the dressing sprinkling perfume all around. I tipped him well, beside the fare, and sauntered out refreshed. It was Dad’s money anyway!!!

With a cynical smile at the thought of cousin sister’s advice, I slid into the car like a lord comfortably positioning before the steering, ready for another majestic drive back to home. The engine started immediately, and I got into the evening traffic quickly. For a change I took a different route, a shorter one, for the return drive. After going about 2 miles, the engine rattled with the car losing speed and in few minutes it came to a halt right in the middle of the road disrupting traffic. I tried to restart, but the engine rattled more. I was sweating as I got down, and with the help of few pedestrians, pushed the car to the curb.

I opened the bonnet, but could not locate the fault as I was a dummy to car mechanism. After locking the car, as I walked half-a-mile to the nearest petrol bunk for a mechanic, it started to drizzle, and the downpour increased. Suddenly, the weather looked ominous. Seeing me in poor light, the mechanic accompanied me back to the car, and after a quick look, felt that there could be a crack in the Timing gear system, which would involve dismantling the engine, that would take few days and the repairs could get expensive!!. He suggested we tow the car to the petrol bunk first, and we did.

I became speechless not knowing what to do. I did not have much money with me then. Understanding my plight, the mechanic did not insist for his fee.

Regaining my composure, I rang up the owner of known motor workshop, who advised me to leave the car at the bunk overnight, and he would have it towed to his workshop the next day morning. By coincidence, the gas station owner is known to him, and assured me the car would be safe.

I returned home pretty late by bus, totally exhausted. I was aware of the reception I would get. Though relieved of the anxiety on seeing me, and on being told of the events, I received brickbats from family members which shook me. I dare not look at them in their eyes, and much less at my cousin sister. I had a sleepless night.

Next day, I caught the first bus in the early hours to get to the Petrol station, and was happy to see the car safe and secured.

Well, it cost a fortune for my father to get the car repaired. I was admonished mildly for my rash behaviour. It left an indelible mark in my mind. It was an unforgettable lesson.

However, there was a positive side to it. I learnt the car mechanism as I observed all the repairs that were done, which process stood with me in good stead in my later years with my father’s car and my car as well in knowing Car Maintenance.

Despite scientific thinking, and others laughing at our superstitious beliefs, we all do possess these beliefs following some incident or other in our lives OR simply following elders’ advice.

Tailpiece: Though following STRICTLY the habit of NOT having a hair-cut on FRIDAYS, I went a step ahead in restricting my hair-cuts, by having my head tonsured once in four months beginning from this year. This suits my disability too. Oh! Yes! Tonsures? NOT on FRIDAY’S.

Back To Blogging.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

I have not been expressing opinions, articulating my ideas on anything, and kept away from blogging since January of this year. The neurological disorder disease ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) I am afflicted with took a step further in making me more immobile. I needed a care giver to assist me in my basic needs. This turn of events unsettled my mind and my thoughts were lacking concentration and veering towards disinterest in many mental activities. My mind was in recession.

I was aware that this attitude is not healthy, and could lead to depression, which would further weaken me. It took a long time for me to come to grips with the realities, as I had to go through a miserable summer which added to my discomfort.

The spiritual books I was reading, the motivational messages I was receiving from friends, the research I was indulging on new subjects, and my own fighting spirit helped me get back to a positive attitude, which I hope would sustain.

All through, I continued reading blogs posted in The Statesman and other websites. I never left the habit of surfing the net to keep my mind alert and active.

I sent and received mails typing with my right fore finger and middle finger alternately.

I hope I keep posting blogs on topics of interest as often as I can, expressing my views and deeply felt emotions on them.

Sickness may have you down physically, but you don’t have to be down spiritually or emotionally. You keep on getting up in your heart, mind, and will. (Chapter 21, page 189).

God has destined you to live in victory, but you have to do your part. Make a firm decision that no matter what comes against you in life, you are going to keep standing up on the inside. (Chapter 21, page 194).

The above italisized paras have been extracted from the book “YOUR Best Life NOW 7 steps to Living at your full potential” By JOEL OSTEEN. He is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church, Houston, TX.

Relevant words Indeed.