PAF 494 Blog #4 - Healthcare Coverage at the State Level - No Illusions

Whether you've heard something through the grapevine, seen it on television, heard it on the radio, or read it in a newspaper, magazine, or online you don't know how much of it is fact and how much of it is scripted opinion. I wish the media was the mother of facts as opposed to the midwife of fiction. Partial truth isn't always a whole lie, but in some cases it might as well be if it influences a person to take a side on an issue that has been written about in the mere shadows of truth. I truly agree with the statement, "Perception is everything." All things aren't what they seem to be, but the way a person perceives something is absolutely real to them. In regards to the statement, "You can't believe everything you read in newspapers or see on TV," I believe this to mean that the media can act as smoke and mirrors do for a great illusionist. Everything we see and hear is not always accurate. It is really too bad when news that is supposed to be able to be trusted becomes nothing more than opinionated gossip only worthy of being published in the tabloids. People thrive on drama, thus the success of reality TV.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way I'd like to discuss a political issue that is being debated both locally and nationally. Media influence can greatly sculpt how people react to and deal with these dually debated political issues. In addition to local and national concerns such as gun violence, mass unemployment, food safety, a struggling economy, and same-sex marriage, there is a growing healthcare crisis. The healthcare crisis that is sweeping our nation is believed to be caused largely due to the massive loss of jobs and the inability of people to secure gainful employment. When people lose their jobs they also tend to lose their healthcare coverage. I experienced this first hand, and since I worked for a company that helped employers advertise their open positions and helped people get jobs by broadcasting employment opportunities; I was in utter shock when I was laid off. I found myself in the same position that many of the people I talked to and tried to help were in. I had medical coverage for three months during my severance period, but if I wanted to continue coverage I had to through Cobra which wasn't an option at a cost of around $400 a month when I didn't have an income. To me Cobra became nothing more than a snake. I was approved for State medical coverage upon making application, but my son was not. I was informed that the medical program to cover children was full and his name would be put on a waiting list. The next time I applied for him approximately eight months later he was approved. I also received a notice that no one that applied after a certain date would be approved due to cuts in State funding. How sad, I thought it was for the many people out there needing help. Even if they qualified they wouldn't be able to get medical coverage. This issue of healthcare really hits home for me which is why I decided to feature an article in this area.

On September 10th of this year N.C. Aizenman of the Washington Post wrote an article entitled, "As states lag in implementing health-care law, bigger federal role looks likely." The article can be viewed in full at the following link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/as-states-lag-in-implementing-health-care-law-bigger-federal-role-looks-likely/2011/08/29/gIQA8k6ZIK_story.html.

The article talks about how states nationwide are dragging their feet when it comes to establishing health insurance marketplaces which exist at the core of the 2010 health-care overhaul for this nation. A number of practical hurdles and partisan hostilities seem to be the cause for these delays. Since the delays are evident and unacceptable, the federal government is looking to intervene in order to speed up the process. Federal-state partnership arrangements are now under consideration. Vast expansion access to health insurance relies heavily on these state-based exchanges. The problem is that this law that will allow more people to afford and receive needed health coverage whether it is personally/privately purchased or provided through government subsidies, is not being implemented fast enough at the state level. This is a local issue that is rapidly becoming a national issue which may require national intervention to get things done at the state level. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. 

Everybody needs healthcare which is what makes this an issue in both the local and national limelight. The issue being adopting the health-care coverage law within every state. Most people seem to be for this while some seem to think it pushes us towards becoming a socialist nation. The gains are a medically more healthy nation as a whole while the losses include higher costs for the nation and possible lower revenues for insurance carries and medical facilities. I live in Arizona where The Health Care Reform law will benefit 1.3 million Arizona residents that don't have health insurance. There are another 281,000 residents that possess non-group insurance and this law will aid in them in obtaining affordable health coverage through the health insurance exchange. I wasn't really able to obtain accurate information on the stance my state politicians are taking on this issue or how it appeals to local voters though it remains a subject of controversy.  

With a news story I saw standing at the forefront of my memory about a lady that was about to loose medical coverage for her seven week old baby, I make a proclamation as local as my own home and as national as the American Flag. I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that we have all been bestowed with unalienable Rights being born into this great Nation, and among these rights are Life, Liberty,and the pursuit of Happiness, which can only be fully executed by including the security of reasonable and obtainable health coverage for all. I hope that the states shake an American Eagle's tail feather regarding this issue, and I hope that the media flies straight when reporting on it. Hopefully I'll communicate with you again soon on the Deneene Says...Blog, but right now I need to go make a doctor's appointment. Wishing health and healing to our entire nation and every citizen of these great United States. 

Truthfully and Politically Yours,

Dee Collins