The Practical Paraplegic

by Sofiea Clerico

On Monday morning (August 24) I took my own advice to call U. S. Representative Kevin McCarthy at his local office. A pleasant sounnding young woman took the call. I briefly told her I wouldn’t be able to attend the Congressman’s public event slated for Wednesday evening.

However, I wanted him to know I am strongly in favor of one-payer health care, but would settle for the public option. She didn’t ask, but I gave her my age and explained that while I am elderly … was certain the health-care bill would not disturb my Medicare.

She asked for the spelling of my last name, thanked me and said good-bye. She sounded rushed throughout the conversation. I am sure she was.  Best to write out your remarks in advance.

To get the Congressman’s number I called information (with certain disabilities, this can be free. Check with the phone company). When I tried his website, I had considerable difficulty reading it. (Whille I am elderly, I still possess 20/40 vision.)

The website was created with white lettering on a blue background in too-small type. Even with my glasses on, I couldn’t see anything on the first page which appeared to be a telephone number. This was disappointing.

Also, I was a little disappointed she did not assure me Congressman McCarthy would be informed of my call. It left me with a good feeling that at least someone at the Congressman’s office knows I am in favor of changing the public health care system.

Almost any disabled person has learned of the the shortcomings of the present system. As a frequent patient in the hospital or at my physician’s office I know costs are rising and the people paid to care for me have more to do and less time to do it in.

If we all had one-payer health insurance, we would need only go to the doctor’s office or the health clinic, present our card and see the doctor or other health professional. Everyone would be treated the same as everyone would have the same insurance. Your doctor would no longer have to haggle with the insurance company to get permission to do a particular procedure.

With one-payer, about 30 percent of the cost of health insurance would be eliminated. The insurance clerk would no longer have to determine which type of insurance you have with which insurance company. This alone would be worth a huge amount of time and money.

Once the health-care system was acting in a illness-prevention system as well as a place to go for help when you were ill or injured, costs would drop radically. For example, think of the growing prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes, which can be prevented through a regimen of healthy eating and regular exercise. This would be a huge savings to the system.

With certain directives to avoid duplication of tests we could save even more. We could have a health system which would be as easy and efficient as any in the modern world.

Our system must be changed now! The more we wait, the more it will cost.

One last question: Do I trust the government to provide excellent health care? Answer: Yes, I do. I trust government much more than I trust the insurance companies, whether they are for-profit or not. Medicare has taken excellent care of me for 38 years. I’ve had Medi-Cal (Medicaid) for 10 years. My brother endured a long battle with cancer. He found the service given him by the Veteran’s Administration to be first-rate.

Medicare covers approximately 55 percvent of the total amount of money spent on health care now. You choose the doctor you want, the hospital or whatever other service required. Medicare pays for your choice.  The rules and regulations are sent to you every year in a booklet which is easy to read and understand. In fact, all publications should be this user-friendly.

Medicaid is subject to the political whims of the state, which are not as reliable year-to-year as is Medicare  or other program run by the federal government.

The federal government has a proven track record with health care. They can deliver excellent care without forcing anyone to do anything.