FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Barbara Arietta
President
- Pacifica Democrats
415-246-0775
On
Saturday morning, March 20th, 12th District Congressmember Jackie Speier will visit
the Pacifica
Democrat's home venue at the Sharp Park Golf Course's Restaurant to speak on
the subject of health care
reform, a subject that has generated much political gamesmanship,
vigorous debates and a recent urgent plea from the President of the United States for
all Americans to "make their voices heard". Joining the Pacifica
Democrats Club in hosting Congressmember Speier's appearance that
morning will be the Coastside Democratic Club from Half Moon Bay and the
Daly City/Colma Democratic Club from the north peninsula.
The
9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. breakfast meeting will be held in the rear banquet
room of the Sharp Park
Golf Course Restaurant, located at Francisco and Sharp Park
Blvds in Pacifica.
Speier, in her first term as a United States
Congressmember, has previously served in the California State Legislature, representing San Francisco and San Mateo County for 18
years, where she saw more than 300 of her bills signed into law by both
Democratic and Republican governors. Prior to that, she served six years
on the San Mateo County
Board of Supervisors and worked as Legislative Counsel to
Congressman Leo J Ryan.
As part of her duties in Congress, Representative Speier serves on
three influential committees: Financial Services, Oversight and
Government Reform and the Select
Committee on Energy
Independence and Global
Warming.
In the current session of Congress, Speier has
introduced a wide range of legislation, covering issues as diverse as
regulating credit rating
agencies, prevention and better treatment of MRSA (staph)
infections in hospitals, establishing a national usury rate to limit how
much interest banks and other institutions can charge, and changing the
way Congress allocates money by reining in the use of congressional earmarks.
According
to Speier, the estimated benefits of health care reform to residents of
the 12th Congressional District alone are many, including: the payment
of $83 million in uncompensated care to local health care providers; the ability
for 11,300 seniors to escape the prescription drug "donut hole" in Medicare Part D; the
avoidance of bankruptcy, due to excessive health care bills, for 580 families; quality health insurance
being made available to 46,000 uninsured; and 17,300 businesses
potentially receiving tax
credits to provide coverage to employees.
Speier is
married to Barry Dennis and has two children, Jackson, a student at Stanford University and
Stephanie, a high school student. She graduated with a BA in Political Science from
UC Davis and received her JD from UC Hastings College of the Law.
All
Pacifica Democrats' meetings are open to the public. One neither needs
to be a club member, nor a Democrat to attend. A full breakfast is
available for $12; Continental breakfast - $6; Coffee only - $3. Due to
the anticipated popularity of this event, RSVP's are requested. Doors
open at 9:00 a.m. Seating is between 9:00 a.m. and 9: 30 a.m. Meeting
begins at 9:30 a.m. To RSVP, please call Barbara Arietta, President of
the Pacifica Democrats at 415-246-0775 or email her at barietta@hotmail.com
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31 comments:
Here's where Jackie, Barry et al are taking us with the socialized medicine model:
Socialized medicine a big success in UK - NOT!
Better get used to it comrades...
Why is it that the only people who complain about the "socialized" medicine found in places such as the UK, Australia, Japan, and every other developed country...are far-right American wing-nuts?
I'm not hearing too many people from countries that have "socialized" medicine clamoring to change to an American-style system.
Dismissing people who find socialized medicine inferior as "far right American wing-nuts" is not only intellectually lazy, but it classifies the vast majority of the educated, intelligent public as mentally diminished. Why is it that people like Steve Sinai always conveniently forget about all of the wealthy foreigners (from countries with socialized medicine) who come to the U.S. for advanced care? How about the fact that those in power reject this health care plan for themselves? Maybe Steve Sinai is so ignorant he cannot think for himself and blithely sucks up the dribble of arrogant politicians. For myself, I'd rather make my own decisions and obtain health care in the private sector. Steve, you are free to opt for socialized medicine for yourself. Just don't impose it on everyone else.
The need for Health Care Reform is a long time outstanding, including: 1) cost, 2) entire population coverage, 3) oversight regulation of coverage, which currently varies from state-to-state. Such oversight should also induce self-insured corporation health plans. Government oversight regulation is not the same as government paid socialized medicine.
"Pain Patrol" makes a point that "rationing" is a concern. I've heard this of the UK system from clients for years, even with needed heart surgeries, and cancer treatment.
The follow-up report of Congressional Representative Jackie Speier's comments are posted on this blog 6/2/10. Jackie Speier on Health Care Reform. The recount of what was actually said or intended is meticulous and can be believed and trusted through the reporting of Barbara Arietta, Tribune correspondent. Sometime after the election, I'll plan to comment about this report from my 25+ year observation in the business as an Agent/Consultant/facilitator.
"Dismissing people who find socialized medicine inferior as "far right American wing-nuts" is not only intellectually lazy, but it classifies the vast majority of the educated, intelligent public as mentally diminished."
I don't consider wing-nuts, either of the far left or far right variety, to be educated or intelligent. They deserve to be dismissed.
Lots of Americans are now traveling overseas for low-cost, high-quality health care, and I wouldn't be surprised if they outnumber those who come into the US for high-cost, high-quality health care.
If you really believe in what you're saying, you ought to put your real name behind it. Pac Pain Police, are you one of those fake patriots who goes around bragging that you'd give your life fighting for your country and freedom, even while you're too much of a 'fraidy-cat to identify yourself here?
@Steve Sinai:
Somehow in your rant I missed the part where you were able to justify why Congress has exempted itself from the so-called "reform" and will continue with the old, privatized system which many of us wish we could retain (with some targeted reform). Maybe they don’t want their health care rationed as Kathy so clearly observed.
I’m having a hell of a time reconciling the very credible Rasmussen poll (May 31, 2010), which shows that over 60% of the U.S. voters now want to see the recently passed national health care bill repealed, with your claims on this thread. Seems like an awful lot of “far right wing nuts” to me... Also, can you point me to some similarly credible study which backs up your assertion that "Lots of Americans are now traveling overseas for low-cost, high-quality health care, and I wouldn't be surprised if they outnumber those who come into the US for high-cost, high-quality health care"?
BTW, affixing your name to such intellectually bankrupt statements, such as the ones you have made on this thread, only makes you look ignorant and arrogant - two qualities you might want to reconsider. Criticizing people for not using their real names after advertising “Your name is not required when leaving a comment” also adds the terms "hypocrite" and “liar” to your most impressive list of qualities.
@Pac Pain Police, a.k.a., Officer 'Fraidy-Cat, you are allowed to post anonymously, but you are not forced to. If I can use my name, you can do it too. Come on Officer 'Fraidy-Cat. You're a brave patriot. Surely you're not that embarrassed by your own name, are you?
From the Wikipedia entry on Medical Tourism -
"United States
Although much attention has been given to the growing trend of uninsured Americans traveling to foreign countries, a McKinsey and Co. report from 2008 found that a plurality of an estimated 60,000 to 85,000 medical tourists were traveling to the United States for the purpose of receiving in-patient medical care;[66] the same McKinsey study estimated that 750,000 American medical tourists traveled from the United States to other countries in 2007 (up from 500,000 in 2006).[67] The availability of advanced medical technology and sophisticated training of physicians are cited as driving motivators for growth in foreigners traveling to the U.S. for medical care,[66] whereas the low costs for hospital stays and major/complex procedures at Western-accredited medical facilities abroad are cited as major motivators for American travelers.[67] Also, it has been noted that the decline in value of the U.S. dollar is offering additional incentive for foreign travel to the U.S., although, costs differences between the US and many locations in Asia far outweigh any currency fluctuations."
So that's 60,000-85,000 coming into the US for medical treatment, and approximately 750,000 leaving the US for medical treatment. What's wrong? Don't Rush and Glenn talk about this stuff?
I was also very unhappy with the health care bill that was passed by Congress and signed by Obama. It was rushed and too complicated. But that doesn't mean I, or many of the others who are think Washington made a mess of the implementation, are opposed to the idea of a nationalized health care system.
"Steve, you are free to opt for socialized medicine for yourself. Just don't impose it on everyone else."
If you can opt in/out it wouldn't be socialized medicine.
Comrade Sinai:
The Pacifica Pain Patrol has officially found you to be a pain in the ass. Kind of pathetic you only attack people who post anonymously and disagree with you, never those who post anonymously but you agree with. In fact, after scrolling through this blog there really are only 4 people who seem to regularly post with their real names: Comrade Sinai, Kathy Meeh, Jeffrey Simons and Lionel Emde. I notice that others who used to post with their real names (e.g., Lois and Kathleen Rogan) have been driven away by your far left wing-nut ridicule.
Almost as pathetic is the fact that the numbers you have posted to make your point are not credible as they are from Wikipedia (which any horse’s ass can update). Nice try though - NOT. People from the U.S. do not travel to Canada or the UK to partake in their "special" brand of socialized medicine. Doesn't happen - period. People in those countries have already been standing in line for months for treatment and they don't need the American Costco crowd creating additional bottlenecks for them. So where are they really going, comrade? This from the U.S. State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs with respect to India (http://travel.state.gov/about/about_304.html):
Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry. Companies offering vacation packages bundled with medical consultations and financing options provide direct-to-consumer advertising over the internet. Such medical packages often claim to provide high quality care, but the quality of health care in India is highly variable. People seeking health care in India should understand that medical systems operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Anyone interested in traveling for medical purposes should consult with their local physician before traveling and refer to the information from CDC.
Perhaps you should consult Wikipedia on more creative ways to disparage those who do not carry your flag. Hell, even Maybury is a more gracious host than you.
Correction to above URL re. India:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1139.html#medical
"Pain Patrol" radicalized views, and fake information doesn't play well on this blog, whether right or left politically.
The statistical information presented by Steve Sinai is useful in understanding the extent of transient medical care travel into the USA and out of the USA. The Wikipedia is generally a reliable source of information, in this instance the reference was from McKinsey and Company, a private global management consulting firm that relies upon fact-based information. And, note from you, your Consumer Affairs travel link is about USA policy warnings while traveling, not about medical care travel statistics. Additionally you made this issue specific to India. Duh!
The most likely most common cause for seeking medical care outside the United States is cost.
Just as a personal anecdote, when my wife needed surgery in early 2009, we did not have medical insurance and went to a private medical facility in Mill Valley. The medical staff botched the anesthesia (my wife was allergic and they failed to note it) and nearly killed her. I felt the medical staff was uptight and dismissive of our concerns.
The medical doctor who had trained some of that staff had his practice in Tijuana, Mexico. So we opted to fly down there for the procedure. The difference was astounding. The medical staff was very friendly and professional. The procedure took 15 minutes, the proper anesthesia was applied and my wife's health was monitored professionally for the full 48 hours we were there. And we got to do some quality shopping on Revolution Ave.
The cost (including airfare and hotel stay) was almost identical.
Still, I would say U.S. medical care is slightly more expensive, but no better or worse than in some other countries. Some people come here for procedures, some people go elsewhere. Some people like socialized medicine and some of the benefits it brings, some people prefer HMOs and insurance companies.
I favored health care reform but I think many of the arguments - from both left and right - were very selective in the information they used to support their arguments. I like having the government force competition and regulation, but the cost to the taxpayers seems a little excessive. Honestly, I would prefer the health care industry to stop squeezing the bottom line, for government regulators to have some teeth, and ultimately have EVERYONE realize the health and well-being of our citizens is a priority that will reap benefits for the whole country.
Officer 'Fraidy-Cat, the Wikipedia entry references studies done by McKinsey & Co., and the Australian Institute of Public Affairs, on medical tourism.
If you want to bypass Wikipedia, here's a direct link to the McKinsey report, although you'll have to register with them (free) to read the whole thing.
McKinsey report on medical tourism
Here's the IPA report -
IPA - A revolution in healthcare
As for quality of medical care, you can get good or bad quality both within the United States, and outside of the United States.
Sorry Officer 'Fraidy-Cat. I'm afraid the golden age when the USA was #1 in everything has long passed.
There is a fundamental difference of opinion that is manifesting itself here. There are those of us who still cherish the idea that we live in a democratic republic. There are those of us who still respect the wisdom of our founding fathers, and believe that personal choice and freedoms are among our most cherished possessions. Then we have far left libs like Comrade "Liar" Sinai, Meeh and Simons who want to tell all of us how to live our lives and remove personal choice from the equation. If you prefer healthcare in Mexico, go there for YOUR healthcare. I believe I am perfectly capable of finding a network of physicians and specialists here in the USA. You believe in more rules and regulations and that big government can solve all of our problems. Nationalize healthcare. Nationalize banking. Nationalize the auto industry. Nationalize oil production. Nationalize insurance… I would point out that 60% of the U. S. voting public disagrees with you with respect to government run national healthcare; they, as I, would prefer to retain our personal liberties and make our own choices.
Healthcare reform was NOT about making healthcare better or more cost effective. It was about government control of the citizenry, pure and simple - thus the reason the politicians who voted it in will not be subjected to it. I almost feel sorry for you that you cannot recognize when you are being manipulated. Socialization leads to apathy which leads to mediocrity which leads to a healthcare system which mirrors the DMV. Rather than target reform which could improve the system, (tort reform, greater competition if insurers can sell insurance across state lines…) you want to completely tear down the healthcare system. Despite your claims our healthcare system is the envy of the world. Many of the doctors I have talked to admit that they never would have gone through the years of sacrifice in order to become a doctor if they knew they would be relegated to the status of a government clerk. Myself, I would prefer the best and the brightest still pursue a career in medicine. And, yes, they are entitled to make more money than any of you or myself for that matter.
And, sorry Kathy Meeh. For an oh-so brief moment there I almost thought you got it...
"Nationalize healthcare. Nationalize banking. Nationalize the auto industry. Nationalize oil production. Nationalize insurance." We've already partially nationalized the banking system and the auto industry. We should complete the job and include insurance, oil, and healthcare.
Officer 'Fraidy-Cat, if you'd have been paying attention to this blog for any length of time, you'd understand that the people you call far left lib liars like myself, Kathy Meeh, and Jeff Simons (all of whom are willing to at least occasionally put their names behind their statements, unlike you)...are constantly criticizing the anti-business attitude of our city council, and the run-amok environmentalism that's digging the grave of Pacifica. All three of us have been called "Rovians" by Pacifica's far-left contingent.
I won't speak for Kathy or Jeff, but my problem isn't with one side or the other of the political spectrum. It's with political extremists on either side, otherwise known as wing-nuts, who have simple-minded, binary views of the world. Black or white; good or evil; friend or enemy.
You are demonstrating that simplistic binary view by assuming that anyone who doesn't have far-right views like your own must necessarily hold far-left views. There are plenty of thinking people in the middle, i.e., those who know not to fall into a dangerously oversimplified perspective of how the world works.
Weren't you complaining about incivility before?
"Far left lib"? Actually Dave Burruto called me a "Kennedy Democrat" when I sought the endorsement of the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee. And I think he meant it as an insult.
However, I don't think the debate was ever about health care needing reform, but rather to what degree it needed to be fixed and by whom. This "free choice" for health care of which you speak was paid for by hundreds of millions of dollars of health care corporations dollars, and excluded 30 million citizens from the conversation.
You can't call someone who wears a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and runs down armadillos in his pickup a far left lib.
Yeah but I pose those armadillos with "DUMP SHARP PARK GOLF COURSE" signs.
Anyone who would call Sinai, Simons, and Kathy "comrade" (when all the enviro-wing-nuts in this town seems to think that they're to the right of Genghis Khan) is so far off to the right that they probably need to move to either Wasilla, AK or Nazi Germany.
What some of you people like Sinai, Meeh, Snotty Scotty (using the Nazi/Hitler intelectually lazy ass epithet - AGAIN) and others of their ilk don't realize is that they have spent so much time in indoctrination camp here in the People's Republic of Pacifica, that to many of us they are so far left that they have to look right to see left. The only difference between the aforementioned and the "enviro-wing nuts" is that the extreme enviros prioritize the environment above all else. All of their decisions and opinions stem from an environment trumps all else perspective. Otherwise, you are exactly the same on all political issues.
Just Plain@ 8:19 AM-- Nonsense, irrelevant, illogical, has nothing to do with regular, middle-of-the road, nonpartisan Pacifica Americans who have donated their time and effort for years attempting to save Pacifica from economic ruin, and bring about some kind of balanced economy for this city.
Here's a conservative idea: Will you work to support 3 pro-economic candidates for city council this year, to help this city survive if possible?
Pacifica Pain Patrol,
You are obviously, very intelligent. You write very well. Your arguments are cogent and persuasive. Your points are well taken but you should find a new place to make them. Unfortunately, the people on "Fix Pacifica" allow impersonation, name calling and unintelligible ramblings by people like Kathy Meeh. Please learn from my mistakes. I attempted to engage these people in intelligent discourse but quickly had to acknowledge that I had entered an insane asylum where multiple personality disorder and identity theft rule. I might suggest Pacifica Riptide as an alternative place to post, but you will have to identify yourself and your comments will be moderated. You have a lot of good points to make so I hope you keep posting. You can get a Google Blog for free. Good luck!
@pacifica pain patrol. Cogent arguement. Well stated and structured. Pearls before swine. I concur; in an age of identity theft and loss of privacy, disclosure of one's true identity could be suicide. BTW, Steve you need to pay your property taxes.
Nope Warren Morrison you're simply not capable of intelligent dialog, but nice try.
You're going to love commenting on Pacifica Riptide, and take Anonymous@6:35 aka: pacifica pain patrol with you. Good luck with that, what you have to say will be much appreciated there
http://pacificariptide.com/
Kathy, you set the standard for intelligent dialog. No one can possibly compete.
Nope Warren Morrison does. That's why he's graduating.
A Friend said..."Unfortunately, the people on 'Fix Pacifica' allow impersonation, name calling and unintelligible ramblings..."
OK, on this we agree. It's a problem, and it drags down the credibility of the blog. But when the blog got started, it was decided that it would be an open forum where pretty much anything goes. When I proposed people be required to use their real names, or at least register behind the scenes, everyone else vehemently disagreed.
It's up to the participants on the blog to control their behavior and act like adults. There are no managing babysitters on staff, 'cause there's no staff.
Every time I ask about banning anonymous posts or requiring registration, which I'd love to do, I only get two or three people who express agreement.
Come the middle of August, when the campaign for city council heats up, things will undoubtedly get very ugly. I'm thinking of requiring registration starting around the middle of August and continuing through the November election.
Great idea Steve Sinai! You really are a problem solver. Listen, since it will just be you and Kathy Meeh talking to each other on this blog, perhaps you should consider Instant Messaging or maybe just using a good old fashioned telephone - much more efficient and real time. Sure hope you apply your exceptional problem solving skills to fixing Pacifica.
Luv the way the blog gets under the skin of the previous poster.
As Anonymous @ 9:16 says there are some fun elements of this "wild west" blog, including the obscure posters.
Steve, using real names may be a practical idea from mid-August, but some of the creative pen-name identities are kind of fun-- not so much joke @ 8:26AM. Interesting that "joke" hasn't figured-out that he/she really is not either you nor me, but actually a 3rd comment poster, then there's Anonymous @ 9:16AM, that's 4.
"Joke", focused on our comments, yet on this article alone, and currently in the recent comments section there are potentially 6-10 different people posting. Tentative hypothesis: 1) "joke" hasn't learned to count yet, 2) "joke" is not interested in contributing in a positive way to move conversation ideas and solutions forward, 3) "joke" is having a bad hair day, and needs another cup of coffee or tea.
I think issues of the Fall campaign are going to be clear this year. 1) 8 years "failed economy" track record of the existing city council, vs, 2) pro-economy challenger candidates. And, no matter how the spin is "dressed-up", there in is the central issue.
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