My sister's story and how the new health care program would effect her!

As someone with a chronic disease, this health care reform bill alarms me! When I first got sick in November 2006, I was diagnosed with pneumonia and in the hospital for 2 weeks. Because I wasn't getting much better, my blood was tested for several different diseases. The blood samples were sent out state for testing. I later learned that the results were sent back to the hospital the same day I was released showing I had coccidioid; however, the hospital did not relay the information to the doctor ordering the tests and stated it was not their obligation to do so. In December 2006, I received a call from Wayne County Health Department stating that I have an infectious disease. I told the County that I was still ill and my doctors haven't said anything about this. The County informed me that they only had to call and advise me I had an infectious disease and see how I was doing (basically, am I dead or alive) for statistics. I was also told I was fortunate because the County always doesn't have time to call everyone with infectious diseases. I relayed to my doctors what the County had told me; not one doctor followed up. When I told my internist that I received a call from the Health Department, he laughed and shrugged it off. UNBELIEVABLE!
Thank God for my loving husband, family and friends who urged me to pursue the cause of my illness. And thank God that I had a choice to go to another hospital. My health insurance coverage was the best to pursue my individual best option. I went undiagnosed until January 2007 when I was then diagnosed with coccidioidmycosis (fungal meningitis) by U of M. As you know, it's been a tough 2008 health wise. But, I am very thankful for the faithful prayers from family and friends and the doctors in my life. The Lord's hand has been upon me.
I tell my story because I fear what government involvement in our healthcare decisions will do. READ THE BILL. It will dumb down our doctors and system and put limits on care. The County government didn't have the time or care about me---their only concern was to report to the Centers for Disease Control (federal government) because that's all the law stated they had to do. Currently, I'm in maintenance mode; the fungus is being controlled by medication that prevents it from duplicating. I'm on costly medication and have lumbar punches every 3-4 months (the only way to measure the fungal level is in the spinal fluid and to ensure it is under control). Once the fungus is in your spinal fluid, it is always there...compare it to trying to get rid of red dye in water...something always remains. Think about it. Under the proposed healthcare reform bill, would I have had to be put on a waiting list to go to U of M; would the government feel my condition was worth the cost; would it have been easier to just disregard me as non-essential; would I be pushing daisies up now? Use me as a success story for our current system of choice, however imperfect, having an option to seek the medical care of your choice, instead of being told by the government what can and cannot be done, is always the best choice. Remember, in med school the person who graduates first and the person who graduates last are both called doctors. This reform bill caps doctors' salaries. What about quality?
Can you imagine what my choice would be once the government takes over? What has the government ever run well? What has the government ever run that costs less money? Nothing (fact, not opinion). This youtube video is a little long, but you need to know what is in this bill (link at bottom) and the cost not only to our pocketbooks but overall well being. As Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, has stated this health reform bill is not going away. “You go through the gate. If the gate’s closed, you go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we’ll pole-vault in. If that doesn’t work, we’ll parachute in. But we’re going to get health care reform passed for the American people.” This is scary and should scare every American who values their health, freedom, and life. Under this health care reform, ALL THE OPTIONS AND CHOICES YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE WILL BE TAKEN AWAY! Proceed with caution!
Your friend,Therese