From the New York Times:
- In Debate Over Health Policy, Some Words Are Seldom Spoken by Peter Steinfels (gives some interesting insights into the long time issues and the potential for MISCOMMUNICATION/DISTORTION of the facts relating to the issues).
From the Washington Post:
- Your Handy Health Care Cheat Sheet by Alec MacGillis (a fairly well balanced review of the two extremes of the arguments).
From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
- Reform would cut costs for the already insured by David Grande. (This article takes a look at how health care reform would affect those people who are working and have insurance.)
From Slate:
- A Short History of Health Care by Timothy Noah. (This article is full of details and statistics while simultaneously giving enough of the history involved to become a good starting point for further research.)
Or go to Opensecrets.org and take a look at some of the financial information there.
- Health Professionals: Long-Term Contribution Trends
- Insurance: Long-Term Contribution Trends
- Lobbying: health Issues
- Congress fundraising profiles (click on the name/photo to go to specific funding information).
From the New York Times:
From the Atlantic
From the Los Angeles Times
- In healthcare debate, ‘reality’ is in dispute by Christi Parsons
Although you will find a lot of information within these articles, what remains unsaid and unevaluated is WHO CAN CITIZENS TRUST??? Many have learned not to trust government. Many have learned not to trust elected officials. Many have learned not to trust big business. Who can you believe? What you ultimately have left is an opportunity for citizens to look at the information from a variety of sources. Be sure to take the time to look at the alleged ‘pros’ and ‘cons’, then look for the facts to support those arguments.
One of the best sources of information I found came from About.com: Urban Legends, David emery’s Urban Legends Blog, Health Care Bill Page 425 – The Truth. Be sure to note that #1. is the “Text of hysterical rumor:” so you have to go on down to #2 to find the sources and facts that decry the falsehoods.
A funny thought that I just had: “I don’t remember voting for anyone to make decisions for me or to tell me what I should think and believe. I think I voted for those who would set aside selfish interest, look for the facts, and LISTEN TO ME (and everyone else) to find out what we want. Then, I expect those elected officials to give me rational explanations if they do not agree with what WE want. In the event that those elected officials are not able to persuade US to change our minds, I expect those elected officials to present OUT voices and views, not what THEY think is best for us. And, when it comes to health care, I put a lot more stock in what my doctor says than in what any politician says.
Read the Bill for yourself:
H.R. 3200 But don’t do what a lot of people out there have done and take things out of context in order to generate fear! Read the whole section in question and check out any sections that section refers to so that you can understand EXACTLY what is meant.
***I have to hope that the distortions seen in statements by public officials are intentional. I would hate to think that those people simply do not take the time to read and understand before making decisions. The document really is big but it is not impossible to read. In fact, it is much clearer and more concise than many of the local ordinances we have around here!
