Originally Posted by anhailla

I understand but Obama's plan is not a secret MM...

Originally Posted by MarkMiller

I know as much about her plan as Obama's. I would be asking Hillary Clinton if she were the Democratic nominee....trust me.

I don't give much support to much any health care plan from anyone that doesn't include a way to die that doesn't include the abilty to do so with the proffesional care one deserves.

Originally Posted by MarkMiller

Point taken. I spend all day telling my mother to breath through her nose and out through her mouth using a pirced breathing technique....I will slow dwn, calm down and breath. My apologies for going off the deep end there.

Originally Posted by MarkMiller

If spelling is an issue to him or you fuck off and die....many years from now old , infirm and with no one to help you, dieing in your own waste with a nurse hovering over you demanding your car keys.

And no this lettwer will NOT go to McCain.

Anymore shit you want to post be my guest. I was sure you would find somereason to fuck with it. You don't want to simply reasure me that Obama (what ever spelling and what ever fucking name he has that you accept!) has a plan....just make a dent in my thread. Fine i'll take that as "Obama doesn't give a shit about your Republican Mother's death. He would if she was a Democrat....and under 40."

Originally Posted by DRS112

Good god man....chill out.

Originally Posted by MarkMiller

Then use that to begin a debate. I did not mention McCain. This is a legitimate question AND I HOPE OBAMA GETS ONE LIKE THIS IN A DEBATE! I want to hear the answer. in the meantime.....this is a political discussion board.....let's dicuss it.

Originally Posted by MarkMiller

Time for a serous question.

Mr. Obama,

Sir, what will you be doing in your first year in office to drasticly improve our health care system, especially for those dieng and in need of care at the end of their lives.

I stood by my partner and spouse for twenty years and supported him through the deaths, of his Father, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and his grandfather who passed away this last January. The financial toll was large. Insurance paid only so much and only so far. I remember that his father had been lucky that he passed away twenty years ago in much better economic times, but the rest were not so lucky.

His Grandmother died in a small apartment of cancer with the help of Hospice.....which was not enough. Much can be said good and bad about Hospice, but is simply not enough. Her insurance ran out and she could not afford anything but the apartment to live in with what little savings she had. Her children did everything. They brought her food, her medicines and stayed with her till the end so she could have the dignity she deserved at her passing.

His Grandfather passed away with the fear of how his wife would survive ailing and unable to work. She had to have the house to live in. he could not afford a nurse either unless he was willg to spend his entire savings. The family again stepped in and took care of him, doing everything a nurse would have done.

I will not tell you about his other Grandmother except to say she died alone because she trusted a nurse who took adavantage of her and got her to sign over her house and her car before her death.....living her in her own waste upon her death while she surched the house looking for the car keys and the combination to the safe to remove all the documants she needed. Two hours later the she notified a family member.

Now, my mother is dieing of lung cancer. We are a middle class family. And, while my sister is of good rank in a local Police Department, another sister worked for twenty years at for the Department of Defense and both my brother and my spouse work for the California Department of corrections....times are tough. My partner and I have very little left after expenditures for the other passings within his family.

I am unemployed, so I stay everyday but Saturdays with my mother to keep her calm and help her eat, the only pleasure she has left. Her Insurance only covers rehabilitation stays at a Nursing Facility and because she was recovering from Pnemonia, she was accepted at the facility she is in now.....but they are discharging her next week. She will be able to stay at this facility, The Administrator has agreed to allow her to saty in her current room if one is not available in the long term wing.....and only because we have agreed to pay out of pocket. My Father, a veteran (as well as my mother, and my oldest sister and brother) has health concerns as well. We cannot afford for him to loose his home or car or the savings he has. He needs it. So together we as a family are looking at a $6000 a month bill just so my mother can have all the medically neccesary treatment she needs with nurses around the clock.

We already had to buy her a special rotating bed to keep her comfortable. She has been bed ridden now for over a month. Her weight makes it hard for her to be in an inclined position and her breathing is getting worse.

We know we will get through this. Because together we can pay for these things and i can be there along with another sister who does not have a job were the lives of so many are on the line. We think we can manage through as well when my father passes....but we are all our parents children.....meaning every health problem they have ever had...we have developed as well. My gout, my vision, my newly discovered lactose intolerance...all family related.

This will not be an option for me. It will not be an option for my sister.

What will you do to improve the current health system to a standard that allows American Citizens to die with, not only the dignity that they deserve but with the ability to do so without owing a debt when they do.

Thank you sir. I hope you somehow get either this question or one like it and are ready to really help with this issue when you take office.

Originally Posted by anhailla

I got to be honest, talking about health care (in depth) right this minute would be a busman's holiday...

but usually I would be happy to have a debate MM...

(edit- I forgot my smiley face)

Originally Posted by RK77

There are both inpatient and out patient hospice programs that you mother should be eligible for under medicare.

Out patient will no longer cover 24/7 care but they can come for some period of time 7 days a week.

There are in Michigan 36 programs for seniors. There funds originate with the federal government so the programs are likely duplicated in your state.

Several of the programs in michigan Exist for the purpose of keeping patients out of the nursing home.

The problem is----no one wants to tell people about the programs and so you may need to be really pushy to get ALL the info.

Lastly, the veterans in michigan have SEVERAL programs for vets and their widows.

They underwrite a LOT of medical costs. These programs likely vary from state to state and maybe even county to county but I would strongly suggest that you find out what they offer in your area.

Get some file cards and keep each program on a separate card----so that you can dispose of them as they cease to exist.

Be SURE to ask how long it takes to get in a program and if there is a waiting list.

To be honest Mark, it sound as though most will not help your mom (as, at least in michigan the waiting lists can be long---3 years to get help for my mom)----but knowing what exists for your dad---should you ever need the info --- would make the effort worthwhile for you now.

I hope some of this may help you and your family mark!

My mom and I will pray for your mom (and your family).

Originally Posted by MarkMiller

If spelling is an issue to him or you fuck off and die....many years from now old , infirm and with no one to help you, dieing in your own waste with a nurse hovering over you demanding your car keys.

And no this lettwer will NOT go to McCain.

Anymore shit you want to post be my guest. I was sure you would find somereason to fuck with it. You don't want to simply reasure me that Obama (what ever spelling and what ever fucking name he has that you accept!) has a plan....just make a dent in my thread. Fine i'll take that as "Obama doesn't give a shit about your Republican Mother's death. He would if she was a Democrat....and under 40."

Originally Posted by MarkMiller

If spelling is an issue to him or you fuck off and die....many years from now old , infirm and with no one to help you, dieing in your own waste with a nurse hovering over you demanding your car keys.

And no this lettwer will NOT go to McCain.

Anymore shit you want to post be my guest. I was sure you would find somereason to fuck with it. You don't want to simply reasure me that Obama (what ever spelling and what ever fucking name he has that you accept!) has a plan....just make a dent in my thread. Fine i'll take that as "Obama doesn't give a shit about your Republican Mother's death. He would if she was a Democrat....and under 40."