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A real case of government healthcare…

One of my daughters became pregnant and found to everyone’s surprise she was going to have identical twins.  The news came with mixed emotions as well as difficult decisions.  This was not her first child and she, like many in the family, believes in natural childbirth without medication.  Only her first child was born in a hospital while all the others were born at home with a midwife.

She initially started seeing her midwife for prenatal visits, but when they discovered she was expecting twins the reality of government interference took hold.  The state of Arizona does not allow midwives to knowingly delivery twins, so they had to find a doctor.  They are on the state insurance, which poses it’s own challenges.  However, trying to find a doctor that not only would accept the state insurance but would also deliver twins and accept a patient at 10 weeks became almost an impossible task.  It took her a month to even obtain the booklet of doctors she requested from the state to start her search.  She went through the book and was more often turned down because the doctors no longer accepted the state insurance.  With the help of her midwife and fortunately a state employee willing to help, she was able to obtain the services of a high-risk OB team.

Through the ultrasounds they discovered the babies were identical twins, had separate bags of water but shared one placenta.  This put her in a higher risk category.  At one point during the pregnancy they determined she was experiencing twin-to-twin transfer and was then referred to a specialist.  Because of this the doctors wanted to see her 3 times a week and she underwent regular ultrasounds and non-stress tests.  During her third trimester an ultrasound indicated she actually had two placentas; that there was a division in the placenta that had not previously been noticed; the twins may not be identical.  At that time it was also revealed that she had not actual experienced twin-to-twin transfer, it was only borderline.  With only 4 weeks remaining until her due date the doctor told her she needed to find another doctor because she was now no longer considered high risk!

She took childbirth classes at the hospital she was to deliver at.  She is also a childbirth instructor so these classes were quite unnecessary from a childbirth aspect, but with this unusual pregnancy she wanted to be informed about the hospital, their procedures, as well as the special considerations in delivering twins.

During her regular doctor visits they discussed the expectations of delivery.  This resulted in a difference of opinion from the doctors and expectant parents.  The doctors believed in a medicated birth with a likely outcome of an induced labor as well as a cesarean delivery.  The parents believed in an unmedicated birth, as natural as possible, and only in an emergency to save the mother and/or babies did they want a cesarean.  They created their birth plan and the doctors made their modifications.  They were able to “negotiate” delaying an induction until 38 weeks.

She went in to labor naturally and the first baby came quickly.  They never made it to the hospital.  Labor never stopped and what seemed like a very short time later the second baby was delivered; he was a breech delivery.  Both babies were well and of good size, especially for twins (7 lbs. 14 oz. and 6 lbs. 9 oz.) with the mother and father cooperating during delivery; no one else was present.  This was a Sunday and at this point they did not want to go to the hospital because there was no need.  So they contacted one of their midwifes who came over to make sure mother and babies were okay – everyone was fine.  It also turns out the twins are identical, sharing only one placenta – the latest ultrasounds were wrong!

On Monday morning they contacted the OB doctors and told them the babies were delivered.  The parents asked if they should come in to be seen by the doctors and were told by the doctor’s office that they should come in 2 weeks.  The parents questioned this and the doctors decided they should make an appointment for that Thursday.  Everything seemed fine.

However, the parents received a call from the referring midwife indicating the doctor had issued a 911 call and told her to see the mother and babies immediately.  This second midwife came over Monday and checked everyone out – everyone was fine.

They kept their appointment on Thursday with the doctors, and again everyone was fine – or so they thought.  They expected to return to the doctor for her 6-week visit.

John Shadegg’s 2^nd Town Hall onAugust 25, 2009

Rep. John Shadegg - Phoenix Town Hall, Aug 25, 2009

AZ-Rep. John Shadegg held his 2^nd of 3 Town Hall meetings last night in Phoenix, Arizona.  There was a good turn out, not quite filling the high school auditorium with people from all ages and backgrounds, including some from other districts because their representatives were not holding town hall meetings.  Everyone was welcome and encouraged to speak freely, but maintain the respect of others.  There were no protestors, not even one picket sign from any point of view.  Two state representatives, Carl Seel and Sam Crump, also made an appearance at the meeting.

Unlike Shadegg’s first town hall meeting, many of the attendees seemed to already be familiar with H.R. 3200 as there were few questions directly relating to specifics in the bill.  Rep. Shadegg introduced his alternative bill, H.R. 3218, which I have previously covered.

One of the concerns expressed was; “Is H.R. 3200 constitutional?” – that is still questionable.  Tom Coburn of Oklahoma has introduced a bill, Enumerated Powers Act (Introduced in Senate) S 1319, which would require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws.  Some Congressmen, including Rep. Shadegg, are asking that question – what authority under the US Constitution allows for the enactment of this bill?

A small number of people expressed their support of a public option, and most of those individuals either had no insurance or a pre-existing condition or chronic illness.  They felt the only way for them to get insurance coverage was through a government option.  They were not concerned how this bill might affect anyone else, they were just thinking about their own situation.  Even though other options were explained to them, they seemed to want what they considered an easy solution in the form of a government option and remained clueless or didn’t comprehend the alternatives.  They just didn’t seem to want to take responsibility for their own health care.

There was a concern voiced about the possible involvement of the insurance industry’s role in the creation of the bill, as it expands the restrictions of ERISA.  ERISA applies to all group insurance policies and limits the responsibility of the insurance company even if they willfully deny coverage that results in death.  The case of Corkran v United Health Care was the case sited, in which the Corkran family lost their baby at birth due to United Health Care’s refusal to authorize treatment prescribed by Mrs. Corkran’s doctor.  Through discovery it was found that United Health Care’s doctor agreed with Mrs. Corkran’s doctor, but treatment had still been denied.  The Corkran’s could collection nothing for their loss.  Did the insurance companies agree to cover pre-existing conditions and chronic illnesses in exchange for this protection?  How will ERISA affect your treatment or ability to receive proper treatment?

Discussion and questions took place on the alternative bill, H.R. 3218, which provides insurance to all Americans through the enrollment of their choice with no government takeover.  Through new pooling mechanisms and tax credits, individuals would be able to make their own decisions and choices on health insurance policies.  If you like your company-offered plan you can keep it.  If you don’t, or are not insured, then you would be given tax credits to purchase a plan for you and your family.

One clarification on the H.R. 3218 plan that had not been previously addressed was covering the person who didn’t purchase a plan.  People are known.  If you have ever had a social security number the government knows you exist.  If an individual failed to respond and did not purchase insurance then money equivalent to the credit would be deposited into a fund.  If one of these individuals visited an emergency room or doctors office, information could be obtained from a national data bank and determine if they were one of these individuals.  If so, treatment would be made under this fund and they would be offered the option of enrolling in a plan of their choice.

Rep. Shadegg also stated he has previously submitted a “Patients Bill of Rights” as well as an amendment enacted in 2006, the “State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2006.”  This act allows states, with the use of federal funds, to create state high risk pools.  Some states never responded.

I attended the Town Hall Meeting of Rep. John Shadegg in Scottsdale, Arizona on August 8, 2009. Amazing enough, there were no mobs – only a crowd of very concerned American citizens. They were there to ask questions and get answers to the most important legislation in history – the National Healthcare Reform package.

The turn out was much more than anticipated, filling all the seats in the cafeteria as well as any available area inside the building for standing, with even more people standing outside. In Arizona in August this is quite a turnout as temperatures are well over 100 degrees. The crowd remained courteous and respectful to Rep. John Shadegg, as well as all who presented their questions, whether for or against the proposed plan. It was pleasure to start the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, the meaning many people in this country seem to have forgotten. Only one television station was present at the beginning of the meeting.

Rep. Shadegg had the democratic healthcare bill and the amendments with him and referenced it as needed. He stated he has read the bill and showed the annotations and comments he made on his copy. He explained how the proposed plan would affect American citizens.

He also showed and explained the Republican alternative plans, that unlike HR3200, offered an alternative that would not destroy what is currently working, would allow people to keep their current plans, would offer alternative purchasing options to those who don’t have or don’t like their current plans, would ensure people with pre-existing could get coverage, gives a tax credit to help offset the cost of healthcare insurance if it is not employer paid – and most important – GIVES THE PEOPLE THE CHOICE AND CONTROL OVER THEIR HEALTH!

The floor was opened to questions asked in calm and intelligent manners, with no one becoming disruptive. Even when one group came in with their signage against John Shadegg, the group simply continued on; no fighting broke out.

The answers confirmed many of fears people have about the democratic plan, despite the fact that the president still insists these are false. Has the president read the plan? Most disturbing is that even if you have coverage now, you won’t be able to keep that coverage as it stands today because it will be forced to change, everyone will be forced to purchase one of these plans or be penalized if they don’t, the government will decide what plan you get and what treatment you may or may not receive, the Medicare Advantage plan is being dropped, the plan leads to rationing of care, and if you happen to be in your golden years or if you or a family member has a serious illness you may not be able to receive treatment but will be given “end of life” counseling based on the governments decision – not yours, your families and your doctor’s decision. You will also not be able to sue your insurance company for any wrongdoing, whether it be accidental or intentional – PERIOD.

This insurance option is so well received by the Democratic Party that when it was suggested they participate in the same plan they rejected it. I heard that one democratic represented said “I wouldn’t give this plan to my dog.” Government employees and government officials will NOT be participating in this plan – they will keep their elitist plans, and they CAN sue their insurance company for wrongdoing.

Even though the meeting was only scheduled for 1 ½ hours, Rep. Shadegg wanted to give everyone the opportunity to speak, so he held the meeting over for an additional hour or more. When I left he was still fielding questions privately with the audience. Rep. Shadegg respected all those who attended, was straightforward in his answers and is a representative Arizona can be proud of.

I will be posting more on the plans in another blog.

Standing Room Only at Rep. John Shadegg's Town Hall Meeting