The news is a-buzz with the political maneuverings of the President, Congress and Senate as they wrestle with how to reform our health care system. I remember back in my Nursing school class days, grappling with some of the issues. We were struck by how much socialist nations didn't allow their citizens in access to health care! Their citizens how little choice. So, I worry - a lot.

I'm looking for the exact wordings and packages being proposed -- online. Shouldn't our representatives and senators be lobbying to the online community? I've found several pieces online from health care agencies like Kaiser health. I'm sure they are doing a good job of reporting but I'd like to hear from the sponsors of the bills themselves and why they believe in the plan they've proposed.

My reaction is similar to this family's reaction:

“The bottom line is there are so many unknowns,” said Ms. Brown, 35, who works part time at her church and cares for her young children. “What we do know is there is going to be more government control, and with more control you’re going to have fewer choices. It’s an innate part of being American to have those choices.”           - from New York Times, For Public, Obama Didn't Fill in Health Blanks, July 24

 For crying out loud, let's really do this carefully.

Here are a few "no-compromises" I want to see in any health care reform:

• Government Funding of Free Health Care for the working poor, and working poor determined by area of country's cost of living rather than a blanket income
• No over-riding of non-profit decisions on "moral types" of health care allowable under their own sponsored plans - i.e. abortion, care for minors, etc.
• Freedom of Choice in selecting doctors, plans, and institutions by the patient
• That patients are not barred from health care treatment because of age, prognosis, illness type, ethnicity, religion  - i.e. leaving the choice with the patient not an outside agency of government or health care plan administrator
• That no one be turned away from some level of appropriate, basic health care in the United States, including illegal immigrants - i.e. morally speaking the church must raise their voice for ALL people rather than some people and whether we like it or not, we are home to many. I know that's very controversial. I realize there would have to be limits upon this type of health care but for example I wouldn't be supportive of a plan which does not treat a child's pneumonia because the parent's were here illegally. I wouldn't refuse the parents antibiotics for their own needs.
• Prescription drug plans that allow sliding scales of cost according to ability to pay, and that are especially mindful of the older or chronically ill person's person's higher needs.
• That we not become socialist where competition is low, government dependency is high, and medical expertise (including R&D with new procedures used within experimental patient populations) is thwarted or cut-off.

If we all had our druthers, every person would be medically covered, at any expense.  However, we don't have our 'druthers,' and we have to make choices that are smart for people and with our economy (which also, in the end, affects people).

One part of the health care reform on the table is to require that all employers provide health care insurance. Although I think it's a great goal, I worry about businesses closing their doors because they can't manage the cost. Don't we then take away jobs from people who need a job just as much as they need health care? Do we then move some people from the 'dependent upon employment' pot to the 'dependent upon government' pot? I'm just saying  . . .

One approach moves several other decisions in play and the consequences adjust as the approaches change. I pray that we think carefully and explore all of the ramifications - before passing any bill or legislation for reform of health care.

Here are a few places I've read - from "both sides of the aisle":

Kaiser Health - a side by side comparison of different proposals

An Incoherent Truth - Op-Ed Article about "Blue Dogs" Fight, New York Times

Experts Dispute Some Points in Health Talk - New York Times - how doctors and hospitals view the implications of the proposals by Obama

A Look at the House Democrat's Health Bill, July 15, 2009 - AARP Fact Sheet worth your time

United Methodist 10/10 Challenge - an effort by the United Methodist Church to encourage health care reform - but not helpful in reviewing legislation before us