Date: Jan.13-2020 TO: Carol Hunter (Editor of the Des Moines Register) [email protected]
Dear Ms. Hunter, [Carol] Thank you for participating in the UP-coming Democratic debate. January 14, 2020. I was born a Buckeye – in Columbus, Ohio. We have both spent considerable time in Green Bay, Wisconsin & the USA Mid-west. * YOU : (1995-2004) * I graduated as a “Badger/phoenix” (UWGB) 1982 (with a degree in Environmental Science & Communications). Then, the NCR Corporation hired me. I was one of those (then) “rare” gals who knew about “programming” computers– and, they ask me to “document” some new software THEY had just invented. I was thrilled. I also worked - for many years - with a "Hawkeye" (in Dubuque) - at Brown Publishing [1]. And, I have lived in Florida, Arizona, California and North Carolina. [ ABOUT Susan ] Carol, Are Americans really too stupid to see [that] "expanding Medicare" will just enlarge the Supplemental Health Insurance Market - in America?[2] And, why don't Americans know [that] in fact - what USA Medical doctors are paid - by Medicare - is set by an “advisory panel” of 31 Medical Professionals - who are members of the American Medical Association?[3]
In fact, this panel (composed (today) of 31 USA Medical Doctors) “advises” [the Medicare “Secretary” – Seema Verma – ] [4] A Trump appointee – who founded a company that helps to “expand” the MedicAID Market. And, the AMA-RUC panel’s “advice” is typically adopted – without debate.
And so, as the 80% [ USA Medicare does pay] increases - the extra 20% - USA Medical Doctors can charge and eventually collect - for needed medical procedures ALSO gets bigger.
Carol, if you were 59 yo (in 2016) cite – [that] means we are about the same age. I am a retired person - of "average" intelligence. I suffered a medical event (in 2012) that [statistically] most people do not survive [stroke – type: SAH@MCA].[5] I thought [that] I was in excellent health. The stroke event was 100% unexpected. We did NOT have Health Insurance..…
I believe, the time is right for Government Run Health CARE! I mean straight-up - plain and simple "socialism"! [6b, 6a] That is, a USA Health CARE system - as Mr. Harry Truman described it (1945) – where, the "government owns the hospitals & all of the facilities" - to perform every medical procedure known to modern humans. [7]
"... Socialized medicine means that all doctors work as employees of government. ..." – Harry Truman (1945)
This would be “similar” to the manner - nay, EXACTLY in the manner - in which the BEST EDUCATIONAL (university) facilities [in the world!] are owned by the government [STATE and/or Federal].[8] -- AND, ALL of the “Teaching Professionals” - are paid an annual salary. - Just like the Medical “Professors” - working (daily) at these "world class" colleges. The very places - where THEY (as students) learned to be "Surgeons", "General- practitioners" and "Specialists". [9a] And, since working 40 hours per week is considered enough - for any human to endure - THEN, we pass “enabling laws” [that] - for that earned "annual salary" - the USA Medical Doctor - can NOT operate - or, be a part of - any medical organization - outside of their "assigned hospital”. This is THE PLACE (the ONLY place!) where they MUST work (at least) 40 per week. Any so-called “Private medical practice” – is illegal [9b] AND, “Non-duplicated” practice – as envisioned – by BERNIE SANDERS – bill Section 107 is illegal. In fact, there are 1,005,295 USMLE Licensed Medical Doctors - in the USA. [10] In fact, if we paid each one of them - as much as the highest paid Medical School Professor ($250,000 per year - Harvard) [11] - then, this would ONLY cost – words- [ two hundred fifty- one billion three hundred twenty-three million seven hundred fifty thousand DOLLARS :: $251, 323,750,000] [ https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Harvard-Medical-School- Professor-Salaries-E484830_D_KO23,32.htm ]
With a USA Health CARE Annual Budget figure [12] far exceeding – this 2018 "required" salary annual amount … [12] - source: https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/how- much-does-federal-government-spend-health-care "... The federal government spent nearly $1.1 trillion on health care in fiscal year 2018 (table 1). Of that, Medicare claimed roughly $583 billion, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) about $399 billion, and veterans’ medical care about $70 billion..."
1,100,000,000,000 – [minus] 323,750,000 = 848,676,250,000
That’s eight hundred forty-eight billion six hundred seventy-six million two hundred fifty thousand US Dollars – in immediate savings. PLUS, WE CAN ADD THE CMS BACK OFFICE BILLINGS SYSTEMS SAVINGS.
THEN, BETTER PAY FOR NURSES, new hospitals - and, even better facilities - could be built each year - all over the USA. AND - EVERY AMERICAN WOULD BE CARED FOR - AND RECEIVE NEEDED MEDICAL CARE - FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE.
Carol, Primarily, a “Software Engineering Technical Writer” – [in fact] a significant portion of my professional career (before my “retirement” ) was spent – analyzing data, describing high- tech objects – and designing computer algorithms – to process obtained data – and/or manage a USA Military facility or process. I also owned a small business – that was modestly successful – before, we were forced to change our “business model” – due to USA “market conditions”. ABOUT Susan
Thus, from my experienced perspective – AND analysis - the key to “affordable USA Health CARE” is the removal of "profit" - from the USA Health CARE equation. EACH “PLAYER” (medical professional: Doctor, nurse… – GETS THEIR OWN PIE; AND, ALL OF THE PIES ARE THE SAME SIZE. With incentives and COLAs – if needed. Stated bluntly, the harmful "profit" motive - engendered and pursued by the USA Medical Insurance Industry and USA Medical Doctors - acting as de facto "business operators” - MUST be removed. ALL traces (of this harmful practice & any related thought processes – e.g. “COMPETITION”) must be eliminated!
This must be done! While, simultaneously confronting the "USA Medical Professionals" (Represented by The American Medical Association (AMA) to “take less” - by calmly, quietly and gently reminding them (THAT) humans [homo sapiens] - possessing a USMLE "Medical License" [14] - are not "special".
Certainly, THEY are not more "special" than the patients - they took an oath to serve. [13] When, they wanted to be USA Medical Doctors - NOT "medical business operators". And, I make these statements – as my “YMCA -acquaintance’s son” was just accepted at a Dayton, Ohio Medical School. After much research [15] - I have drafted language - for a Bill that I have requested my Congressional Representatives to introduce for debate and enactment to USA law. [16] [ http://hansandcassady.org/SusansAmericanHealthACT.html ]
Thus far, they ( the apparent cowards that represent me ) have not acted - to introduce legislation - even remotely resembling - what my research - indicates is needed. Or, if they have (acted) - they have not informed me. I live in Ohio Congressional District 10. Instead, every Democrat – announced for President - [thus far - 17] - has introduced AND supports legislation- similar to: “Medicare FOR-ALL” etc. [that will] increase the size and scope - of the USA "profit-driven" Health CARE industry. WHY? When, the workable and practical "solution" [of true “Socialized” Medicine] is abundantly clear - to every American. AND, published information – related to the “inferiority” of socialized medicine is “deliberate mis-information”.
What do the Democrats fear? [18] LET US STEP BACK – FOR A MOMENT – to the Spring of 2019. Senator Kamala Harris steps onto the stage. An intelligent, well-educated, black woman. Experienced in “politics”. Accomplished in the legal profession – and, with a personal & compelling history of dealing with Insurance Companies – during the time of her mother’s impending death. She also has the confidant, serene ferocity to prosecute “Trump” – and win over – even his most ardent supporters. AKA “Kick his ass”.
Now, Kamala just whispers “…let’s get rid of all that…” [on 1-29- 2019] AND – a “white boy” [ Ian SAMS ] materializes – from “Alabama university” – and the Niswonger Foundation – only, to be hired (by Kamala ) - - so HE can “walk-back” her “unfortunate” comments – she “misunderstood”; AND, she announces a “Medicare FOR ALL” plan too. [18] In fact, my research [16] – reports that “socialized medicine” – enacted in countries [that] simultaneously prevent (by law) “FOR Profit” Health CARE competitors – from deceptive advertising practices [ such as Canada] – provide Health CARE services that are comparative to American standards – or better!
Has the "Big Lie" that American Doctors are “special” so afflicted the American Psyche – [that] it is Unassailable?
CAROL I look forward to hearing your reply. AND, I hope you will be able to take action – related to the up-coming Democratic Debate. Carol, If I could confront them (personally) I would. Specifically, “Bloomberg” and “Schultz”- related to their comments about the USA Heal CARE Insurance INDUSTRY – being a “built-in” part of our economy.
AND FINALLY, don’t we recall a time – when “selling insurance” – was a “DIRTY” job – only fit for “losers” – WHO WERE WILLING TO “LIE” and “misrepresent” the actual policy content to the customer.
- Susan [ http://hansandcassady.org/ ] < Susan’s “personal” web site
- [email protected] :: https://www.politifact.com/iowa/staff/carol-hunter/ : - https://www.registermedia.com/about-us/ :: https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/staff/
References: [1]. [ http://www.encyclopediadubuque.org/index.php?title=WILLIAM_C._BROWN_COMPANY ] [2][ https://www.healthmarkets.com/content/supplemental-health-insurance ] [3] [ http://hansandcassady.org/RUC-NYTimes-blog-PDFversion.pdf ]
[4] RUC [ http://hansandcassady.org/RUC-NYTimes-blog-PDFversion.pdf ] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seema_Verma https://www.hmamedicaidmarketsolutions.com/who-we-help/ ] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specialty_Society_Relative_Value_Scale_Update_C ommittee ] [ https://careandcost.com/2011/04/28/conflicts-of-interests-among-the-rucs- members/ ] [ https://www.hmamedicaidmarketsolutions.com/who-we-help/ ] [ https://apnews.com/1315b2443add4a6b9dea41ed3e899943 ]
[5] SAH@MCA [ https://mayfieldclinic.com/pe-sah.htm ]
[6a] Universal Health CARE [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_health_care ] [6b] Socialized Medicine [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialized_medicine ] [7] SOURCE: http://hansandcassady.org/HarryStruman_ComprehensiveHealthPLAN-PDF.pdf "... Socialized medicine means that all doctors work as employees of government. ..." – Harry Truman
[8] BEST Medical Schools [ https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/1860/studying-medicine-in-the-us-top- 10-best-medical-schools-in-2019.html ] :: [9a] [ https://www.askspoke.com/blog/hr/40-hour-work-week/ ] 40 Hours history [9b] AND, “Non-duplicated” practice – as envisioned – by BERNIE SANDERS – bill Section 107 is illegal.
[ http://hansandcassady.org/Bernie-Sanders-Explains-HiS-SocialiZed-Democratic- HealthCARE-plan-PDF.pdf ]
[ http://hansandcassady.org/S1129Cosponsors-AND-Sponsor-Version-BerniE-PDF.pdf ] , “duplicate’
[10 a] KFF ACTive Docs [ https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-active- physicians/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Total%22, %22sort%22:%22desc%22%7D
[10b] In fact, there are 1,005,295 USMLE Licensed Medical Doctors - in the USA.
[ https://www.kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-active- physicians/?currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22:%22Total%22, %22sort%22:%22desc%22%7D ]
[11] [ https://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Harvard-Medical-School-Professor- Salaries-E484830_D_KO23,32.htm ]
[12] USA Budget https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/briefing-book/how-much-does- federal-government-spend-health-care [13] Hippocratic Oath [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath ]
[14] How to become a doctor [ https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/doctor/ ]
[15] - Bill that I have requested my Congressional Representatives to introduce for debate and enactment to USA law. [ http://www.hansandcassady.org/AHA-Short-Presentation%20-6pages_PDF.pdf ]
[ http://hansandcassady.org/test1-15.html ]
[16] Research [ http://hansandcassady.org/SusansAmericanHealthACT.html ]
[17] Democrats announced for President: [ https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_candidates,_2020 ]
[18] Kamala – Walk Back [ https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/01/29/kamala_harris_on_private_health_insurance_market_elimin ate_all_of_that_lets_move_on.html ]
[19] insurance commission sales “BE AN INSURANCE AGENT” [ https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/080714/want-sell-life- insurance-read-first.asp ] [ https://www.indeed.com/q-Insurance-Agent-jobs.html ]
[ 20 ] Carol Hunter – about: https://www.politifact.com/iowa/staff/carol-hunter/ : https://www.registermedia.com/about-us/ :: https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/staff/
[ 21] [ ABOUT Susan ]