HealthCare '08

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Monday, November, 23, 2009
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McCain is the Candidate of [Healthcare] Change

Craig Stoltz
Craig Stoltz
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Health Journalist

I'm former health editor at The Washington Post, veteran director...

Craig Stoltz

Sunday, March 02, 2008
View All of Craig Stoltz's Posts
With all the talk about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama's healthcare plans, presumptive GOP nominee John McCain's healthcare fix has largely slipped under the radar. But McCain is advocating one extremely important--even transformative-- change to American healthcare delivery. You ...
  1. McCain for Change
    Cynthia M. Sabotka
    Sunday, March 09, 2008 at 02:00 PM

    Craig:

     

    Thank you for your article regarding the presidential nominees as it relates to  healthcare.  It is unfortunate that those of us who can... don't really delve into the issues as we should.

     

    This is an important election year and much is on the table.  IF there are 5.7 million Americans touched by mental illness each year than there are 5.7 million votes available to select the candidate that will detail their "change" and stand by it. 

     

    Living a "type a" personality, at 48 I experienced stress and circumstance and soon thereafter came the diagnosis.  24 yearly visits and 120 for my lifetime, mental healthcare was discontinued for me by my big "Blue."  But, my chiropractor says, "come on in-I can see you twice a week for ---forever!" and my cardiologist, no problem. Gynocologist, no problem. Eye doctor, no problem. Dentist, no problem. Many of the organ doctors will have the opportunity to have $1 Million of my insurance money but the brain doctor-sorry, you are done.

     

    I would rather give up all of my teeth than experience the loss of my very much needed psychotherapy appointment but financially it is a stretch.   

     

    Though I am aware of the complexities of the parity bill now sitting in the senate, I do not understand the thinking behind the inequality of health insurance as it relates to the human mind.  The engine of the train is being derailed while the rest of the cars move along the track often haphazardly.  

     

    I beg those who are able, read everything on the candidates and their party. This years candidate may very well set the pace for what will happen to this country in the future. 

    There is a book available entitled, "Lost Rights: The Destruction of American Liberty" by Doug Bandow.  If you want to understand what these elections are for, understand what we have lost.

     

    Peace-www.LifeIsLikeALine.com

    Reply
    re: McCain for Change
    Craig Stoltz
    Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 01:30 PM

    Cynthia--Thanks so much for your heartfelt and spot-on comment about mental health parity.

     

    I've written a post today that brings people up to speed on the current debate over mental health parity legislation that's currently moving through both the House and the Senate.

     

    You're right--mental health coverage is a huge issue, and it affects millions. Some very strong business interests are aligned against the more inclusive House version of the bill,  one that would require more mental health services to be covered. Some employers and businesses say it would be too expensive.

     

    Everyone who cares about mental health should become informed about the debate.

     

    Thanks again for your thoughts,

     

    Craig  

    Reply
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