Some Political Facts About Pennsylvania

Have you ever sat with your computer to do a little research and been really surprised? I'd like to share what my research turned up.

Pennsylvania has 19 Congressional Districts. The Democrats hold 12 and the Republicans hold 7.

There are 17 men and 2 women, both Democrats.

There are 11 Roman Catholics, 7 of other Christian denominations, and Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz of our own 13th District is Jewish. Chuka Fattah, a Baptist, is the only other Democrat who is not a Roman Catholic.

Last night there were two votes in the House of Representatives. The first was the Stupak Amendment which puts restrictions on healthcare plans being able to cover abortions. This amendment passed with the help of all 7 PA Republicans and 7 Democrats including Kathy Dahlkemper.

The Healthcare Reform Bill was narrowly passed with the help of 10 PA Democrats. Even with the Stupak Amendment 2 Democrats, Tim Holden of the 17th District, and Jason Altmire of the 4th District voted against Healthcare Reform.

Are you surprised by these statistics?

A Message From Allyson Schwartz

Here is an excerpt from an email I recently received from Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz. I urge you to phone or email your support for her efforts on Health Care Reform, even if you have already done so, as a vote in the House is expected very soon and there is still enormous lobbying from opponents who have much to lose if there is reform. Her Washington number is (202)-225-6111. Want to read the bill? Representative Schwartz includes a web link.

"Finding a uniquely American solution to ensuring that all Americans have access to meaningful, affordable health coverage has been a national goal for decades. Action is both a moral and economic imperative for our nation. Last week new health reform legislation, The Affordable Health Care for America Act, was introduced in the House. It builds on the hard work done by the three health care Committees over many months, including the Ways and Means Committee on which I sit, and responds to feedback from the American people. I encourage you to visit my website, house.gov/Schwartz, where you can find a link to the bill, or to stop by one of my district offices where copies of the bill are available for constituents to pick up.

This legislation which builds on America's private-public system, also meets our commitment of fiscal responsibility. It is paid for and will not add to our federal deficit.
It also meets our goals of health reform:

. Enhanced consumer protection for those with health coverage
. New, affordable choices for individuals and small business
. Strengthened Medicare for seniors
. Improved delivery of care with better health outcomes for all Americans, and
. Containment of the rapidly rising cost of health care.

We know that the status quo is unaffordable and unsustainable. Passing health reform benefits all of us - families, seniors, businesses, and the nation, and this week we moved one step closer. Once again, thank you for expressing your opinions during this process - we could not have crafted this well-balanced, centrist bill without your input.

Sincerely,Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz

General Election Results - November 3rd

If you'd like to see the election results as they happen after the polls close tonight at 8:00, here are two sites to watch:

• The Pennsylvania Department of State Elections Information page lists both state and county judicial races in a quick and easy-to-read format. (When you click the link, you'll be directed to a PA map - click on Montgomery County and you'll be directed to the page.)
  

• The Montgomery County Election Results website lists every race that affects Montco voters. Scroll down the left section of the page to find the race you're interested in, select it, and the results will display on the right side of the page. (Note that the number and percentage of precincts reporting will be at the top of the race listing.)

--Both websites are being updated as results come in; to continue seeing the most updated results, be sure to refresh/reload the page regularly.
--Finally, please remember that these results are unofficial until the election has been certified.

When Montco gets their Election Results Report up (probably toward the end of the month), I'll post that here as well. Thanks!

Call Your Elected Representatives- Even if You Have Already

Call your elected representatives and let them know you support the President's outline for health care reform! If you called before the President's speech to Congress last week call again!

Use any number for each of the senators and click here to find out who your representatives are and call them, too: http://whoismyrepresentative.com/

Senator Arlen Specter:
Philadelphia: (215) 597-7200
Allentown: (610) 434-1444
Wilkes Barre: (570) 826-6265
Washington D.C.: (202) 224-4254

Senator Bob Casey, Jr.
Washington D.C.: (866) 802-2833
Philadelphia: (215) 405-9660
Lehigh Valley: (610) 782-9470

We're Working Hard for Health Care Reform! What's In It for All Americans? Here's The President's Vision and His Challenge to Congress...

The President's Plan for Health Reform

If You Have Health Insurance, the President's Plan:

o Ends discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions.
o Limits premium discrimination based on gender and age.
o Prevents insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick and need it most.
o Caps out-of-pocket expenses so people don’t go broke when they get sick.
o Eliminates extra charges for preventive care like mammograms, flu shots and diabetes tests to improve health and save money.
o Protects Medicare for seniors.
o Eliminates the “donut-hole” gap in coverage for prescription drugs.

If You Don’t Have Insurance, the President's Plan:

o Creates a new insurance marketplace — the Exchange — that allows people without insurance and small businesses to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive prices.
o Provides new tax credits to help people buy insurance.
o Provides small businesses tax credits and affordable options for covering employees.
o Offers a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can’t find affordable coverage with a real choice.
o Immediately offers new, low-cost coverage through a national “high risk” pool to protect people with preexisting conditions from financial ruin until the new Exchange is created.

For All Americans, the President's Plan:

o Won’t add a dime to the deficit and is paid for upfront.
o Requires additional cuts if savings are not realized.
o Implements a number of delivery system reforms that begin to rein in health care costs and align incentives for hospitals, physicians, and others to improve quality.
o Creates an independent commission of doctors and medical experts to identify waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system.
o Orders immediate medical malpractice reform projects that could help doctors focus on putting their patients first, not on practicing defensive medicine.
o Requires large employers to cover their employees and individuals who can afford it to buy insurance so everyone shares in the responsibility of reform.

What Congress Has Accomplished This Year- From Representative Allyson Schwartz (submitted by Tricia Wigg)

From the offices of Representative Allyson Schwartz:

"I wanted to provide you with an update of what Congress has accomplished this year.
Economic Recovery: The major priority for Congress has been to address the most significant economic recession since the Great Depression. American households lost about $14 trillion in wealth, GDP decreased 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2009, and with 15 million Americans out of work, the national unemployment rate is at the highest level in 26 years. To stop the severe decline, CoFrom the Offices of Representative ngress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided $787 billion to stabilize the U.S. economy through direct investment and targeted tax breaks. Tax relief was provided to 95 percent of Americans, states received significant assistance to maintain vital services, and investments were made in the transportation, education, health and energy sectors.

We are beginning to see the positive results of this investment. In the last quarter the U.S. economy slowed its decline, home prices rose on a monthly basis for the first time in three years, and the loss of jobs decreased. Nearly $52 million in stimulus funding has been committed to the 13th Congressional District and we are seeing tangible results across Southeastern Pennsylvania in new jobs and needed infrastructure improvements.

Fiscal Responsibility: Economic recovery also requires deliberate action to restore fiscal discipline to federal spending. We started with a commitment to balance the federal budget, reduce the annual deficit, and pay down the national debt. Even as we took action to restore economic stability, we took significant steps to restore fiscal responsibility. We approved the 2009-2010 Budget Resolution that addressed current needs, while committing to important investments in education, health and energy, and setting a path to significantly reduce the annual deficit in four years. We also passed a rule that requires that any new federal spending or tax changes be paid for, and not add to the deficit. As Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, I will work to meet these ambitious goals and to restore both fiscal stability and stimulate economic growth.

Energy Independence: Development of cleaner domestic energy and greater energy efficiency are key to our economic growth. Congress took significant action to reduce our dependence on imported oil and develop new, clean energy jobs by passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act. This plan will reduce U.S. consumption of petroleum, promote clean, renewable energy, and strengthen energy efficiency standards. The new technology and innovation spurred by this plan will enable the United States to become more economically competitive through new, domestically produced alternative energy sources. It establishes our place as a global leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I worked to ensure that this plan made investments in public transportation and provided incentives for energy efficient products and construction.

Health Care Reform: Congress is now working to address the major issue of how to create a uniquely American solution to our health care challenges: to control costs, expand access to coverage, and ensure quality care for all Americans. The health care reform legislation moving through Congress (H.R. 3200), America's Affordable Health Choices Act, offers a sound and moderate approach. It builds on private, employer-based coverage, allowing Americans to keep their current coverage. It sets new rules to protect consumers from unfair insurance practices. It creates new insurance options for individuals and small businesses, with private insurers competing on a level playing field with each other and with a new public option. And a new focus on primary care, prevention, and chronic disease management will achieve savings and improve health outcomes.

All of these actions work together to improve access to insurance coverage and health services, and as a result, drive down costs for everyone. Most importantly, this plan does not contribute to the national debt. It is completely paid for over the next 10 years, half of the cost coming from cost-saving reforms.

I have had the honor to be directly involved in developing this legislation as a member of the Ways and Means Committee. I championed a number of important solutions that will make health care work better for Americans. First, I introduced legislation to prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing health conditions. I am proud that this proposal is included in the health care reform bill. The bill also includes my proposal to illuminate the fine print of health insurance polices. Plain, understandable, and consistent language is essential if consumers are to make informed choices about the coverage they are buying.

Also, I introduced the Preserving Patient Access to Primary Care Act, with strong support from doctors, nurses, and many health care organizations. This proposal will increase the number of primary care physicians and nurses, provide better reimbursements, and enable them to provide continuity of care for their patients. High quality health care requires that patients have primary care providers they know and who know them, who are available to see them when they are sick, and who stay engaged in their health care. The provisions of my legislation have been incorporated into the reform bill, enhancing the role primary care plays in quality care, improving health status, and reducing costs.

There is much work to be done to restore economic vitality and security to our nation and I am honored to represent you in these critical debates in Congress. I appreciate hearing from you, and hope I will continue to hear from you on the issues that are important to you."

Health Care Reform Reality Check

In response to the crazy lies being told by opponents to health care reform, the White House has launched a website to spread the facts. The Health Insurance Reform Reality Check site has lots of resources and online tools, including a series of Reality Check Videos. Some of the highlights, which you can link to below:

• CEA Chair Christina Romer details how health insurance reform will impact small businesses.
• Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes tackles a nasty rumor about euthanasia and clearly describes how reform helps families.
• Matt Flavin, the White House's Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, clears the air about Veteran's benefits.
• Kavita Patel, M.D., a doctor serving in the White House's Office of Public Engagement, explains that health care rationing is happening right now and how reform gives control back to patients and doctors.
• Bob Kocher, M.D., a doctor serving on the National Economic Council, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will be financed by cutting Medicare benefits.

Learn the facts, and spread the word!

--The image above and some this text were taken from an email by White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod.
--Thanks to Tricia Wigg for this submission.

My Personal Experiences, by Tricia Wigg

It’s now 22 years since my husband’s job brought us to the United States from Britain and earlier this year we did become citizens but that was not because we believe that everything in America is better. Our lives are better in some respects but there are down sides. We do want to be a part of this country.

One of our first observations was that we would not want to live here if we were ill and without good health care insurance. We met people who had no coverage and were horrified. Everyone in Britain had been covered since 1948.

Here are some of my personal experiences:

As a healthy young woman I chose to have my second child delivered at home by a midwife in the knowledge that if anything went wrong a specially equipped unit could be quickly summoned to take us to the hospital.

When that baby was a few months old she had a cold and being somewhat worried at around 10pm my husband called the doctor who, realizing this was no emergency, said he’d stop by on his way home from visiting an elderly patient. Of course an hour later when he stopped by he found a peacefully sleeping baby and two rather embarrassed parents. He told us not to apologize it was all in a day’s work. To this day doctors in Britain still make house calls.

Fourteen years ago, a few months before her fortieth birthday, while in the shower, my sister discovered a lump in her breast. On seeing her doctor she was immediately referred to a specialist and surgery took place within a few days followed by radiation and drug therapy. My sister’s stay in hospital was longer than would have been allowed by the insurance companies in the USA because that decision was in the hands of her doctor.

My sister was regularly seen by the oncologist for about 10 years. You’ve guessed it, his decision. I’m pleased to report she is still cancer free.

My brother-in-law had two heart attacks many years ago and yes they do have all the technology in Britain that is available in the USA. They have ICU’s (intensive care units). He too is alive and kicking but would probably be better if he attended the exercise classes offered to heart patients by the local hospital. He did avail himself of their free informational literature. Of course he gets frequent physicals.

Uncle Freddy is still doing well despite having heart problems for years which have required many by-pass operations among other things. The specialists seem to keep such a careful eye on him. Papworth Hospital, a world –famous cardiothoracic hospital, is about 50 miles away but he doesn’t have to worry whether it is covered by his “insurance plan”.

Then there’s my mom who will soon be 89. Got a pace-maker at 80 after an emergency when her heart more or less stopped. It’s checked at intervals decided upon by a specialist and of course her family doctor can always ask for additional checks. In the beginning it was every few weeks but it has never been more than a year. Now two years ago when attending Derek’s funeral (I’ll come back to him in a moment) Mom suffered a stroke and was rushed to hospital. By the way ambulances and paramedic services are free in Britain. She survived but never quite recovered completely. She remained in hospital for quite some time undergoing various therapies before moving into rehabilitation and later home with out-patient treatment. Really she should have left the hospital sooner, hospital stays are costly, but until the medical staff were convinced they could do no more and the best arrangements were in place for her next stage of treatment they would not dream of moving her and they were in charge of such decisions.

I want to tell you about Derek, a neighbor of Mom’s for several years, having in his seventies returned to Britain with cancer to give himself a few more years on this earth. You see he had lived in California for many years with his American wife but, on the verge of bankruptcy because of unpaid medical bills and unable to pay for his medication, he had decided to get a divorce and return to Britain. She was not held responsible for his medical bills and he got the treatment he need and a longer life. He had family in Britain, she had family in America, and they visited each other every few months.

At first I was a little disappointed with doctor’s offices and hospitals in America. They were “private” so we expected so much more. My experience of private hospitals or private wings within hospitals in Britain was that they were often like 5* hotels. Private rooms, no sharing, a pot of tea and dainty sandwiches for visitors served on silver tray with fine bone china dishes. American hospitals and doctors’ offices seem similar to many in Britain and I’m not advocating turning them into hotels.

The British often complain about their system but maybe that’s because they have been brought up with coverage as a right, and watching Hollywood movies which glamorize American hospitals and hospital staff. Americans do have to wait to see the doctor, sometimes several weeks to see a specialist (both my adult daughters with full coverage have).

We all know that insurance companies pay people (I know someone, an ex-nurse) to find reasons to deny paying a claim. Often they will pay little towards ambulance costs even though they are included in coverage. These practices are so common there are firms who provide their employees with a free service to deal with denied claims on their behalf.

In Britain ambulances are free, doctors visits are free, hospital stays and treatment are free, surgeries and ER visits are free, prescription drugs are a very low flat rate and free to seniors, children, and now to cancer patients. Well of course they are not free. Wouldn’t that be nice! Everyone who works pays National Insurance much as people here pay Social Security Tax. In Britain this not only covers the State Pension (British equivalent to Social Security) but healthcare insurance. Those who earn more pay more. If caring about your fellow citizens and the society you live in is not for you then I guess you wouldn’t like that. However, remember the premiums and co-pays in America are going through the roof so that’s not a great deal either.

I am not for one minute saying that the British system is the best or that it doesn’t have problems (by the way some people do buy some additional private insurance which can be particularly handy if you don’t want to wait for elective or minor surgeries) but it drives me crazy that the GOP and special interest groups are trying to scare the Americans into believing it is terrible or that the government make medical decisions. I am not advocating the USA adopt the British system as there are countries where private insurance does play a significant role along with government options (Germany for example).

When my grand-daughter was only a few weeks old the pediatrician suspected she may have one of the most serious forms of meningitis and she was taken into hospital for tests and immediately put onto intravenous antibiotics. I am pleased to say it turned out to be an unidentified virus, which can still be serious in an infant, and she was released from hospital. However, one more day of her antibiotic course was required. Apparently she was just old enough for it to be considered safe to give her the full 24-hour dose in one go; not a procedure advocated by doctors but decided by insurance companies.

If you happen to be thinking, “Gosh why doesn’t she go back to Britain”, well at the moment I have insurance even though the cost is high, the co-pays are high, coverage could be better, and I am healthy.

Should that change I do have the option to return. What option do you have?

Tricia Wigg
Montgomery County PA

--Thanks to Tricia for this thoughtful submission.

(To be clear, as this blog is a public space: Tricia Wigg is a BTCNP member; these opinions are her own, and don't necessarily represent BTCNP.)