Richard_D Blog Comments (476)

Universal Healthcare

Hey Carl,

Thank you for adding your thoughts.

Free public hospitals... If I were visiting your country and needed care, could I go there too? Would treatment cost be taken care of by the good people of Australia?

I've read about visiting some countries... about Visa and Passport requirements ... and about how proof of insurance needs to be provided in order to enter the country. They need to be careful about non-citizens using resources their own citizens are paying for.

A challenging topic...

Universal Healthcare

Hi Ted -

It appears that Belgium has this mostly figured out.

Is there a "please live a healthier life" factor involved? Are there media campaigns or even laws that restrict or attempt to minimize unhealthy habits?

We have some public health campaigns here that are run by different layers of government but they don't seem to be tied to the discussion about universal healthcare. (New York State runs television ads about the dangers of smoking, for example.)

Universal Healthcare

Ariel (that's a good name too ... perhaps more mysterious than your real name)

It's very nice to see you!

You make a point that I think the US is missing in our debate. There are many countries we should be learning from. I doubt it's perfect anywhere but there are key aspects of the processes already in use that have proven to be good.

This is the core of my thinking that leaving the bulk of this effort to be resolved on a more local level ... let each of our states work this out for themselves. There isn't one perfect answer and the needs of highly urban areas are different from highly rural places ... (how many doctors per square mile should there be in New York? ... how about in Montana? ... these are really different models that need to be managed differently)

Yet --- We're on speaking terms with most countries it would seem ... I'm sure each would be willing to teach us what they've learned ... unless our politicians are too proud to ask ... I won't get too cynical ... we'll see what gets figured out I guess.

Universal Healthcare

Serenity - Hello again

There a many people in your situation and it's often a challenge for employers. Should they pay their employees well and leave them to figure things out (like healthcare) themselves or should they pay them less and take on some of their insurance planning/costs for them? There are good and bad points both ways.

One key insurance challenge is the "group" versus "individual" coverage. If your employer buys it, they pay about half as much for insurance (because it's a "group" plan so the cost/risk calculations for the insurance company are more favorable).

For myself, if I needed to find my own insurance, my best option at the moment is to go through the musicians union. Buying it on my own wouldn't work (I'm not even sure if NY State allows insurance companies to offer individual plans... it's really strange here).

I'm glad you have coverage though... The possibility of going bankrupt due to an illness is scary.

Universal Healthcare

@single - Hello -

Wouldn't it be great if there were a standard of healthcare available to everyone, everywhere?

It's rather amazing that we have as much as we do, given what was available for our parents and grandparents. Overall, we've come a long way.

Perhaps in a couple of generations a lofty goal like this can be achieved... for now, the need is much greater than the resources; but we are making progress.

Thank you for adding your perspective.

Universal Healthcare

(I'm going slow on this blog... but I'll continue with it as time allows)

Hello again, Parti

Is there discussion in Australia about this topic? The line of thought is that everyone should have access to all levels of healthcare, so it needs to be affordable for all and available to all... so the term "universal" is being used to describe it.

It does seem that you are similar to us in a way. Your current system doesn't provide "universal" healthcare; so I wonder if the topic comes up.

Of course, I also wonder about your personal opinion.

Universal Healthcare

I've had a busy day... took 24 hours for me to get back to CS.

Hi Saskia!

It's nice to see you.

You're definitely seeing the many sides of this debate. We're imperfect beings... we're going to have health issues... and we can't really control everyone's habits... yet we need to consider what we should do... what is sensible to do.

I agree about spending and how priorities seem to be set. We've had our health insurance tied to our employers for a long time here... This approach has merit but also has flaws.

It is a matter of money but also one of policy (laws). Yes, it's complicated.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Universal Healthcare

Hi Maryrachelle

You make many good points.

That's part of the discussion though, isn't it? If society (government - being run by the citizens) is going to accept responsibility for your medical needs, isn't it fair for those who are paying the bills (you and me, the citizens) to ask everyone to be more careful?

Universal Healthcare

Hi Red!

Serenity is a nice name too.

Does Connecticut have a health insurance mandate like Massachusetts? We don't have an insurance requirement (law) in New York. (I know a national requirement is due to take affect some day... in 2014 was it?... It'll be interesting to see what it looks like as it comes closer to reality)

Employer-based insurance doesn't get everyone covered and can keep people from being able to change jobs.

I work with a business that offers only a limited insurance option (the employee pays for most of the insurance cost).

Challenging, isn't it? It's so difficult to talk about complicated topics... really tough when politicians are involved...

Universal Healthcare

Hi Parti

I got my flu shot back in August ... they're allowing pharmacists to provide the shots now ... the evolution of healthcare continues.

It's getting cooler here ... are you starting to have some warm Spring days?

It's good to see you!

RE: Aggressiveness

Hi Jana,

Hope you've been well. It's been a long time...

"Blessed are the peacemakers...". But the peacemakers can only offer peace, they cannot (and should not try to) force peace on anyone.

The key is that ownership of aggressiveness and other emotions remains with each person. I'm learning to leave people to sort their feelings out for themselves.

I tend to feel responsible for the environment I'm in, which includes feeling I should work to resolve the negative emotions of others. I've learned that this isn't healthy for me. In the modern world when most attacks are with words, I'm learning to stand clear of conversations that aren't positive and constructive (or at least rational and polite).

It has an affect on my personal happiness, which I'm learning to value highly.

RE: September

I can't miss the chance to post one of my favorite songs from the 70's.

RE: September

I agree.

September comes with cooler mornings and comfortable days. There's no need for heat or air conditioning - open all the windows and let the Autumn air blow through!

It's my favorite time of the year.

RE: On falling..

Hi Sanjah25 -

Confidence and ability will come with practice. Even then, black and blues can still happen. Life is full of things for us to bump in to.

Good luck! Thank you for sharing your story.

But will you be there when I need you?

Chica!

Tough situations... yes, they happen. It's part of being human so we can't avoid it.

I'm very happy to hear that your family and friends have been with you during tough times... ready to help you through it just as I'm sure you've been ready to help them.

---

We remember to smile... we tell jokes... we watch the wonder in a child's eyes. Through this, we build strength. We build our reserve of positive emotions that can help carry us through the tough times. It will still be difficult, but with a strong partner (referring to my comment to Roxana) we can get through the storms that come.

I really value the people who are ready to be with me when there's a storm. They are true treasure.

But will you be there when I need you?

KNenagh -

Good family and good friends. Awesome!

Loyalty is a wonderful trait. Having good relationships with family is treasure that not everyone has. Building relationships with friends in the community is important too.

This comes around to dependent relationships and people who are 'givers and takers' ... it isn't simple but nurturing good relationships is an important part of our lives, in my opinion.

Thank you for adding your thoughts!

But will you be there when I need you?

Hi Hugger,

You are right of course. When the times get tough... yes, that's when you really know who your friends are.

How about when you're dating? Do you look for signs that they are the type of person who will stand with you? What would you look for?

And the tough question... Can you learn about this part of someone's personality without having to go through a crisis?

Some difficult questions, I think.

But will you be there when I need you?

A strong and steady shoulder.

Hi Roxana!

Perhaps you've provided just the right headline for someone's profile.

Yes, there are times I need it as well. It's not about her having a strong arm to pull me to my feet though. It's more of a feeling, as you probably know. It's knowing that when things go wrong, she'll help me face the challenges. It's knowing that we'll face them together... and frankly at times, just comfort each other... help each other cope when nothing can be done... the really tough times... unfortunately, these happen.

Please don't think of your hand as fragile. Think of it as strong - seriously. Consider your contribution to anyone, at any time, to be powerful. In that moment when someone feels weak, your strength (literal and figurative) is significant.

Thank you for adding your thoughts.

But will you be there when I need you?

TheThatcher - Good to see you! Yes... many who are just there for the good times, that's true. It's still nice to see you.

Itz - Thanks for lending a song!

But will you be there when I need you?

Hi Virgo -

Hello Viking -

Man's best friend, right? There's a level of comfort that comes with having a dog. I'm glad you have your friend with you.

But will you be there when I need you?

Hi Jana -

To support ... to encourage ... to lean on ... Some friends might do this... family might... and some might not. I think when we're younger, we don't consider this as much. As we experience challenges, we think about it more. I've been thinking about this lately.

It's good to know that you're ready to offer support and are looking for someone who is supportive as well. Are they tough to find? It's a little difficult to know I think. Does support on simple things show that someone will be there for something tough?

I also wonder about our personal strength ... How much can we handle? When someone needs to lean on us, do we have someone to lean on as well? Perhaps family. Perhaps religion. Perhaps something else...

Maybe a topic for another blog... "Do you have a personal support system?"

RE: snorkeling

Hi Choco!

It sounds like great fun.

RE: Wise words from a homeless man!

Hi Ed

> For the least stress, focus only on the present.

> Thinking of the past tends to bring thoughts of regret.

> Thinking of the future tends to bring thoughts of hope and opportunity.

I know these things aren't true all the time but this seems to be the way it usually works. I'm a big fan of finding enjoyment in the present and thinking (sometimes dreaming) of the future (tomorrow or next year or whenever...).

RE: Can't sleep & crying.

Zweet - Glad you had a friend to vent with after work. Finding ways to unwind the tension is good.

Zweet, Summer -

RE: Feeling sad.....feeling alone......

Hi Z - Bad night... sorry to hear... It's part of being human... bad nights for different reasons... we each find our way through them ... my best wishes to you.

1:30 am? 8:45pm now over here... the sun just set.

RE: Miracles do happen!

Good things happening to good people ... I like stories like this!

Thank you for sharing it with us.

RE: Whats your choice?

I don't know ... perhaps Buffalo Burgers?

I've Got a Secret

Hi Marsh! -

You make a real important point...

"...sometimes we need certain kinda ways to deliver what we know..."

To be able to handle the news... whatever our partner needs to talk about... "I lost my keys" ... "The washer broke today" ... whatever the news is... It's important that we're able to accept the news, good and bad, in a supportive way.

(some get upset too easily so people learn not to tell them anything of importance... different challenges to be worked out)

I've Got a Secret

Redex - Hi!

Sharing secrets with trees ... and perhaps animals ... That's a good idea!

I'm glad you can trust your trees.

I've Got a Secret

Chica! -

I like your last statement quite a bit. To paraphrase...
"... as long as secrets don't harm his and my life in the future"

One of the key factors is trust. If I tell you something that I'm very sensitive about, will you ever use this information against me? Will you shout it out when you are angry? Will you tell others? I think many keep quiet because of these risks.