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OPINION

Backing health reform merits pat on the back

Letter
Comments (16)

Friday, November 13, 2009

(Updated 3:00 am)

I want to thank Rep. Brad Miller for having the courage to stand up for the American people in the face of concerted efforts by the insurance industry and the Republican conservative wall. He demonstrated that he has the best interests of the American people in mind as he cast his vote to pass the health care reform bill.

My husband and I recently had a very close call with a potentially life-threatening illness. My husband is retired and I carry the health insurance through my employment. While he went through a very expensive battery of tests, bills began to mount up. We had to liquidate assets to come up with the thousands of dollars to pay for our portion of the testing.

Fortunately, our story has a happy ending, as it was not lung cancer as suspected. If it had been, I can see how quickly a working-class person will reach the point of bankruptcy. Thank you, Mr. Miller, for your courage and dedication.

Carol Pinion
Reidsville

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brian444

November 13, 2009 - 4:04 am EST

With Coble's courageous vote against the bill (see letter below) and Miller's courageous vote for it, we can sure be thankful for a surfeit of courage among our congressmen.

neocon

November 13, 2009 - 6:09 am EST

There is no 'Republican conservative wall'.

rwrn

November 13, 2009 - 7:48 am EST

According to every recent poll I have seen most Americans are against this monstrosity. So I guess Miller didn't vote for their best interest, instead like usual he voted for his own best interest. By the way he is exempt from this wonderful plan. And if I am not mistaken the Dems control Congress so how did the Reps stop anything?

danagain

November 13, 2009 - 7:55 am EST

"...and the Republican conservative wall."

Sounds formidable eh rwrn? How bout those 39 Democrats who didn't swallow Pelosicare hook, line and sinker?

rmacz

November 13, 2009 - 1:31 pm EST

Those 39 Dems had real courage!

rmacz

November 13, 2009 - 1:34 pm EST

That's the hope and change, I can believe in.

truth

November 13, 2009 - 8:56 am EST

Unfortunately, that wall is located a little too far left for the conservatives to do a damn thing about whether the health care bill passes or not. The fate of that little bill is in the hands of democrats.

The letter is indicative of one of the problems in America. Some folks think every single thing has to fall on party lines. Sure, conservatives are mostly against this cause they are, well, conservatives. But there are plenty of other people who fall in the independent category and even vote the blue ticket who have concerns.

It's ironic that James Carville, who is a proponent for this health care bill coined the phrase "It's the economy stupid."

firerescuechick

November 13, 2009 - 1:52 pm EST

Truth, regarding your post about the firefighter funeral:

He died after responding to a call. That is classified as a Line of Duty Death. Are you going to harp on the military about them attending a funeral for one of their own while they are on duty? That uses taxpayer money as well. Not to mention that the ones attending the funeral were mostly off-duty. On-duty personnel were at the several fire departments around the county doing there jobs, protecting the citizens of this county. They didn't get to pay their respects to their fallen brother. For the on-duty personnel that did get to attend, firefighters from around this state came and covered for those that could attend, because that is what we do. It is a BROTHERHOOD, that runs strong and deep. Few things in this world can compare. Firefighter funerals are extremely organized, ceremonial events that follow military funerals closely. There is ritual that has to be performed. It is not like a civilian funeral that someone would have to take leave for. My BROTHER, because that is what he is, died after doing his job. He deserves the respect that he has earned. He payed the ultimate price and for that he deserves to go out the only way that a firefighter should.

danagain

November 13, 2009 - 3:28 pm EST

I don't remember that post from truth but this is common practice with firefighters and police. Remember the huge event for the WS police office officer who was killed in the line of duty? You are correct rescuechick, these people put their lives on the line for our safety and when one of them dies in the line of duty they, and their families, deserve the respect from their brethren.

dcolin

November 14, 2009 - 2:07 pm EST

We deserted ( health care ) the 911responders.

More of your Bull Shit.

We support just won 't pay

truth

November 13, 2009 - 4:11 pm EST

From what I read, he died after taking his son to preschool. Is that not correct?

I didn't see anything to indicate that he died due to injuries received on duty. He died after he left work for the day. If I misinterpreted the news articles and was callous, I apologize.

firerescuechick

November 13, 2009 - 4:37 pm EST

It is considered a Line of Duty Death during or up to 24 hours after a call. The reason for that is because the job places such a considerable stress on the body. We often go from being fully asleep to fully awake in a matter of seconds, with adrenaline coursing through our system. The number one cause of death for firefighters is heart attack, followed by stress.

firerescuechick

November 13, 2009 - 4:41 pm EST

I can understand how someone could misinterpret what a Line of Duty Death actually means....and yes, you are correct that he died after taking his son to daycare. But since his death occurred within 24 hours of that call, it is a LODD.

ghost from white oak

November 13, 2009 - 9:05 am EST

I would like to know if your husband, being retired , had Medicare (guvmint insurance) ?
Just wondering, if so, why guvmint insurance will not pay for things that guvmint insurance is sold as to cover.

Panacea

November 13, 2009 - 9:38 am EST

Medicare A only pays for hospitalization. They may not have Medicare B, which pays for outpatient treatment and testing since they have other insurance.

And if you have other insurance, that gets billed before Medicare.

nclife57

November 13, 2009 - 9:42 am EST

First, I am sorry for your health problems and glad things have worked out for you positively. Secondly, there is definitely NOT a Republican wall. Those who keep saying that are totally misinformed. Additionally, I don't know why some people think that healthcare expenses should be paid by someone else. Who are the other people who are supposed to pay for it? Remember NOTHING is free. You had to liquidate assets to pay your bills. Isn't that what it is there for? If you want the government to pay, where does the government get the money to pay for the programs in place? TAXES! Also this is an attempt by government to grab power. This is not a good thing. Years and years ago the government went awry, where the politicians are serving themselves instead of those they represent.