A letter I sent my rep regarding health care,

[Alameda]

In this health care debate there are some issues not being considered. Here is a copy of a letter to my rep, Pete Stark regarding health care. I have to admit, I edited some typos and grammar errors in this one, but the message is essentially the same.

"Dear Mr. Stark,

I appreciate all you do on my and your other constituents behalf. Regarding your latest message regarding health care,
and in particular Medicare, I have to make a comment. As a recent medicare benefactor, I'm finding that it limits the
providers I want to use to a particular type of medical treatment. What if I want to use a chiropractor, herbal
practitioner, a homeopath, Chinese medicine, acupuncture or some other alternative treatment?

The choices available through Medicare, while helpful, are severely limited. I have to go through an allopathic
physician to get a recommendation to see many of these type practitioners. Allopathic practitioners are mostly hostile
to homeopathic practitioners, so right away there is a conflict of interest.

I pay over $500 a month for medical insurance, most of which is useless to me. Often times I only get, maybe, 10 minutes
with a Dr, who has little time to make an evaluation. I'm prescribed medications that benefit big Pharma, and only gives symptomatic relief."

[yellerpup]

1. You make some excellent points.

New thinking is needed in healthcare. We need to stop supporting big pharma in a big way if we are to have real change. Good job! K&R! :kick:

[Alameda]

2. Not many get Medicare, so not many know exactly what it is.

First of all, Medicare is not free. You get part A which is hospitalization free (that is if you have earned the credits to qualify for benefits), you pay around $100 for part B with is Doctors visits....then there is the famous part D...which I haven't gotten to yet. It's much more complicated than I thought, and I have not really figured it all out yet.

One thing I do know is at least 3 months before you turn 65 APPLY! If you don't you can have problems later. Argh! :mad::banghead:

[yellerpup]

3. Kick!

:dem: