Statement from President Barack Obama on health care

Statement from President Barack Obama on health care

For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks to you, we are finally here.

Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:

Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.

Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.

And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.

But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.

It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.

It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.

And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need.

This is what change looks like.

My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you.

This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.

Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief.

We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right -- and actually create the change we believe in.

Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Fight Humana/Humana One and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Liars

You can fight the robber barons in the healthcare industry. There is a great web site where you can share your story of rejection from the health companies and read the challenges the health industry is causing in our society by visiting this web site and passing it along.

http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org/node

I will be talking with the organizers on my radio show at WJJG 1530 AM Weekdays Monday-Friday from 8-9:30 AM.

Human One is a scam. They claim to be the best coverage out there but beware. They are LIARS. They will reject you if they do not wish to cover you in violation of the law. And because the state of Illinois is so screwed up under Rod Blagojevich and Mike Madigan, there is nothing you can do except protest and wait to punish them when the laws change as they wille ventually.

Until then, don't sign up for Humana One. It is a scam and you are NOT guaranteed insurance coverage at all. They will exclude even pre-conditions that THEY covered.

Human sucks. And I would let them get away with their lies.

Fight back. Protest against Humana and complain to the legislature.

Ray Hanania
www.TheMediaOasis.com

Dental care denied to Illinois families

Nearly Two Million Working Families in Illinois Shortchanged on Basic Dental Care

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., March 12, 2008 /PRNewswire -- 'Bridge to Healthy Smiles' Coalition Launches Statewide Campaign to Close Dental Care Gap

A crisis exists for the hundreds of thousands of Illinois families who rely on government-funded programs for their health care needs. These programs, such as Kidcare, All Kids, Family Care and Medicaid, are grossly under funded. In fact, reimbursement rates in Illinois are among the lowest in the nation.

The Bridge to Healthy Smiles coalition today is holding a 10 a.m. news conference at the Illinois State Capitol press room to launch a statewide campaign dedicated to bringing equitable and affordable dental care to all Illinoisans. The heart of the issue is the lack of access to dental care in rural and parts of urban Illinois. According to the Agency for Health care Research and Quality, 26 percent of poor or near-poor families see dentists annually compared to 40 percent of middle-income families and 54 percent of high-income families nationally.

"We are asking Illinois legislators to take important steps to close the dental care gap," said Dr. Keith Dickey, president of the Illinois State Dental Society. "It's alarming to know that 40 percent of all Illinois counties do not have access to dental care. We are committed to making family oral health care a priority for those who need it most."

To fill this dental care gap in Illinois, a comprehensive three-point plan is being announced today. The plan encourages:

-- Raising the Medicaid reimbursement for dental care;
-- Opening 10 dental clinics by 2010 throughout Illinois to reach people in need; and,
-- Encouraging new dentists to practice in underserved areas by forgiving a portion of their dental school loans.

"Too often, the parents of children who rely on public healthcare have a difficult time finding a dentist leaving kids in pain and unable to succeed in school. The passage of Bridge to Healthy Smiles legislation is critical to bringing much needed dental care to underserved areas in Illinois," explains Robyn Gabel, executive director of the Illinois Maternal & Child Health Coalition.

"This is a serious public health issue," said Dr. Sheila R. Brown, executive director of Lincoln Dental Society. "There is an undeniable link between general health and oral health care. It's time to stop penalizing working-poor families in urban and rural Illinois and begin offering equal access to dental care for all.

To learn more about the Bridge to Healthy Smiles Coalition's three-point legislative campaign including current legislation, a map of the 48 underserved areas in Illinois and a chart comparing national dental reimbursement rates visit http://www.BridgeToHealthySmiles.com.

About Bridge To Healthy Smiles Coalition

The Bridge to Healthy Smiles campaign is led by a diverse coalition working to improve oral health across the state. Coalition members include:

-- Illinois State Dental Society, representing more than 6,300 dentists, dental hygienists, dental lab technicians and dental students;

-- Lincoln Dental Society, an Illinois-based organization representing African-American dentists;
-- Hispanic Dental Association, dental professionals dedicated to promoting and improving the oral health of the Hispanic community and providing advocacy for Hispanic oral health professionals; and,

-- Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition, recognizing that healthy infants, children, mothers and families constitute the basis of our society. IMCHC is dedicated to promoting and improving their health and well being through advocacy, education, community empowerment and policy development.

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