More On Health Care "Reform"

How many of you have been touched in some way by cancer; maybe a family member or friend, maybe yourself, maybe a co-worker? Well, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), if health care reform passes as it stands now, this is what will happen to cancer care in America. You've all heard about the "savings" this administration is looking for from Medicare, right? Well, the government is planning to make severe cuts to Medicare payments for cancer care. There's some of your savings! Many of you believe that Medicare is only for the elderly. Not so. Medicare pays for 50% of cancer care. So even if you are not elderly, if you have cancer your care will be affected. Since 2004, Medicare has cut payments for cancer care significantly, and now the government is proposing even more dramatic cuts! Here's an example - Medicare will decrease payments for the administration of life-saving cancer drugs by up to 38% next year. Payment cuts are also scheduled for PET and CAT scans - tests necessary for the proper treatment of cancer. Recent cuts have impacted doctor's ability to treat patients effectively. Some clinics have already closed. If implementation of the proposed cuts is allowed, they will most likely cause a major crisis in cancer care. Medicare payments are not a lucrative facet of any doctor's practice. With the proposed cuts, it is estimated that one in three cancer patients will not have an oncologist. Sound like a potential for rationing health care? Sound like the elderly have less societal value than younger Americans? Call your Congressmen and women today - tell them NO to the complete overhaul of Health Care in America. Let's focus on mal-practice insurance reform, inter-state insurance commerce, and health care accounts for individuals. That will bring the cost under control much quicker than any overhaul would do. Wake Up America!