For a person who has a disability, or who has a family member with a disability, health care is really important. The need for medical attention among the disability community is usually higher and more consistent throughout the years, it is generally more expensive, harder to obtain, and sometimes, the solutions provided are even undesirable.
Ari Ne’eman talks about some instances where this has been the case and passionately defends the special needs population. Specifically, he mentioned the Community Choice Act, which was supported by Obama during his campaign, and how that would help people with disabilities get the health care they need. Unfortunately, according to Ne’eman, Obama is not following through, and Ne’eman calls for the integration of disabled citizens and the non-disabled citizens.
Read his article here: http://specialneeds08.blogspot.com/2009/08/disability-and-health-care-firsthand.html
This debate has recently been outside the walls of the White House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsKkAAzZgNQ
More information on Obama’s health care plan can be found here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health_care/plan/
Do Ne’eman and Laurna have a reasonable argument? Are the disabled being treated differently under Obama’s new plan?
I think that Ne’eman and Laurna’s concerns are valid. It is imperative that we ensure coverage for people with disabilities and the concern becomes even more real if that person is close to us. I know, as a future mother, that I would want to take every precaution to make sure that my child will have access to all the care he would need – without too much extra cost on my part. However, after reading President Obama’s plan, I feel that enough support is being given to those with special needs and that it would not be unreasonable difficult to obtain the needed coverage. Taking into account Ne’emans concerns, I also believe that there is a need for individualization in the process. Each individual needs to be considered on a case by case basis to determine what their specific needs are and the best way to satisfy those needs.
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I agree that Obama's plan is not unreasonable and that coverage for those with special needs can be obtained. However, has having had a family member with disabilities and served as her care-taker, the health care system is still totally flawed in some ways. Basic human needs should be met for everyone, not just those with money or people that are super old. My aunt was unable to receive medicare because her parents were "capable of taking care of her," which they were. But I always wondered, what if they weren't? Health care just needs to be more of an individualization involved in getting health care to those that need it.
ReplyDeleteI also don’t think that Obama’s plan is unreasonable. People with disabilities can get support. It takes patience and research. I know that sometimes we can’t have patience when we are waiting for assistance when we are having a life threatening experience. I truly feel you can get support you just have to work hard at it and not give up. I do also feel that Ne’eman and Laurn’s have a good argument. People with special needs should be supported. And I feel that right now they are. It seems like you can’t make everyone happy, and you probably never will. It should be individualized for sure. Each person is different and needs different assistance. This should be taken into account I feel the most because I don’t feel like certain individuals needs are being met. If the each case was treated individually it would probably please more people and would be more reasonable for sure. But right now I do feel that you can get support if your child has disabilities you just have to look and work hard sometimes. But like I said I feel that each case should be individualized to make the process better and more efficient.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading and observing the film I felt like I needed to know more information then what was being given. I would like to know more information about what types of treatments, funding, housing options, etc… that is currently available for individuals with disabilities; and how they are going to be improved and how soon. I would also like to know how institutions are going to be improved or housing facilities for people with disabilities.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, many individuals who have disabilities have parents who may have learning disabilities or other types of disabilities themselves. This means they may not know or understand what type of funding or health care is available for them. Not only do we need to increase healthcare plans for all Americans or increase the health care for disabilities it needs to become known to all individuals what rights they have and how they can obtain help in a clear understanding way.
Along with Danielle, I too feel like I need a lot more extensive knowledge and facts about Obama’s plan and what is currently being done to help those with disabilities get the healthcare they need in order to make a clear cut decision. However, after reading the articles and watching the video, I do feel like individuals with disabilities are being provided with sufficient healthcare. But perhaps that word, “sufficient,” is the problem. Who defines what sufficient healthcare is? Like Ne’eman brings up, it is fairly easy to get funding for individuals with disabilities to live in some kind of facility, and that is often times “sufficient” enough to provide for their needs, but what about the preferences of those with disabilities and their families? There are many instances where it would be preferable for those individuals to receive in home care or some other option that is much harder to get funding for through the current healthcare system. This is one situation where the healthcare has to have a high degree of individualization in order to ensure that it is more than “sufficient,” but also meets the needs and wherever possible the wants of those individuals with disabilities and their families.
ReplyDeleteAs it happens, I am against a general national health coverage, even when it comes to covering individuals with disabilities. I do support, however, a statewide health care system that helps those with disabilities receive the proper and appropriate funds, service, etc. to assist them in being an active part of their community. I do not believe that a large general, national health care system, when relating to individuals with disabilities, is the way to go; not when there are so many different disabilities, different situations, and different circumstances. Instead of spreading out resources where they cannot possible reach or be in the least effective, let’s let each state budget their own money. That’s why we have a democracy; to pick leaders that will best serve the interest of our state. The president doesn’t know what each state specifically needs so why should he determine where our money goes? Shouldn’t we give our money to someone who knows us more specifically? Why would we give our money to someone else only to have it given back to us in varying quantities that won’t even cover half of what we need? The governors of each state have firsthand experience within our community and with this issue—so why not let him/her be the judge? Why are we giving that much power to the president when he has a lesser hold on health care system than our own state governments?
ReplyDeleteI admit that I would need to do a lot of research before taking a confident stance on this issue. Michelle's point makes sense--that local government could do a better job of meeting individual needs. I wouldn't want to trust the well-being of a loved one to the national government, an entity I can't help feeling is a little distant and completely out of my control. I also think that private charitable organizations could make a significant and positive difference in care for people with disabilities; more, perhaps, than government. Last year one of BYU's forum speakers was Arthur Brook, whose speech about charity/the economics of happiness really made an impression on me. He encouraged us to take individual responsibility for taking care of each other, not expect the government to do it for us.
ReplyDeleteI also want to make a point about something Ne'eman wrote, but I don't have time so...to be continued...
...Ne'eman wrote that too often, non-disabled people consider having a disability a fate worse than death and consider those with disabilities a burden on society. Those of us who have spent enough time with people with disabilities, however, have a perspective that we need to share with the world: People with disabilities have just as much capacity to feel joy, and to bring joy to others, than people without disabilities (if not more!). Their capacity to live joyful lives is increased as they are given quality care and opportunities to interact with the community.
ReplyDeleteWith the limited information I know, I would say that I am not opposed to Obama’s plan. I feel like people with disabilities are being helped. Maybe not enough but I think that the system is getting better and they’re trying. Ideally an individualized plan would be the best but that would also be very hard and time consuming to set that up. I totally agree with Corrine in the fact that these people with disabilities deserve good health care and a chance to live their lives to the fullest, with joy and peace. As they are in the community they do bring joy to those who know them and take the time to interact with them.
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ReplyDeletePolitically speaking I do not agree with the Obama's plan. My personal political opinion cannot validate many parts of this plan and this issue is one of the reasons why. I too agree that a nation wide, blanket health care system isn't the way to go for anyone. When it comes to dealing with individuals with special needs it seems to me that they are being looked over. After watching the blog it seems as if no revisions or improvements have been made at all concerning those with disabilities. Extending current plans and leaving the subject 'open' for further discussion on a plan of this magnitude and importance, I believe, could be a dangerous thing. Sufficient health care may indeed turn out to be inadequate, especially for those with so many needs. In CPSE 400 we learned that fair is providing each person with what they need, not providing equally for everyone and I don't think that this plan allows for that.
ReplyDeleteI am not very familiar with health care and the plans set in place now and those that have been set in place before. I currently rely on my dad’s insurance and have not thought about this too much before. Therefore, I do not feel like I know enough information to give a very solid opinion on this subject. However, from the little information that I knew previously and I have now read I think that it can be hard for those with disabilities to find good healthcare. I do think it is still possible though. I feel that Obama’s health care plan does sufficiently meet the needs of those with disabilities. I agree with some of the responses that healthcare should depend on specific people. Some people need more support than others. Through individualized health plans more sufficient support can be given to those who need it.
ReplyDeleteI think that Obama’s health care plan is reasonable. I also agree with others that people with disabilities are receiving support. I also agree with others, that health care decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis. However, I do not think that this is realistic. Ideally, all the needs of people with disabilities would be taken care of. Just as we expect our health problems to be addressed, so do those with disabilities. They should not be swept under the rug because they have more severe health issues. I like what was said in the article about disabilities and illnesses being two different things. Just because someone is sick does not mean that it is because of their disability. In a perfect world, everyone’s needs would be met in the way that they wished for them to be. But this is not realistic and not everyone can be pleased. I think that for the time being, Obama’s health care plan is effective.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about the health care bill, but as of today, October 12, neither do the senators who are voting on it tomorrow- they don't even have a document they can read. I think that the less power and access to our money we give the government, the better. People with disabilities definitely need more health coverage than people without disabilities, but I don't think the government is the way to do it. Look at how many times they have taken our money to "help the people" like with Social Security and where does it go? Anywhere but the people. In an ideal world, it would be great if we could trust the government to take our tax dollars and actually use them the way they said they would and help provide that extra care for people who need it. But we don't live in that world. I guess I'm not sure if I'm really anwering the question. Like I said: I don't know much about the plan; but as of today, nobody does.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the health plan information posted here, I like that insurance companies could not deny you due to pre-existing conditions. This means that when you change companies, they can't deny you coverage. I also like that there will be a cap on family spending for medical expenses. I don't know what happens after the cap is met. Who picks up the rest of the bills? It seems that the health care provided will be sufficient, not spectacular, but needs will be met. It is similar to public education. You will get what is free and appropriate, it will not be spectacular, but it will be fair and sufficient.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am not political guru by any means, much of the information presented suggests that the health care plan would be beneficial for a great part of the masses. However, I do agree with Britany regarding the importance of individualization in health care plans. I really support Ne'eman in his objective to make the Community Choice Act an issue of civil rights. Having witnessed far too many institutions and the damaging effects that institutionalization can have on a person, regardless of how nice the facilities may seem, I am a strong advocate for integrating people with disabilities in to a community setting as much as possible. Any means of making home-based care more accessible and an easier option than that of an institution for individuals with disabilities should be maximized and pushed so that all those who desire a life among the community can attain it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of you about the need to make health care individualized. Although Obama's plans doesn't seem unreasonable, making a nation-wide health care system will cause many underlying problems. Countries with nation-wide health care often complain about the service given.
ReplyDeleteI agree that state-wide plans would be more beneficial in helping meet people's needs. There is a definite need for more health care for people with disabilities. My missionary companion had a brain tumor the size of an orange that was removed, and she needs life-long medical care. Her family believes that they will end up paying close to 1 million dollars in health care. Her dad just retired from the police force in Hawaii, and is now looking for another job to help them survive with all of the medical bills. It is clear that something needs to be done, however, I don't believe that a nation-wide health care plan is the answer.
I agree with Michelle on a lot of her stances that I do not think national health coverage is the answer. Just like we do not learn a "fix all" for all students with special needs I do not believe we can have a "fix all" for insurance of everyone.
ReplyDeleteAs someone whose Dad was laid off for a company he worked for more than 20 years that gave him previous benefits, I still don't believe there should be national health care because my family is still in a higher tax bracket for his severance pay and will still have to pay money to the government (more than the past because of new tax changes) even though he is not employed and no longer has retirement benefits.
Because of this personal situation in my family, I think the same could happen to families who have disabilities. When insurance companies insure a family, especially one with a disability, they already know the risk they are taking on the family. I have friends who have severe cases of cancer and they are still able to find insurance providers granted they pay the premium.
From the perspective of a sister who is on social security because of her special and emotional needs render her unstable to have regular employment I still find the social security system able to take care of her needs although there could be mild reform. I think that reform needs to happen in job training for people with those needs and perhaps better educational screening in the state we lived in so she could have been helped with that training at an earlier age.
I do not think this problem will be fixed as national reform, but as an educational screening one. A milder reform could be helpful in making sure there are more opportunities for training, job allocation, and transition.
I know too many people (including families) who cannot afford health care. A nationalized health care plan/public option may not give the most spectacular coverage, as Namoi said, but it will be sufficient. Basic needs will be met--and something is better than nothing.
ReplyDeleteIn Ne'eman's Huffington Post article (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ari-neeman/the-disability-health-car_b_265365.html) he discusses the potential of Obama's plan giving people with disabilities employment options. As health care stands, people with disabilities often can't work because it will disqualify them from Medicaid, nor does their salary give them enough to pay for high insurance premiums. I can identify with one case (Amy) mentioned in the article--my dad's military insurance pays for my hearing aid and for whenever I need to make an emergency visit to an audiologist. How expensive will my insurance be once I'm no longer listed as a dependent? Will I ever be able to afford another hearing aid?
A nationalized health care plan has the potential to give everyone, including people with disabilities, peace of mind. There may be some kinks in the plan as it is now, but it's high time we get the ball rolling for affordable health care.
I support the Community Choice Act 2009. I looked up the actual bill and it sounds like it will give so more choices to the elderly and disabled populations on being in an institution or in the community.
ReplyDeleteThis is the actual bill http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h1670/text.
Under Sec. 2 Findings and Purposes it states, “1) Long-term services and supports provided under the Medicaid program established under title XIX of the Social Security Act must meet the abilities and life choices of individuals with disabilities and older Americans, including the choice to live in one’s own home or with one’s own family and to become a productive member of the community.”
In my opinion, this is great for these populations to have a choice to stay with their families and have help come to them, rather than having to go to an institution.
Under this same section numbers 5-7 they give some statistics. “ In 2007, 69 percent of Medicaid long-term care spending for older people and adults with physical disabilities paid for institutional services. Only 6 States spent 50 percent or more of their Medicaid long-term care dollars on home and community-based services for older people and adults with physical disabilities while 1/2 of the States spent less than 25 percent.”
So I do support this bill for better health care for individuals with disabilities. Obama promised it in his campaign, I hope that we still see it pushed through. Maybe we should do something to show our support. Having more community integration will bring more understanding. Just like Ari Ne'eman, I believe individuals and families should have a choice.
I think Ne'man's and Laurna's concerns are valid especially because it applies directly towards them. I too as a parent would be concerned if I had a child or relative or friend that had disabilities wondering if they would be treated the same as everybody else! I think Obama will provide better health care for individuals with disabilities. Health coverage may give certain people the coverage they need if they cannot afford it. I do think that every person is different and a "covers all" plan might not be the most effective, but it is worth a try.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the first article I agree where it seems there have been some oversights about health care for the disabled. Not only do I disagree with Obama’s plan because I am against the citizens not taking responsibility for their own lives, and the government having more say in personal lives, I also believe it the plan were to pass the disabled would have a larger problem receiving correct care. Let me emphasize correct. They may receive care, yet with out more individualized (such as state care) it would be more like tending to the masses and these individuals are just that, they are individuals and should receive care accordingly.
ReplyDeleteAs the article states, the choice are either complete more expensive care in a facility, or no help at all. The system is over generalized and would continue be with the proposed plan. Our health care system definitely needs an overhaul especially including persons with disabilities, considering part time care, or in home care for their specific needs and not throw them into a melting pot of a care facility where it seems that they are more institutionalized, seemingly set aside to be forgotten than helped.
Take care of the individual disabled person the most economic way by letting them take care of themselves as much as possible, we would save money and save lives and save their dignity.
I don’t know that much about healthcare systems. I do know, however those individuals with disabilities do have trouble getting some services. One guy that I worked with had a heart attack, and he was not able to have a lot of services because the doctors did not think his quality of life was high enough. I think that individuals with disabilities need to have the same options for healthcare that everyone else does. However, I don’t really know if Obama’s healthcare plan has all the solutions. I do think it's good that individuals with disabilities are beginning to have a choice when it comes to healthcare.
ReplyDeleteI honestly think that Ne’eman and Laurna have very reasonable arguments and that their concerns are valid. However, in order for me to formulate a good opinion I feel that I need more information. I want to know what is needing funding when it comes to keeping people with disabilities at home and not institutionalizing them. I agree with Obama’s plan and think that coverage can be obtained for those with special needs. Just because his plan can work doesn’t mean that he can sit back and watch it happen. Action needs to be taken. I feel like people with disabilities are being treated as a ‘whole’ instead as individuals, which they are. I believe that each individuals needs need to be met in order for their quality of life to be the best possible. I think Obama’s plan is on the right track, but he needs to be more personalized. People with disabilities should not be swept aside. They are just as important as everyone else.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the articles given, I couldn’t help but feel that there was a little bias regarding the information given by the Whitehouse about the reform bill. Both the Youtube video and the website from the Obama Plan were obviously written in favor of the proposed change. All information that was given was written with the intent to shed the most positive light on the issue as possible. I would have much preferred to have the information presented in by a nonpartisan source that just outlined the bill rather than read propaganda from the administration that is proposing or from those opposed to the bill. I felt uncomfortable making a rational judgment either way because both sources seemed so skewed in favor of their respective agendas. Because of the way in which the information was presented, it was difficult for me to not include my own ideas about the health care reform bill as a whole and not just specifically about how it would affect individuals with disabilities. As it stands, I don’t believe that the program would purposefully curtail the benefits for individuals with disabilities, although I can understand the concerns that parents and other family members of these individuals would have if there was a heath care bill that even remotely looked like their benefits were being decreased.
ReplyDelete-Carrie Eichelberger
Overall, I don't think I agree with national health care. I don't know much about this issue but it seems like from what I have seen there isn't a huge difference in the amount of support given to those with disabilities. I could be wrong and maybe my understanding isn't sound but I don't think I would agree with Obama's plan.
ReplyDeleteThis is another one of those issues where there is a very fine line you have to walk, but it is walkable if you take the time to listen to both sides. With Obama in the mix, I find it necessary to stand up taller for the rights you believe in. Even it it takes a few years to find a balance, this is one of those issues where it is absolutely expedient that everyone's voice is heard - this is the lifestyle and happiness for those who are at a disadvantage to the rest of us. I think that those with disabilities still need to contribute something to what they wish to use, which is our tax dollars and our resources. If we all work together we can find a balance.
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of ensuring medical coverage for the diabled is ideal, but from my limited understanding I feel like this plan is going about it the wrong way. I have experience with medicaid because I work for a friend who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy who receives the coverage. I work closely with her various doctors, and the one problem I have found is how extremely difficult it is to find doctors who are currently accepting medicaid or new medicaid patients.I think there will be unforeseen problems in the future regarding this health care reform for the disabled. I think practices will be more likely to take privately insured patients because they pay a higher rate than those with medicaid or medical assistance. Or perhaps practicing doctors will be required to accept medicaid or medicare and the quality of services provided will be compromised. I agree with many of the responses that an individualized plan is the path we should be taking.
ReplyDelete-Lauren Stevenson
I agree with most of the comments above that the obama's plan is not unreasonable. Like someone above said this subject is a very fine line and i have likes and dislikes on both sides. I don't completely agree with how health care is right now but at least we have health care and at least they are doing what they can for those with disabilities. i believe some improvements could be made but it is hard for me to be critical of it when i can't think of a better way to run it.
ReplyDeleteI thought that this was a really interesting topic. I feel like I need to do some more research to better take a stance. But from what I read and viewed I do agree that there is insurance and money out there to be used. I think many times if just the task of learning how to get access to that money that is the challenge. But I also feel that there could be a lot more being done with the medical budget money. I like what was shared earlier about the choice being left to the states individual. Although that doesn't create equality in the our country and doesn't give us a general protocol to follow, it gives each state a way to more individual the funds looking at each case a little more based on need. I would be interested to know what could be done so that the money that should be alotted was taken care of.
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