I was invited to interview former Governor, chairman of the DNC, and medical doctor, etc. Howard Dean before his visit to Denver tomorrow, but I can't do it. I'm sick.
Dr. Dean is going to be in town tomorrow to talk about the need for real health care reform. Now back heading the organization he created, Democracy for America, Dean is kicking off a multi-state tour to push for a public plan option that would accept all Americans.
It's seems appropriate that the small town Vermont doctor who lit up the internet running for president in 2004 mostly on a platform of healthcare reform would be right in that fight again. In addition to the tour, there's a new website as part of this push, Stand with Dr. Dean. One can add themselves to the petition, and also see where Senators and Congresspeople stand. According to the page Colorado members of Congress Bennet, Coffman, Lamborn, Perlmutter, and Udall have not stated an opinion. Salazar, Polis, Markey, and Degette are all in favor of a public option.
In a nutshell, this campaign is asking for:
... a line in the sand over the key principle of real healthcare reform: availability of a public healthcare option. A universally available public option like Medicare is the only way to guarantee healthcare for all Americans and its inclusion in healthcare legislation passed by Congress this year is non-negotiable.
But, like I said, I'm sick. What can only be loosely described as allergies have hit hard leaving me with about a gallon of phlegm coughed up in the last few days. In addition to that I broke a composite filling back on Saturday. The same one that's popped off two other times because I grind my teeth. This time the use of a mouth-guard at night only prolonged the life of the filling a bit further. The dentist was able to squeeze me in tomorrow, this time for a crown. Unfortunately that's the same time as the interview, so Aaron (TakeBackTheHouse) is going to do it. It might have been neat to do the interview from the dentist's office, but only she can seem to understand me when she's drilling in my mouth.
This year we have a health insurance plan from the "open market". Of course the rate is set based upon medical history, and you don't want to know what our yearly deductible is. As for dental insurance. Fughettaboutit. Even when I had good dental, crowns were only covered at 50%. The premiums for an open market plan cost way more than two cleanings a month. So, what's the point?
Like America, my health insurance is lacking. Hopefully Dr. Dean can help the push to do something about it.
Originally posted at Squarestate.net