If Liz were Queen

QUEEN’S BYTES: I read a very interesting article today in Common Dreams.  It is titled “Health Care Debate Must Include Farmers.”  It is sad to think of all the Americans who are left without health care and even sadder to think that another 410,000 will lose their health care insurance while our multimillionaire senators take a month long holiday and the President f rollicks with his family in the playground of the old money–Martha’s Vineyard.  But somehow the neglect of our farmers seems especially pathetic.

Perhaps its because ironically the man “leading” the healthcare reform is himself a Blue Dog Democrat from the very rural state of Montana.

If I were a member of the Senate or the President of the USA, I would be ashamed to take a vacation before Americans had a decent health care plan in place with the minimum of a public option.

********************************************************************

“. . . Our current health care system is crushing farmers. And the proposals under consideration in Congress won’t give us the relief we need. . .

. . .Farmers have few options for health insurance, yet we desperately need comprehensive coverage. Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in America: heavy machinery, large animals, long hours in the sun and exposure to hazardous pesticides can all take their toll.

Many of us have pre-existing conditions and we are nearing an average age of 58 years.

Rural residents are twice as likely to be uninsured as urban Americans, while farmers and ranchers are four times as likely to be underinsured, notes the Center for Rural Affairs. . .

. . . Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., says single-payer health care “is off the table.” It is especially galling that Baucus, from such a rural state, one that would benefit most from a single-payer plan, is opposed to any discussion.

It’s also distressing that President Obama has distanced himself from single payer as fast as he could, even though a February CNN poll showed 72 percent favored a government-controlled plan. Any issue with that much across-the-board support should be “on the table.” The insurance companies, in hopes of killing single payer, say they are willing to cover those with “pre-existing conditions” — provided everyone buys their health insurance. . .”

FOR COMPLETE ARTICLE