Forty-one percent of working-age adults, or 72 million people, reported a problem paying their medical bills or had accrued medical debt, up from 34 percent, or 58 million, in 2005.

Do you know that health insurance provided by an employer in the State of Tennesse on the average costs nearly $4,000 a year for an individual?

Do you know that over half of small businesses in TN do not offer health insurance?

Do you know that the less you earn the less likely you will be offered health insurance through your employer?

Do you know that over half of construction industry businesses do not offer health insurance?

Do you know that many people can't/won't change jobs because they need the employer provide health insurance?

Have you ever had private health insurance?

Have you or anyone in your family been on TennCare, CoverTN, Medicaid or other form of government provided heath insurance?

Have you ever been without health insurance?

On average, health care costs will go up by an estimated 5.7 percent next year for both workers and their employers, the study found. That repeats this year's 5.7 percent hike and a 6.1 percent jump in 2007.
...
Between 2003 and 2007, the average deductible for an individual grew from $250 to $400. For a family, it rose from $1,000 to $1,500, according to Mercer.

If you are not invincible, you will at some time in your life need decent health care. This does not just apply to senior citizens. Do you know how much it costs to ride in an ambulance? Do you know how much it costs to correctly fix a broken arm or broken leg?

The Democratic Party wants everyone to have accessible and reasonably priced health care. The Democratic Party wants to include those who earn the least as beneficiaries of health insurance. Why would you support any other platform?

(Sources: TN Dept of Commerce and Insurance and Health Insurance 2008

Interview with Ron Brewer, Director of Tennessee Operations for Remote Area Medical, at KnoxViews...

Remote Area Medical is holding a free clinic expedition at Heritage Middle High School on July 12th and 13th. Free medical, dental, and vision services will be provided. Turnout is heavy for these events, which start around 6AM. Some people arrive the night before and camp out.

For more information about Remote Area Medical, visit their website.

See also: KnoxViews discussion re. RAM, a 60 Minutes feature about a January RAM expedition in Knoxville, and the "Third World emergency." This is a national disgrace, but Remote Area Medical is doing what they can.

The Business of Being Born is a documentary film that takes an unflinching look at birth in America today and asks the question: Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?

There will be a benefit screening of the film on Thursday, February 21 at 6:30 pm in the Sharon Lawson Room at the Blount County Library. A minimum $5 donation is requested, with net proceeds to benefit Lisa Ross Birth and Women's Center. Contact Marva at 379-1955 or marvasolt@yahoo.com, or go to TheBusinessofBeingBorn.com for more info.

The Mrs. was at the drug store picking up a prescription for me yesterday (thanks!) and there was a woman in front of her with six prescriptions to fill. The clerk was going over the cost of each prescription with her, so she could decide which ones she would have filled. She couldn't afford to pay for having them all filled.

It is immoral and just plain wrong that anyone in America has to make decisions like this. Yet millions do every day.

I just wanted to note that anecdote, but it also reminded me of the BlountRX program.

For more information call 865-524-3074. Remember to leave 56 days between donations.

For more information call 865-524-3074. Remember to leave 56 days between donations.

A roundup at TennViews...

It is the holidays and Medic says they are short of blood. They usually become short this time of year.
I gave yesterday (Dec 17) when I stumbled into the bloodmobile here in Maryville.

Here is the link to the Bloodmobile schedule:
http://medicblood.com/img/schedule.pdf
It appears they update it every few weeks.

Forrest (Holiday Giving, the gift of life) Erickson