This is the Insurgent Radio Kiosk for Wednesday, December 11th
Hightower Commentary
Action Calendar
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How to get Congress to reform our broken healthcare system
For $3.5 Trillion a year, shouldn’t we Americans have a world-class healthcare system? Yet, while we spend the most of any advanced nation in the world to get care (more than $10,000 a year per person), we get the worst results.
No surprise then, that the “Medicare-for-All” idea is now backed by 85 percent of Democrats, 66 percent of Independents, and (get this) 52 percent of Republicans! So… why isn’t Congress responding to this overwhelming public demand for universal coverage?
I suspect that one big reason for Washington’s big yawn over the people’s plea for sweeping reform is that our lawmakers do not personally feel the financial pain and emotional distress that are inflicted on millions of regular Americans by a system built on private greed. After all, their health needs are met by a double-dose of the socialistic care that they so furiously deny to our families.
First, they are given big taxpayer-subsidies to cover the cost of their insurance with you and me paying about 72 percent of the price. But, second, there’s a secretive medical center located right in the US Capitol building that provides a full-blown system of – shhhhh – healthcare socialism to our governing elites.
Called the OAP (Office of the Attending Physician), it provides a complete range of free medical service for lawmakers. No appointment needed and no waiting – they walk in and doctors, nurses, technicians, pharmacists, and other professionals tend to them right away. No need to show an insurance card, and they never get a bill, but they do get what a former OAP staffer calls “The best healthcare on the planet.” Thus, members feel no urgency to restructure a system that’s working beautifully – for them.
So, to get good care for all of us, we might start by taking away the pampered care that lawmakers have quietly awarded to themselves.
“Special Health Care for Congress: Lawmakers’ Health Care Perks”
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It’s today’s Action Calendar!
The Urban League of Greater Madison is in need of volunteer tutors to provide individualized academic coaching for middle school students as part of the League’s Schools of Hope Middle School Program. Make a difference by volunteering just 2 hours a week. Tutoring opportunities are available at 12 schools in Madison, Oregon and Sun Prairie. A variety of times are available to accommodate schedules. Phone 729-1226 for more information or to apply.
The Goodman Community Center Older Adult program offers a regular calendar of activities and resources for living well for adults age 60 and over. See old friends and make new ones while you enjoy gentle exercise, delicious meals, favorite games and other programs. No reservations or registrations are required for meals and programs. For details, call 204-8032, or email gayle@goodmancenter.org.
You can make an impact on the life of a senior adult by assisting them to remain independent and living in their own home. Volunteers are matched with a senior and help with light housekeeping or other tasks once a week or bi-weekly. For more information, phone Madison Coalition of Older Adults at 243-5252.
The Insurgent Radio Kiosk is a four minute pre-recorded segment featuring a commentary and a calendar of daily events. Events must be low cost or non-profit and of interest to people in and around the WORT listening area. Please submit announcements at least ten days before the event at wortfm.org/kiosk/announcements.
The Kiosk is available online at wortfm.org/kiosk.
This has been the Insurgent Radio Kiosk heard weekdays at 5:00, 6:30 and 9:00 AM and at 2:00 PM. With Engineer Greg, I’m Chali Pittman. Submit announcements at least ten days in advance of the event at wortfm.org/kiosk/announcements.
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