July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Time is now for reform
Letters to the Editor
To the editor:
As a registered nurse since 1989, I have witnessed many drastic changes in our health care insurance system and how it has been detrimental to the health and welfare of the people of our country.
For those who do not know, the role of the nurse in our society is first and foremost to be an advocate for the patient. It is our job to plan care, coordinate care, provide care and to be a voice for the patient in all respects to their health and recovery. We take an oath no less sacred than that taken by the president, a supreme court justice or a physician. We are bound by our oath, the law and our own duty to preserve the lives of our patients.
This has been a daunting task for people in this profession. Not only do we have to fight acute and chronic conditions, disease, and trauma but we also have to fight against lack of health care coverage, limits on our ability to provide care and denial of care based upon pre-existing condition or ability to pay.
We are taught that all human beings have equal rights to care and that we must provide care to all indiscriminately. Over the last 20 years I have seen patients fight and die trying to live despite insurance company limits to their care and denial of care.
Like it or not, these practices have been wholly supported by the legislators of this country for decades and beyond. I have seen them act in defiance of patient rights to support insurance company practices. I have seen them accept insurance coverage from the American people while denying it to them that support and uplift them. I have seen them look the other way as people have suffered and died on my watch. I have had to sit by with no response from them while I implore them to regulate the health insurance system and to help those with no coverage or little coverage. I have had to sit by while their inaction has interfered with my ability to live up to my sacred oath and obligation.
It is for these reasons I support Health Insurance Reform, as I have for the last two decades, and urge anyone who reads this to do so as well. Support ending denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions, support denial of insurance company rights to drop or weaken coverage when a person becomes ill, support eliminating caps on the amount of coverage received in a given year or a lifetime and support a public option for health care.
Under the President's plan it will be ILLEGAL for insurance companies to continue their destructive practices.
His plan calls for the creation of a new insurance exchange, where individuals and small businesses can compare plans and buy the one that works best for them.
He believes that one of the options available in the insurance exchange should be a public insurance option. He believes a public option is a way to create more competition and ensure every American has an affordable choice.
The President does have a plan that is right and we must demand accountability and cooperation from our representatives. We need to work together as nurses do for their patients.
Although I am not affiliated with any specific professional group, I am part of an unprecedented coalition of doctors and nurses, a huge percentage of the American people, who are behind President Obama's plan.
It's time to finish the job and pass real reform.
Brenna Carroll
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
As a registered nurse since 1989, I have witnessed many drastic changes in our health care insurance system and how it has been detrimental to the health and welfare of the people of our country.
For those who do not know, the role of the nurse in our society is first and foremost to be an advocate for the patient. It is our job to plan care, coordinate care, provide care and to be a voice for the patient in all respects to their health and recovery. We take an oath no less sacred than that taken by the president, a supreme court justice or a physician. We are bound by our oath, the law and our own duty to preserve the lives of our patients.
This has been a daunting task for people in this profession. Not only do we have to fight acute and chronic conditions, disease, and trauma but we also have to fight against lack of health care coverage, limits on our ability to provide care and denial of care based upon pre-existing condition or ability to pay.
We are taught that all human beings have equal rights to care and that we must provide care to all indiscriminately. Over the last 20 years I have seen patients fight and die trying to live despite insurance company limits to their care and denial of care.
Like it or not, these practices have been wholly supported by the legislators of this country for decades and beyond. I have seen them act in defiance of patient rights to support insurance company practices. I have seen them accept insurance coverage from the American people while denying it to them that support and uplift them. I have seen them look the other way as people have suffered and died on my watch. I have had to sit by with no response from them while I implore them to regulate the health insurance system and to help those with no coverage or little coverage. I have had to sit by while their inaction has interfered with my ability to live up to my sacred oath and obligation.
It is for these reasons I support Health Insurance Reform, as I have for the last two decades, and urge anyone who reads this to do so as well. Support ending denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions, support denial of insurance company rights to drop or weaken coverage when a person becomes ill, support eliminating caps on the amount of coverage received in a given year or a lifetime and support a public option for health care.
Under the President's plan it will be ILLEGAL for insurance companies to continue their destructive practices.
His plan calls for the creation of a new insurance exchange, where individuals and small businesses can compare plans and buy the one that works best for them.
He believes that one of the options available in the insurance exchange should be a public insurance option. He believes a public option is a way to create more competition and ensure every American has an affordable choice.
The President does have a plan that is right and we must demand accountability and cooperation from our representatives. We need to work together as nurses do for their patients.
Although I am not affiliated with any specific professional group, I am part of an unprecedented coalition of doctors and nurses, a huge percentage of the American people, who are behind President Obama's plan.
It's time to finish the job and pass real reform.
Brenna Carroll
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
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