RSSA Health Care Plan I Can Believe In
October 22, 2009
The Crunchy Conservative - See all 35 of my articles
Today, we welcome another member to the staff of The Soap Boxers. The Crunchy Conservative is a longtime personal friend of Editor-in-Chief Kosmo. She will be writing conservative articles for the Political Observers feature.
Hello loyal readers of The Soap Boxers. You may be wondering about my name, The Crunchy Conservative. Let me tell you a little bit about myself.
I am a college educated, twenty-something mother of two boys from Iowa. I have my Bachelor of Science degree in English, emphasis in British Literature and Creative Writing. And I lean to the right, politically speaking that is.
I was nicknamed Ann Coulter while working at the Iowa State Daily as a conservative opinion columnist. I think it was intended to be an insult. I took it as a compliment.
I have worked on many political campaigns ranging from local city council to Communications Director for a US Senate race. I also volunteered for Bush 04 and the McCain campaign.
So where does the “crunchy” come in? Well, I am passionate about breastfeeding, baby wearing, and co-sleeping. I’ve even dabbled in cloth diapers.
I maintained my household, a full time job and a toddler while my husband served in Iraq. And I’m opinionated and strong. And I’ll let you know it. And I hope you enjoy reading my contributions to The Soap Boxers.
A Health Care Plan I Can Believe In
I’ll admit it. I’m a nerd. I spent a weekend reading the 1000 page healthcare bill.
I’m highly irritated that our representatives are willing to vote on a bill that they have not read. If I can do it while doing my usual weekend duties (laundry, cleaning) AND nursing a 6 month old who is going through a growth spurt, I’m sure they can take time to read something they are going to vote on. Isn’t that why we send them to D.C?
Our Commander in Chief seems to be a big fan of Thomas Jefferson, therefore, I think in this instance, it is fitting to quote him. “Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” Wise words Mr. Jefferson. Well informed. How does one become well informed? Well, how about reading what you’re voting on!
Public Option? No. No way. No how. Again, let’s see what Mr. Jefferson thinks about that. “The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
Cease to exist. Pretty strong words.
I’ve seen too many people leech off of the system. It makes me sick. I am working 40+ hours a week and paying full price for daycare for my children while other parents get to enjoy watching their children daily and stay at home (while I pay them?). It’s not right and it’s not fair. And now they want me to pay for their healthcare too? What’s the point in working anymore?
Personal responsibility and a dash of pride.
Do you want to take care of yourself and your children? Or should the Government do it for you? Now here comes the Conservative mixed with the Crunchy. You chose to do the action that created the child. After conception, the child is a child, not a choice. You care for the child while it’s in the womb, giving the baby nourishment and helping it grow, so why discontinue that after birth?
An article I read in Mothering magazine showed how breastfeeding can boost the National Economy and decrease the burden on our health system.
http://www.mothering.com/breastfeeding/how-breastfeeding-boosts-national-economy
Nursing by Numbers: How Breastfeeding Boosts the National Economy By Olivia Campbell Web Exclusive, April 2009
In 2001, the USDA concluded that if breastfeeding rates were increased to 75 percent at birth and 50 percent at six months, it would lead to a national government savings of a minimum of $3.6 billion. This amount was easily an underestimation since it represents savings in the treatment of only three of the dozens of illnesses proven to be decreased by breastfeeding: ear infections, gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis.
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The AAP says each formula-fed infant costs the healthcare system between $331 and $475 more than a breastfed baby in its first year of life. The cost of treating respiratory viruses resulting from not breastfeeding is $225 million a year.
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The multi-study report estimated that breast cancer rates could be cut by more than half if women increased their lifetime breastfeeding duration. The National Cancer Institute reported the national expenditure on breast cancer treatment in 2004 was $8.1 billion, meaning extended nursing could save upwards of $4 billion a year.
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For the national Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), supporting a breastfeeding mother costs about 45 percent less than a formula-feeding mother. Every year, $578 million in federal funds buys formula for babies who could be breastfeeding.
The health benefits of breastfeeding alone is what motivates many families to feed their babies breastmilk, but the individual costs of formula (quoted as anywhere from $700 to $3,000 per year) also has a huge impact on family budgets.
Let’s think about it. Decreased risk of breast cancer for the mother, healthier babies AND 578 Million in Federal funds saved on formula alone. But what do I know. I only breastfed my oldest until he was 2 1/2 (night nursing after age 1 ½ ) and am now nursing baby #2. I have also noticed that my children are healthier and smarter, I believe, partly due to breastfeeding. The bond that nursing mothers have with their children is something that Enfamil could never produce.
Take responsibility for your health and for your children’s health. It would save everyone money, it would produce healthier people and maybe even more emotionally adjusted children. Children who bond more with their parents are more likely to be well adjusted adults.
So here’s my health plan. Encourage breastfeeding. Stop the formula subsidies. Make the mothers on public assistance feed their own children. If a woman physically cannot breastfeed (which is only about 2% of women), a doctor’s note would be required to obtain formula.
This is a healthcare plan that I can get behind. And it didn’t take 1,000 pages to do it!
Oct 22, 2009 @ 21:09:53
Sounds good. I hope the government is doing the right thing and providing a plan which truly will take care of the majority of American citizens!
No person in America should be denied healthcare if they are poor.
.-= Financial Samurai´s last blog ..Grab Bag: “How Do You Deal With A Horrendous Day At Work? My Client Is So Unfair!” =-.
Oct 22, 2009 @ 21:15:29
I used to share your views, but no longer, since we’re already paying for the uninsured as it is. Insurance costs at my firm have gone through the roof, to the point of being crippling, and I’m sure many other small businesses are in the same boat. Since there is no competition where I am in for health insurance, it is sickening to see the billions of reserves and profits the big insurer around here carries. That is what has piqued my interest in a public option, so long as it only that – an option.
.-= Evan Kline´s last blog ..7 Tips for a Smooth Upgrade From XP to Windows 7 =-.
Oct 22, 2009 @ 21:20:48
I should also add that not all of the uninsured are “leeching off the system.” There are plenty of people who, though hard luck (single moms who have to miss work or quit to care for gravely ill children, etc.) are in a tough bind. People who aren’t leeches shouldn’t die or not get care, just because of bad luck. I think that is why other countries look at us and shake their heads in disbelief.
.-= Evan Kline´s last blog ..How to Use Your Voice to Bring Order to Your Life =-.
Oct 23, 2009 @ 16:27:22
To President Obama and all 535 voting members of the Legislature,
It is now official—you are ALL corrupt morons:
* The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775—you have had 234 years to get it right—and it is broke.
* Social Security was established in 1935—you have had 74 years to get it right—and it is broke.
* Fannie Mae was established in 1938—you have had 71 years to get it right—and it is broke.
* War on Poverty started in 1964—you have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to “the poor”—and they only want more.
* Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965—you have had 44 years to get it right—and they are broke.
* Freddie Mac was established in 1970—you have had 39 years to get it right—and it is broke.
* The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, it has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before—you had 32 years to get it right—and it is an abysmal failure.
* You have FAILED in every “government service” you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars—AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM??
Are you crazy, or do you just believe all Americans are morons too???
Truly, the inmates are running the asylum—and what does this say about us, as voters who put such idiots in office?? If we do not vote against MOST incumbents currently in office—we are ALL morons, regardless of our political leanings.