HEALTH REFORM
By Edward G. Udell, Sr.
August 9, 2009
I have been concerned about health ever since as I little boy I discovered my mom had health issues.
Sometimes, my mom, Cassie Mae (Roland) Udell McCain, would work in the fields with only one arm because when it would be really cold, her left side would shut down and she would be partially paralyzed. However, she still picked almost as much cotton as anyone else in the field during cotton-picking time. During any other labor work, she could usually outwork others who did not have a health issue.
My mom came into the world with health issues, but her family did not have the funds to get her the medical care she needed, due to their lack of income. Mom fought. She was scheduled to die from her health challenges at age 8. Then it was moved to age 11. A strange aunt said some words over her, hit her in her back (which straightened up!), and she was able to walk straight. However, she still had other health issues.
Mom was scheduled to die at age 18. Then it was moved to age 30 and again to age 40. By this time, mom had learned more about prayer, alternative medicine, and just read up on medical information. She is now 85 and people don’t understand how she made it. Those doctors who are still alive are amazed!
I had health issues most of my life. The Navy even gave me a 4F rating after I was hurt in drill in 1964 and they discovered I had had some health issues. Without properly serving me, they just kicked me out with a medical discharge, but without any veteran’s benefits. I have fought for over 44 years to get them to revise my records and/or let me have my veteran’s benefits but they have refused.
I was selected by the National Urban League to attend a national health conference in San Antonio, Texas in 1972 upon a recommendation by someone who knew of my interest in community health improvements. I gave my input and hoped there would be a great health policy put forward in America; not much happened.
In 1973 – 1974, I was selected to serve as a Community Health Worker for the Regional Medical Program, a federally-funded program associated with the University of Washington Medical School. I served 14 eastern Washington state counties, helping medical professions and health consumers work on improving the health operations in their counties. After an election, this program was cut by Congress. In 1975, I was asked to serve on the “new” Congressional health plan, Comprehensive Health Planning. This program frightened medical professionals who thought the federal government was going to take over health care and put them on smaller salaries. Although we did some good serving the various eastern Washington state counties, the negative support of the medical community hurt the good this program was trying to do. I gave up hoping that the government and the medical community would ever agree on how to best improve the health of its citizens.
In 1979, I completed my Master’s Thesis “Health: In Good Hands With Educators---A Discussion Paper Proposing A Way To Improve The Health Of The Nation.” My premise was that the government should require parents to become better health monitors and turn schools into health centers. Although some schools began to offer pre-natal care and child care centers to girls in school and later added giving out condoms and offering girls abortion information, it was still a far cry from really solving the health problems of this country.
As I have watched the health of many low-income and moderate-income people worsen because they did not have access, I have also watched another trend having a negative impact on the health of this country: allow millions of immigrants with lower health standards to come, stay, work, and interact with Americans trying to get healthy.
The impact of the millions of legal and illegal immigrants since the 1960s have had a catastrophic affect on the health delivery service in America. While they crowd the clinics and budgets are expanded to make sure they have reading material in their language and health care professionals who speak their language, more native-born Americans with a long list of American ancestors are pushed back further in the lines to get health care. Surprisingly, the immigrants of the past 30-50 years pay far less for health care than they should be paying since they have put in very little into the health care pot through taxes, fighting wars for this country, and working hard to make life better for others.
If health reform is going to work, there must be a system put in place whereby native-born Americans can freely have a better opportunity to get access to health care. They should not have to wait in lines because politicians and business people want a lot of cheap labor to ensure the financial success of their own enterprises. It’s time for Americans to bite the bullet about immigrants---limit the number of legal immigrants coming in, deport those who are illegal with their children, put those who habitually break laws and commit serious crimes on land where they can learn to support themselves, learn to be a honest citizen, earn skills needed by world employers, and have stronger determination to become legal, or deport them when their criminal time is up.
If health reform is going to work, we must be honest and see what groups are causing the cost of health care to sky-rocket: the poor, the immigrants, and the elderly. The poor need to have better training (their schools, their faith-based centers, etc.) on health prevention. This group should then be rewarded with a health card where they have a small deductible, a lifetime cap, and receive more training on health care, cleanliness, and health/wellness/nutrition development. This group could then be rewarded with their lifetime cap being raised, and annual total health care check-ups for a small amount.
The poor, including immigrants, who do not maintain and improve their health care, will be penalized with longer waits at health clinics, higher shared-cost fees, and a lower lifetime health care cap. If they work, their employer should deduct more of their check for health care and Social Security so when they have such needs, they have already paid something into the health care coverage.
The elderly who probably consume over 2/3 of the health care costs in this country will have three options:
1) those unable to work and currently who do not have funds to maintain and/or improve their health will be placed in larger health care centers with limited staff and allowed to die gracefully, instead of being maintained in a vegetable-like state;
2) those able to work will pay into a health care fund restricted for those with the same disease or disability and given an opportunity to learn how to improve their health and allowed to die gracefully without prolonging their agony; and
3) those able to work and willing to be trained as part-time health caretakers for the elderly, will also pay into a health care fund for their age group and health care challenge, but will have access to better health care by those training to become doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.
The government could also insist (or make it a law) that those who are over 40 make better preparations for their future health needs by having them pay a higher premium for their age group and health care challenge so as their health care needs arise, funds are there to cover the costs. Employers will also be required to donate and withhold a higher amount to cover future longevity and longer health care needs. The government will also need to cut prison care about 2/3 so that prisoners do not get better health care and nutrition than the honest citizens who do not have funds to have such help as prisoners. When short-sighted judges sue cities, counties, states, and other judicial groups for NOT providing ample space, ample beds, and “reasonable” benefits for prisoners, they should be impeached for acting against the rights of non-criminals.
All citizens should be trained in health care, wellness, nutrition, and given health credit cards to cover their health care needs as they arise from accidents or a sudden onset of a disease. As citizens are trained in taking better care of themselves, they will have fewer health aliments, and will have the means to improve and maintain their health as long as they are productive. Those citizens who are no longer productive (sharing history, giving wisdom insights, teaching about gardening, etc.) should be allowed to die gracefully without extra drugs or special care when it is determined that they will not regain enough health to become as productive as they would like.
I realize that the above may sound harsh, but we are now living in harsh times. Strong people are needed to make strong decisions if America is going to get a handle on the health care costs in this nation. Employers will have to pay more of the costs of health care since people are living longer and short-sighted planning did not send enough funds ahead to take care of the future needs. Medical professionals will have to adjust their lifestyles and expect to make less to help during the transition. If the millions of immigrants were not given jobs from native-born citizens, native-born citizens could have good jobs to pay for increased health care. However, native-born citizens would also have to be trained in health prevention and in ways to maintain their health. If they refuse, their card should be a red card and they will be given the opportunity to pay more for their health care since they did little to prevent their health from doing downhill!
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Sunday, August 9, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
July 2
On Thursday, July 2, I will be just 3 years shy of 70. Thanks to the Creator, family, friends and others who made it possible for me to be around.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
A BANK IS WAITING!
I was recently at a board meeting of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. Some great news was shared concerning a press release going out nationally. Also, there was news about a bank very interested in helping!
This bank has been following the development of the museum for some time. They found out that the $4.1 million needed to complete the renovations of the historic Houston Light Guard Armory was coming in a little slow.
Some of those who had promised to help the museum last year ran into some problems---financial meltdown! This problem has caused quite a domino-effect. Foundations that could have helped with grants lost money in the stock market. Some foundations may close. Some corporations and banks ran into investment problems. They cut back; some had to have a government bailout. Thus, the promises of money are still on the table.
While some of these promises may actually turn into cash into the museum someday, today it isn’t happening. The museum is now looking at other ways to raise money and stay close to a target date for opening the new museum. One plan is to sell 8,000 memorial bricks to honor veterans and others. While we are getting some pledges and some actual cash, we need to reach a lot of people and encourage them to send their funds in---now!
The bank wants to help. As soon as we can show this bank that we have pledges in hand for most of the bricks, they will help us. This is great news! Although we had planned to get a lot of money from a few foundations, corporations, and individuals, we will just reach out to more people, making the project a “people’s project.”
Will you be one of those people? The sooner we have names and pledges and/or cash, the sooner you will see and come into the new museum!
While I would love to get 8,000 people to honor a veteran or someone else with a granite brick and send us the money today, I will also be very happy when all 8,000 bricks are sold!
Consider honoring a father by investing in a brick in his honor for Father’s Day. Contact me for further details on this. You may also contact me to let me know how many bricks you would like to have set aside for your pledge. You can give monthly and by November your bricks will be paid for.
Let’s keep the good news going…let’s not keep the bank waiting too long!
This bank has been following the development of the museum for some time. They found out that the $4.1 million needed to complete the renovations of the historic Houston Light Guard Armory was coming in a little slow.
Some of those who had promised to help the museum last year ran into some problems---financial meltdown! This problem has caused quite a domino-effect. Foundations that could have helped with grants lost money in the stock market. Some foundations may close. Some corporations and banks ran into investment problems. They cut back; some had to have a government bailout. Thus, the promises of money are still on the table.
While some of these promises may actually turn into cash into the museum someday, today it isn’t happening. The museum is now looking at other ways to raise money and stay close to a target date for opening the new museum. One plan is to sell 8,000 memorial bricks to honor veterans and others. While we are getting some pledges and some actual cash, we need to reach a lot of people and encourage them to send their funds in---now!
The bank wants to help. As soon as we can show this bank that we have pledges in hand for most of the bricks, they will help us. This is great news! Although we had planned to get a lot of money from a few foundations, corporations, and individuals, we will just reach out to more people, making the project a “people’s project.”
Will you be one of those people? The sooner we have names and pledges and/or cash, the sooner you will see and come into the new museum!
While I would love to get 8,000 people to honor a veteran or someone else with a granite brick and send us the money today, I will also be very happy when all 8,000 bricks are sold!
Consider honoring a father by investing in a brick in his honor for Father’s Day. Contact me for further details on this. You may also contact me to let me know how many bricks you would like to have set aside for your pledge. You can give monthly and by November your bricks will be paid for.
Let’s keep the good news going…let’s not keep the bank waiting too long!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The First Lady---of the BSNM
If this story does not get told, many people will not know. I didn’t know. The museum founder didn’t tell me. The First Lady of the museum didn’t tell me. But, someone else did.
They were childhood sweethearts. She knew about his passion about the Buffalo Soldiers from his college days at Prairie View A&M University. When he served in Vietnam, she knew about his passion. His passion continued as he became a key figure in the pharmaceutical industry. Their home became his place to stash his Buffalo Soldier memorabilia. When he retired, everywhere she looked, there was his collection. The collection spilled over into a garage; into a rented facility; and it just kept growing.
Although Bobbie Matthews shared the passion of her husband, the Matthews’ Buffalo Soldier collection became too much for one family, especially one wife, to share. She suggested to Captain Paul J. Matthews that he find a place to share his passion with the public. She suggested he open a museum. Thus was born the beginning of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. She had no idea what running a museum would entail, but she would soon find out!
When Cherrie Washington, a cousin of the Matthews, found a facility for the museum to begin, more work was required. Since it would take quite a bit of money to begin and run the museum, the family decided to take the retirement funds from Captain Matthews’ job and start the museum. This meant the plans many retirees have of traveling and enjoying their hard work would be tabled. This was an unproved idea. While there were some Buffalo Soldier space in other museums, and some other Buffalo Soldier collectors had some things to show in their home, no one in the world had established a National Buffalo Soldier Museum---the one established by the Matthew Family would be the first in the world!
Renting a facility and exhibiting one’s collection is one thing; developing suitable exhibits and getting people to come by---6 days a week---was quite another. A museum had to have a bookstore and gift shop. Somebody had to help keep the museum open. Somebody had to greet the public. Somebody had to research and display the $1 million-plus Matthews’ Family Buffalo Soldier Collection. It soon became evident that while Captain Matthews was developing a non-profit organization, setting up a board of directors, encouraging educators to bring students, sharing the vision to keep funds coming in, that this “somebody” would be Mrs. Bobbie Matthews.
Between the two of them (sometimes their children and grandchildren) and some volunteers, 80+ hours a week became 4,000 hours a year. Plus, the Matthews had to visit other museums and holders of Buffalo Soldier memorabilia. There were people coming and going daily. There were artifacts to be written up and stored. The bookstore and gift shop had to be opened. Errands had to be run. Mail had to be taken to the post office. Mrs. Matthews became the unofficial “go-to” person. And then there were the receptions to organize; funds to raise; an annual gala to be organized; phones to be answered; and on and on. Thus, the legacy of The First Lady of the Buffalo Soldier National Museum began and continues.
They were childhood sweethearts. She knew about his passion about the Buffalo Soldiers from his college days at Prairie View A&M University. When he served in Vietnam, she knew about his passion. His passion continued as he became a key figure in the pharmaceutical industry. Their home became his place to stash his Buffalo Soldier memorabilia. When he retired, everywhere she looked, there was his collection. The collection spilled over into a garage; into a rented facility; and it just kept growing.
Although Bobbie Matthews shared the passion of her husband, the Matthews’ Buffalo Soldier collection became too much for one family, especially one wife, to share. She suggested to Captain Paul J. Matthews that he find a place to share his passion with the public. She suggested he open a museum. Thus was born the beginning of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. She had no idea what running a museum would entail, but she would soon find out!
When Cherrie Washington, a cousin of the Matthews, found a facility for the museum to begin, more work was required. Since it would take quite a bit of money to begin and run the museum, the family decided to take the retirement funds from Captain Matthews’ job and start the museum. This meant the plans many retirees have of traveling and enjoying their hard work would be tabled. This was an unproved idea. While there were some Buffalo Soldier space in other museums, and some other Buffalo Soldier collectors had some things to show in their home, no one in the world had established a National Buffalo Soldier Museum---the one established by the Matthew Family would be the first in the world!
Renting a facility and exhibiting one’s collection is one thing; developing suitable exhibits and getting people to come by---6 days a week---was quite another. A museum had to have a bookstore and gift shop. Somebody had to help keep the museum open. Somebody had to greet the public. Somebody had to research and display the $1 million-plus Matthews’ Family Buffalo Soldier Collection. It soon became evident that while Captain Matthews was developing a non-profit organization, setting up a board of directors, encouraging educators to bring students, sharing the vision to keep funds coming in, that this “somebody” would be Mrs. Bobbie Matthews.
Between the two of them (sometimes their children and grandchildren) and some volunteers, 80+ hours a week became 4,000 hours a year. Plus, the Matthews had to visit other museums and holders of Buffalo Soldier memorabilia. There were people coming and going daily. There were artifacts to be written up and stored. The bookstore and gift shop had to be opened. Errands had to be run. Mail had to be taken to the post office. Mrs. Matthews became the unofficial “go-to” person. And then there were the receptions to organize; funds to raise; an annual gala to be organized; phones to be answered; and on and on. Thus, the legacy of The First Lady of the Buffalo Soldier National Museum began and continues.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The "Unofficial" Buffalo Soldiers National Museum Thoughts
I will be making some comments from time to time.
Find out more by going to the OFFICIAL web site at: www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com
See you soon!
Ed
Find out more by going to the OFFICIAL web site at: www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com
See you soon!
Ed
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Info on Buffalo Soldiers
Thank you, Bob Marley!
His song "Buffalo Soldier" has been around for awhile. However, many who hear/heard the song still don't know much about the Buffalo Soldiers. Therefore, in 2001, Captain Paul J. Matthews and his family took his retirement money from his civilian job and opened up the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. Go there and learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers. And, then consider making a donation by buying a brick from me.
Later, check out http://www.buffalosoldier.net/.
His song "Buffalo Soldier" has been around for awhile. However, many who hear/heard the song still don't know much about the Buffalo Soldiers. Therefore, in 2001, Captain Paul J. Matthews and his family took his retirement money from his civilian job and opened up the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. Go there and learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers. And, then consider making a donation by buying a brick from me.
Later, check out http://www.buffalosoldier.net/.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Houston and Mexico
I wonder what would happen if I walked into a gun store in Houston and asked to purchase 10 223.caliber Bushmasters, 25 machine guns, 50 shotguns, and 100 assault rifles?
The gun owner would probably call the police! However, they don't call anyone when people purchase guns that are being used for killings in Mexico. You know the drill: Don't Ask...Don't Tell!
According to some new reports, Houston is the #1 city for point of origin for weapons for drug cartels and gang wars in Mexico. Houston (and other cities) is supplying weapons that are more powerful than what the Mexican police have. In fact, some of the weapons from the United States are being used to kill police. Talk about killing our friends! But, people all over the world have been supplying the armies, gangs, and killing groups of others for centuries. In fact, I once served under an individual who had an associate who sold guns to both sides in Mexico about 40 years ago, so this isn't a new thing. As long as there is a buck to be made, some people don't care where the money comes from.
So, do we devise stronger laws and go after the gun stores and gun shows? Do we just hope for the best and trust gun stores and gun shows will see the errors of their lack of due diligence and believe they will just do the right thing. Do we insist that gun shows and gun stores report any large sales of arms to the authorities like the banks do whenever someone deposits an unusual large sum of money?
Since we are living in a time of growing gangs, terrorist sleeper cells in America, and powerful drug cartels that control entire regions of a country (including the authorities), should we push for more drastic action? What about installing high-tech surveillance cameras in every gun store and gun show? Whenever a purchase is made, it is automatically recorded and a picture is taken of the transaction forms and of the purchaser and seller. The cost could be passed on to every weapon sold, thus the gun store or gun show would still make their profit. Talk about job security! We could create about 3,000 new jobs just from this situation!
Oh well, those who constantly parade in favor of "individual rights" would never stand for this. There would be lawsuits daily. The courts would be clogged. Business owners and gun show operators would be furious. The fax, phones and mail bags of politicians would be overflowing. New gun store owner lobbyists would be filling the halls of Congress, as well as the pockets of their politicians. The "freedom" to purchase without government hassle would be the cry of the day!
Maybe the average taxpayers would rise up. Maybe they would demand that those with rights to buy and sell also balance their rights with being responsible and do a better job of self-policing. Ha! We wouldn't be wearing seat belts if the government didn't have penalties for not doing so.
The balancing job of rights versus responsibilities is out of whack. For over 50 years, we have been traumatized concerning "rights." Notice that little is said about "responsibilities." A flying bird needs two wings. If America is going to be responsible about terrorism and eliminating drugs, it will have to remember that there can be no rights without responsibilities. America---it's time to grow your responsible wing to at least match your rights wing. Otherwise, this bird is going down in defeat and the terrorists and drug cartels will use our rights against us. They will become more powerful, and we will become weaker.
If our government has become too lax and overburdened with laws to protect individual, it may be that legal gun owners will have to become the police, judge, and jury of their towns, cities, and even the nation. Maybe the timid, nice, quiet taxpayers will rise up, purchase large caches of guns and ammunition, become properly trained, practice shooting often, and take matters into their own hands before they were lulled to sleep with "let the authorities take care of the problems." Someone said a long time ago: if good people do nothing, evil will continue to rise. Is evil rising in your neighborhood, rural area, town, city, or region? Don't hide your head and hope that "the authorities" will handle it. YOU need to get prepared to handle some things for yourself!
The gun owner would probably call the police! However, they don't call anyone when people purchase guns that are being used for killings in Mexico. You know the drill: Don't Ask...Don't Tell!
According to some new reports, Houston is the #1 city for point of origin for weapons for drug cartels and gang wars in Mexico. Houston (and other cities) is supplying weapons that are more powerful than what the Mexican police have. In fact, some of the weapons from the United States are being used to kill police. Talk about killing our friends! But, people all over the world have been supplying the armies, gangs, and killing groups of others for centuries. In fact, I once served under an individual who had an associate who sold guns to both sides in Mexico about 40 years ago, so this isn't a new thing. As long as there is a buck to be made, some people don't care where the money comes from.
So, do we devise stronger laws and go after the gun stores and gun shows? Do we just hope for the best and trust gun stores and gun shows will see the errors of their lack of due diligence and believe they will just do the right thing. Do we insist that gun shows and gun stores report any large sales of arms to the authorities like the banks do whenever someone deposits an unusual large sum of money?
Since we are living in a time of growing gangs, terrorist sleeper cells in America, and powerful drug cartels that control entire regions of a country (including the authorities), should we push for more drastic action? What about installing high-tech surveillance cameras in every gun store and gun show? Whenever a purchase is made, it is automatically recorded and a picture is taken of the transaction forms and of the purchaser and seller. The cost could be passed on to every weapon sold, thus the gun store or gun show would still make their profit. Talk about job security! We could create about 3,000 new jobs just from this situation!
Oh well, those who constantly parade in favor of "individual rights" would never stand for this. There would be lawsuits daily. The courts would be clogged. Business owners and gun show operators would be furious. The fax, phones and mail bags of politicians would be overflowing. New gun store owner lobbyists would be filling the halls of Congress, as well as the pockets of their politicians. The "freedom" to purchase without government hassle would be the cry of the day!
Maybe the average taxpayers would rise up. Maybe they would demand that those with rights to buy and sell also balance their rights with being responsible and do a better job of self-policing. Ha! We wouldn't be wearing seat belts if the government didn't have penalties for not doing so.
The balancing job of rights versus responsibilities is out of whack. For over 50 years, we have been traumatized concerning "rights." Notice that little is said about "responsibilities." A flying bird needs two wings. If America is going to be responsible about terrorism and eliminating drugs, it will have to remember that there can be no rights without responsibilities. America---it's time to grow your responsible wing to at least match your rights wing. Otherwise, this bird is going down in defeat and the terrorists and drug cartels will use our rights against us. They will become more powerful, and we will become weaker.
If our government has become too lax and overburdened with laws to protect individual, it may be that legal gun owners will have to become the police, judge, and jury of their towns, cities, and even the nation. Maybe the timid, nice, quiet taxpayers will rise up, purchase large caches of guns and ammunition, become properly trained, practice shooting often, and take matters into their own hands before they were lulled to sleep with "let the authorities take care of the problems." Someone said a long time ago: if good people do nothing, evil will continue to rise. Is evil rising in your neighborhood, rural area, town, city, or region? Don't hide your head and hope that "the authorities" will handle it. YOU need to get prepared to handle some things for yourself!
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