Robert Greenwald is calling for Senator John McCain to release his health records claiming that only partial records have been released to only a select few. He and Brave New Films have released a video that features images of Sen. McCain and doctors discussing his history of cancer (which can be seen below), and he has also been encouraging people to write to Jim Lehrer asking him to question the senator about his health during tonight’s debate (which seems as if it will definitely take place tonight).
“John McCain’s health records must be released”

Do you see the call for the release …read more

We post about the pros and cons of health insurance, and a bit about what the presidential candidates plan to do about it, but we have yet to (at least that I can recall) post the “real, everyday joe” perspective. Well, wait no longer because I have re-posted a blog post below from a friend of mine who is very thoughtful about just these kinds of issues. He (and I ) would be interested to hear your thoughts.
Originally written September 8, 2008
No Group Coverage? Well You’re Just SOL!
In the last five years, I’ve had the following conversation more times than …read more

Research!America, a non-profit public education and advocacy alliance comprised of over 500 member organizations, has surveyed both presidential candidates, as well as former presidential candidates and congressional candidates about their stances on science and health. The organization’s president, Mary Woolley, spoke with Ira Flatow yesterday on National Public Radio’s (NPR) Science Friday program and stated that the survey sent to candidates asked them about “health, research for health, and science issues including global competiveness”. You can listen to the interview online here.

NPR’s Science Friday host Ira Flatow
Woolley went on to state that the questions on the survey were composed …read more

I watched both Cindy McCain and Senator John McCain’s speeches last night at the Republican National Convention (RNC). Cindy McCain did not discuss health care or her husband’s plans regarding health care at all. Senator McCain did touch on his health care plan by stating,
“My health care plan will make it easier for more Americans to find and keep good health care insurance. His plan will force small businesses to cut jobs, reduce wages, and force families into a government run health care system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor.”
I was a bit disappointed that we …read more

Though the Republican National Convention (RNC) got off to a different start than planned due to Hurricane Gustav in the gulf coast, it is in full swing now with plenty of high profile Republicans sounding off and supporting their nominees for president and vice-president, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK). As I did with the DNC, I will be looking through the text and watching (live and videos) of some of the prime-time speeches at the convention for discussion of health care.
Tuesday night speakers included Senator Joe Lieberman, and actor and former senator Fred Thompson. I …read more

Last Thursday night, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) accepted his party’s presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). His acceptance speech touched on nearly every issue under the sun that is of interest to voter’s in this election year. Regarding health care, Senator Obama’s approach was fairly predictable. He first pointed out where he believes his opponent Senator John McCain gets it wrong. He stated that the Republican senator doesn’t understand what’s really going on in the lives of Americans because if he did he wouldn’t propose a plan that taxes people’s health care benefits or rely on the market …read more

In an interview yesterday, McCain’s top health care advisor, John Goodman (he also calls himself “The Father of Health Savings Accounts” — something I wouldn’t brag about) said that the term “uninsured” is a misnomer because Americans can access health care through the emergency room.
As an expert in cancer care and how that care is delivered to patients, I can categorically say that access to an emergency room is not the same as “access to health care.” If you’re a cancer patient, what you need is access to expensive pharmaceuticals, experienced physicians, and expert oncology nurses who will actually hook …read more

I’m noticing a theme. It seems that many of the speakers at the Democratic National Convention are happy to mention health care, but few seem to delve in to it. They point out the sad state that our system is in, present a few personal stories that they have heard from constituents, and then make reference to the fact that Senator Barack Obama will change the system. Few speeches, at least the ones I’ve watched/read (and please correct me if I’m wrong), have given any specifics as to how this change will happen. I know, I know, the convention is …read more

There’s buzz on the “internets” that Hillary might find a place as a health care czar in the Obama administration if Barack is successful with his quest. That position would likely not be a cabinet post, but would be similar to the role she had in her husband’s administration, when she was going to lead the charge in health care reform. However, with the enemies she made during that time, maybe she wouldn’t be the best individual to put Obama’s health care plan into action.
She mentioned health care 7 times in her speech at the Democratic National Convention — the …read more

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) and the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC) are a great way to hear what current politicians and advocates, as well as presidential hopefuls, have to say about health care. Now, not having cable, I have only been able to watch DNC highlights that are broadcast on my local channels and what I have time to locate online. So last night I was able to watch Michelle Obama’s speech online as well as Senator Hillary Clinton’s speech live on TV.
I’ll post both videos of both of the speeches below (available on MSNBC), as well as …read more