Watch my video on health care reform dangers

Click here to view my video stressing the importance for you and me to fend off increased intrusion by federal government into our health care.

I hope your summer is off to a fantastic start!  

God bless,

Foster (<:)********* 

Script of Foster's video:

I just returned from Washington DC where I was so frustrated to see the lack of unity among Republicans in creating a viable health care plan. Growing up in a small town in northern Wisconsin, my father instilled values consistent with what the Republican Party has traditionally stood for, and reenergizing those values would serve our country well.  However, I believe in today's turmoil we all should put our party affiliation aside and work together in a nonpartisan way to fix the country first.  

A critical issue facing our country is the massive increased intrusion by the federal government as Washington politicians seek to do with health care what they have achieved in our auto, financial and housing sectors. Do we really want Washington administrators coming between us and our doctors? Do we want the federal government collecting and controlling our personal medical records?

The economic stimulus bill funds $1 billion to create a government-run health research panel akin to those in Canada and the UK which deny certain procedures, certain medical procedures to control 'cost.'  Do we really want a government-run HMO?  The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimated a $1.6 TRILLION, TRLLION, price tag which inspired our leaders in Washington to propose $600 BILLION in new taxes and additional squeezes on Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement to doctors and providers.
       
The National Healthcare Anti-Fraud Association estimates over $60 billion of federal health dollars are lost, lost, each year to bureaucratic waste, fraud and corruption.  In New York 150 MEN received maternity benefits; in Florida, more than $1.1 million was paid for fraudulent services for a single HIV patient, a single HIV patient; Social Security Administration sent 8,000 checks to dead people according to a recent Senate report.

Another example of the contrast between private sector and government solutions is when I stayed in shelters with Katrina volunteers. I saw firsthand; Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and FedEx providing chainsaws, generators, medicine, bottled water and I saw the Southern Baptists, Red Cross and Salvation Army volunteers serving hot chili.  Private sector responses excelled over government efforts. 

We must, must rediscover the core values that made America great --- and it wasn't big government.  The Judeo/Christian ethic undergirded our nation's founding where responsibilities were stressed over rights. We are our brother's keeper; our tradition of 'Good Samaritan' efforts diminish in countries where people look to the State for so many needs. 

The Bible tells us, “Carry one another's burdens and in this you fulfill the law of Christ.”  The question we all should ask is, “Whose burden am I carrying?”  

Here in Jackson, Wyoming, my friend Dr. Rich Sugden opens his office every Thursday to care for the uninsured --- all free of charge.  Dr. John Crouch in Tulsa, Oklahoma has a Mobile Medical Van that treats 7,000 uninsured people a year. 

Together, we must develop the Middle Majority of America that looks beyond party politics and puts country first.  Millions of Americans voiced their dissent against big government in the Tax Day Tea Parties. We need more than another event… we need a movement.

Over 1,200 TEA Parties are planned for Fourth of July.  I strongly encourage you to host your own “mini TEA Parties” in the weeks ahead.   Lynn and I will do so and we'll discuss these issues.  Over hot dogs and hamburgers, or at your local watering hole, host ten or more of your friends and then encourage them to do the same. 

Sometimes we think our lone voice isn't heard, yet remember Rosa Parks, the slender seamstress who said, "I'm not going to the back of the bus anymore."  The fact today that we have an African-American President can very well be traced to the many voices that joined that singular act. 

Together, let's prove that for you and me, “responsibility” is more than a buzzword… it's how we live our lives.  Let's rekindle John F. Kennedy's exhortation to ask not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for our country.

Remember how the Immigration Bill and the Dubai Ports deal fell apart because of public outcry?  You and I need to start a similar brushfire that will spread to D.C. to stop the erosion of the core values for which our Founding Fathers sacrificed.  Make sure your Senator knows where you stand.

I'm glad to be able to spend a little time to send these video tape messages to you and I hope it might inspire you to make some small sacrifice yourself so you can reinforce President John F. Kennedy's vision of a nation populated by people of responsibility!

Thanks for listening and God bless!

Foster

November 9, 2009

Dear "EHB"----Thanks for taking time to comment; where are you getting your information about "millions of Americans without access to basic medical care"? How many people "die due to lack of medical care and even food"? I am curious how someone in Norway would know this and what is source of information. Once we check the source of your information, we can then contact them to see what statistics they are looking at. This does not match with what we see here in the U.S. where it is illegal to turn anyone away from medical care-----people complain about the cost to society of so many people using emergency rooms where they must be treated for free versus these folks going to public health clinics which require very small payments.

I agree Norway is a very special place and I have been there many years back. I miss it!! Foster****

ehb

November 7, 2009

I was horrified to learn how many millions of Americans live without access to basic medical care recently. USA is considered to be one of the most developed nations in the world, but I now think we`re looking at a nation in rapid decline. Aid organisations traditionally operating in 3rd world countries are now establishing themselves in the US where the growing number of poor and middle class people who die due to lack of medical care and even food is increasing. Just watched Mr. Freiss in a documentary saying charities should take care of this health care problem. I think your views reveals a lack of understanding for the greater mechanisms of society. It is in everyone`s interest to have a population with a minimum level of general education, a safety net for those who for many different reasons are not able to buy basic health care for themselves and their children, shelter and food. I think you and those who support your views on these matters reveal a lack of understanding the consequences of your views. You are supporting the development of a more unsafe society for all, forcing large portions of the population into extreme difficulties and despair, which again will lead to some going to extremes just to survive. Take study trip to parts of your country that you don`t see from the top of your high horse and see if maybe you have some shame. Is this the United States of America you want?
Look to other nations - I come from the nation which according to international measures is the best country in the world when it comes to quality of living for its citizens - Norway. That includes education, health care, income, environmental critera etc. And safety - few firearms makes safes streets and less need for gated communities. Quite nice, actually. And cancer patients don`t have to die in tents because they spent their last dollars on treatment they could`t afford to finish. Look to Norway?

View all Comments

garry

August 4, 2009

Under the UK National Health Servide government adminstrators do not come between patients and their doctors. Personal medical records are sacrosanct and safe. If all the Christians in the USA were really the good Samaritans they are supposed to be, there would be no need to make special arrangements for the poor, because they would already be catered for. How many Christians and Jews in the USA would tae out an insurance for just one poor person in addition to their own?

judyinfo

July 9, 2009

We can improve the health care system we have by pushing for insurance reform. Perhaps there should be a cap on how much an insurance CEO receives in bonuses. Controlling the amount paid out in bonuses may be verging on socialism but you get my drift. Maybe people could take responsibility for knowing what their insurance plan covers. Communities could develop and actively support health promotion programs. Existing health promotion programs could be updated to reflect the diverse cultural heritage of our country. In 1979 the Surgeon General created a report that led to the establishment of national health objectives aimed at health promotion. Healthy People 2010 provides numerous resources for communities interested in improving the health of their citizens. We need to improve healthcare literacy in this county so people know what is going on when they go to the hospital. Basically we all need to roll up our sleeves and quit waiting to see what Oabama is going to do next.
Your Nurse

judyeinfo

July 9, 2009

I just heard that under Obamas health care plan anyone over age 59 would not be elegible to receive a stent to improve blood flow. Does anyone know if this is fact or urban legend?