Help Shatter the Lies About Heath Care Reform

Do you yell at the TV when you hear wild claims about health care reform from opponents? CWA is calling on newsletter readers to share your personal experiences so we can beat back the outrageous charges being made about health care reform.

For instance, opponents are trying to scare people about a public plan option. "You won't get to choose your doctor, you'll have long waits and a 'government bureaucrat' could deny your claim," they charge.

These wild statements make it seem like our current health care system is all things to all people – no waiting, no restrictions on what procedures are covered and full choice of doctors. We all know that's just not the way it is.

Every private insurance plan has a select list of doctors, and you choose from that list or your treatment is barely covered or not covered at all. Typically, people wait weeks and months for routine tests and office visits. Insurance companies require advance approval of tests and treatment – maybe a procedure will be covered, maybe not. That's our current system.

So let us know:

• How long have you had to wait for appointments and surgery? What happens when you want to see a physician who's not on your insurance company's list? What treatment have you or a family member been denied?

• If you're a Canadian member, tell us what it's like not to worry about medical bills.

• How has Medicare, one of our country's great success stories, helped you or your parents?

Send us a few words, along with your name and contact information, and we'll follow up with you. Send to news@cwa-union.org.