I really don’t feel like writing about health care reform. Yes, it’s historic. But the road to get there was a total cluster fuck. I’m pissed off that the bill that was signed into law today was written on the backs of women’s reproductive health care. So I’m just going to get this over with …

• The good news: Health care reform is historic legislation and will help millions of people. For that, I am grateful.
• The good news, part 2: The bill that was signed by President Obama will cover a lot of good reproductive health services including contraceptives, prenatal care and procedures like C-sections will no longer be considered a “pre-existing condition” (which had resulted in many women being denied coverage after they had one). Children will not be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. These are good things.
• The bad news: The bill does not offer federal funding of abortions, no matter how some congressional representatives tried to twist it. (Did you see that press conference where they got up and said this bill is the most pro-life legislation ever considered? Ridiculous!) The facts, according tot he Center for Reproductive Rights, are that the bill does NOT offer federal funds to cover abortions (even in life-threatening situations). The Nelson amendment requires a separate payment system for abortion coverage. George Washington University experts have said that this may result in insurance companies in the Exchange and outside the Exchange to drop abortion coverage all together. So the awful truth is that the Nelson amendment will most likely cause far more damage than simply not offering federal funding for abortions. It will most likely have far-reaching repercussions where virtually all insurance coverage of any type drops that provision. You want to return to back-alley abortions? Making abortions only financially available to the wealthy is a good start.
• More bad news: What about Obama’s Executive Order? For starters, it’s Obama selling out his pro-choice supporters! I’m not going to lie, that really pisses me off. The order essentially backs-up the Nelson amendment prohibiting abortion coverage in the Exchange. But worse, it also lends a hand to the Hyde amendment, which prohibits Medicaid funds to pay for abortions, even in the cases of rape, incest or life-threatening complications. It’s the only medically necessary procedure NOT covered by Medicaid. And that’s bullshit.
• Yes, more bad news: The bill permits “gender rating” and “age rating,” according to NOW. These practices essentially allow insurance providers to charge higher rates for women and older people. That sucks.
• Bad news, the sequel: The bill is bad for immigrants. There is a 5-year waiting period for LEGAL, permanent residents. Why? If they’re legal residents, shouldn’t they be entitled to the same health care as the rest of us? I realize this is a concession to the anti-immigrant crowd, but why go after the legal immigrants if you’re point is to punish the non-legal immigrants? I realize I’m splitting hairs but I’m trying to apply their “logic” to the situation. Futile. The fact is, immigrant or not, we should provide health care to all. Or does Rush Limbaugh want to pay Hawaiians back for the free health care he got when he had his heart attack?
• You guessed it, bad news: There’s no public option. So there are still Americans who will be left without coverage. The bill will cover about 32 mil out of 47 mil uninsured. It’s a good start, but we’re still leaving people out.

So that’s the rant about the health care reform bill. And if that weren’t enough, now look at the more than 36 states, including Nevada, that are contemplating suing the federal government over implementation of this law. Gibbons is so gung-ho to implement his campaign publicity stunt that he has said he will personally sue even if Nevada’s AG decides against it. And you thought the crazy time was over!

I am so sick of all of this. Is there coverage under the new law for health care reform trauma and systemic fatigue?