Healthcare Myths, Stories, and News

Seems like every story right now is about healthcare in some way – here is just some of what we have seen in the past few days:

• Myths and Facts about Healthcare Reform: There are plenty of myths and facts (and loud voices) coming from all sides of the healthcare debate, so many that it is hard to keep track of the truth. To stymie some of the myths, the White House has created a “Reality Check” website. The St. Petersburg Times’ Pulitzer-Prize winning PolitiFact.com gives a nonpartisan take on the healthcare debate as well.

• Stories: Womenstake has a story regarding the plight of one woman who, at 61, has gone without health insurance for two years and is unlikely to have it until she turns 65 (or healthcare reform occurs). Almost 27 million women under age 65 went without health insurance for all or part of 2007. If you have your own story about the need for healthcare, please consider sharing it with PathWays PA or PHAN.

• News: Independence Blue Cross announced today that they will be ending their Keystone 65 Complete program and Keystone 65 Value. Both of these programs are Medicare Advantage programs that help those over 65 avoid the “doughnut hole” in coverage. These plans serve elders with incomes below, at, or just above the Federal Poverty Level, which is much less than elders need to live with dignity in their homes in Pennsylvania.

To learn more about healthcare reform directly from legislators, you can visit the following Townhall's or check the websites of your Senators and Representatives to learn more about events in your area.

• August 11: Lewisburg
• August 12: Kittanning, Philadelphia, and State College