November 13, 2009 Southwest News-Herald - City & Suburban
Can Opposing Sides Come Together in Oak Lawn?
I’ve heard all sides in the battle between Oak Lawn Mayor Dave Heilmann and his former allies on the village board. But I am wondering if they all have what it takes to do what’s best for Oak Lawn?
On Wednesday, Nov. 18, Heilmann has an after-hours fund-raiser at Palermos. I love the restaurant and believe in Heilmann as a reformer who overcame the odds to oust the prior administration, which saddled the village with huge debt and wasteful spending. So I will be there.
I wonder if Heilmann’s rivals can set aside their differences and show up, too? Can they put the best interests of Oak Lawn ahead of their own individual interests?
Sadly, fights between friends are often more difficult to bridge than battles between enemies. The friendship that existed between Heilmann and Carol Quinlan on one side, and Clerk Jane Quinlan and trustees Alex Olejniczak and Thomas Phelan on the other has been strained.
It takes courage to set aside personal feelings to do what’s best for the community. I think both sides in this dispute have what it takes.
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HEALTHCARE NEEDS
Years ago when you applied for health care, the insurance company could require you to take a medical exam to determine your state of health. They told you upfront if they would or would not cover you.
Over the years, they have shifted responsibility on the backs of consumers like you and me. For example, today, a slick salesman representing the health insurance industry tells you whatever you want to hear to get you to buy the insurance.
They don’t talk about pre-existing conditions. They just take your first check even before the coverage starts.
Under this system, they have nothing to lose. Either you have no health problems for years and they do nothing, or you have a health problem and the insurance company forces you to prove you are healthy, giving them an out to drop you if they so desire.
They can claim in almost any circumstance where you claim a major health care benefit that you had a related pre-existing condition and they no longer need to cover you.
They keep all your money that you paid and leave you forced to fight with the hospital.
The health insurance industry today is a scam. Even when you don’t make a claim right away, they can still drop you or restrict your coverage.
That’s the problem that President Obama’s health care reform package will help change.
It’s obvious that many of the people who oppose the change wrongly believe that they have great insurance coverage. They believe that when the time comes for major coverage, their insurance company will treat them fair.
But that’s not what happens. The day you have your first major problem, the insurance company will do everything in its power to deny you coverage. One of the few times they don’t is when your policy comes from a Group Insurance Plan where the company is basically forced to pay the majority of the healthcare bills, not the insurance company.
In essence, healthcare insurance is not insurance at all, but a scam to help the owners profit off of your misfortune.
I am most upset with the Republicans because when all but one supports a plan, you know they are putting ideology above the best interests of the public.
Where’s their plan? A good question that hasn’t been answered.
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Ray Hanania can be reached at rayhanania@comcast.net. Listen to Mornings with Ray Hanania on WJJG AM 1530, Mon. thru Thurs. 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and Fri. 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Check to see the schedule of guests and listen to podcasts on www.radiochicagoland.com. Call in your comments at (708) 493-1530.
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