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Petition Tag - insurance
India ranks 127 amongst 177 countries with regards to the Human Development Index. India spends just over 1% of it's total GDP on Health. This is equal to Rupees 160 (just over 3 Euro's) per head per anum. India's low health spending means India ranks an abysmal 171 out of 175 according to 2004 UNDP report.
Union health secretary J V R Prasad Rao explains what this skewed funding pattern means for India’s people: “With the funding so low, we can either fund doctors or get medicines or provide support services. We cannot take care of all this.”
80% of the population lives in rural areas, but 80% of health provision is urban. Over 85% of health provision is through private enterprise.
To make matters worse - immoral and unethical practices are a norm within the health sector. Unfortunately for a private medical practioner, earning a decent living (comparable to otherprofessionals from IT / MBA sector) is impossible without being a part of such corruption. The latter includes giving kick-backs to referring colleagues. Often this leads to quick & dirty ways of earning money i.e. 'sham' or 'unwanted' procedures. The other option is to consider working in public hospitals where you could get paid just as much as in a call-centre. In contrast salaries of those working in BPOs / software industry are 2-3 times higher.
The Medical Council of India currently functions only as a registration body. Once registered the MCI has no idea about the whereabouts of a doctor. Further it has no teeth and is unable to curb curruption and unethical practices including those carried out by quacks.
32. London. Truth about TBC breakdown. 
January 20, 2006
Startling revelations are surfacing in the "breaks in" news of the TBC radio.
We, a group of failed asylum seekers are living in the UK with fear of arrest and deportation to Sri Lanka at any time.
Mr.Ramraj assured us to obtain visas illegally using his association with the MP for Harrow west, Mr.Garath Thomas and the Councillor, Harrow Mr.Thaya Idaikadar.
In fear of returning to Sri Lanka, three of us barrowed from friends and paid him £5000 each in order to get the visa. However he could not help us in regularising our status as mentioned.
Therefore we asked him to refund the money. He started to threaten us to inform the Enforcement officials of the UK Immigration Service about our status in this country. He further said that we were from the LTTE and will inform to the UK Police that we were threatening him.
Despite this threat, we continued to pressurise him to get the money back. Then recently he asked us to wait in the midnight of 22nd of May 2005 in front of Domino Pizza, in Rayners Lane area. When we went there, he asked us to follow him. We went near a parked car (Metallic Green, R4 JRT) in the Warden Avenue. Then he gave us electronic equipments of possibly radio station and said that get your money from selling those equipments.
The Other day we heard the news that the TBC Radio Station was broken in. Later we got to know that he made a complaint at the Harrow Police Station that the LTTE suspects broke in his radio station.
In another interesting thing that the same Mr.Ramraj, one day had given money to one of another friends of us to buy a pay as you go sim card. Then Mr.Ramraj asked him to call to his Radio Station as well as to his mobile number using a phone with the same sim card frequently. Our friend was not aware as to why Mr.Ramraj asked him to do so.
Now we understand that the purpose of this is to manipulate and complain to the Police about the LTTE threat and to claim insurance falsely. In the recent news in his www.nitharsanam.net, www.vizhippu.net , the same phone number has been mentioned in relation to the "LTTE threat story".
We also learnt that he had a history of cheating the Insurance companies in the year of 2001 and 2003 respectively.
If the UK Immigration Service and the Police can give us guarantee not to remove us from the UK, we are happy to assist the Police or the relevant officials in this regard.
33. ANTHEM HEALTH INSURANCE PATIENTS
This is a petition for patients with Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield Insurance.
We as "Out-Network" Providers have been contacting Anthem Provider Relations to become an "In-Network" providers. We would like to have you sign this petition.
We are hoping that this would give Anthem a serious look at our patients' desire to come to Complete Chirpractic Office.
Thank you for asissting us.
Dr Markulis and Dr Neithandethal and Staff.
34. Include orthodontics in Hoosier Healthwise Coverage
Studies show that millions of Americans (including 75 % of children) have oral health problems that could benefit from orthodontic treatment. Without treatment, many could develop more serious problems, including: cavities, tooth loss, diseased gums, bone destruction, and joint problems.
Although there is not a universal best age to begin orthodontic treatment, the AAO recommends that every child see an orthodontist at an early age. This could be as young as 2 or 3, but should be no later than age 7. Although many people associate orthodontic treatment with adolescence, orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth or with the teeth much earlier, even while the primary (or baby) teeth are still present.
The American Dental Association recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. With early detection, many orthodontic problems are easier to correct before jaw growth ceases.
Early examination enables the orthodontist to detect and evaluate problems and determine the appropriate time to treat them. "Preventive or interceptive" treatment may be initiated to prevent more serious problems from developing. For some youngsters, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. A child nicknamed "Bucky" may suffer more than teasing. Furthermore, studies show that protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental chipping and other forms of dental injury.
A person with a facial deformity or crooked teeth often is judged negatively not only on appearance, but also on many other characteristics such as intelligence and personality.
Studies have shown that children and adults who have teeth or jaws they view as unattractive may suffer from a lack of self-esteem and confidence. In some cases, the psychological impact of crooked teeth has been found to hamper a person's social or vocational growth. Dr. Joyce Brothers, a leading psychologist and former adult orthodontic patient, holds that the need for acceptance is something we never outgrow. An adult who feels unattractive because of crooked teeth may cover his or her mouth when speaking or laughing, and may feel self-conscious in social situations.
Naturally, one feels better when one looks better, and a pleasing appearance is a vital asset to one's self-confidence and self-esteem. A person's self-consciousness often disappears as orthodontic treatment brings teeth, lips and face into their proper positions. Although dental health concerns are frequently the primary impetus for orthodontic treatment, but in many cases, orthodontics provides both physical and psychological benefits.
We need to offer lower income families the same opportunities for overall physical health, which includes their mouth. Why when so many states have included this coverage into their state insurance policies has Indiana left it out?
Mr. Chocola can you help our children have a better quality of life? Can you help us get full orthodontic treatment included into the state's health plan?
35. Establish Helath care Policy for U.S. Citizens
There are many Americans today without health care insurance benefits. Every United States citizen needs the benefit of health care insurance, due to the simple fact that there are many people suffering from many and differnt health and medical issues.
Since June of 2003 there are 42.3 million people of all ages that were uninsured.
36. Universal Healthcare in the USA
Single payer health insurance is standard in most of the developed world.
The United States, its companies and its workers cannot compete against nations where health care is standard infrastructure.
Whereas: The escalating costs of health insurance and health care are creating unprecedented strains on our economy;
Whereas: our businesses function in a global economy where healthcare is provided as infrastructure for the competition;
Whereas: there are presently 45 million uninsured Americans;
Whereas: healthcare costs are a leading cause of corporate and personal bankruptcies; and
Whereas: our spending on Medicare and Medicaid alone exceeds per capita spending for universal coverage in other developed countries;
Whereas: the federal, state and local governments of the United States already spend 45% of all healthcare dollars;
Whereas: healthcare costs continue to grow at a rate in excess of three times the Consumer Price Index, growth which cannot be sustained.
We, the undersigned, do hereby petition the Congress of the United States to establish a system of Universal Healthcare for all Americans.
Such a system would embody the following features:
(a) Care and coverage universally available for all;
(b) Freedom to choose service provider;
(c) Single-payer insurance similar to other developed nations.
37. Review Group Medical Insurance
Petition to Review and Re-evalutate
Sheetmetal Workers Local Union # 2
Group Medical Policy.
38. Stop Insurance Companies From Putting Profits Ahead Of People
Every year insurance companies routinely deny plan participants from receiving lifesaving treatments, medications, and procedures. We pay our monthly premiums, choose doctors based on plan coverage, meet deductibles, and complete all the paperwork insurance companies require. We do this believing that our insurance will be there in a crisis.
However, too often the one person who makes the decision at the insurance company disregards the medical evidence and denies us treatment. Please help us by coming together to stop insurance companies from putting profits ahead of people.
39. Retain Coatesville Highway Safety class at Coatesville High School
The Coatesville Area School District decided to take away "highway safety" as a class starting the school year of 2004-2005. If you would like to take Highway Safety - Drivers Ed. - as a class to reduce your insurance or to fulfill your Wellness & Fitness Elective... PLEASE sign this.
40. Life Insurance Corporation of India to reduce 5 year condition to 1 year
The LIC has new rules, that an agent can benifit his commission only if he continuously make 12 head/per Annum and that too for 5 years. Moreover recently LIC has started creating thousands of LIC agents, to make sure that no LIC agent can be able to make this target.
A poor Jobless LIC agent affects his/her relative and friends initially. But later puts down the weapons, and looses his commission. Being a government orgonization, LIC should not play with unemployed people's futures like this.
Due to the huge increase in insurance premiums more and more riding schools are having to close.
42. Cover Menjugate, Prevnar, and Varivax Vaccines
Ohip needs to fund vaccines for Meningitis, Chicken pox Pneumonia and inner ear conditions. Our children deserve this protection. The cost for prevention of these diseases is a small fraction of the cost of what it takes to treat them. We cannot afford to ignore our childrens health, especially when the level of our health care system is falling at an alarming rate.
Publicly funded vaccines
Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus, Polio, Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), Hemophilus influenza
Not publicly funded
Menjugate (meningitis) $80 to $120 per dose
Prevnar (pneumonia and inner ear infection) $95 to $110 per dose
Varivax (chickenpox) $81 per dose
43. Abolish Insurance Redlining in Michigan
Introduction: Insurance Redlining in Michigan is out of control. Laws have been passed giving Insurance Companies greater freedom to continue Redlining. In fact, The Consumer Protection Act has been rendered useless. A few steps have been taken, like Our Govenor Granholm has created An Insurance Czar. Also, as noted in the following; The Senate Democratic Caucus formed its Consumer Protection Task Force. Chaired by senators Gilda Z. Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods) and Martha G. Scott (D-Highland Park), the task force will hold hearings across the state to
take testimony on insurance reform.
"Insurance reform is a top priority for our caucus," Sen. Jacobs said. "From the large
volume of constituent calls to our caucus, it is clear that Michigan citizens are looking for
answers to questionable rates and practices promulgated by the insurance industry.
For some folks, the issue is auto insurance related. For others, it's home and health insurance. We want to hear from all these concerned people. Their input is essential to the
development of legislation to address these issues."
Sen. Scott said, "The citizens of Detroit have been dealing with redlining for far too long. We understand that this issue is not exclusively a problem plaguing the city but many communities across the state. Now is the time to work with our new insurance commissioner to resolve redlining and other long-standing insurance problems and create a fair and level playing field for everyone in Michigan.
As noted on May 16, 2002 then Attorney General Jennifer M. Granholm released the results of a statewide survey
her office conducted into the practice of insurance redlining in Michigan. In releasing the results - which showed disparities in auto rates of up to 17 percent in cities with similar
population sizes and auto theft rates, but with differing racial make-ups - Granholm announced that she has asked the insurance providers for an explanation of the rate differences.
She said: "The findings of the study are compelling - and disturbing - to say the least. The time has come for the industry to be more up front with their customers. Consumers pay
thousands of dollars a year to keep their homes and cars insured - they deserve to know how their rates are calculated." "Redlining" in the insurance industry is a discriminatory practice in which insurance
companies restrict the availability of insurance to people in particular geographic areas. In recent years, it has also been associated with the practice of tying credit scores to
insurance rates. Since redlining based solely on racial factors is illegal, Granholm has asked the insurance companies for an explanation of the rate disparities her study found.
Granholm's office reviewed 60 auto insurance quotes obtained for six pairs of Michigan cities that were similar in size and auto theft rates, but had different racial compositions.
The results showed that in five out of the six city pairs, the same individual in a community with a sizeable African-American population paid a higher rate by an average of 14
percent. The unscientific study compared insurance rates for a 33-year-old single, female home-owner attempting to insure a 2001 Chevy Cavalier in Madison Heights and Inkster; Burton and Oak Park; Sturgis and Albion; Dearborn and Southfield; Taylor and Pontiac; and Melvindale and Benton Harbor. Staff requested on-line insurance quotes from Allstate, GMAC Insurance, Progressive Insurance, Geico, and Esurance.com.
A second study, using the same female and the same auto, compared rates between neighborhoods in the city of Detroit versus its border cities. The follow-up survey demonstrated average disparities of nearly 30 percent between rates based on addresses as
close as a few blocks away. In one instance, the six-month premium to insure the Cavalier at a Detroit address on Jefferson was $5,000, more than 67 percent higher than the
premium to insure the same automobile at a Jefferson address just a few blocks away in Grosse Pointe Park.
Granholm began the study - and a general review of discrimination in the financial industry - earlier this year after her Consumer Protection Division received a number of consumer
complaints regarding potential insurance redlining and the use of credit scores in insurance rate setting. Recent court decisions and changes in Michigan law, however, have stripped the Attorney General's office of its ability to use the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to
challenge potentially unfair business practices in the insurance industry. Granholm forwarded the study results - and complaints received by her office -to Michigan Insurance Commissioner Frank Fitzgerald for his review and analysis earlier this month.
Granholm asked Fitzgerald to join her in encouraging the insurance companies to interject more transparency into their rate-setting and suggested that the two work together to explore the practice of using credit scores to set insurance rates. In her letter, Granholm said: "...The lack of transparency within the industry will continue to erode public confidence and increase public skepticism concerning industry underwriting and rate-setting practices. I look forward to working with you on these
issues..."
And Finally, our various local government representatives are holding many townhall meetings across the state to discuss Insurance Redlining.
44. Building Codes
This is a petition concerning the Building Codes and Restrictions set forth by Blue Water Oaks HomeOwner's Association.
Policy Page C-3 of the Blue Water Oaks HomeOwner's Association states that each portable building or mobile home brought into the addition must first have a photo submitted to the Association for approval. By moving in the mobile home on Mariner Court that appears to have been torn down once, it has and will continue to bring our property value down and our insurance rates up since most homeowner's insurance companies take note of the properties surrounding your home. Please sign this petition to have the mobile home removed.
In recent years insurance companies have started excluding coverage of surgery for obese people, requardless of the illnesses that will be cured by having the surgery. I think anyone considered Morbidly Obese (BMI 40>) or Obese(BMI 35>) with comorbidities, should be allowed to have the surgery.
Recent research has shown that it is the only effective cure for obesity and the surgery will cure almost 99% of related illnesses. Insurance companies should not be allowed to exclude a surgery considered Medically Necessary. This is discrimination against Obese people.
46. Delay expansion of Europeanian Union
This petition is to delay Poland's membership in the European Union.
Poland is currently to join the European Union in the year 2004.
47. Reform ERISA Now
Petition started September 2001 by a person who has a disabling condition, worked all her life, and was improperly denied long-term disability from her insurance company (AND employer), despite medical evidence to the contrary.
The reason for the denial? Because they "CAN". Claimants cannot sue, except in Federal Court after a long process overseen by the insurance company, and then only for the exact amt of the LTD. Insurance companies KNOW about the ERISA loophole and use it to their advantage. MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS, as their LTD benefits are covered under ERISA.