In New Hampshire, health care sways elderly votes

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Reuters

DERRY, New Hampshire (Reuters) - Derry boasts the hallmarks of a classic New Hampshire town -- white-steepled churches, fading red-brick textile mills and autumn foliage that's exploding in brilliant reds and yellows.

But one thing is missing: a growing pool of young workers.

Seeking to control the graying of its 34,290 residents, the town where the nation's first potato was planted in 1719 took the unusual step two years ago of limiting construction of new homes for people aged 55 and older.

In the state that helps kick off the 2008 White House race, Derry's aging voters are among the forefront of those who say one issue towers above others: health care.

"I can't afford to go to a doctor or a hospital, and I have problems of my own," said Tony Barros, 77, at the Derry Barber Shop.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSN1636899520071022?feedType=RSS&feedName=politicsNews&sp=true

[NewHampster]

1. Thanks for the link

Love to read about my towns and by the way. They love Hillary in Derry.

[orpupilofnature57]

2. Quaint places like Vermont and New Hampshire are owned by more people

from New Jersey and New York, than the natives of both states put together,why? The top 16% don't have to worry about Gas prices or going to the doctor ,Reversed Homesteading.In a hundred years us poor folk will be huddled up and only the Super Affluent will be able to live in the outskirts.

[Bluerthanblue]

4. there are still a lot of us

natives, who don't have money.

Who don't 'worry' about going to the Dr- because we don't have insurance- who struggle with gas prices, and high property taxes- but don't have anywhere else to go. This is our home- our parents home, our grandparents home...

:shrug:

There will come a day when we won't live in the outskirts- because we are becoming more and more like cities every day.


they call it progress- i call it change.

[orpupilofnature57]

5. Same for me ,hold on.

[rodeodance]

3. "U.S. health-care system has nearly collapsed and sees universal care as the only answer."

That is is happening in the USA is unspeakable:


......Waiting in a wheelchair outside a Derry retirement home with thin tubes of an oxygen tank under his nose, John Costello, 78, said he relies on Medicare but worries it will go broke and is leaning towards Clinton.

"It costs $80 for a tank and I use about 12 tanks a week," he said. "I think Clinton knows what she is doing."

Standing in line for free handouts of food at thrift shop, Robert Marquis, 63, said the U.S. health-care system has nearly collapsed and sees universal care as the only answer.

"I'm not sure how they are going to do it but we need it badly. Civilizations are always concerned with how you treat your old and infirm, and how you treat your children," he said. "And we're in a lot of trouble."

(additional reporting by Claudia Parsons and Pat Reaney)

[Vinca]

6. Bingo - despite our Democratic state government, nothing has been

done to put healthcare within the reach of the average person who must purchase private insurance. We've got world class facilities in New Hampshire, but a whole lot of us will never see beyond the front door. Health insurance companies are allowed to cherry pick (we've been picked out) and charge horrendous fees to customers they want to dump. I haven't got a clue what our Democratic state government is doing for the people. It's like a mini version of D.C.