WashingtonWatch.com - Comments for H.R. 1142, The Alopecia Areata Medicaid Improvement and Parity Act

Comment by Zonie (September 16, 2009, 11:53:47)

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:53:47 EDT

You are exactly right Johnda. Zahne, unlike you, many people feel it is a good idea. And, although a lot of our opinions are fueled by emotion (for our kids especially), the facts are there as well. It cannot be argued -- this IS A MEDICAL CONDITION. For the time being, this is the best treatment out there. Why would anyone want to deny a child that chance? I think it is a wonderful idea to support people who suffer with this condition. I FOR ONE, SUPPORT THIS!...

Comment by johnda (September 13, 2009, 19:46:08)

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:46:08 EDT

I have male pattern baldness and this is not about me, male pattern baldness is a normal occurance, and I would not expect help on this. However, there is a serious condition known alopecia totalis. This can be the result of a disease, chemotherapy, or a hormone imbalance. I know of a person who is suffering from this and she has no hair. She needs to wear a wig every day. She doesn't do it for style, she just wears the wig so she can leave her home and go out in public. By the way, folks, medicare covers the cost of viagra,so what's the deal? I don't see why medicare shouldn't cover wigs, as long as a doctor makes a prescription detailing the medical need for a wig....

Comment by zÃ¤hne (September 12, 2009, 02:45:04)

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:45:04 EDT

This is really a bad idea and it must not be approved. zähne ...

Comment by parents of child with alopecia areata universalis (June 17, 2009, 15:00:41)

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:00:41 EDT

FJ Rankin: "Forgive him for he knows not what he says". You are a cold heartless man. Can't wait for you to get male pattern baldness, then you will realize how difficult it is for children with alopecia areata universalis. You don't have the faintess idea what alopecia areata universalis is. You are just thinking of male pattern baldness (alopecia). Go to NAAF (National Alopecia Areata Foundation)and check it out!!!...

Comment by "mama I dont like my bald spots" (May 6, 2009, 15:57:11)

Wed, 06 May 2009 14:57:11 EDT

I pray for the day we can give our children the oppertunity to experience what all of us take for granted. Hair....

Comment by C.A.E. (April 6, 2009, 02:08:37)

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:08:37 EDT

I sincerely hope that our elected officials will not take this issue lightly. I for one would rather my tax dollars go to this cause than NUMEROUS others that money is wasted on each year. To others, you don't have to be in agreement. As someone else said, it's your right as an American. If you want to be distaseful about it, you can do that too I suppose. I just have one request...please treat others the way you'd want yourself, spouse, son/daughter to be treated....

Comment by d.barnette (April 2, 2009, 18:43:43)

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:43:43 EDT

people-especially children in their formative years need the confidence and the security of hair prothesis...

Comment by KW-MN (March 27, 2009, 16:12:53)

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:12:53 EDT

I am the mother of a 2 year old little girl who has not had a stitch of hair, eyebrows or eyelashes since she was 9 months old. I wish that those who wrote the hurtful comments above could be sitting in the room when I am brushing my oldest daughters hair and my beautiful little 2 year old girl tilts her head, rubs her bare little scalp and says "Alopecia Mama, Alopecia". It makes me want to cry every time. I understand the frustration of not wanting to pay out anymore in taxes, believe me, my family is feeling the crunch like every one else. Someday, if my daughter chooses to wear a wig... we do ok, and if we have to go without something for a little bit to do it, then so be it. We will take care of it ourselves. But not everyone has this option. I think the bill is a wonderful thing for those who cannot financially provide a wig for their child. Those who are against this bill, don't understand the extent of emotional scarring that this autoimmune disease can carry....

Comment by FJ Rankin (March 26, 2009, 14:34:20)

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:34:20 EDT

Not "nuff said" by a stretch. I don't care if you want to pay for these things. That's fine and dandy. I don't and as long as I have the right ro express my views I will. I do not think this or any bill like it is a good way to spend my money. Now "nuff said!"...

Comment by ! (March 26, 2009, 03:32:09)

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:32:09 EDT

FJ & everyone else who has issue\'s w/ this bill...I am just guessing here, but you would rather your tax dollars go to welfare & mindless government BS instead of helping out a child/children with a condition that lowers self esteem, makes them feel different from their peers or excluded? That\'s ignorant. Now to address the comments about \"why don\'t you just go buy one\"..well when medical bills are piling up from Dr. appts, Derm. appts., as well as ongoing medication for low iron and or B12 injections, not to mention regular living expenses, makes it extremely difficult to purchase a $300 + wig. There is little resources for Alopecia patients to aquire such items as wigs. So this bill passing would help to create a better level of self esteme for our children. It may not mean jack to you, but it would mean the world to a little girl or boy who is suffering from hair loss. Nuff Said!...

Comment by Driver (March 23, 2009, 09:41:35)

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:41:35 EDT

I agree with the above poster. You really can't imagine the importance until you're confronted with this condition. Five years ago I had never heard of this and wouldn't have even paid attention to this section of the site, but now that my daughter is dealing with it is a different story. The government shouldn't be responsible for everything, but this needs to be treated as a medical condition, not just someone wanting a cosmetic improvement (which is what the blog implies)....

Comment by Judge Not (March 19, 2009, 13:37:46)

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:37:46 EDT

To each person that voted no against this bill. I would like to ask you to close your eyes and imagine a child that looks like they have just taken chemotherapy. Imagine the sympathy looks that child receives from strangers on a daily basis or that first day at school when they realize that they are different. Imagine how it would feel to be completely bald at 16 (boy or girl) and wanting to date like normal kids. Take the time to imagine just for once how you would feel if you woke up one morning completely bald. What it would do to your confidence? Take the time to really really try to imagine how you would feel. Now open your eyes, what if it was YOUR CHILD, YOUR GRANDCHILD, how would you feel then? Would you change your mind then? These children DESERVE the right to become self confident, happy, normal adults without having to struggle with explanations to constant questions or glances for the rest of their lives. Really THINK before You JUDGE....

Comment by Charita (March 18, 2009, 21:48:04)

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:48:04 EDT

I am truely ashamed of you for voting this way....

Comment by Charita (March 18, 2009, 21:46:38)

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:46:38 EDT

People are seriously voting agianst this?! There are children getting teased and getting affected socially and emotionally by this disease and people think that it's okay. Wow, what is wrong with this society. I am truely of you for voting against this....

Comment by Concerned (March 18, 2009, 12:01:33)

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:01:33 EDT

And another thing you f*cking b8tch @$$ tightwads have a front row seat to HELL!!! In my book...

Comment by Concerned (March 18, 2009, 11:56:12)

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:56:12 EDT

I think that if people vote against this then they just do not think of the what if factor... as in what if this was happening to someone i love or even my self Before you decide to vote against this think of this concept....

Comment by Concerned Citizen (March 18, 2009, 02:32:00)

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:32:00 EDT

FJ Rankin, Can i just say your a complete a**hole and should be very ashamed of yourself. I know your sittin there right now feelin all power like you really proved a point, but in reality you just made yourself look like a heartless ass. Congrads I hope your extremely proud!! Mostly I hope your are never blessed with the gift of children because you most definately don't deserve them and if you do get lucky and find some poor stupid women to marry and have your kids....Well i feel extremely sorry for them and will pray for them everyday!...

Comment by Mother (March 17, 2009, 09:58:37)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:58:37 EDT

For your information, I did not say that people were heartless for not wanting to give their money out. If you will look again you will see that most of my anger comes from the jokes made about the whole situation and how lightly it was taken. As an American you have the right to agree or disagree with this bill. I may not like it, but it's your right. However, I don't take it so well when people make a joke out of a true medical condition and treat it as if it's nothing... especially one that I have personally witnessed cause my daughter loads of pain. I do not expect taxpayers to take care of my daughter, however, there are children out there who (as Dielle mentioned) can't control what their income is. I don't agree with several of the things my tax dollars go to, but it still happens. Until you have battled this condition first hand or had a child do so you will not be able to understand. I don't expect you to, but a few of you could ease up on the rudness....

Comment by in complete amazment (March 17, 2009, 09:47:24)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:47:24 EDT

oh, and no need to spend countless waking hours trying to come up with a witty response Franklin, I'll not be wasting any more of my time looking for your heartless comebacks. i'm voting, passing it on to people who actually care about someone other than themselves and living the rest of my life knowing I won't have to answer to the man upstairs for it!...

Comment by in complete amazement (March 17, 2009, 09:47:10)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:47:10 EDT

wow. . .that\'s all i can say to those of you who say that this bill shouldn\'t be passed. that\'s unbelieveable! i am the first to be on my soap box about people who are too lazy to work, but as stated before, this isn\'t for wigs for some old guy who has male pattern baldness. we\'re talking about little kids! my best friend\'s daughter who is only 18 months old has not one single hair on her head and has now began to lose her eyebrows. While they would move a mountain to pay for her prosthesis, why shouldn\'t they have the opportunity to receive funding? they are taxpayers. I\'d rather see my tax dollars going to them than some lazy human who doesn\'t strike at a snake. in my humble opinion, people like this franklin cat need prayer and a lot of it. but, to be frank, those are the very individuals who will probably be begging for God\'s forgiveness come tribulation....

Comment by Dielle (March 17, 2009, 02:24:00)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:24:00 EDT

Oh and about that belief that people need to take care of themselves, children with this disorder can\\\'t control who their parents are and how much money they have to pay for these kinds of things. Do you all expect kids to \\\"take care of themselves\\\" and get themselves a prosthesis? FAT CHANCE!!! There is no way a kid could get one on their own because they have no means to support themselves financially. If you ask me that is one big whole in your argument for self-sufficiency....

Comment by Dielle (March 17, 2009, 02:21:18)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:21:18 EDT

You know what I find hilarious about all of you that keep saying how "ridiculous" this bill is? People always think that something is "ridiculous" or "unnecessary" so long as they don't need it, but the second they do they say "please government please! I NEED your help!" unemployment is a great example because I'm sure that many people (the people with jobs) opposed this idea when it was first proposed, but then as soon as they lost their job they were first in line for their check. I wouldn't wish this disorder on anyone, but you jerks out there sure as hell deserve it....

Comment by DISSY (March 17, 2009, 01:58:17)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:58:17 EDT

Yea, well i'm so proud of you for dealing with your own problems. Maybe some can't? Yes, people do have responsibilties to take care themselves, and I also feel it is my responsibilty to take care of my neice and anyone else who has to deal with this problem. Read Dielle's comment.. Like I said before if you do not agree with it thats fine.... why do you have to come on here and disagree? It's pitiful....

Comment by Dielle (March 17, 2009, 01:52:42)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:52:42 EDT

For those of you that are saying we are asking for handouts, every time you accept a ui check or welfare check because you need money when you don't have a job, well you are asking for a handout. And you handout is a lot larger and lasts a lot longer than paying for these would. Any government officials? You are taking money out of peoples pockets for your salaries (rather large salaries too). You could say that unemployment is a "private matter" as well yet anyone that loses their job will gladly except the checks. one word HYPOCRITES!!!!...

Comment by ugh (March 17, 2009, 01:49:19)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:49:19 EDT

Dissy, an ignorant opinion? For your information, I have faced many medical crises in my life time, and I dealt with them myself. And no, I'm not some excessively paid corporate bigwig, I'm just an average working American that tries to supply for himself and his family. It's not ignorant for me to believe people have a responsibility to take care of themselves....