My Case for Reform

You may have noticed my posts on political issues have become less frequent over the past several months. This is due to several factors; no longer fearing the actions of the previous administration not least among them. I also recognize that many readers of this blog prefer I post fun photos and charming anecdotes instead of heated rants (unless they agree with me!).

However, the ongoing health care debate is far too important and far too personal not to discuss and disseminate. In light of Rush Limbaugh's assertion yesterday that Democrats are like Nazis (yet another blow to intelligent discourse under the guise of the First Amendment), today is the appropriate time for this post.

Background & Options

I read Tom Daschle's Critical: What We Can Do About Health Care a few weeks ago. While in general his image is significantly tarnished in my eyes, Daschle is well informed about the history of health care reform and presents ideas similar to Obama's proposed plan in a clear and concise manner.

Like Daschle and other "Nazi" Democrats, I would prefer a national health care plan. "Socialized medicine," if you will. If you saw Michael Moore's movie Sicko you will be presented with an extremely positive (one-sided) view of government-run health care. Despite this, it is a compelling film with startlingly sad personal stories. Everyone should see this film.

Certainly, there are problems. But is it a broken system like ours? Single payer systems seem to be subject to criticism for one of two reasons: aversion to change or lack of knowledge about the alternatives. Regarding the latter, my impressions of Canadian and UK health care come from a number of sources, not the least of which is friends who are from or live in countries with national health care. We haven't spent a great deal of time on the topic, but it seems that health care is not a big issue in these places because it is a right of every citizen. What is there to discuss? Juley, Deb, Jay please pitch in on this if you will!

All this is moot, really, because the proposed changes to health care do not include anything even closely resembling single payer plans. I repeat: Obama is not proposing government-run healthcare. Not because it's not the best choice (at least I believe it is), but because smart politicians know that it will never pass, even with a Democratic majority. Thanks for nothing, Blue Dogs! What was your share of the $187 million in donations from health care related industries?

We offer Medicare for people 65 and over. Why wouldn't we extend this to younger people (i.e., everyone)? Or what about the insurance available to federal employees and the military? Those are government run and even Bill Kristol admits that they are first class. Although it seems that some out there, including a once prominent economist don't realize who runs Medicare and Medicaid. Perhaps this is a marketing problem?

Current Proposals

Reluctantly, I will admit that many reasonable people think the single payer option is not the best choice. I'm not going to encourage another unwinnable battle, especially since I would rather see some change than none at all.

The aversion to change mentioned above is an aversion to what many perceive to be an increase in taxes. We hear about unimaginable sums: billions, even trillions of dollars are figures regularly thrown around in this debate. Where will that money come from? It's an important issue, but one I'm not best equipped to address. This article outlines some proposed ideas. This is not an issue of simply adding spending to an existing system. Changes can bring about many opportunities to save money. Please, read about this. Don't just listen to Sean Hannity.

Yes, cost is a concern. But with 46 million people uninsured in this country, we can't afford not to change this system. Various reform proposals are seeking to provide an option for the uninsured, not to take away what is already there.

If you have insurance, it is probably through your employer. Proposed health care reforms will still allow you to get insurance that way. You have probably seen your premiums go up and coverage go down over the past few years. If you haven't, your employer is taking on the cost. You will see that in your (lack of) salary increase, diminished bonus, or other cost cutting measures at your place of work (no more candy dish? holiday party at the office instead of a restaurant?). Companies that produce goods have passed increased insurance costs along to those who buy their products. Surely you've heard that GM pays more for health care than it does for steel and that health care accounts for $1,525 of every vehicle produced.

When you think of the 46 million uninsured, what comes to your mind? This is somewhat of a Rorschach test. If you picture poor people whom you consider lazy, unhealthy, and deserving of what they get, I can't help you. But I would ask that you stop watching Hannity and Beck and O'Reilly or at least switching it up to some actual news once in awhile (clearly Rush is not on that list).

On the other hand, if you picture middle class people (the poor are covered by Medicaid) whose employers don't offer health insurance (not required of companies with < 50 employees, < 20 or so in some states like Minnesota).

A Personal Take

Health care and insurance are more than just a political issue for me. I have a personal stake, as we all do but may not realize. Often, we don't see an alternative and assume we have to deal with circumstances as they are. That should never be the case.

Chris sustained a $15,000 injury just six months after getting on my health insurance plan through work. I believe we paid $50 out of pocket (plus, of course, many hundreds in monthly insurance premiums). We were certainly not prepared for a $15,000 expense; thank goodness we didn't have to be.

Chris went for years without insurance, which many young, healthy, self-employed people do. We were talking recently about how he was able to start his own business because he didn't really need health insurance and how he may not have been able to do this under different circumstances.

As a worker for "the man," I have never been without insurance. I have had some extremely limited benefit plans (and also some great ones), but have noticed premiums increase and benefits decline in recent years. There was even one year when my parents gave me insurance for my birthday while I was in graduate school but too old to be on their plan. It was only $400 for the year; cheap for insurance, but expensive for a gift!

Now that I'm involuntarily unemployed, I might like to work for myself as well. At least for awhile. I've gotten some projects and done work for Chris, but this really isn't a sustainable situation for one (and only one) reason: the cost of health insurance.

We are eligible for COBRA through my former employer. The premium is about $800 a month. We're grateful for the 65% subsidy through the end of the year, but that $800 is going to be quite a budget blow if I don't have a job by January. We have no chronic conditions, take no medication, and visit the doctor for only regular check ups. But we won't go without health insurance. Accidental injuries happen, as we know!

Although Chris was voluntarily ununisured before we got married, there are millions who are unable to get insurance due to pre-existing conditions. I have been researching insurance options because we can't fathom paying $800 a month come January. Have you ever looked into buying insurance on your own? Let me tell you, it is a nightmare. For a reasonable price ($200/month for a couple in their 30s), you basically get a high deductible plan with several coverage restrictions. If you are older, you will pay much more. If you have health problems, you may not be able to get insurance at all. You can't be excluded from a group (employer) plan if you have a pre-existing condition, but you can be turned down for private insurance for any reason.

Opposition

Insurance companies are spending $1.4 million dollars a day to defeat health care reform. If they were not afraid of competition and regulation, why would they spend that kind of money on this effort? Why would we as consumers not want competition? Competition brings prices down. And if the government is so incapable of running anything, what do the insurers have to worry about?

Regarding regulation of insurance companies, think about it this way: do you think an industry (of any kind) should be allowed free reign to charge any price for any service and do business any way they like? That might sound great on the surface, but think about the unregulated activities that led to the Wall Street and mortgage industry debacle. Need I say more?

Free market proponents would say that the market will self-regulate and keep prices reasonable and service high. I don't necessarily buy that and I will give you one example why. Do you remember how much you paid for cable pre-1996? How much do you pay now? How many cable providers are there in your city? One or two plus a couple of satellite providers? No wonder basic cable has increased 200% in 15 years.

Like telecommunications, there is very little competition in the insurance industry. Large employers are able to negotiate to some degree, but individuals have no power at all. A government option will allow people who do not work for large employers to band together and gain some negotiating power. Insurance companies who provide less coverage at a higher price will be edged out or they will have to become more competitive. As consumers of health care, we will finally be in the driver's seat!

Do the Research

It's pointless to address the lies and rumors that are being spread on this topic. But I will ask anyone who feels strongly about health care to please do some research outside of the Fox network, Rush Limbaugh, and conservative blogs.

When those commercials come on television advertising miracle weight loss drugs that "actually burn fat" and will make you thin in days or weeks, we know they're lying. Right? Please tell me we don't believe them. So should be the case with an issue like health care reform. If you hear or read something, don't take it as fact. Do your research. You may continue to disagree that the system needs reform, but at least you won't base your opinion solely on what Fox News tells you to believe.

Health care reform isn't new. Efforts date back to Harry Truman and each attempt has been thwarted by insurers, hospitals, and health care providers with deep pockets often perpetuating lies and misleading statements. If this reform doesn't pass, it will come up again. In the meantime, our health care system will continue to deteriorate as costs encroach on our financial security ever more intensely. Let's fix health care now!