Need

What's stalling progress in health care, in my opinion, is any sense of "need." I read a recent Rasmussen poll that said 68% of voters considered their health insurance coverage "good" or "excellent." It's difficult to achieve change for only 32% of voters (I think we can safely ignore non-voters when discussing achieving political change). And it's VERY difficult to achieve change for a minority when it may cost the majority something.

I want health care reform because health care is rationed here in U.S. and I believe we can be more equitable in our rationing. Personally, I'm happy with my health insurance coverage. I consider it expensive and the costs have risen every year the past 10 years, but I am able to adjust finances and I have been fortunate enough to avoid all major illnesses. But I also understand that our health care is rationed here in the U.S., I just happen to be at the head of the ration line. Because I can afford my premium, deductible, co-pay, and co-insured payment, I can afford most health care I will need. When we needed help for Casey's migraines beyond what was covered by our health insurance, we were able to pay the bill from our own pocket and she was able to gain some relief. I can afford preventative medicine with my son's asthma. Others may have emergency care available for free when an asthma attack hits, but because I'm at the head of the ration line I can obtain preventative care. The health care system rations care and gives it to me and my family because I can afford it.

I want health care reform because I am already subsidizing the care the system gives to people with no health insurance coverage at all. The hospital charges me more to make up for the care it gives to people who receive care even when they can't afford it. The ambulance service costs me more because it's cheaper for some people to call 911 and get emergency care (for non-emergencies) than it is to go visit a doctor. Doctors and hospitals have to charge me more because people who could not afford care neglected to see a doctor for problems that have now gotten much more serious, but their ability to pay hasn't changed. Since I'm already paying an extra cost for this broken style of care, I'd rather see these same people get preventative care.

I want health care reform because getting sick shouldn't cause bankruptcy. A recent Harvard study showed that 62% of all personal bankruptcies in the U.S. in 2007 were caused by medical debts. The study found: "Most medical debtors were well educated, owned homes, and had middle-class occupations. Three quarters had health insurance." It makes me wonder if very many of the 68% who think their coverage is good or excellent have yet weathered a serious illness. How many times have we seen collection cans on the gas station counter to help pay for the out-of-pocket costs of some hard-working family hit by illness or tragedy? Just last week a guy in this area saved a toddler from certain death and suffered severe injuries in his efforts. Of course, a fund raiser was immediately scheduled to help him pay for his medical care not covered by health insurance.

I do not believe that tweeks will resolve my concerns. I believe we need serious change.

Yes, I'm concerned about what the financial costs of health care reform may be. But when I can progress beyond my desire to protect what's mine, I realize something MUST be done. The status quo is not an option. If I approach the current legislative proposals with an understanding of need and desire for serious change, I am much better able to ignore the lies and distortions about what the proposed reform is (and is not).