| Health Care, Not Health Scare By: Alleliah Nuguid During the 2008 Presidential Election healthcare was a major campaign issue for both candidates and voters. Although the candidates didn’t all have similar ideas about how our healthcare system should be improved, they did all agree that some type of healthcare reform was necessary. Since President Obama has taken office he has began work on this important issue, but not without questions and opposition from all sides of the political spectrum. Although the issue of healthcare reform has been hotly debated, most agree that a change must be made, whether that means a few tweaks to the current system or a complete overhaul. Though the U.S. healthcare system is the most expensive in the world, it doesn’t cover every citizen. The question on everyone’s mind is this: should healthcare be publicly funded? A publicly funded healthcare system that has been implemented in America is Medicare, which has provided insurance for 44 years to people aged 65 and up, as well as those who meet certain other criteria. It provides many benefits to those it covers, but there is debate as to whether those benefits are worth the costs. Proponents of a reformed healthcare system maintain that this is the best way to get everybody healthcare coverage. Millions of people are uninsured because they can’t afford it or they don’t qualify for insurance due to pre-existing conditions. Costs may further be lowered if people seek preventative care, rather than pay for more expensive treatment later on. Those who oppose reform argue that people should be able to opt out of paying for healthcare if they want. They say that universal coverage shouldn’t be seen as a cure-all: in countries that currently have publicly funded healthcare, there are problems of long waiting times or rationed care. Also, a concern is that there will not be enough money to keep up with the demand of universal healthcare. Kevin Flynn, President of Healthcare Advocates, Inc., sums up the issue: “The government is trying to look at ways to make insurance more cost- effective, make sure all the uninsured people can attain healthcare, and increase the quality of care…In getting there, we’re running into problems with what an idealistic system would look like as opposed to what’s currently in place.” President Obama’s plan for healthcare reform has yet to be completely finalized, and there are some myths surrounding the approximately 1,500 page proposal. In August, the Obama administration indicated support for a health insurance cooperative. A health insurance cooperative is different from publicly funded healthcare in that it isn’t run by the government—it’ s a nonprofit organization that starts with a government investment. Despite this, the government insists they aren’t letting go of the option for a public healthcare system. Congress reconvenes on September 8, and it’s expected that a bill will be passed by the end of the year. “What we’re concerned with are the 46 million Americans who don’t have healthcare, and the people who do have healthcare…but are slowly being priced out of it,” says Mayor Ryan Coonerty of Santa Cruz, California. He is a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which has expressed support for single-payer national health insurance. “Even if you can’t vote, let your elected officials know how you feel,” advises Mayor Coonerty. The healthcare reform debate has been closely watched, and people have been speaking up at town hall meetings nationwide. It’s important to make your opinions concerning healthcare reform known, since whatever changes might be made can last for generations to come. |
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