Via Shakesville – transcript available there as well.
I haven’t mentioned politics very much since the 2008 elections. I was happy to see Obama win the election even though he was not my first choice for the Democratic nomination. I’ve been extremely frustrated by the tone of the health care reform debate, which seems to now be called “health insurance reform” because the idea of single payer is off the table. I’ve hated watching people like Sarah Palin and Betsey McCaughey propagate outright lies about the effects even these minimal efforts at reform while the mainstream media reported these lies as legitimate viewpoints. (How sad is it that it takes the Daily Show to show McCaughey for what she really is?)
I know this is a fraught issue, especially for those people who have adequate access to health care (or at least think they do), because they fear that their own access will suffer if everyone is covered. But I believe, as a nation, that we’re capable of rising above our own immediate needs and recognizing that we’ll all be better off when access to health care is not rationed by income or past medical needs. It’s refreshing to see a representative stand up and remind us that we are better than what the media would have you think given the coverage of the health care debate.
I’d like to think that the route to health care reform – and I’m talking true reform of the system here, not just more affordable health insurance – is not necessarily to focus on the mind numbing details but to appeal to the better nature of a country that can and should do a lot better than we’re doing right now. Maybe I’m just naive, but the route we’re taking now to promote reform doesn’t seem to be working. It’s too easy to argue against the cost, quibble over who will be covered, and scare people with depictions of that awful Canadian style, “socialist” health care system. Let’s remember that the people who suffer in our system are your family, friends and neighbors. Currently, 62% of bankruptcies are caused by medical costs, and almost 80% of those medical bankruptcies happen to people who had insurance. The full report (from the American Medical Association) reports that “[m]ost medical debtors were well educated, owned homes, and had middle-class occupations.” You just have to hope that this sort of thing doesn’t happen to you.
It would take lots of work, and I know it wont be cheap. But considering the costs we’re already paying – not always in money – doesn’t it seem like it’s time to make a change?
I know many people disagree with me on this. If you feel compelled to comment in disagreement, please keep your comments civil. I’m not interested in starting a comment war. Thoughtful comments (no matter your opinion) are appreciated.
