Health reform: Is it for you?
Posted by: Ella Hushagen on Mar 13, 2009
A new Kaiser Family Foundation poll revealed some puzzling beliefs held by Americans about health care reform:
Interestingly, while the majority of Americans view action on health reform as more important than ever and believe reform would be good for the country as a whole (59%), fewer think it would personally benefit them or their family (39%).
Hogwash.
Here are the top five ways health care reform will affect your life. It will:
1) Reduce health care costs for you and your family. Currently, health care costs rise much faster than inflation and wages; the result is that every year, more Americans become uninsured or see their coverage deteriorate. Comprehensive health care reform that covers everyone will make cost-effective, preventive care available to all; rein in administrative costs and excessive insurance company profits; and increase overall systemic efficiency. Everyone will share the savings.
2) Increase your security. Our system is wrought with uncertainty, especially in these tumultuous economic times. Many Americans are one pink slip away from losing their health coverage. Being uninsured can lead to financial ruin if you or a family member gets sick. Health reform would replace your insecurity with a safety net.
3) Not take anything away. If you like the health coverage you have, you can keep it. The only difference is you won't see your premiums continue to rise 4 times faster than your wages
4) Create a watchdog over the insurance industry. Right now, the insurance companies are subject to a patchwork of state regulations, which, by-and-large, are insufficient to protect health care consumers. Health care reform would allow government to act as referee, implement fair rules, and ensure that they're enforced in the free health insurance market. You and your friends and neighbors will no longer be susceptible to abuse.
5) Invigorate the economy. Our broken health care system hurts our competitiveness with foreign rivals; it prevents entrepreneurs from going into business for themselves; and the cost of health care scuttles companies, large and small. Enterprising Americans like you need a better health care system so you can go about the business of doing business.
Health reform is not only helpful, it is absolutely critical at this juncture.
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Category: Health Care Costs,Pre-Existing Conditions,Children's Health,Underinsurance and Medical Debt,Uninsured Americans
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