Health Care attention in the Media
There was an article posted in the New York Times online today addressing the rising cost of healthcare and the 46 million uninsured Americans. Large companies who are helping pay employees bills plan on Monday to lobby Congress for a market-based approach for providing universal health-care coverage. They also said individuals must take more preventative steps to avoid expensive health crises down the road as Congress looks for ways to expand coverage to the 46 million uninsured Americans. Addressing health issues before they become major is an important step in fighting the rising cost of health care. I wonder how we can do this though, with out telling people to take their vitamins and shop organic at he local co-op? I realize that's the white, college educated soul speaking in me, but it seems the most sensible plan of action- provide our body with the proper nourishment and then your visit to the doctor is less likely. Maybe we should look at forcing these multi-million dollar health care companies to pitch in funds for the fight against poverty.
Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, has proposed a bill to provide universal coverage by giving individuals access to various private health plans available in their states.
``We're going to make a big push ... to fix health-care in this session of Congress,'' Wyden said. ``We don't think the country can afford to sit around and wait for another presidential election to fix health care.'' Health care has gained widespread attention from the 2008 presidential candidates but they mostly focus on covering nine million uninsured children. Several studies have found fault with the current U.S. system -- a free-for-all in which employers provide most health care, government programs provide much of the rest and an estimated 46 million Americans are left with no health insurance.
I'm glad to see Health Care in the scope of the media, and I think it's an issue we definitely have to take to the politicians and the future leader of this country. It's something that needs to be on our minds during this next election especially. We're students, and I don't know about you all, but I'm not sure how I'm going to have health Care after graduation next year........
Comments
I am in full agreement that it is time that Americans start considering the current health care situation a problem. If there are 46 million Americans uninsured (which is 15.9% of the population according to lecture), another
43 million using Medicaid and 42.5 million Americans using Medicare, this only leaves a little under half the population that can and is supporting themselves. If only 50% of a population is able to provide themselves with the basic health insurance, I think most would agree that this is a major problem.
A problem that we are facing because of the current policy is flooded emergency rooms. Individuals who lack insurance cannot make appointments at clinics and therefore in order to see a doctor they go to the emergency room. Their problems may be severe but many times individuals who do not have insurance have to go to the emergency room for minor problems such as an earache. The time needed to help people with true emergencies is pushed back and therefore there are huge waiting lines at hospitals.
As I have made clear, I am in favor of change. I think that Canada has a good system of public assistance. This allows everyone basic health insurance while at the same time individuals who have good jobs are allowed extra insurance such as dental plans. As we discussed in class, the fee-for-service plan still is very costly on the national budget, even more so than Canadas universal insurance program. I am glad that this issue is finally receiving the media attention that it deserves and I am glad that states are ready to make a change. I look forward to the outcomes that come from the presidential elections as well as individual state policies
that are working for change.
Posted by: Lacey | May 10, 2007 12:08 PM
I agree very much with what you are saying regarding the U.S. health care system. I actually did my media journal on this same topic. I found an article on CBSnews.com that talks about a poll that was done to show how Americans actually feel about our current health care system. Basically, the majority of Americans believe in having a universal health care system. The article also talked about how our health care system is the #2 issue faced by the U.S., following the war in Iraq. I am also very glad to see that our health care system is finally getting the attention it deserves. Our health is such a crucial part of our lives and we need to strive towards developing a better system of health care; one that benefits everyone.
Posted by: Heather | May 11, 2007 10:05 PM