I just received yet another notice from Blue Cross/ Blue Shield that my premium for health insurance has been raised again. This is the third or fourth time that my premium has raised since 2004. To say that I am seeing red or raving mad would be an understatement.
A for profit healthcare system is just about as ridicules an idea as a for profit police or fire department would be.
When the Clinton Administration proposed Universal Health Coverage in the early 1990's, I bought into the media campaign that was bought and paid for by the healthcare lobby, and the corporations that make massive profits off the backs of the sick.
Why does the United States remain one of the few nations in world that allows a for profit system of healthcare? Healthcare executives continue to get rich by cashing in their massive stock options/grants, and while most doctors hold true to their Hippocratic oaths, many others are only in the profession for the money. If you don't believe me, open any newspaper and you'll see a huge number of ads from doctors advertising their business.
During the Clinton years, I visited my day in Clearwater, Florida. The place he was staying during the winter months was also popular with retirees from Canada.
We played golf one morning, and about 10 of his Canadian friends joined us. I made the comment that I was glad that we didn't have the same healthcare system here in the US that they had in Canada. Most of the retired Canadian's stop what they were doing and just looked at me.
One fellow said, "what do you mean by that?” I said (quoting what I had heard on TV), "you know, having to wait for treatments, or having to wait for a lifesaving surgery like heart bypass". Another fellow spoke up and said, "I had a heart attack a year ago, and after they stabilized me I was in surgery the next morning. Where are you getting your information?”
By this time I wanted to crawl under the nearest rock, and it was obvious I had bitten into the misinformation put out by the healthcare lobby, corporations, and their bought and paid for politicians.
After this encounter I decided to dig into the subject a little deeper. In reality, about 28 industrialized nations have some kind of universal health care system. Here is a list of countries in Europe that have publicly sponsored and regulated health care:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France ,Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The myths to keep us afraid of publicly sponsored and regulated health care are numerous. The fact remains that the United States does not have the best health care system in the world.
Since 1999;
-"The United States ranks 23rd in infant mortality, down from 12th in 1960 and 21st in 1990".
-"The United States ranks 21st in life expectancy for men down from 1st in 1945 and 17th in 1960".
-"Outcome studies on a variety of diseases, such as coronary artery disease, and renal failure show the United States to rank below Canada and a wide variety of industrialized nations"
As far as Universal Health Care being too expensive;
-" The United States spends at least 40% more per capita on health care than any other industrialized country with universal health care."
-" The costs of health care in Canada as a % of GNP, which were identical to the United States when Canada changed to a single payer, universal health care system in 1971, have increased at a rate much lower than the United States, despite the US economy being much stronger than Canada’s."
While Medicare and Medicaid are not perfect (Either is the current for profit system), it works.
Medicare & Medicaid is the nation's largest health insurance program, which covers nearly 40 million Americans. These programs provide healthcare for people 65 years of age and older regardless of any preconditions.
The quality of health care in the US has deteriorated under for profit, managed care, and treatments should not be deigned based on a corporation’s quest to save money. While saving money may make a companies stock go up, denying healthcare to the sick is immoral.
In the past, corporations were able to buy politicians and control the public through the media to keep a publicly sponsored healthcare system from being implemented. I for one am ready for this to change. Unless I am way off base, I believe the US consumer is warming up to the idea as well.
Once a Universal Heathcare System is implemented, some doctors will quit the profession. Good, let them quit. If they are in it for the money, they are not following their Hippocratic Oath. In fact, many are not following it right now. Here are a few lines from the oath;
-Never to attempt to induce an abortion.
-To keep the good of the patient as the highest priority. There may be other conflicting 'good purposes,' such as community welfare, conserving economic resources, supporting the criminal justice system, or simply making money for the physician or his employer that provide recurring challenges to physicians.
