Health Care: How is it not a moral issue?
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Health Care Bill Will CUT Deficit says Non Partisan CBO
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Health Care: How is it not a moral issue?
Health care reform is an economic issue; it is a political issue; it is a medical issue; and it is most definitely a moral issue.
The wealthy don’t worry about access to health care. Members of Congress certainly don’t. The very poor qualify for Medicaid, a government-run insurance program. The elderly qualify for Medicare, another government-run insurance program.
The middle class is being squeezed out of health care. Sometimes it is because they can’t afford it and must choose between keeping a roof over their heads and buying health insurance. Sometimes it is because insurers are legally allowed to -- and do -- deny or drop coverage. Let’s face it -- denial of health insurance is denial of access to preventive care, and continuity of care that an emergency room can not and will not provide.
How many more gut wrenching stories of the sick and dying do we have to hear before it sinks in? Are these unfortunate souls less deserving than everyone else, somehow less worthy? Do you still believe it could never happen to you? What if someone you love succumbed to a fully treatable condition because they were denied health insurance? Would you find it morally acceptable?
In the United States, we proudly proclaim that we all have the right to an attorney, even if we cannot afford one. No one will go undefended in a criminal case. We take that right for granted. It would be immoral to go around charging people with crimes and not giving them access to a legal defense. Why not offer a similar level of compassion to someone who is ill?
Petition: Pass Health Care Reform This Month!
Most middle class people are not looking for a handout. They simply want a fair shake when it comes to matters of health.
As to calls for tax boycotts should health care reform pass, that’s just not how our country works. We don’t pay taxes based on an a la carte menu -- I’ll pay for schools and police, but not for defense spending or health care.
The current proposed legislation lacks punch. It doesn’t completely overhaul a system run amok, does not remove for-profit insurers from the equation, does not attempt to cover all Americans, and doesn’t take full effect for years. But waiting for everyone to agree on everything is an exercise in futility.
What it will offer, in part, is health insurance that can never be denied even if you have a pre-existing condition, security after a job loss, covered preventive care, real insurance industry reforms, and tax credits to help small businesses cover their workers.
What we have here is a reasonable beginning. For Congress, deadlines have come and deadlines have gone. Time is up. Pass health care reform now!
To those who say “start over with a clean sheet of paper,” we all know that means it just isn’t going to happen. It would be the death of health care reform for many years to come. Let’s not continue to turn our backs on a very real crisis for a great many people. You never know when it will be your turn. There is a very real moral issue at stake.
From the Petition Site
Congress: Time is up! I expect you to finish the job you started and finalize the package of health care reforms already approved by both chambers of Congress to give me peace-of-mind about my health care and real oversight of the insurance industry.
Petition: Pass Health Care Reform This Month!
Thoughts - feel free to agree, disagree but just be respectful. No mean hearted stuff please! This is all about engaging discussion on the matter.
Categories: Health Issues,Health,Healthcare Reform
Tags: Health Issues Wellness health heathcare reform
I have still a lot of family and friends in various European countries, all of which have "socialized" medicine. Recently my family has been going through a lot of health emergencies. One thing none of us had to worry about is their access to quality medical care. I've seen how it works on both sides of the Atlantic and I have no questions in my mind, we need universal health insurance. This is for us, for our children, friends, family and neighbors. And btw, so far I've been lucky. I have a good health insurance, always had but I just cannot watch to what is happening to fellow human beings who cannot get treated because of greedy and antiquated system in this country. You are so right, this is a moral issue and I can only hope we are moral beings who will do the right thing.
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It is good to hear about the your thoughts on the European side of this. I know the bill is not perfect but we need to pass it so they can continue making changes like they have done with other big issues in the past.
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Allowing human beings to not to be able to get preventive care to avoid getting sick, or sick people not to be able to get treatment, because of lack of funds, 45,000 of whom die each year, is callous cruel and inhumane. It sounds like something that could only happen in an unsophisticated, uncaring, cruel society. I just cannot understand how providing healthcare to everyone is not a "right to life" issue; how can we bring human beings into the world, just to let them languish if their families do not have the resources to afford health insurance. This is illogical as well as cruel, in my opinion. Jody, and millions of others, deserve to have access to affordable healthcare!
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You have been a big part in getting the word out. THX! I know we both are not thrilled with the Senate or House bill but we have to start somewhere & getting it passed will at least allow for it to be there so hopefully changes can be made with time.
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I totally agree with you. One of the reasons that really pushed me to get all those tests done (as you know) is because I do have insurance now. I didn't before, and who knows for how long. I still had to pay some out of pocket (preventative stuff the co. wouldn't pay for). I hope your message gets out.
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Gina, so glad you were able to get to the doc!
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The Golden rule has in the vicinity of 11 words. The health care bill has 1990 PAGES!! Something very very wrong there.
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Dr. J, this is not a prob with just the healthcare bill. This is a problem with Washington DC & the political process. This happens with everything there so I don't think we can stop reform because of a long standing issue there. We all know that & the whole process needs to be changed.
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thanks so much for posting about this. it's a very serious issue and it affects so many of us, the average american. all of us should be entitled to affordable healthcare.
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Thx for commenting! It is so important to at least get something started. It is not perfect by any means but it is a start, especially the pre-existing conditions & not dropping clause!
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I hope it passes!
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Canadians, like Europeans, just cannot understand how a country as large and as rich as the US still cannot/will not ensure that all its citizens benefit from basic universal health care.
Although I am a a staunch agnostic, I am praying that this first, albeit imperfect step, towards universal health care becomes law tonight.
Best of luck!
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NewMe, thank you for your comments. I agree, it is an imperfect step but without passing it, we can't improve it. As we all know here in America that if it does not pass, that is it. We, as a people, are tired of the DC process & how it works but it is all we have right now to start the process of getting healthcare for all. We had another group in power for 8 years that did nothing to help the uninsured & in fact got us billions more in debt due to a war we should have not gone into. I support our troops but we should not have been there & that cost us billions of dollars & still is...
Thx again!
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In response to tonite's vote: YES WE CAN!
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I know this is near and dear to you Jody -- thanks for the discussion.
It's after the fact now. The bill is not that great, nor is it that evil. I haven't read any of it, but I suspect it is like most other legislation; put in place to keep the leaks of social order contained.
For all it's debate and discussion, I still suggest the issue (much) larger than what congress has been dealing with, is an issue of individual behavior; that we depend on doctors excessively, and fail to take the proper precautions to keep ourselves healthy.
This should be a gut-check for American responsibility. We all need to first blame ourselves, for getting ourselves in the kind of physical condition that has created this dependency on doctors and medicines.
Make clear, I am not speaking of diseases which have found us -- but of those diseases which we have found by our behaviors. These are the diseases that clog the system; medical, insurance, and pharmaceutical.
Our system of government and social order actually works well most of the time. What we dislike about it is its accuracy in reflecting our values back upon us.
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Hey, Jody, it's a victory !
I thought about you when I read the news this morning. Having grew up and lived in countries with a social security system covering anyone, I have seen that was benefiting the whole society.
I believe in prevention (medical advice), in providing medical service to everybody to curb all sorts of epidemies. Only States can do that, ivesting on education and medical advice whenever a problem arises.
Look at the obesity issue. When 3 of my relatives became too big for a healthy life (on different times), they could afford the same level of advice as rich celebs and went to spend weeks in good "slimming clinics". They got medical monitoring, nutrition guidance, psychological advice and even several years of regular coaching from medical physiologists to get back to shape and gain knowledge about how to exercise to become and stay fit. Later they costed less to Social Security that probablt saved years of diabestis medications and treatment. The clinic for those 20-something overweight people was a great investment. In addition, they spread their knowledge about sound lifestyle around them, to their children later.
But as individuals, they would have not been able to afford professional advice, and private insurance would not pay for that.
Well, it's a system, and a medical coverage at the reach of everybody is an important piece of the puzzle.
Good for you Americans !
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Kuri. Thank you very much for your very detailed response! And a very true to life family story. At least it is a start & the hope for preventative care. I am healthy for 52., yet that does not mean I am not going to get sick even though I take care of myself. If I can catch things early, it is better for all vs. going on when it is way too late due to lack of insurance.
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