Prescription For Disaster/Argument

Prescription for Disaster

The numbers are astonishing. An estimated eighteen thousand Americans die every year because they can't afford or can't qualify for health insurance. That's September 11th multiplied by six every year (). Imagine that carnage. Forty six million more are faced with illness because of high insurance premiums and underinsurance (). Never has our country faced any terrorist that has killed thousands of our citizens, yet it happens on our own soil year after year. Healthcare has reached a crisis level in our country. As Americans, we need to make our voice heard and insist quality, comprehensive and affordable health insurance be available to everyone.

Millions of uninsured Americans neglect their health for fear of being faced with financial ruin because of the lack of insurance. Private health insurance companies make it virtually impossible for the small employer to cover their employees due to high insurance premiums. In the past, large employers were able to offer health insurance to their employees and their families at little or no cost. Now even that is no longer the case. Insurance companies have instituted guidelines including pre-existing illness clauses, high family deductibles and higher monthly premiums making make one question whether it is cost effective to even carry health insurance.

In 2000 the World Health Organization made the first attempt a ranking the world's healthcare systems. Of 190 nations, the United States ranked thirty seventh (). In a county that boasts the best, most comprehensive healthcare, how is that possible? Many believe that the burden lie with the insurance companies. The United Stated has historically ranked high for the treatment of terminal illness like cancer, however falls short with the treatment of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. ()

In an article featured in the LA Times, Susan Brink states, "...the American system does not measure up worldwide in controlling chronic disease...payment systems reward doctors for doing procedures, not for managing those chronic conditions..." (). In other countries that practice universal healthcare, patients with chronic conditions are managed more effectively. Consequently, the mortality rates are considerably reduced from these illnesses. People go to their physician more frequently because they have the necessary insurance needed to manage their condition. This is not the case for many Americans.

Furthermore, there is much that happens behind the scene between the insurer and medical providers. Many believe that the insurance companies are there to aid in the provision of quality care. Unlike any other industry, this one grows by rejecting customers. One must remember these companies' primary objective is to increase profits. For instance, in 2004, Aetna a leading private insurer, reported earnings of 1.1 billion dollars. In 2006, they generated 25.1 billion dollars of revenue (). Profits keep increasing only by increasing premiums, deductibles and co-pays and decreasing coverage. Doctors compound the problem by discounting fees to insurance companies and requiring cash patients to pay full price for medical services.

As the election year approaches, the healthcare crisis is an ongoing debate among politicians. The Democratic candidates have all proposed their version of healthcare reform. Our current Presidential candidates have each used the term universal healthcare in their speeches. However, most of their plans still include the large, for profit private insurance companies. Congressman Dennis Kucinich has been courageous enough to propose a bill that truly outlines a plan for universal healthcare funded by our government providing