A lot has been in the news recently about health care. Political candidates are talking about their health care programs, about how their solution is better than someone one else's, etc. This morning's news carried a report of a major labor union calling a strike largely over health care issues. There is no question that we're concerned about health care.
The fact that so many presidential candidates from both the Republicans and Democrats have been talking about how to improve the healthcare situation in this country has been encouraging to me. We have lots of uninsured people in this country whose employers do not provide health insurance. Many of them cannot afford the premiums for individual health insurance policies. Some have pre-existing medical problems that make it impossible to get individual health insurance even if they can afford it. Something needs to be done.
There are lots of proposals on the table. There are lots of complex issues to consider. My greatest fear is that our government will be so caught up in the "paralysis of analysis" that nothing will be done. That would be tragic!
As I have looked at the different proposals being made, I have become convinced that just about any of them are an improvement over what we have now. The last thing I want to see is a legislature so deadlocked over competing plans that it does nothing. But that is often what happens.
One side will want reforms with provisions A, B, C, G, and H. Another side will want reforms with provisions A, D, E, F, G, H, and I. Both sides have provisions A, G and H in common. Do they pass a single bill with just the parts they agree on so that something gets done? NO! They each hold those parts hostage trying to get everything they want for their side. So, nothing gets done!
The only winners in this type scenario are the pharmaceuticals and insurance companies. I have nothing against these businesses. I am so grateful they exist, and I want them to make money. I just don't want our society to be exploited by them. Unfortunately, it is in their interest to block change, and that is what they will try to do.
Bringing about health care reform will be extremely difficult regardless of whom gets elected. No matter what, some people will be unhappy. Debate and discussion are critically important. I just hope and pray they actually do something, and do it soon.
That's my two cents.
Wade Houston
September 24, 2007
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