Obama's Public Option

Public Option: A Little Bit of Truth

Recently everyone has been completely overwhelmed with information from the media about mostly the proposed public option. Apparently, we have a need to sort through this information for the truth.

I would like to share some information to get everyone thinking. We have a lot to accomplish.

We have three huge problems in our current health care system: (1) the cost of care, (2) the lack of access to care; and (3) the need for better-quality care.

The Facts

• Americans between the ages of 19 and 29 have the highest uninsured rate of any age group. Nearly 1 in 3 is uninsured. And we can’t count on coverage through our parents (assuming they have insurance) or a public program because those plans typically terminate when someone turns 19 years old.

• Many young people have entry-level, low-wage, and temporary jobs that often do not offer health coverage and public coverage options for low-income young adults are very limited. Half of uninsured 19- to 29-year olds work full time, but can’t afford health care because of low wages.

• Half of all youth have been uninsured at some point in the past two years.

• One-third of the U.S. population is made up of racial and ethnic minorities, yet minorities represent over half of the uninsured.

• One out of five young Americans went without needed care because they could not afford it.

• Two-thirds of young voters said the U.S. should provide health care for all.

• In 2007, about 45 million people under the age of 65 lacked health insurance.

• Health care costs have been growing significantly faster than inflation, wages and the overall economy for more than four decades. The United States is projected to spend over $2.5 trillion on health care in 2009.

• Rising costs are driving up insurance premiums and forcing employers to cut back on coverage or demand that employees shoulder a higher share of premiums. Lack of affordable coverage has forced many workers to join the ranks of the uninsured. States and the federal government are struggling to meet the increasing costs of public health programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

Most Common Misconceptions

Why would we want this public option when the canadians, who have it already, are coming here to get treated?

• Actually, in 2008, only 4% of Canada's population received treatment in America and only 1% actually came here specifically to get treatment. The other 3% were here on business or vacation and received emergency treatment.
  

What about the crazy wait times in countries with a national health care system?

• In Canada, you are seen by severity of injury or illness and the longest wait time is about 4 hours. Some diagnostic tests and surgeries ,again depending on severity, can take up to 4 weeks. The reason for this is the lack of doctors and equipment, not because of the national health care system or ,in our case, the public option.

Honestly

The biggest problem I have is that we are trying to compare the United States to other countries when we are in most ways completely different. We do not and are not trying to adopt another countries health care system, we are just trying to implment things to improve our current system.

Furthermore, why wouldn't we want to make sure everyone could receive medical treatment when they need it. Getting treatment sooner would lower medical costs. Making sure everyone can see a doctor on a more regular basis would help to prevent future diseases which would also lower costs of health care in America.

Finally, we acknowledge that health care is a basic human right by providing it to prisoners for free, so why are we ignoring the needs and rights of millions of Americans who can't afford it?

So, let us remember that health care reform is NOT a new idea in America but has been notably mentioned since the 1970's and the crisis we are in was foreseen. It is time to acknowledge the rights of the American people and the fact that our health care system is seriously flawed. We need change!