Nurses Speak Out for Universal Health Coverage | Arthritis Information

 

 

BILL MOYERS:We turn now to health care. You don't need me to tell you that 47 million Americans are uninsured, and it's not news to you that medical costs are increasing faster than the rate of inflation, or that more Americans than ever are afraid a single major illness could bankrupt them. It's little wonder that when the Gallup poll asked people on the eve of this election year to name the most important thing that can be done to cope with health care, 63% mentioned universal coverage — more than any other fix. Critics were quick to cry "Socialism! Socialism!", and even before Senator Hillary Clinton unveiled her healthcare plan, they attacked it, too, as "socialized medicine." It took the McClatchy News Service, which some of us consider the finest news organization still on its feet, to reach back into history for some context on this debate. McClatchy's Kevin G. Hall reminded us that Senator Clinton's "socialistic" plan bears a striking resemblance to changes proposed in 1974 by President Richard Nixon, who was, some will remember, a Republican. Here's what Nixon said in his final State of the Union address:

PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON:I shall propose a sweeping new program that will assure comprehensive health-insurance protection to millions of Americans who cannot now obtain it or afford it, with vastly improved protection against catastrophic illnesses."

BILL MOYERS:Nixon's plans were foiled by the White House crimes known as Watergate, which forced his resignation.

Thirty-four years later, we're no closer to health care for everyone, despite the number of Americans who need it. But now, some very determined people are taking up the fight for universal health care. They're nurses — who day in and day out — encounter the human consequences of a broken system. Here's our report, by Producer Peter Meryash and Correspondent Rick Karr.

 

TheCNA make an important point with using Cheney as an example of the disparity of our health care "industry".  Someone with his medical history would be, in many situations, denied individual health coverage and consequently treatment and would have died, but because he is a federal employee, part of a large pool of workers, he is not discriminated against because of a preexisting condition.  Another interesting point, is that taxpayers pay for 70% of federal workers health insurance premium, yet that same taxpayer may not be able to afford health insurance for herself.

 

At a person's most vulnerable time, when they are sick and in need of care, it is nurses who advocate for a patient's needs, against the restrictions of for profit insurance companies. 30 cents of every  of health insurance premiums, goes to insurance companies administrative costs, ceo salaries, marketing, and shareholders dividend.  This would be acceptable if the "commodity" were soap or a tv, but should health care be reagrded  as such?  If the for profit aspect of insurance were removed, wouldn't that free up money better spent on the delivery of health care?  In Germany, citizens can choose from several private, non profit insurance plans -- every citizen is covered and less is spent on health care there than here in the US.  So there are several possible ways to achieve universal health care and contain costs -- through a single payer system, which is what the Nurses Assoc proposes, or through a system like Germany, and there are other possibilties.  More and more people lack adequate health insurance, its time for health care reform now.