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Fix Our Broken Healthcare System
We have a serious national crisis in our
healthcare system. It is a moral and practical failure for us to have uninsured
neighbors. One that is damaging to both, our business and our
humanity.
Look around us. One out of every six of our neighbors lacks
any
healthcare coverage, and one out of every three has inadequate healthcare coverage. It was no accident that "The Good Samaritan" parable was
about taking care of sick and injured neighbors.
Also,
our businesses cannot compete around the world with countries that
do have healthcare coverage.
We must begin with a
firm, non-negotiable commitment to equal, comprehensive healthcare coverage for every American. How we achieve
this, is open to debate.
I lean toward a plan of mandatory health insurance
(like we have for auto insurance), based on the idea of "universal coverage,
universal responsibility." This plan shares premium costs between employers,
employees, and (in those cases where needed) government.
It is an extension of private
insurance coverage to everyone, not a new government program. However, I am open to
other approaches as well. The main thing is to get it done, and do it
right.
Our lack of universal healthcare coverage is one of the
many reasons why the recent bankruptcy law changes were so hostile to family
values and human life. Medical bills and lost jobs are the two biggest reasons
people file for bankruptcy. Any one of us is a "pink slip" and a diagnosis away
from financial ruin.
resources
• Physicians for National Healthcare
• National Coalition on Healthcare
• Universal Healthcare Action Network
• Campaign for Better Healthcare
• Citizens Healthcare Working Group
