This week I found three articles that address health care reform. The first author shares her personal story as an eample of why the current health care system does not work for average Americans. The second author opposes a public coverage plan and critiques many of the proposed health care reforms. The third article is a compilation of different ideas that health care reform supporters suggest based on President Obama's health care address. Author Kate Michelman of The Nation, experienced two major crises within a short period of time. Soon after they occured, the medical crises became financial burdens, even though Michelman and her husband has excellent health care coverage. Based on her experiences, Michelman now advocates for health care reform. She argues that millionsof Americans share her predicament and many more are only one crisis away from medical and financial failure. According to Michelman, this can happen to people in any social or economic bracket and will force all citizens into a similar plight no matter what socio-economic status one initially falls under. Michelman also argues that the health care crisis is not a "series of isolated problems," that only require individual attention. Those that suffer should not suffer alone and would benefit from uniting forces. Finally, she places responsibility on the health care industry for "nominally cover[ing] long-term care but [failing] to cover its actual cost." She believes that the public is mislead in assuming how much they are truly covered.
Sally Pipes of the Washington Examiner opposes President Obama's public coverage plan. The reporter predicts that the plan will be a disaster that will ruin America's health care system. Pipes fears that the proposal will lead to a "single-payer, government-run health care system." She argues that the Obama administration will impose restrictions on private insurers, which puts them at a disadvantage. As a result, private companies will have to drive up costs to break even or make a profit. I disagree with Pipes' arugment. If a public plan supplements the private industry, it will most likely cover citizens who cannot afford the current coverage plans. The plans will operate in different spheres. Pipes claims that insurance premiums will have to charge the same price to all members of a particulr demographic group regardless of illness. While this may be a problem for states that have low insurance rates per person, many states pay a substantial amount for health coverage per person. Therefore, it might actually reduce how much money is allocated per person for health care coverage. Pipes fears that when private insurance companies raise premiums they will become less competitive with the public sphere. While this may occur, perhaps eliminating some of the private sector will not have many significant negative consequences.
Finally, the "Room for Debate" section of The New York Times hosted several health care officials and experts and published their views. Professor Elliot Fisher of Dartmouth Medical School suggests that the reforms target the "fragmented care system, lack of accountability for the overall costs and quality of care, and a payment system that rewards growth and unnecesary care" present in the current system. Karen Ignagni, president and chief executive of America's Health Insurance Plans agrees that the reforms should focus on cost, access and quality of care. Doctor Kevin Pho proposes that universal coverage go hand in hand with training more primary care medical professionals. He argues that a universal coverage plan would fail because there would not be enough primary care medical professionals to see the influx of patients. It is evident that there is some consensus as to what flaws need to be addressed in the current health care system. While plans and proposals vary, the problem definition phase is becoming more clear: The current health care system is wasteful, not available to many, inconsistent and ill-equipped to service Americans. Although I have become slightly more moderate in wanting universal health care, I agree with these authors. Something must be done soon to address these issues.