Health care politics

One of the problems we constantly have in this country is that we argue over the politics without actually dealing with the issues.

Now, I'm sure this is not unique but we have failed to address major issues over time as we throw accusations such as socialism, greedy capitalists, etc, etc instead of somehow agreeing on a common outcome.

If you consider the problems we have now, I think many would agree the providing universal health care, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, improving the economy and specifically unemployment, and making sure future generations have a livable environment are important.

However, we continuously fail to make significant progress on these issues because of politics. Consider the current argument on health care. Currently in this country we spend more money per capita on health care than any other country. We do have better results for some of the population, but for many people in this country, health care consists of infrequent visits to emergency rooms and clinics with less than ideal outcomes.

Now, all of this is paid for now. Much of this cost is borne as a cost of employment. Much of this cost (Medicare and Medicaid) is borne by taxpayers. Generally the cost of the uninsured is passed on as overhead to all as part of hospital overhead.

Now, the other fact is that if you are not a senior, or not employed at a company that provides health insurance, the cost of private insurance is onerous for the average worker.

So we know how much this all costs us and one would think that a system that fixed the cost issue should be able to provide better care for many and not decrease care for those who already have insurance. One would think that the removal of health insurance as an employment cost would also level the playing field for business and reduce a barrier to employment.

Not everyone shares these views. It often seems that those who are at the top of the health care pyramid, either because they profit from the current system, or because they have secure and excellent health care due to wealth or employment status, don't want the less fortunate to get adequate health care. They couch this argument in other terms, but either you want everyone to have adequate health care or you don't. If you do, the argument should be about how to get there. Clearly, the system we have now doesn't get there. I hear very wealthy people saying the current system fails because it is not a free market system and the fact that Government is so involved has led to increased costs and inadequate care. Of course much of this argument revolves around Medicare its cost and its impact on health care, but one thing that is not a problem is whether seniors can get health care.

Now, one hears many allegations about the failure of health care in countries that provide universal coverage. On the other side liberals point to the failures of our health care system. Clearly, it is always easy to find individual instances where any health care system, or in fact any system, fails. However, on a macro level our health care system does not provide the best results. Where we do produce the best results is at the extreme top level where we do go to extraordinary levels. This relatively minor aspect is constantly cited by those who oppose health care change. They cite examples where incurable diseases are not treated elsewhere but where we go to extraordinary levels.

There is one inescapable fact of life, it will come to an end. I'm certainly not going to say that extending life a few years or even months is not worthwhile. The cost of certain procedures, versus the result are a legitimate concern. If we had a true free market system, many people would never be able to afford those procedures anyways. Our current system often bankrupts people at the end of their lives and prolong those lives for relatively short periods, often with very little quality of life.

It is an emotional issue but society shouldn't prevent people from spending their money however they want to, but it is not a cost that should be ignored and paid no matter what, if it is going to increase taxes or the cost of insurance.