I read a pretty good article on Relevant magazine’s website called “Christianity and Health Care Reform.” To me, one of the most interesting parts of the article was the comments that followed. There were a few comments from readers that live outside of the United States. I was fascinated to read their feedback because their mindset and how they approach the idea of healthcare is completely different than those of us who live in the middle of this debate. Those who commented genuinely did not understand why there was outrage. They appreciated that health care in their country was provided for them. They couldn’t figure out why a government would not provide this service for their people. One especially couldn’t figure out why Christians would be against reform and would not want their government to get involved within this arena.
Look, I understand that there are a lot of people that are against more government involvement in our lives. And that’s fine. I’ve never seen people protest the government for providing Medicare and Medicaid for people in need. And yes, I know that Medicare and Social Security are in trouble- but that doesn’t mean that at the core that these were bad programs in the first place. I’ve never heard an outcry from the people saying we should not have these programs to take care of the elderly. Odd. But regardless- of all the arenas we would support the government (that WE elect) being involved in, why do we want to keep them out of health care?? I am tired of health care being treated as a business rather than a public service. It’s your freaking health! Should I have the right to live a more healthy life than those that can’t afford to?
Often when I am driving home from Corinne’s at night I listen to Mark Levin. He’s one of those guys that spends most of his radio show yelling in a high pitch voice about how the country is going to the crapper because Obama is a communist, etc. I try to listen to people like that so I can hear the other side of the argument so I can at least see where both sides are coming from. A couple of weeks ago, he was making the case of how awful it was going to be if we had government run health care. He relayed a story about a woman who lived somewhere in Europe and her struggles with socialized coverage. Apparently, she found out that she had breast cancer. The doctors caught it early enough and performed a mastectomy and she is now cancer free. The issue came post-surgery. In her letter, she described the self-image and self-confidence issues she was having after the procedure. She was all set to have cosmetic surgery to help her with her struggles when she received a letter in the mail from the insurance company telling her that her claim was rejected because it was considered cosmetic surgery. Levin then drove the point home- “Do you see where our country is headed? This is our future!”
As I was listening to his spiel, I couldn’t help but think that in that particular case- the health care system worked just as it should have. I sympathize with women that have had to have surgery that has left them with what they consider a less than desirable body. I personally know women that have had mastectomies. But the real issue is- what should health care cover? The immediate threat was the cancer. And the health care system treated it and covered it. She was in danger of losing her life, and as a public service she was treated. I believe the self-image problems that were left behind are real. But I agree with the insurance company- it would be cosmetic surgery. And no one is telling her that she can’t have that procedure. They’re simply saying that she will need to be the one that pays for it. And I agree. Who would be able to say where it would end? Can you say the teenage girl that struggles with depression and self-image issues because she feels she is uglier than all the other girls in school has any less valid point? Are her feelings any less real? I’ve worked with high school students and I can say from my experience in talking with them that it is a very real issue. But I don’t think that insurance paying for ways to alter your body is the answer. The better answer is a correct teaching on where beauty comes from in the first place.
I was talking to someone yesterday that is getting married next month. Her fiancé works for the state and is currently paying over $100 a month on health insurance. When he adds her to his plan after the wedding, his cost for healthcare will rise to over $400 a month. If he adds her five year old child, the cost will be over $900 A MONTH. And somehow, there is an outcry on healthcare reform. It angers me that there are so many people struggling to pay bills already and now many are spending 1/3rd of their take home pay on the ability to keep their health. Shame on us.
5 comments:
I think $900 a month is actually low compared to what it typically costs a family for health insurance. The problem is, most of us don't have any idea how much it costs because the company we work for picks up most of the tab. And as far as this "right" to health care...None of us has an inalienable right to the latest, most expensive healthcare available. The problem is that most people think they have that right but yet are not willing to pay for it.
And that's the problem. If $900 is a pretty good indicator of what the average 3 person family pays for health care, that's embarrassing.
OK so I don't necessarily disagree with your point that $900/month is too much. The solution, however, is not to have rich people (250k+/year income) come in and pay our bills for us. The solution is to have lower cost options, and to have better transparency in the health care system so we know how much everything costs WHEN we buy it, not 6 months later when the insurance approval is finally complete. I think it's ridiculous that my wife is going to have a baby this July and I have no idea how much it will cost...I'll just pay the $100, $1000, whatever bills that come in until they stop coming, which will be waaay after the baby is born. Now that's messed up.
I agree with you. But how is that going to happen? Businesses are meant to make money. As long as the health care system is run like a business, this is what we're going to get. And you're right- they can charge pretty much whatever they want. What's your other option? To deliver the baby yourself?
Actually Brad, that's not a bad idea...
reposting.
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