2.2.2007+On+the+Health+of+the+Nation

by Abby Phillips

Do you realize that there is a grave crisis within America? Are you aware that many Americans cannot afford vital medicines for their children?

That is what America faces today. America, progressive in its research efforts for diseases such as cancer, AIDS, and Parkinsins disease, parents must choose between paying for life saving medicines or food on the table.

What happened to the days in which a doctor's visit did not require lengthy forms and increased copays?

In several states, including Illinois, progressive steps have been taken to help Americans who are unable to pay for insurance by providing minimal insurance for children. Massachusetts has been one of the most progressive states within the Union to provide a universal health care system. However, the rest of the country still stands alone. Many European countries have what is considered a universal health care system in which their taxes pay for health care coverage which makes obtaining health care easy. Health care in countries like Britain is cost effeicient, but the lack of medical specialists raises tough issues related to the quality of their care.

What is this country waiting for? The time for health care reform is now.

Or maybe not. As we become more exposed to nationalized health care, we also begin to see its not-so-perfect side. Cheaper? Perhaps. More effective? Maybe not so much. For those who cannot afford health care, we offer Medicare and Medicaid as well as COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) benefits for those who have lost their jobs, not to mention the All Kids Program recently started by Governor Blagojevic. There are great things about these programs, and they help thousands of people for whom any such benefits would be out of reach. There are, however, people for whom these programs are not an option, which is lamentable. Although the U.S. health care system may not be perfect, I daresay we look at this from a Third Way perspective-- fix, don't demolish. We have a system in which we do not have to wait five hours for a doctor or enter huge waiting lists for a heart bypass. Perhaps it is time for a new health program to go along with unemployment. Perhaps large surgeries could have a government subsidy. There are ways, less painful and more fluid ways to change things. Lets not get so idealistic that we lose sight of realistic and end up making a mess we can't stitch up.