Hannon High School
Ashton, West Virginia

 
What, If Any, Should Government's Role Be Regarding Health Care In The United States?

1st Christina Smith     2nd Amy Green           3rd Deena Bryant   

If someone would take it upon themselves to do minor research into American health care, they would quickly discover that almost everyone has a different opinion. Although many arguments exist, all agree that we have a problem with this nation's health policies. Most voters have awareness of the problem, but the solutions seem incomprehensible. Deborah Steelman, a member of the Advisory Counsel on Social Security said: "Health care is the most complicated public- policy issue this country has discussed since the 1930s. It is fundamental and it is huge." Newsweek 2/3/92 - "The US spends $738 billion a year on health care, and that equals thirteen percent of the gross national product which doubles the amount spent by other industrialized nations. Our health care costs more than any other country, yet the quality of the care received does not meet up with the standards of many other countries. Our infant mortality rate is higher than Singapore's while our life expectancy is lower than that of Cubs. Even though the U.S.'s per capita medical expenditures dwarf those of socialized systems, 37 million Americans do not have any insurance."

Time 12/10/90 - " Farbeit for anyone to call insurance security for too often it stops paying the bills too soon, as in 7-year old Adam Howard's case, who died just $10.00 short of the $90,000 he needed for a liver transplant." Newsweek 5/14/90 - "To change our corrupted policy, one would have to appease the doctors, unions, lawyers, hospitals, and insurance companies who naturally feel the present form of health care can not get improved. Easily becoming utterly exasperated, the American people want to know who has the answer and who ultimately suffers and pays the price? Although vastly confused, most people agree with health economist, Lynn Etheredge, who said: 'We couldn't design a more inefficient, ineffective and costly system than the on we've got.'"

Newsweek 2/3/92 - "Three major health care reforms exist: the free-market reform, the 'play or pay,' or national health insurance."

This year's upcoming elections will have dramatic affects on the health care systems. All candidates have taken up the growing disaster and each promise a solution. Health care has become a huge political debate and the voters have the job of determine which candidate has the answer and which one supports popular gobbledygook. The Bush administration seems to support the free-market reform program. Explicit details of the plan have not been announced but, the idea consists of using income tax credits to help uninsured people to pay for health insurance. This leads to "managed care" that means care and what type of care will get decided more accurately. Some experts feel that lack of knowledge of the cost of health care and what different types exist makes up the flaw in our present system. Although the war has made Bush a popular man, this single issue could mean that George Bush will enter early retirement (Newsweek 2/2/92).

Supported strongly by the Democrats, play or pay has become another approach to reforming our present form of health care. Play or pay shares similarities with the "managed care" idea. People who back this program want to require employers to provide health care for their workers or pay taxes to a government advised insurance plan. If this plan goes into effect, what will happen to the small businessman and the self-employed. These people simply pursue the rights granted to them: "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The play or pay reform will break the self-made man and will lead into big business corruption. The rich can not expect the poor to pay for the poor but, to keep the American dream alive, everyone should dream the dream of equality. In Alabama, a family with three members that make more than $1,416 a year, does not qualify for medical help. Forty percent of those living in poverty are covered by Medicaid. Obviously, everyone needing care does not receive it (Newsweek 5/14/90).

Smothered with financial stress and having to watch loved ones suffer, the American people look to the government to throw them a lifeline. Studies show that four out of every five citizens of the United States support the idea of national health care insurance. However, the health insurance industry spends $1 million a year to forestall any government action. They do this because the companies refuse to carry anyone who has any chance of becoming high-risk, leaving the government to pick up the other people. Barbara Ehrenreich said: "The insurance companies can't have it both ways: they can't refuse the poor, the old, and the sick while simultaneously campaigning to prevent a government program to cover everyone alike (Time 12/10/90).

In conclusion, we know that a problem does exist, and after reviewing the solutions, I feel that national health care has the most logical approach. We cannot let people die from our stinginess and from the greed of certain industries. I feel that whichever political candidate who presents a health plan for everyone, Republican, Democrat or otherwise, will win the 1992 presidential elections.

For centuries old men have sat in their rocking chairs and pondered over the advice of Shakespeare when he said: "To be, or not to be, that is the question." Perhaps in the near future these wise old men will change that quote: "To live or not to live, how much will it cost me?" We must do something or bow our heads in defeat and recite the old prayer: "We have left undone those thing which we ought to have don...and there is no health in us." (Time 12/10/90)

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