It’s kind of weird that most critics of universal health care do not come from those without insurance but from those who are comfortably ensconced in employee-related plans. What ain’t broke don’t fix. That is, until they are inflicted with serious health problems only to discover the nightmare of paper work, proof of medical necessity, hidden co-payments for just about anything, and hospital procedures not covered — not to mention the anxiety over illness and budget. Only then to they acknowledge that insurance companies are primarily not interested in the sick but in the bottom line.
Nor do the already insured care that 45 million are uninsured because the comfortable don’t seem to understand that the uninsured are well aware that in the end the “irresponsible” will still receive some care and stick the taxpayer with the bill by declaring either bankruptcy or if on the poverty line, consequently eligible for Medicaid. Still, the already insured argue that Medicare for all is socialistic and somehow the insurance companies can do it better even though the latter is quick to deny insurance to hapless souls of “pre-condition” or poor health records, and when one in the group has a catastrophic illness all are subject to increased rates as if the company premiums did not already build into it such misfortunes.
People from the perspective of insurance companies are no different from cars or homes — have a car accident and you’re f***d; home damage from a hurricane and the following year a letter confirming “Your home is a high risk, therefore, you’re outta here, buster.”
The simple truth is that we should all be together in response to misfortunes; just as when national emergencies are declared we do not deny assistance to the suffering , nor look to see how many were stupid enough to build a home by the river bank. Human frailty is everywhere and we should be proud to strengthen it — universally.
Copyright © 2004 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: October 27, 2004.
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