Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 3 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

Universal Health Care Demanded in US

By Matthew Cardinale and Sarah Epting  Posted by Matthew Cardinale (about the submitter)       (Page 2 of 2 pages) Become a premium member to see this article and all articles as one long page.   No comments
Message Matthew Cardinale
30% of current private profits for the insurance industry would be eliminated under single-payer, while another 15% of the administrative costs of dealing with insurance companies would also be avoided.

Over 80 million Americans are without health care at any given point during the year, Dr. Daniel Blumenthal, Morehouse College School of Medicine, said. This is higher than the often cited 45 million, Blumenthal said, because 45 million go without for an entire year, and additional Americans cycle in and out of coverage each year.

At least another 50 million Americans are estimated to be inadequately insured. This means their plans do not cover everything they need them too. Also, many Americans cannot afford co-pays and deductibles, meaning they cannot benefit from private insurance even if they have it.

"More and more I've seen people with health insurance, but it doesn't cover jack. The new thing is the insurance companies are selling skinny insurance," Rita Valenti said in a phone interview.

"We have the most expensive health care system in the world despite the fact that all those people don't have it," Blumenthal said.

"Nothing tugs at a pastor's heart more than when we see the suffering of parishioners," Rev. Timothy McDonald of the First Iconium Baptist Church said. The First Iconium hosts monthly social justice forums on the first Tuesday of each month but will be off next month.

A doctor originally from Canada spoke at both events. "Canada's health care system is really great. This is a good model for a good financing system," Karen Hochman said. "It was great being a doctor in Canada. I was able to provide good care for patients without worrying about money. It never crossed our minds to think about money. We didn't know how much it cost because we never got a sheet telling us."

"People worry... a national health care system... would be mired in bureaucracy and red tape. I can tell you right now our system is already bureaucratic and already inefficient. And something needs to change," Larissa Thomas, President of Health Students Taking Action Together, and third year medical student of Emory, said.

Medicare is one of the most efficient health insurance programs in the nation, with administrative costs at only 3%.

"When we are in classrooms we learn the most cutting edge technology. Then when we go out into our medical rotations we learn that we do not have the most cutting edge healthcare system. What we learn in our clinical practice is not implemented to patients. We are limited to the kind of tests we can order and the kind of treatment we can provide based on the patient's insurance plan and based upon whether they have insurance at all. This is not the way to practice medicine," Thomas said.

"It has been so exciting to see this as an issue," Marguerite Rece, a Registered Nurse, said. "I tell rich people, who do you think is going to be taking care of you when you go the hospital? People who don't have health care. We have to demand this."

Since its inception last year, The Atlanta Progressive News has endorsed universal health care as a key element of our founding editorial principles. We will continue to follow the efforts of universal health care advocates until universal health care passes the US Congress and is available for all Americans.

About the author:

Matthew Cardinale is the News Editor of Atlanta Progressive News and may be reached at matthew@atlantaprogressivenews.comSarah Epting is a Staff Writer for Atlanta Progressive News and may be reached at sarah@atlantaprogressivenews.com

Syndication policy:

This article may be reprinted in full at no cost where Atlanta Progressive News is credited.

Next Page  1  |  2

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Matthew Cardinale Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Matthew Cardinale is Editor of Atlanta Progressive News. He has written previously for the Sun-Sentinel Newspaper, Shelterforce Magazine, The Advocate Magazine, The San Francisco Bay View, and the Berkeley Daily Planet Newspaper. He has also (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact EditorContact Editor
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Hearings Begin On Bush's Nuclear Plans, New Plutonium Plant Sparks Public Debate

25 US Reps Want Bush Impeachment Inquiry

17 US Reps Want Bush Impeachment Probe

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend