Despite our individual differences, there is one fundamental aspect of being human that everyone shares- we all experience illness at some point in our lives. Some people are lucky, and only succumb to a cold every few years. Some people are accident prone, often getting scrapes, breaks, or bruises. Still other people suffer from debilitating disease or worse, genetic irregularities that lead to serious complications. But the fact remains that at some point, each of us will most likely experience a physical or mental malady. And what do we do when we get sick? We look for someone, or something, to help make us feel better.
In the last century, humans have made impressive leaps and bounds in medical science, providing us with more effective health care than ever before. From eradicating deadly diseases to performing heart surgery to curing infections, modern science has extended our longevity and increased our ability to remain healthier longer. Our continued research into how the body works and what creates sickness have led to the creation of life saving drugs, more effective diagnoses, and comprehensive treatments. Yet for all our advances, we still have much to learn. Modern medicine, much like predicting the weather, is still not an exact science.
Still, it would seem that from a health care perspective, we are living in the best of times. We may never eradicate injury or illness in their entirety, but we have the ability to diagnose and treat most problems and our knowledge increases every day. Yet as our technological prowess increases, and as our pharmaceuticals become more targeted, the costs of obtaining the benefits of our advances continue to skyrocket. In 2001, health care spending in America amounted to $1.4 trillion dollars. That number is expected to be $3.1 trillion by 2012. Double-digit increases in insurance premiums are now the yearly norm, and more people have to make the choice between paying for coverage or paying the rent. Employers, struggling under the burden of premiums for employees and their families are also cutting benefits and increasing co-pays in an effort to continue to offer benefits at all. And the giant pharmaceutical companies are pushing their latest designer pills on the public, promising a cure to every ill, but at a cost. Medical care seems to be all about profit these days and less about healing the sick and preventing illness.
If the high costs of health care were the only problem with our system, it would be enough. Unfortunately, the quality of our care, or maybe more accurately, the manner of our care, has taken a hit too. In an effort to make medicine more profitable for providers and more economical for consumers, the HMO was born. Not only has the HMO model failed to keep costs in check, it has removed the personal care by turning treatment into a fiscal matter instead of a human one. Doctors, with the ever-looming cloud of a malpractice suit over their heads, are less inclined to be decisive or even forthright with their patients about their conditions. Secure patient records, privacy, and confidentiality are a top concern, as consolidated databases offer fertile ground for identity thieves. Clinics and hospitals are overcrowded, understaffed, and often badly managed, adding long waits to the growing list of negative aspects of our system. In short, we have a real problem with the direction our health care system is going, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
But unlike a doctor who must perform triage on a patient with multiple injuries and treat the most threatening injury first, we must look at our broken health care system as a whole and find a way to make the different parts more synchronistic if we are ever to create a system that embraces the ideals of good health care. We must examine the reasons for increasing costs and find a way to control them. We must develop better access to medical care. We must protect the privacy of the individual. And we must look at our own attitudes and assumptions regarding health care. We must make the choice that medical care is a right and not a privilege. And as a basic human right, we must create a program that offers each citizen a consistent level of health care and find a way to keep the costs in line. And we must recognize that public health care is a necessary component of a functioning society, preventing disease from destroying the population, thus keeping the society intact and growing. Because if we don’t have our health, what do we have?
The American Dream is a quest for personal happiness. In this quest, nothing can derail a person’s hopes and dreams quite like medical problems. The uncertainty of recovery is hard enough to get through. The added uncertainty of getting and paying for treatment only makes things that much harder.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 18th, 2005 at 6:57 am and is filed under Common Sense, Government, Health, Life, Politics, Reform, Social Programs, taxes.
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May 18th, 2005 at 4:21 pm
I’m glad I read the entire post before commenting, for you mention The American Way at the end. This truly is the American Way, and one of the prices we pay for capitalism and our legal system. Giving care away is not the answer, for then we would have a situation much like our education system – who wants to be an underpaid, underappreciated teacher, let alone a doctor? Americans expect too much from an ‘inexact science,’ and when a diagnosis is incorrect, they appeal to our massive legal process. The two together are toxic.
May 18th, 2005 at 8:21 pm
Ken – I found my way here through Blog Explosion. I like your positive approach to helping people.
May 18th, 2005 at 10:40 pm
Ken, nice soft touch on a particularly thorny subject. I wonder, why is it that the Canadian system gets bashed so much by folks here in the USA. They do manage to get the same, or better drugs, at substantially lower costs. When I was living in Ann Arbor, folks from near and far used to scurry over the river to Windsor and get their drugs over the counter at a substantial reduction – same drugs made by the same company.
If ever there was a time where we could steal a system that is actually working, make some tweaks in it to improve it and adopt it as our own, the one in Canada is working fairly well.
Incidentially, before folks jump all over me, do know that I have a cousin that lives in Toronto – and she had a substantial amount of time off for maternity leave – scads more than we get here in the USA, and her spouse got parental leave as well – which strikes me very much to be a prime target for the pro-life/family culture of lifers out there.
Why can’t we get on board the Canadian Policy Train?
May 20th, 2005 at 10:15 pm
My wife and I both have health problems. We do have insurance but that doesn’t cover everything. I know some people have it worse than we do. Still I don’t care for the idea of a health care plan that would be controled by the government. I guess it is the idea that a government that is big enough to give you every thing you need is also big enough to take it away.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic
May 21st, 2005 at 5:12 am
I like this idea a lot less than I liked your last one.
It is hard to balance compassion with self-interest. On one hand, I don’t want anyone to suffer. On the other, I don’t really want to have to pay enough out of my own pocket to ensure that no one ever suffers.
I agree that our health care system isn’t great. But, I don’t think nationalized health care is the answer.
I think the answer lies in the opposite direction. The government needs to stop over-regulating things. The FDA is holding up drugs and making them more expensive.
Also, there needs to be more emphasis on preventive medicine. My old insurance company refused all three doctors visits I had under their plan. They refused the visits because I didn’t go to the doctor for a problem I already had, but future problems I was trying to prevent.
Finally, we are already so spoiled. Most of our employers cover the costs of our health care. We go to the doctor and pay five to fifteen dollars. If we understood the true cost of health care then we would be more conscious of taking care of ourselves. Some people have catastrophic health issues, but not most people, or even a lot of people.
If you want something in place to ensure that people who get horribly sick through no fault of their own have a safety net I can get behind that. Otherwise, I think people have to take responsibility for themselves. And, I am not saying that as someone who has never faced this issue. When I was 21, I got really sick and ended up in the hospital. It took me four years to pay that bill-but it never occurred to me that it wasn’t my responsibility. I was the one who got sick and I didn’t expect someone else to foot the bill. I received a service and I paid for it as I was able to.
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May 21st, 2005 at 6:35 am
(responses)
Todd- I agree with you regarding the lawsuit issue and will be addressing that, as well as the other points you mention. I don’t think that health care should be free either, but you’ll have to catch the next few posts for the details. Hope to have you back.
Sar- Thanks. Hope you drop by again.
Windspike- The same can be said for buying meds south of the border, and they are often even cheaper than in Canada. Same medicine, same makers, just a different box.
And we should look at the importance we place on family versus profit. This is a true irony of the conservative platform, since the two often seem to be incompatible.
David- Who said anything about governmental control. You’ll have to catch the next few posts where I lay things out. At best, government is like a clearinghouse and regulator. They certainly don’t need their fingers in every piece of the pie.
Ashley- If I remember right, you weren’t too fond of my opening piece on a national retirement plan, but I think I almost turned you around at the end of the series. Maybe you’ll be surprised at my health care ideas too.
Government regulation does not have to be obstructionist. Clearly defined methods and rules don’t require massive bureaucracy.
I’m with you on preventive care also, and with our over dependence on “professional” care when it’s not needed. I think the drug companies have some of the blame, what with the way they push a cure for every ill constantly through the tv, radio, and print ads. Soem real consumer education is what is needed to help that end.
And yes, people will have to pay. Like I’ve mentioned before, the details are forthcoming in the next few essays. be sure to drop back by.
May 21st, 2005 at 8:06 am
First, you ought to know that people who only catch a cold only every few years, like my wife and I, do so not because of luck, as you say, but because of factors such as good hygiene, good diet, rest, a good immunity system, etc., and not luck. Prevention is a key.
Secondly, I studied Business Administration at University of California (UC), Berkeley, from August, 1965 till April, 1969, and obtained a B. Sc. and an MBA, and subsequently visited the U.S. on various extended trips throughout the states when I lived in Canada, so I am quite familiar with the U.S. and the Americans. The statements and comments found on your site reveal that most Americans, including those with a higher education, remain as indoctrinated as ever. The American Dream, plays a fundamental role in this indoctrination, but is just that, a dream, for most people, who are sucked into this indoctrination. The health care system is far better here in Spain Costa del Sol), where I have retired to, and also to your north, in Canada, where we came from.
Wake up, smell the coffee, and think, instead of being led by the nose.
I follow developments and research within health care on a regular basis, and my findings frequently find their way into my own weblog, found at http://www.xanga.com/arnejan. Have a nice weekened. Cheers!
May 21st, 2005 at 4:09 pm
I saw a nice bumper sticker yesterday that applies here:
“National Health Policy = Don’t get Sick”
May 22nd, 2005 at 6:16 am
Hi KG, it’s been a while since I was here. So, I’ll make up for lost time by saying that I think healthcare (and education) should be available to all, just like other necessary services (police & fire peotection, highways, etc)! Yeah, I’m developing a reputation as a wacko lately, but that’s what I think – it would benefit everyone. (howdy, Sar!)
May 22nd, 2005 at 8:47 am
(responses)
Arne- Yes, you are right. People stay healthy by taking care of themselves. The luck I was referring to was targeted more at those afflicted with genetic diseases, of which luck plays a leading role.
Whether you accept the concept of an “American Dream” or not isn’t all that relevant, to me at least. The “American Dream” isn’t all that different though than what you probably aspire to, or what many all over the world aspire to, at least at the heart of it. The “American Dream” is not always about being rich and famous. For most of us, it is about being able to lead a healthy life while offering our families the best that we can muster. I think perhaps you’ve confused the dream with the “American Attitude” which does need some serious readjustments. And I’m sure that other nations do a great job with their health care. We just need to find our way through the profit takers first.
As for being led by the nose, I doubt you’ve read many of my posts. Particularly those that deal with foreign relations.
Thanks for stopping by and I’ll visit your site soon.
Windspike- I like that. At least it’s honest.
SheaNC- Welcome back. I think these things sould be available to all too. But that doesn’t necessarily mean free or unrestricted or unlimited either. I think that while access and quality should be universal, we must put back in some fashion to keep it all flowing.
And you’re right- having these things in sufficient quantity and quality only relieves that many more troubles from our ever busier lives, making us either more productive or more balanced.
See you next time.
January 24th, 2017 at 11:22 am
[…] originally wrote about health care back in 2005 on my original political blog Common Sense. ( 1, 2, 3, 4) Those ideas need another look and probably a lot of fine tuning, but it’s a place […]