Rising Numbers of Uninsured
Recently released figures show that the number of people without health insurance in the US rose in 2006 from 44.8 million, or 15.3% of the population, to 47 million, or 15.8%. The increase reflects the ongoing reduction in employer-based health care, covering only 59.7% of the population in 2006, down from 60.2% in 2005. This is a crisis that is not going to abate. I sincerely believe that a single payer system is the best option, from the point of view of efficiency, equity and solidarity (follow link to the arguments).
A key concern is the continued rise in the number of uninsured children, with 600,000 more children joining this ignoble club in 2006. This comes at a time when the administration is vowing to use the veto pen to prevent an expansion of Children’s Health Insurance Program. They oppose on strictly ideological grounds as they do not want any “crowding out” of private insurance. As noted by Paul Krugman recently, to be consistent, they would also need to also argue that the government should stop subsidizing middle class children’s education, as “if public schools weren’t available, many families would pay for private schools instead.” But don’t expect consistency. And meanwhile, the health care crisis continues…
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I would certainly not want to see medical professionals working for the state. What kind of health care would we then have?
Perhaps there’s a better way? I have friends in Switzerland whom I see three or four times a year here in the USA. ( And, let’s face it, Switzerland is a very conservative country.) In Switzerland everyone must have health insurance. I believe it’s private health insurandce and costs approximately what we pay here in the USA for either a family plan or a single plan. (I don’t believe they have Medicare upon reaching 65 as we have here) . There are various levals of coverage, just as we have here in the USA. People who have low incomes receive government subsidies to help pay their premiums.
In Massachusetts where I work, health insurance is now mandatory. I further believe that proper medical care should be a “right” available to all regardless of income. I’m
thinkin’ the looney right wing nutcases who frequent this blog ainn’t gonna agree.
Private insurance companies exist to find ways to make other people pay for your health care.