Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Long Haul
It has taken some time, but the raucous over heath care reform seems to be dying down. Does that mean the task is over, or does it just mean that Congress is not in the limelight right now? It means that Congress is not in the limelight right now. The H1N1 virus is taking a healthy share of the headlines, as are Afghanistan, and other world news, and that is okay.
Keep this in mind. It matters a lot what our Congress decides to do on health care, but whatever they decide, it does not end the discussion. If you read H. R. Reid’s “Healing of America” (2009, Penguin Press) then you understand that “health care reform” is a never-ending struggle. Those countries which have gone with a public option and those who have gone to a total “universal coverage” are constantly looking at reforming health care. It is a part of the national rhetoric and a large part of every political campaign.
So what is the point? The point is that we are constantly going to be talking about health care reform because it will never be “right”. Our system now provides the best coverage in the world, to those who can afford it, but it leaves too many uncovered. That was never the argument. The argument was how to cover those who need it without ruining the coverage of those who can afford it, or who “afford” it through their employers.
I am one of those under “universal” coverage because I am a disabled veteran of the US Army, and contrary to popular opinion, the VA is one of the best medical providers around. There are things it will not do for you because it is not necessary, and sometimes the drug your doctor wants to use is “not in the formulary”. The VA, though, is constantly being looked at, constantly being reviewed, and undergoing constant “reform”. So unless you are sticking your head in the proverbial sand and saying, “everything is fine, we don’t need reform”, best roll up your sleeves and get ready for the long haul.
Keep this in mind. It matters a lot what our Congress decides to do on health care, but whatever they decide, it does not end the discussion. If you read H. R. Reid’s “Healing of America” (2009, Penguin Press) then you understand that “health care reform” is a never-ending struggle. Those countries which have gone with a public option and those who have gone to a total “universal coverage” are constantly looking at reforming health care. It is a part of the national rhetoric and a large part of every political campaign.
So what is the point? The point is that we are constantly going to be talking about health care reform because it will never be “right”. Our system now provides the best coverage in the world, to those who can afford it, but it leaves too many uncovered. That was never the argument. The argument was how to cover those who need it without ruining the coverage of those who can afford it, or who “afford” it through their employers.
I am one of those under “universal” coverage because I am a disabled veteran of the US Army, and contrary to popular opinion, the VA is one of the best medical providers around. There are things it will not do for you because it is not necessary, and sometimes the drug your doctor wants to use is “not in the formulary”. The VA, though, is constantly being looked at, constantly being reviewed, and undergoing constant “reform”. So unless you are sticking your head in the proverbial sand and saying, “everything is fine, we don’t need reform”, best roll up your sleeves and get ready for the long haul.
