I am by no means an expert when it comes to the creation of jobs but it just sounds logical if when you look at the potential of what any new health care/insurance reform could bring to America, how many jobs that reform could bring along with it.
When experts were explaining the reason why we had to save companies like General Motors (GM), Chrysler and others, they pointed out that the thousands of jobs lost if these companies were to go belly up didn’t just include those in the headquarters and office areas; it included those that reached across the nation. The automobile parts industry, the fabric industry, the tire industry, factories that put the parts together, the paint industry, the window/glass industry and yes even the oil industry would all lose jobs because business would drop dramatically.
Wouldn’t the reverse effect happen if over 40 million new patients were to suddenly have access to affordable, or in some cases free because of their income, health care? Those Americans that have been turned down for health insurance because of pre-existing health conditions would suddenly have access to the health care they need.
I’m guessing, but wouldn’t millions of jobs be added to our economy if the health care reform were to be enacted?
Just imagine, 40 million additional Americans would suddenly need access to an insurance plan, a clinic and/or a hospital to get that preventive health care that would be required of Insurance companies to provide. A potential of 40 million people plus would now have access to medicines they couldn’t afford before the reform took place.
Looking into the future, just as those experts did with companies like GM, I can see thousands of jobs created to build new clinics and new hospitals to handle the extra patients. That requires the construction, electrical and plumbing industry to kick in gear. It also means new jobs for clinic clerks, technicians, nursing and doctors across America. I can even see new custodial and sanitary crews being hired and new diet/food personnel being hired which would also end up helping our farmers. Not to mention the new insurance agents and offices for that industry to handle all their new customers.
I can also see the factory industry build up with the demand for new surgical equipment, new x-ray machines and new CAT scan and MRI machines. The fabric industry would even see an increased need for help to make those new gowns, bedding and surgical materials. The office industry, for those new clinics and hospitals would require office personnel to run the daily business of the health care record systems. That brings to mind those hired to run information technology service job demands.
Even the auto industry would be helped by such a plan in place. All of the above employees would require transportation to and from work and transportation to transport that new equipment, food, medicine and medical supplies.
It’s been reported that any health care reform would be delayed by 3-4 years to put it all in place. Well folks, guess who has to get that ball on the road; all of the above.
I’m sure I’ve missed a few more industries and professions that would see an increase in their employment needs; but hopefully you get my drift. Health care reform along with the previously past Recovery and Reinvestment bill have the potential to be our and the next generation’s "New Deal".
I sincerely hope that the Obama administration and Congress look into this side of the equation of any possible health care reform and provides the studies that are accumulated as to how many potential jobs this health care reform could bring to our nation.