I can blame this on Bush and Republicans. After all, we have, for example, a Senate Majority Leader (Bill Frist) whose family fortune is inextricably tied to HCA, the for-profit health care corporation that just this week closed a midtown KC AIDS/HIV clinic, in a bold display of Republican compassionate conservatism.
But the truth is we have a political system that allows health care, prescription drug, and insurance companies to buy candidates and write legislation that benefits a few CEO's and their cronies.
Clinton introduced a universal health care plan in 1994. Republicans turned it into a joke by displaying stacks of papers and deriding the plan as one of "dizzying complexity, strangling bureaucracy, and wanton spending." Clinton, ever mindful of building and cementing his own power base and legacy, never touched the subject again in any meaningful way.
This is an American problem that can be addressed by grassroots activism; by electing progressive, compassionate leaders; and by reframing the issue of affordable health care as a right all citizens in a fair and progressive democracy should enjoy.
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I'm a small business owner with a family of three. The brief history of my health insurance costs is below. I just received my latest increase notice. If I were to maintain my current level of coverage, my insurance would increase by 25% over last year, and a whopping 74% over just three years ago.
Is this all due to "frivolous" lawsuits against skilled and ethical physicians and hospitals? Don't make me laugh. Malpractice lawsuit payouts have remained essentially flat while insurers have raised rates to 1) recoup losses from the 2001 stock market crash and recession and 2) boost profits and rebuild their assets.
I share this with you not to cry in my soup, but to underscore the problem with a real life example. Bush's personal health care accounts won't do dick to resolve the crisis. It's up to us to carry the burden of health care reform.
Hoffman Health Insurance History:
2001
$470/month premium
2002
$500/month premium, a 4.9% increase over 2001
I kept the increase low by doubling my doctor office copay from $15/visit to $30/visit, and tripling deductibles from $500/individual to $1,500/individual
2003
$654/month premium, a 33% increase over 2002
I increased my doctor office copay from $30/visit to $40/visit and annual maximum out-of-pocket to avoid a 40% increase
2004
$818/month premium, a 25% increase over 2003
This is based on the notice I just received. I can reduce the premium by increasing deductibles yet again, dropping prescription drug coverage, and/or dropping office copay coverage entirely.
I have some options, and I'm exploring them. But folks, something's got to be done about this.
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