Anyone who doubts the urgent need for Congress to approve a universal health care plan, while reining in medical costs so that families can stay financially afloat, should read two reports from a Washington advocacy group that supports sweeping changes.
Families USA reported in April that about 700,000 Nevadans belong to families that spend more than 10 percent of their pretax income on health care. That translates to nearly 31 percent of the stateÕs population, double the percentage in the same predicament in 2000, according to the report, ÒToo Great a Burden.Ó
There are many reasons for this disturbing trend. An increasing number of Nevadans are uninsured. Others who are insured have faced higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Added to this bad news was another Families USA report released Thursday, ÒHidden Health Tax.Ó This report disclosed that those with insurance are subsidizing health care for the uninsured through higher premiums. According to the study, those added costs amounted to $1,017 last year for insured U.S. families and $368 for individuals.
Everyone in this country should have the right to get medical care as needed. Uninsured people who cannot get adequate care suffer needlessly and can develop chronic ailments that add to the financial burden of others.
One of the biggest challenges facing Congress is to find ways to make this care affordable for all Americans. This task is made difficult by the complexities of the health care system. But Americans no longer have tolerance for the status quo.
If Congress fails to act, growing numbers of Nevadans and other Americans will be forced to file for bankruptcy protection or lose their homes to foreclosure because of medical bills they cannot afford. Yet others without insurance will continue to crowd hospital emergency rooms because they have nowhere else to go.
The health care system, as practiced in the United States, is a mess that Congress needs to clean up as soon as possible.
Copyright 2009 Las Vegas Sun
