Sick? Too bad!!!

Health Care. It's been on the minds of most Americans this past year, and for others, many years. This has been one of the most Topsy-turvy roller coaster policies in American History, to date. America's health care industry is economically 1/5th of the country's Gross Domestic Product, and it is because of this, the opposition to free health care pit themselves against those many who cannot afford health care. This "luxury", as it's seemingly being treated, should be a fundamental right to all Americans. Are we not the country that sits on top of the world and looks down on everyone else? Ok, so that may be taking it a bit too far, but when you think about the sheer wealth our country owns (not you and I, the other 10%), a martian would think that the Americans are well taken care of. In the year 2010, 233 years into the life of the United States of America, an approximate 47 million people do not have health insurance. If 47 million people were to develop cancer or have coronary heart disease, we would have roughly less as many people living in America.

It's a bold statement to make, but unfortunately, there is much truth in the statement. Regardless of what side of the isle you stand on, one cannot brush over the facts of how unhealthy America is today. One of the top reasons why people do not have health insurance, is not because they simply don't want it, but the cost of coverage is just too steep for many people. According to a study conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust (http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/2009-09-15-insurance-costs_N.htm), the average cost of health insurance for a family is $13,375 annually. If you divide that by month, you get about $1115, which is as much, if not more, than a mortgage payment. When you have to balance costs and your family's budget and spending, you are already looking at $2230 on just housing and health care, IF you can find such an affordable home. Take into consideration the costs of utilities in, for example, Washington State. I pay, for a family of 2, $300 for electricity, sewage, gas, water, and phones. Then, we have auto insurance: $250. A large number of middle-class American's also have a car payment; $250. Then food! Currently, an average family might spend around $400 a month on food alone. If you add up these monthly costs, and these are just rough estimates, you are looking at a monthly expenditure of $3430. Annually, that's $41160. If you take out the cost of health care, it drops down to $27785. This number, is much more easier to reach with a household of 1 income. This number is still pretty high for a large portion of the population, which would make sense for those families to not have health insurance.

Now, I by no means think they are being negligent in not paying for health insurance, as we're all guilty at one point in our lives of sacrificing some bill or another to pinch some pennies. The point that I'm making is, health care costs have increased by 48% since 2000 (Kaiser Family Foundation; Health Research & Educational Trust), which either puts families out on the streets, bankrupt, or simply, without coverage.

In the Michael Moore documentary film, SiCKo, we get a very impressive point of view on America's health care system. Moore starts off his film by interviewing a number of families who have been affected by the rising health care costs and how for-profit Health Maintenance Organizations deny benefits and increase costs. He uncovers through personal statements and letters from some of the major HMOs rejecting payment for medical treatment to patients, rejecting coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, and statement increases families have had to suffer with in having health care coverage.


(Photo Courtesy Canadianflag.com)

He then makes some strong comparisons to foreign countries that have a different systems with almost no cost to its citizens. My partner, NJ, is a Canadian citizen. He has one annual payment that he has to make in order to keep his health insurance: $180. This is the only payment he has ever had to make in his entire life for medical care. Two years ago, he had to have a small growth removed from the backside of his neck (don't ask). In the States, even with my medical coverage I was receiving from the company I worked for (it's a big one, with one of the highest rated benefits package in the state), we would have had a medical bill exceeding $12,500. He made an appointment in Vancouver, BC for the same surgery. Our total cost: $60...on GAS to travel up to Vancouver! The amazing Canada Health Act ensured that the burden of cost would not be placed on its citizen. WOW!!

One of the countries Moore gives us a look into is France. I became extremely jealous of the French after watching this film, and even looked at relocating to France. It is there, where health care is free. Prescription drugs are free. Education is free. Nannies are free. Day care is free. EVERYTHING A FAMILY NEEDS IS FREE!!! This is a country that knows caring for a family should never be a burden and its government is more than willing to encourage and participate in this beautiful thing called family building. This is important, as parents have more opportunity to teach values and ethics to their children so they have an equal chance at a happy life. This is something any country would envy, but if you as a hard right American, he'll call it "Socialism".


(Courtesy: The Columbus Dispatch)

In American, "we don't give handouts", according to some extremist conservatives who have fought tooth and nail only to lose the battle over health care reform. We also have the highest mortality rate. And the highest obesity numbers amongst children. And the largest wage and wealth gaps between the extremely poor and the extremely rich. But, we're not a Socialist country because Nazi Germany was a Socialist country too, right? I mean, really, they were National Socialists. Really. This is important.

National Socialists is the English translation for the Nazi Party. What they actually practiced was "Fascism". There are some VERY DIFFERENT political and economic beliefs between the two, but I'm just saying.

47 Million Americans do not have health care coverage. This is due in large to employer-sponsored cut backs (they can't afford it), and simply because health care in America is just too expensive for most families. The rich, upper-class, and middle-upper class wouldn't have much difficulty affording coverage, but why can't America help its "other" citizens have this basic and necessary right? Maybe, one day, we too can be like France. Or Canada. Or Britain. Hell, even like Cuba.