Health Care Realities
September 7, 2008
Almost one in seven Americans lack health insurance. Most Americans regard this as moral stain. Some senators regard health care as a right. There needs to be universal insurance in this opinion. It doesn’t matter who wins the elections, health care needs to be up there on the priority list.
The main issue is not improving coverage, but controlling costs. In 1960 one in every twenty dollars spent in the US economy was on health care. Now that figure is one in every six dollars spent. By 2025 that could be one in every four dollars. Imagine a quarter of the US economy devoted to health care.
Studies show much of medical tests are either ineffective or not needed. Better care is not likely the most expensive. Health spending is taking away budgets set aside for other national needs. Schools, roads, defense, research, all need money.
Many people assume that health care shortchanges the poor. This is not true. Health care spending is more equal for the poor and rich than spending in other areas. Health care needs have to be met more realistically. The vision for health care of both presidential candidates is impractical and undesirable.
