Columns

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

access to health care: a right, not a privilege

By Senator Tom Harkin

Something is wrong when 45 million Americans – eight out of 10 of them in working families – can’t afford even basic health insurance. That’s why Americans will mobilize from May 1-8 to observe Cover the Uninsured Week.

Consider the case of a Des Moines family profiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Michael and Patty are the parents of two children. They make almost $36,000 per year, and both work in food processing plants. With two children at home, a mortgage, and many other bills, they have no money left over to purchase health insurance, even though Patty is eligible through her employer. If something happens to them or their children, they are forced to pay all their health care costs out-of-pocket.

Many believe that the United States has the best health care system in the world – the best treatments, the best medical technology, and the best pharmaceuticals. But this is like a cruel joke to the uninsured – including more than 8 million children -- because they are forced to make do with substandard care or none at all.

The result is a paradox: The United States has a world-class health care system, but we fall behind most industrialized countries when our general health outcomes are measured. For example, members of minority groups are the least likely to have health insurance. Not surprisingly, they have higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.

Bear in mind that health insurance is not just about seeing a doctor when you are sick. It’s about prevention as well. If you have insurance you are more likely to have a relationship with a doctor who knows you and your health history. You are more likely to have access to preventive care so that chronic disease can be prevented in the first place. Without health care coverage, minor illnesses can turn into major ones. Small incidents can turn into chronic conditions. Once this happens, it becomes almost impossible to afford quality health insurance without restrictions on benefits.

Every American should have access to quality, affordable health care coverage. Why? Because people’s lives, their livelihoods, and their ability to contribute to society are all undermined if they aren’t healthy. In addition, access to health care coverage saves money in the long run. Overuse of emergency rooms, treatment of chronic conditions, and uncompensated care cost U.S. taxpayers billions each year.

One realistic solution would be to give everyone the option of joining the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Larger purchasing pools such as this are able to reduce insurance rates, guarantee coverage of existing conditions, and provide access to quality health care coverage.

During Cover the Uninsured Week, Americans will hold demonstrations and observances around the country to demand coverage for every American. We have a simple message: In the world’s richest nation, access to decent health care should not be a privilege restricted to some; it should be a right guaranteed to all.