Health care for all too far away
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Published: June 28, 2009
Thanks so much for your editorial "Health Care for All" in the June 17 edition. It is long past the time for health care for all, not just those in state and federal government, or that are lucky enough, or unfortunate enough, from whatever viewpoint one looks at it, to be on any one of the government-funded medical programs. But for those outside of these programs, with no insurance or with a private plan yoked to a high deductible, there are few greater fears than being faced with a catastrophic illness and the specter of bankruptcy at the other end of it. The mailbox almost becomes an enemy. I have been there before.
According to a New York Times report ("Medical Bills Cause Most Bankruptcies), "Nearly two out of three bankruptcies stem from medical bills, and even people with health insurance face financial disaster if they experience a serious illness, a new study shows."
How many would be business people are scared off from starting their own business by the cost of health insurance or going without because it is so unaffordable? Catamount is at least a help, but it is more or less the same system under a different mantel; it is also no help if that catastrophic illness strikes before the year that one on Catamount has to wait is up. Yet, those with inadequate insurance or without it still pay taxes for those lucky enough have government insurance, state or federal, or who fit into any one of the government health insurance programs It really would be incredible if the same kind of health care enjoyed within the government programs could be for all of us – large and small business, public, private sector employees, executives, workers, blue and white collar, everyone.
Why is it still so far away?
Walter Carpenter
Montpelier
21