Health Insurance Reform

I am pretty biased about health care reform. I really would like to see us have a single payer system. I am not ashamed of that desire and I believe that it would benefit us in the long run. There is no such thing as perfection in matters of policy, however, we should not shy away from the challenges we face and how we might address them. I know that this topic is quite volatile right now and, due primarily to the loud voices which devour our attention in all the various forms of media, it has become quite a polarized issue. It is my opinion that this form of dualistic thinking has lead to the stalemate in progress that we as a country face on a broad range of challenges. There is a critical flaw in conceptualizing things as only pro/con, either/or, etc. Critical thinking, to me, involves moving beyond this form of logic and attempting to digest many points of view and synthesizing these various viewpoints into some sort of consensus. I know this is easier said than done and perhaps naive to the politics of power involved in decision making, however, I remain hopeful that this participatory component of our democratic process is what has set our way of life apart from others.

With that said, it is also very important to understand that not everyone has the same life experiences. What I mean by that, is that not everyone has experienced serious illness and how that might influence how they understand the business of insurance coverage. Kimberly and I recently did our taxes and our out of pocket health expenses for 2009 were a little over $17,000; and we have insurance coverage. That is on top of the $500 a month we pay in premiums. That is almost 35% of our income. (Yeah...maybe TMI but it has blown me away these past few years) I am just not convinced that some people have grasped what it means to get seriously ill in our society and the burdens that are placed on individuals and families when this occurs. Most people's thinking about insurance revolves around co-payments for simple doctor's visits and relatively inexpensive prescriptions for medicines like antibiotics. What do we say about ourselves when the leading cause of bankruptcies are due to medical expenses...with most of these folks having insurance coverage?

Please know that I am not advocating against any political perspective when I try and speak about this issue. I recognize my bias and reflect upon the danger present in self-righteousness that often accompanies my conclusions. I do not think that I am right and others are wrong, for that is the same example of dualism with which I am railing against. I know that many of my friends, colleagues, and family members think differently than I do in regards to this matter of policy. I hope that I show those that differ from me respect in matters of difference. I hope that I can show how I have attempted to infuse their points of view into my view, although I admit I am not always successful in this endeavor.

Further, I am a strong proponent of the free market system. However, I am not convinced that free is synonymous with fair, and fairness is something we as a society should maintain as an achievable goal. Nor do I believe that the free market has the capacity to handle every aspect of social organization, as some would advocate. The well-being of individuals and society at large cannot be solely directed by theories of supply and demand. There are too many confounding interactions which moderate supply and demand that are outside the control of individuals and groups within our culture. I understand that some would advocate that unfettered free market principles would "naturally" address these, but I think that is too simplistic of an argument and minimizes underlying existing discrepancies.

I also understand that no one wants the government making decisions for us regarding aspects of our lives, especially those decisions about our health. This is a fundamental tenet of our society which has been present ever since some folks decided to sail across the ocean, drop loads of tea in the harbor, and eventually declare independence. However, as it presently stands (and I speak from my personal experience) I am not comfortable with insurance companies and their accountants making those same medical decisions either. That is my honest assessment of how things exist presently. These companies vested interests lie in procuring profits for their shareholders which at times involves limiting care for many vulnerable people.

We have proven many times in the past that we can overcome barriers and seek compromise on difficult issues. We have shown resolve in the past in the face of adversity. We will, together, address this problem and find workable solutions to the many aspects of health care which demand reform. There is no room for maintaining the status quo. If we choose this path then it will be to our economic detriment for costs are rising too high far too quickly and sustainability is impossible. I promise to continue listening to others who differ from me and seeking common ground. I hope the same is afforded to me.

Peace,
Josh