Health care on the mend
I thought I would never see the day, but yesterday, Congress finally took historic and concrete steps toward changing our inefficient and inequitable health care system. There are at least three reasons why I am excited that this long-sought change has finally happened:
- The rising costs of providing decent health care for the employees at Metro, increasing more than 10% per year for several years running, threatens my ability to make sure our citizens are getting the services that they pay for. High health care costs means fewer employees to do the work and less resources for caring for our natural areas, for taking care of animals at the Zoo, for keeping the Oregon Convention Center humming and bringing in money to the region and more.
- On a personal level, my son turned 25 last year and he was dropped by my insurance company. Because he had hurt his back and been treated many years ago, he became one of the statistics as a person with a “pre-existing condition.” He had a heck of a time finding any company that would insure him (he is a temporary employee and gets no insurance from his employer). He finally found a company that would cover him: but only after he pays the first $2500 of any single claim. Essentially, he has no health care coverage, only help if he really gets sick or hurt.
- I know many families that are struggling to make ends meet and having to choose between rent, food and expensive private insurance for health care. You can imagine what they don’t buy. This puts them at risk and all of us, as well. If they get sick or injured, they will have to go to a doctor and if they can’t pay, the rest of us will through higher insurance premiums or taxes.
Of course, the new law isn’t perfect, but at last, we’re taking a resolute step in the right direction.