| A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH |
| Written by Maria Elena Salinas |
| Monday, March 10 2003 |
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| It's a plastic card about the size of a driver's license. It has my name on it, as well as the name of a doctor and an insurance company. If I am sick, have an accident or need any type of medical attention, all I have to do is show it to a doctor or hospital. The little plastic card is proof that I am covered by health insurance. It makes me one of the lucky ones.
More than 41 million Americans are not as fortunate. They are men, women and children from all parts of the country, all ethnic groups and all walks of life who do not have health insurance. For them, there is no plastic card or anything else that will get them the medical care they need. Short of a frantic visit to an emergency room -- all too often, when it is too late -- they will have no contact with doctors, nurses or any other health professionals.
This week, you will be hearing a lot about these 41 million people during Cover the Uninsured Week, a national campaign aimed at calling much-needed attention to the plight of Americans with no health insurance. In the richest and most powerful country on Earth, the fact that 41 million people are exposed to such grave danger is a national shame.
There are all sorts of statistics to convince anyone that this is a national emergency that demands immediate attention from our political leaders. Eight out of 10 people without health insurance are from working families. While most are from low-income households, the number of uninsured people making $75,000 a year is now at 6.6 million.
Nearly 8 million children are uninsured. More than half of the uninsured are men. Thirty-three percent of Hispanics and 19 percent of African-Americans are uninsured. Seventy-nine percent of the uninsured are U.S. citizens, so it is not just a problem facing new arrivals to this country. Sadly, college students and recent college graduates make up one of the fastest-growing groups of uninsured Americans.
Enough statistics. Can you imagine what it must be like to have to live with pain, or to see your sick child turned away because you cannot afford to pay the astronomical costs of medical care? Is it fair to have your elderly relative's condition worsen due to lack of coverage for home health treatments? How about getting a prescription for a medication that can save your life but not being able to afford to fill it?
Faced with the possibility that even more Americans are losing their health-insurance coverage during a sagging economy, President Bush and congressional leaders have focused attention on the problem. The administration has proposed a tax credit for families so that they can purchase medical insurance. That is a generous offer, but it will present tough choices to families who must choose among paying rent, buying food and purchasing insurance.
The White House has unveiled a plan to overhaul Medicaid, which provides health coverage to 36 million low-income individuals. It is also looking for ways to provide much-needed prescription drug coverage for the 37 million seniors and disabled Americans who receive Medicare. However, that plan might end up being more costly to the elderly, who already have to live on their minimal Social Security checks. Democrats have their own plan, and those in need are waiting for these politicians to come up with some kind of compromise before things get worse.
For example, lawmakers could also make it mandatory for all employers to provide medical insurance for their employees and their families. Tax credits and other incentives could be given to small businesses that cannot otherwise afford to provide health benefits. How about using some of the money that is destined to overthrow Saddam Hussein and rebuild Iraq to instead help some sick people get a chance at life in our own country? Just think of how many families we could cover for the cost of just one B-1 bomber. It's all a matter of priorities. |
