Health care debate at crossroads

By VICTORIA BOATMAN

Health care debate has been a long-standing one for Americans. Debate dates back to 1993 when President Bill Clinton introduced the Clinton Plan to Congress, but it failed to pass. Since then, wars and the declining economy have overshadowed the Democrat’s ability to promote health care reform. Now, in 2010, Obama has proposed a new health care reform bill. Among Democrats, Republicans and insurance companies, there is an agreement that there needs to be reform. How health care is going to undergo change remains the controversy. As Congress continues the debate, Americans are becoming increasingly concerned. To understand how this bill will affect America, if implemented, here are a few key points.

Coverage for all Americans

For the four million Floridians who currently do not have health insurance, the new health care bill would provide all citizens coverage regardless of age, health status or medical history.  The cost every year for the first 10 years will be $100 billion, which is roughly the cost of the Iraq war every year. Also, Americans who make over $500,00 will receive a one percent tax increase.

America will save

The new health care reform assures that everyone is provided health care whether one loses a job, changes a job, moves or becomes ill. There will also be an individual mandate that states health insurance must be bought or one will have a two percent tax increase. With every American under a health care coverage the Institute of Medicine estimates that between $65 and $130 billion will be saved each year because of uninterrupted health care coverage.

No longer able to deny insurance

Presently, insurance companies can reject any client they deem high risk or with preexisting conditions.  With the new health care system, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny people insurance or drop coverage.  This includes the 10 percent of Florida’s population that has diabetes and the 28 percent who have high blood pressure. People with these conditions are considered high risk and insurance companies frequently deny these patients. In an effort to keep the same income, health insurance companies may increase coverage rates.

Preventing disease

The current health care system is focused on treating diseases as opposed to preventing them. With the health care reform, emphasis will be on preventing disease. In Florida alone, 36 percent of residents have not had a colon cancer screening, which is a form of preventative medicine. With the new reform, the ability to get colon cancer screenings, mammograms and other types of preventative action will be available for free to those who cannot afford it.