Issue Position: Health Care Issues

Issue Position

For all of its miraculous advances over the course of the 21st Century, the nagging question about our health care system is: how do we afford it? We are fortunate to live in a nation that has a marvelous system of health care. While we are still looking for cures and treatments for a variety of illnesses, the gains made in the health care field are astounding. Our life expectancy continues to increase and we are able to improve the quality of life for many with unbelievable advances in medicine and medical procedures. My 89 year old grandmother has new hips and knees and my own mother is alive today because they were able to put an artificial valve in her heart more than 10 years ago! Imagine that.

I have five children who are among the 16 grandchildren, two great-grand children, five children and one grateful husband that are thankful to medical science for her being alive today! My father-in-law had by pass surgery which saved him from a fatal heart attack. At age 77, he continues to be a practicing minister. We all have friends and love ones who are not only alive and well today, but are living active, fulfilled lives because of the advances of medical science.

We are finding ways to halt the spread of some cancers. We have medicines of all kinds that will help us lead healthier lives. Our children have access to the best health care in the entire world! I could go on and on singing the praises of the health care industry. The question is, how are we going to continue to be able to afford these advances? While everyone is grateful for these advances, we are also experiencing increases in the cost of health care and insurance that make access to these wonderful procedures and treatments very expensive to all and inaccessible to some. While our elderly are enjoying longer, more active and healthy lives, many are having trouble paying for the health care and prescription drugs they need in order to enjoy that longer life. Many people retired years ago on a fixed income now see more of that income go toward costs of health care. Some literally must choose between medicine and food. Insurance costs are skyrocketing and many have simply given up trying to afford insurance and are taking their chances or choosing not to receive the benefits of medical science because they cannot afford to go to the doctor. Many children do not receive proper immunizations or health care because their families do not have insurance and parents cannot afford to take their children to the doctor. Our government is paying more and more dollars to provide health care to our poor and elderly. This is not simply an issue that confines itself to the cost of prescription drugs to senior citizens. This problem exists for all of us and we need some new ideas in order to help solve the problem.

There are many things that contribute to the problem of rising medical costs. Research is costly. It takes a lot of money to perform the research which has resulted in some of the advances. Research is necessary and worth the cost. Just ask someone who has benefited from the breakthroughs in research involved with juvenile diabetes, heart disease or cancer treatment if the cost of research is worth it. Research by drug companies so that we have new products to fight disease and discomfort and promote a more vital lifestyle is expensive. Just ask someone who has benefited from pain relief due to a new drug or ask someone who has been able to give birth to a child due to advances in fertility drugs whether it is worth the cost!

Medical malpractice insurance costs money. We continue to see new record settlements for malpractice cases. Obviously, people who suffer losses due to malpractice deserve compensation. The problem is, whenever medical science fails us, we want someone to pay, even when nobody is actually at fault. To protect themselves against financial ruin, all doctors must carry medical malpractice insurance which is a cost that is passed along to the consumer of medical services. Increases in medical malpractice insurance contribute to higher insurance premiums for health care as. It is time to look at placing limits on medical malpractice claims. It is time to look at the standard of negligence to which we hold doctors and hospitals when we dole out huge settlements for medical procedures that go wrong.

People are living longer! While this is a good thing, it also changes the pool of those being insured and the number and type of claims. Some call it the "graying of America". Whenever the life expectancy increases, we see that those in the upper age groups are requiring more of the medical resources that are available and are often the least able to pay. Many are eligible for payment of medical expenses by the government through Medicare. Because this government program is so large, there is much fraud and abuse in the system, and we all pay for it in terms of higher taxes.

I believe that all Americans should have the right to basic health care. In my role as a school superintendent I see children who need basic health care and cannot afford it. Many come from families who earn a pretty good living but just cannot afford to pay $500 a month or more for insurance coverage. Many times, they go without. We need to support wellness programs and continue to discourage people form leading unhealthy lifestyles. There are many things we can do to encourage a healthier lifestyle which would definitely help curb some of the costs involved in health care. Exercise, moderation in terms of alcohol and better eating habits are examples of how we can fight health care costs. However, it is likely that more than this will need to be done in order to handle this growing problem. The next General Assembly will have to answer the question of providing affordable health care to all ages. It will take ideas, leadership and resolve in order to meet this challenge for future generations. It is of major importance. We must seek the input, ideas and advice from everyone.

I understand the vital importance of getting a handle on medical malpractice reform as well as making sure that the insurance and medical industry also provide relief and become part of the solution.

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