MajorIssuesMajorIssuesMajorIssues
Affordability

Health Care is Big Business.

$It consumes tax dollars, $insurance premiums, $private donations and huge chunks of our national budget.$

$It's still not enough.$

Millions of Americans are denied medical treatment because they are too poor to pay for it themselves, and not poor ENOUGH to be covered by Federal programs such as Medicaid. Even those with insurance are not guaranteed access to the health care they need. The high cost of premiums can limit the coverage one is able to buy. Moreover, insurance companies are reluctant to cover people who might require "expensive" medical care.

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The demand for health care far exceeds supply. Such high demand has meant increasing cost of care. In turn, medical treatment has been largely reserved for a very small population--those who can afford it, and those who have insurance that will pay for it.

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Many Americans are plagued by medical bills not covered by insurance (about 1/5 of families). Our health care system, which eases the physical pain of so many, inflicts undue financial anguish on everyone involved in the system--those fortunate enough to get care, and those ill-fated and alienated by bureaucracy.

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There are hidden costs added to goods and services that help fund health care and technology. We pay for health care everyday. And yet, when the time comes for us to take advantage of the system, high costs may limit us from taking advantage of our investment. The very structure of our health care system makes it more expensive than in other countries. We spend more on administration, research and technology than most nations.

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The United States is exalted for its advancements in medical technology. Such advancements mean better care for patients. It also means higher costs. By paying more, patients ensure they get the best treatment possible. It also means that we can continue to develop new technology. Maintaining our current level of medical supremacy requires that costs remain high . Thus, the cost of medical care is both a blessing and a curse. It limits the availability of care, but greatly improves the quality of care to those who attain it.

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We need to study other health care systems to learn new ways of making treatment available to more people, without reducing the quality of care overall. In deciding how to fund health care, it's necessary to account for differences in cultural values. There is a natural link between cost and availability. The ultimate goal is making care more accessible while limiting the financial burden placed on individuals.

Three Tier System
The RICH get the care they NEED.
The MIDDLE CLASS get the care they can AFFORD.
The POOR get the care that is given for FREE.

Two Tier System
The RICH get the care they NEED.
The POOR & MIDDLE CLASS get the care they can AFFORD, or NONE AT ALL.

Think About It :

• Currently, our government pays for the very poor to receive
  medical treatments. Many other people do not qualify for government
  benefits, and yet cannot to pay for care themselves.Should we
  make health care available to those who can't afford it, even if it
  means less money will be available for medical research?

• If so, why? Should the government cover EVERYBODY?

• Does it make sense to sacrifice QUALITY in order to treat
  more people?

• Should the government help regulate the cost of health care
  by setting price limits? How do you feel about the government
  controlling hospitals? How about a federally-owned insurance agency?

• At what point does government intervention become "socialized medicine"?

We will address these issues at other points in the presentation.
Let us know what you think!

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