Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Healthcare

I'm all for capitalism provided that its done with a mooring of ethics (yes, I can hear the laughter now). However, I believe healthcare is something that shouldn't be part of the profit-motive equation. I don't know if Obamacare is going to make a shit of difference but its now painfully and personally clear to me that the current system is way broken.

Case-in-point #1: My daughter is being treated at a facility. I have been insured by the same insurance company since 1992 and have the most comprehensive policy they offer. No one in my family to this point has had a serious (i.e. expensive) illness or injury until now. Because of the nature of my daughter's ailment, my insurance will cover only a percentage of the cost which, in a very short period, has gone into thousands of dollars. What little savings we have is now gone.

Case-in-point #2: My wife's uncle suffered a stroke a month ago and has been comatose since. Because of the incredible mounting cost of care, my in-law's are opting to pay to move him to the NEXT STATE 4 hours away to go to a cheaper facility.

I'm not cheerleading Obama's still-pending healthcare reform though I applaud the direction he's trying to inch us towards. As stated before, I think its too little too late. But conservatives in congress as well as the talking media heads (i.e. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity) are plain WRONG when saying that the U.S. medical systems is "the best in the world". What good are all the wonderful medical advances that our current system purportedly creates when no one other than the rich (like the aforementioned) can afford them?