Health Care Now - Krugman

[groovedaddy]

The whole world is in recession. But the United States is the only wealthy country in which the economic catastrophe will also be a health care catastrophe — in which millions of people will lose their health insurance along with their jobs, and therefore lose access to essential care.

Which raises a question: Why has the Obama administration been silent, at least so far, about one of President Obama’s key promises during last year’s campaign — the promise of guaranteed health care for all Americans?

Let’s talk about the magnitude of the looming health care disaster.

Just about all economic forecasts, including those of the Obama administration’s own economists, say that we’re in for a prolonged period of very high unemployment. And high unemployment means a sharp rise in the number of Americans without health insurance.

After the economy slumped at the beginning of this decade, five million people joined the ranks of the uninsured — and that was with the unemployment rate peaking at only 6.3 percent. This time the Obama administration says that even with its stimulus plan, unemployment will reach 8 percent, and that it will stay above 6 percent until 2012. Many independent forecasts are even more pessimistic.

Why, then, aren’t we hearing more about ensuring health care access?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/30/opinion/30krugman.html?th&emc=th

[mike_c]

1. first rec-- Krugman GETS it....

The economic crisis is going to be a health care crisis in America because in America, we've allowed insurance companies, HMOs, and all the rest to profit from the sick and injured for too long. In America, EVERYTHING is a resource to be milked by corporations for profit.

Human misery? One of the most profitable resources of all!

[groovedaddy]

2. "Human misery? One of the most profitable resources of all!" Hence, the main reason

they don't mind an increase in misery!

[Sunnyshine]

5. Sad, but true.

Particularly for health insurers. Everyday, they openly fraud the working class and stiff arm the sick. We are under siege.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

3. We WILL hear more about it for Obama, as more political momentum builds for this.

As the true effects of major job losses happen, the political pressure from those who have lost jobs to reform health care will become huge.

[Sunnyshine]

4. K&R - Yes we need! n/t

[bvar22]

6. "Going to be a Health Care Crisis" ..?

There is already a HealthCare crisis.

The USA is the ONLY developed country where Health Care is NOT a guaranteed RIGHT.

Our politicians (Democrats & Republicans) tell us that Single Payer is just too hard for Americans.

Our politicians (Democrats & Republicans) tell us that citizens of the Richest Country in the WORLD will just have to settle for LESS.

Our politicians (Democrats & Republicans)tell us Americans aren't good enough for HealthCare to be a guaranteed RIGHT.


Mandatory Private Health Insurance is NOT Health Care.
Mandatory Private Health Insurance is a Republican SCAM (RomneyCare) that channels BILLIONS of Taxpayer Dollars into the pockets of the wealthiest CEOs in the World.

Don't settle for Less, even if your politician says to.
Demand what is a RIGHT in every developed (and some undeveloped) countries in the WORLD.
Demand Single Payer Health Care!

Americans are ready.
Every survey indicates that Americans (Democrats & Republicans) favor guaranteed Health Care.
It is only our politicians (Democrats & Republicans) who are bocking this most basic of Human Rights.

Let your politician HEAR from YOU!.

Support MediCare for ALL Americans!

"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

7. In Australia they call public health care "Medicare" and everyone has it

My cousin lives in Australia, and she's had public health care for years.

Same in New Zealand, where I have other relatives.

They can purchase private insurance if they want, to get the more deluxe treatment
etc.

But no one has to go bankrupt over medical bills.

OUR BUSINESSES CAN'T COMPETE WITH THE OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRIES WHO HAVE UHC.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

8. recommended

n/t

[NM Independent]

9. Great Article.

Exactly right about every little bit.

[eridani]

10. Once a week write your congresscritters about HR676

Ask your senators to introduce a companion bill.

[HuckleB]

11. I hadn't seen this one.

Thanks for sharing.