August 28, 2009

Healthcare status quo is truly scary

Reform that rewards insurers could be worse

In recent weeks, orchestrated outrage and loony scare tactics have drowned out the most basic fact about health reform:  The status quo is far more frightening.  

High and escalating costs.  Rationing of care. Restricted choice.  Long waits for care.  Even "death panels" (read: insurance claim-review departments).  Our private insurance system imposes all this already -- on people lucky enough to be insured.

But it could get worse.  As the Los Angeles Times reported this week, the insurance industry's massive lobbying blitz appears to be twisting health reform into a bonanza for insurers.

This is scarier than the status quo.  Insurers could gain tens of millions of new customers compelled to buy insurance, with taxpayers providing subsidies to pay many of those premiums.  And insurers may be allowed to sell junk plans that cover only 65% of medical costs -- plans that increase insurer profits and give consumers even less for their money.

If these proposals become law -- especially without the competitive alternative of a public plan to hold down insurers' costs and uphold quality -- the health reform act will amount to a huge subsidy for  insurance companies and will solve nothing.  

The insurance industry has molded US healthcare to its advantage for decades.  Congress members  need to hear clearly from the majority of us who want reform designed to provide healthcare for all people, not to protect insurance companies. 

Here are some ways to speak out:

> Congressmember Susan Davis has a Town Hall meeting on health reform tomorrow (Saturday) at 1 p.m., 836 Kempton St., Spring Valley 91977.  Reform opponents and tea-baggers are expected to disrupt this meeting (listed as Lemon Grove/La Presa Neighborhood Day on Davis' website). Proponents of real reform and the public options should get there by noon and bring signs.

> Watch the Courage Campaign's "Insurance Jive" video and then use their click-to-call tool on the same page to make a free call to your Congressmember.

> ACORN is planning a health care action day earlier tomorrow, starting with neighborhood canvassing at 10 a.m. Meet at the ACORN offices at 22 W. 35th St. in National City. 

> The San Diego branch of Organizing for America is holding a Congressional Send-Off next Thursday, Sept. 3, to demand real healthcare reform.  It's from 5 to 7 p.m. in City Park, between 3rd and 4th Aves. on Broadway.  OFA's Setting the Record Straight website has responses to false claims about President Obama's health proposal.

> Participate in MoveOn.org's "We can't afford to wait: Public option NOW!" photo petition and vigils to remind Congress of the real suffering that should be the top concern.