I've been thinking a lot about the health care reform debate since I watched the news coverage of Sen. Ted Kennedy's funeral. As a 3 1/2-year lung cancer survivor I've lived with and dealt with many of the things the reform would change. I could talk about how the reform will make it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage to people because of pre-existing conditions. They also wouldn't be able to drop people who get sick, and premiums couldn't be increased to unreasonable rates for sick people, old people or individuals who don't get their insurance through their employers.
Another reason to support the reform is that it will force the insurance companies to disclose how they set their rates, and how much they pay out in claims versus various administration costs. It would also limit the profits insurance companies make and force them to tell the public how much they made.
The reform also sets up a system to increase the number of doctors by establishing incentives for going to medical school and going into general practice instead of one of the specialties. It also increases support for training other health professionals, so there are doctors to treat people.
One of the major points of the reform is to provide insurance to the 46 million Americans who are currently uninsured. Doing that will remove the need for hospitals to recover the cost of treating the uninsured by increasing the rates they charge patients with insurance, or getting paid for those costs from some government program. All those costs now come back to us through higher insurance premiums and taxes.
The fact that the reforms will improve America's competitiveness in the world economy is another reason to support it. The high cost of health care puts America's companies at a disadvantage when it comes to world competition. It makes it hard for them to compete with companies from other countries where health care isn't paid for by the companies. It will keep those costs in line so that America's companies can be stronger and provide more jobs for Americans.
But the argument that it is right to provide accessible, affordable and administratively simple health care to all Americans is not often heard. Seldom during this debate have we heard a moral argument for the reform.
What does it say about our country and us that we'll sit by and let people die because they don't have money or access to adequate health care?
During my battle with cancer, my insurance companies have paid a lot for my health care. I know that without insurance I would be broke or dead or worse yet, I'd be dead and my family would be broke.
The average citizen cannot afford to get a serious illness without insurance. It is immoral for us to force people to bet their life and the economic security of their families that they won't get sick.
If we claim to be a moral country and a moral people, we must ensure that all Americans have access to health care. Health care must be affordable for all Americans. The health care must be the best and most up-to-date care possible and must be available to all Americans regardless of where they live and how much money they have.
And the health care system has to be simpler to deal with. I know from personal experience that dealing with the insurance companies, doctors and hospitals is a constant battle. I spend many hours working out the details of my treatment.
If we are going to claim to be a moral country, we must ensure that all Americans enjoy the best health care possible. That is why we, as a nation, should support the current health care reform movement. It is the right thing to do. Health care must be a right.
Roland Shanks lives in Anchorage.
By ROLAND SHANKS