Everyone’s talking about health care these days, even the presidential candidates. That’s good, because our system is broken.
Everyone talks about universal health care, but do they really mean it? Truly universal health care would not be denied to anyone, because health care should be a guaranteed right, not a privilege. It should be a right because everyone is worthy of care by virtue of being human.
What good is quality care if there are financial or physical barriers to it? Today, even if we may have the financial means to pay for premiums, we may not be able to get coverage, leaving us exposed to potentially risking our life’s savings in the event that we suffer just one illness. We should never face the specter of indigence resulting from the high price of medical services, forcing foreclosure on our reputation or our future.
Physical barriers such as “pre-existing conditions” should become a thing of the past once we put to rest this ethical conflict of interest: medicine is a calling, not a business. The anxiety over health insurance eligibility, benefits, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses should never shape major life decisions or put our health at further risk. We need to trust that our best interests are at heart and not compromised by financial motives.
What is at stake is a secure home, a stable livelihood and the protection of our health. We need to demand truly universal health care!
Gabriele Bartholomew
Everett
> Give us your news tips. > Send us a letter to the editor. > More Herald contact information.Talk to us
