Speech

Ladies and Gentlemen:

There is an overwhelming divide in our country right now, over something that affects each and every one of us -- health care. It is a growing concern for many across the nation and it has sparked a national debate. The national health care reform debate is creating a lot of tension. Health care is such an important, and touchy subject that everyone wants this reform to be what is best for the country economically, and for the people of the United States. Because it is such a crucial topic, of course it is surrounded by a large debate.

Neither reformation proposal made by either party is a reasonable solution. Both are on the two extremes and this is what is causing most of the problems. Democrats are proposing a plan that increases the amount of government involvement in our health care system. The plan they propose would allow for open competition between private insurance companies and the government. The plan that President Obama has been advocating would put businesses in a situation to either provide health insurance for their employees or pay a tax to help cover those who are uninsured. Also, businesses that gross $250,000 or more per year will be required to provide their employees with health insurance.

The public option proposed by Congressional Democrats and supported by President Obama is a major source of controversy. In this proposal a government-run insurance program would be in equal competition with private insurance companies. Many argue this plan could lead to the demise of private insurance companies. This plan is intended to create competition in the health insurance industry and help keep costs of private insurance down, however, it is argued that if people will have the option to purchase cheaper, government based insurance, they will and therefore put the private health care industry out of business.

This is NOT the kind of reformation this system needs.

Most realize that there needs to be some sort of compromise between the two major sides to this debate, but the question is, how do we get there? How can we merge these two seemingly opposite proposals into one workable operation that will be beneficial to our country? The overall goal behind the motivation of each party to reform the system is to have as many Americans covered as possible.

I believe that health care needs to become more affordable and more accessible, as do many in Congress. Each year the United States spends more than 2.5 trillion dollars on health care. This cost is completely astronomical and needs to be kept in check; this is one goal of the reformation of the health care system. The cost of health care is keeping a large majority of Americans from being able to afford coverage, and the bill that is currently being proposed in Congress will force all Americans to have coverage.

First, and foremost-- is it even Constitutional to force all Americans to have Health Insurance? Wouldn't forcing insurance coverage for all our citizens add to the dwindling freedoms we now enjoy? Secondly, who among our leaders is going to decide what is "affordable" for each family and individual? The poorest of our poor already get free health care. This bill is going to hit what's left of the middle class. It's going to punch the single person, fresh out of colleges struggling to make enough money to pay the rent right in the gut! This bill is going to hurt the single parent with three kids, who lives paycheck to paycheck. This bill is going to hurt the retirees who are getting their Medicare cut drastically because "someone" has to pay for this system.

This bill that is currently being proposed is not the answer to our health care problems; it will not effectively solve the current issues and it could potentially create more problems. A more effective approach would be to combine Senator John McCain's Health care Savings Account proposal and a defensive medical bill that would include more oversight at the grassroots level of the health care industry.

A Health care Savings Account is an account in which an individual of family chooses the amount of money deposited, before taxes, from each paycheck to go toward health expenses for the year. Senator McCain's Health care Savings Account proposal would provide an opportunity for all Americans to have access to their own HSA regardless of their employment. He says: "I propose to spread the tax subsidy for health insurance more equitably. I would change it to a refundable credit amounting to $5000 for all families and $2500 for individuals purchasing health insurance--regardless of the source of that coverage, regardless of how one purchases it, and regardless of one's income. The tax credit would ensure that everyone has access to the same level of financial support through the tax code to obtain basic health insurance."

Because of the increasing number of medical malpractice lawsuits, doctors have found their premiums rising for malpractice insurance, therefore more and more doctors are practicing defensive medicine. Defensive medicine is when doctors order extra tests or procedures and sometimes even refuse to treat high-risk patients to reduce the likelihood of a malpractice lawsuit. "Defensive medicine increases the cost of health care and may expose patients to unnecessary risks. It is estimated that the cost of defensive medicine and malpractice insurance accounts for 10% of health care spending. By reforming the malpractice process the overall cost of health care will be drastically reduced.

McCain's HSA proposal paired with malpractice reform is a good starting point in this reformation process. By enacting a plan, such as the one proposed, doctors will be able to continue doing what they do best, helping people to get well, instead of worrying about the next lawsuit, and American citizens will not be forced into purchasing high priced government issued health insurance.