A Solution to Our Health Care Crisis

Politicians and pundits on both sides of the aisle are trying to make national health care reform into a game. One senator even said that defeating health care reform is about "breaking" President Obama.

It is not about "breaking" our president. Reforming our national health care system is about fixing our economy by creating competition to lower health care costs and improve care.

Health care reform is about the estimated 47 million Americans that do not have health insurance. Nearly five million people have lost their insurance since September 2008. 14,000 more are losing coverage every day -- and the situation is only getting worse.

This is not a game. This is a crisis. And as the recession continues, it is a crisis with profound implications for every city and county in America.

Earlier this week, Governor Schwarzenegger balanced the California state budget on the backs of local governments, taking $4 billion from cities and counties, slashing $1.3 billion from the state's health care program for the poor and gutting millions more from the Healthy Families insurance program that provides coverage for children.

What is happening in California is not unique to our state. Mayors and city councils across the country are facing similar problems as state governments slash health coverage to balance their books.

Our emergency rooms will bear the brunt of these cuts, as patients will flood our hospitals when they can no longer see a doctor. Our residents will pay the price with higher taxes, more expensive premiums, hidden costs and increased fees. Our cities and towns will all have to pick up the tab.

This is a crisis. And our cities and towns are on the front lines.

That's why this afternoon I'm hosting a call with mayors from around the country asking them to introduce resolutions in their city councils to support the Administration's health care reform principles. Health care reform cannot wait.

In San Francisco, we decided to treat this crisis. Two years ago, we launched the country's first universal health care program, Healthy San Francisco. Today, almost 75% of previously uninsured residents are enrolled in our "public option" program. 44,249 people, at last count are now covered by our public plan.

Healthy San Francisco is saving lives, reducing costs and creating competition. Check out this first hand account of our public program at work. Watch this moving video of a woman who was unable to get coverage before she found out about Healthy San Francisco.

A public plan can work. San Francisco is proving it. We should not be scared by TV ads funded by insurance companies and brash statements from politicians. This is about the health of our country. This is a crisis, but there is a solution.

We do not have time to stand on the side lines. We can -- and must -- act now. Call your representative. Email them. Sign our petition and show your support for President Obama's plan to reform our national health care system. Tell them this is not a game. This is about our families, our friends and our neighbors.

Follow Gavin Newsom on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GavinNewsom

Comments

[zrants]

The medical insurance industry and medical institutions is going the way of the way of the airlines and GM unless something is done soon. This week I went to my health service provider for an eye exam. The service was fine, but there were a few new kinks in the system which portend more to come.

There was no receptionist to take ID cards at the desk. A woman who barely spoke English and "didn't really work there" announced our presence to the doctors, who processed us once we got to them. I was told the receptionists are not employees. I suppose they are temps from an agency. So much for a fully-staffed medical facility. I only hope the labs are fully functional. This is an esteemed not-for-profit medical care-giver paid for through an employee insurance program.

The entire experience reminded me of the way the airlines were a few years ago, when they were starting to fall apart. This country is in serious trouble now. It is up to Congress to do something about it or make way for new blood to try.

[Rapier]

The best way to reduce cost - see "Sick in the USA ..." (May 16 commentary)

http://ofthisandthat.org/Commentary.html

[britethere]

Reply 4 - Posted by: gam, 7/26/2009 9:56:56 AM (No. 5721136)

Whatever they decide, I insist that all of Congress and all government employees and retirees be under the same plan I'm stuck with. This Politboro stuff with their own healthcare and , I suppose they will have their own hospitals and doctors, IS enough to cause a Civil War.

BRAVO ! Finally says what I have been thinking after making my way through the House Bill and being in shock over this.

[shockwave11]

Mr. Newsom:
You need to go to the LA RAM event in August to further highlight our healthcare problem. Here is Wendell Potter's post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wendell-potter/president-obama-and-congr_b_244838.html

Here is his PBS interview that speaks to our current system from this former CIGNA executive.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/watch2.html

[johgnra]

Not until the medical establishment recognizes the power of our own bodies to heal and understand the molecular process of the millions of chemical exchanges in our organism towards healing, medicine forever will be blind.

The drug industry will not let his happen. There is little profit in natural medicine.

[indy100]

Actually there IS money in natural medicine, just not OBSCENE profit margins and it's actually about the patient, not the almighty dollar. Insurance and drug companies don't get that concept. It isn't just the drug companies, but the insurance companies and even some doctors (please note I said SOME) who will not let healthcare evolve.

[silvercreeklady]

If they had jobs..they can purchase their own insurance. Health Insurance REform is what is needed ..not a governemnt plan that works as poorly as the Post Office, DMV and Medicare .

Obama is a empty suit....full Control of the House and Senate and he still cannot pass a bill....because it is a BAD Bill.

Remember all that crowing after the election about no filabusters...that seems the least of your sorries now.

Also " It's our Bill"......well it sure is you OWN it !!! or "We won"..well did you now????

[billw8017]

Such bitterness ... I don't remember any crowing about no more filibusters. You may be confused with Republican intentions to stop Democratic filibusters during Republican dominance, the nuclear option and all that. After the Democrats won the Congress, Republicans filibustered everything and wasted more time with amendments to popular bills. The President has a particular problem with GOOD bills because Republicans are afraid Americans will be appreciative of good government.

The Post Office works quite well and has ever since colonial times when Benjamin Franklin was Postmaster. It delivers within a couple days, mostly overnight for local mail, for a low flat rate. The Departments of Motor Vehicles of the several states will get around to you in a highly capable manner despite restricted personnel. Medicare meets its obligations with a charge for administration of about 4% compared to insurance companies that charge 30-50% while denying care for any possible reason.

If you are referring to the President in a swim suit, he has a bod I envy.

As for the rest, well ... He may be making too many concessions to Republicans. I'm sure I don't know why you would object to that unless it is that you now know how disastrous Republican governance can be.

[indy100]

What about people who are unemployed? What about people who are employed but their companies don't offer health insurance? What about people who are self employed and can't afford the outrageous rates for private plans, not to mention the high denial rates? What about people who have diseases and are unable to work? Healhcare should not be tied to a job or an employer.

[kdizza]

It's not Healthcare Reform. It's Health Insurance Reform.

[venkyvilla]

what ever it is called, be it called as health care reform. This health care reform should be passed immediately without delay. Republicans should quit partisan fight and work for American people. If not they meet out the same fate as John McCain in next election..­..American people are watching and wanting it passed forthwith....

[Agent420]

Politics above people's health. Fire all of them.

[indy100]

I'll second that!

[Hawaii5-0]

The issue can be summed up very simply. Health care reform comes down to whether those opposed are for the American people, or for party loyalty and the insurance industries that pay them so well. It's that simple and that obvious who has been paid off. The arrests in NJ just confirm what most people believe. Politicians are corrupt and can be bought for the right amount.

[PlaceboStudman]

I'd like to know what the San Fran plan has done to help those children born with chronic or critical disabilities? What has the San Fran plan done for those who develop cancer and are given chemo/radiation that obliterates their immune system making them susceptable to death via the common flu virus? What has the San Fran plan done to curb the use of over the counter tylenol which causes 15,000 people a year, 500 of whom die in the ER? What has the San Fran plan done to prevent baby's umbilical cords from wrapping around the baby's neck, leading to brain damage and Cerebral Palsy?

The answer is, of course, the san fran plan does NOTHING to alleviate any of those issues, because having access to the best insurance in the world does nothing, when the care (ie medicine and technology) that is being paid for by that insurance is deplorable

[clueless JD]

Sounds like you have personal issues that no plan will address. See an attorney who can help you with your specific issues.

[PlaceboStudman]

An attorney isn't going to be able to do a damn thing about the US military using Agent Orange in SouthEast Asia during the 70's when I was born, leading me to be born with Spina Bifida, which may have been influenced by my mother's exposure to Agent Orange. No lawyer can do anything about the issues I mentioned. Only society's awareness of these issues and how environmental factors influence health will do anything to solve the issues of HEALTH CARE. What people are talking about now is how to face the issues of the economy and personal finances so they don't end up losing their cars, their houses, their yachts, or their kids' Harvard Law School Funds

[bro43]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-health-poll21-2009jul21,0,2452461.story

Straight from a left-leaning source. Posted in response to atomic splash and their repeated accusations of 76% of citizens are in favor of O's reform plan.

[Agent420]

Bogus link.

[bro43]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-health-poll21-2009jul21,0,2452461.story

Cut and paste the entire link including the numerals that follow the highlighted part. The latest polls show less than 50% approve of O's plan.

[Anastasia]

While a good start Gavin's plans have limits. There's no help for those with pre-existing conditions that earn above $50,000 but can't get health insurance.

It's not portable; it's only valid with in the city limits of SF.

Rather than go to the doctor of your choice one has to go to a city clinic.

[clueless JD]

It's really revolting to watch this Newsom character operate.

First of all, it is not his plan. It's Tom Ammiano's plan.

Second, San Franciscan's have a tradition of helping the poor, and until recently, Newsom represented the resistance to that tradition.

For example, it has been the case for years in San Francisco that people too poor to pay medical bills could get free care at San Francisco General Hospital, Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic, Martin-Lyon, and others. As a supervisor and mayor, Newsom was never particularly helpful to these missions.

Ultimately, Newsom is a political opportunist who is trying to make traction in the governor's race by taking credit for other people's work.

The extent to which he is a liberal has everything to do with the fact that he nearly didn't become mayor of San Francisco because he was too conservative. He had the entire Democratic party campaign for him; out-spent his opponent 10,000,000 to 400,000; and he barely beat a true progressive.

At most, you can count on Newsom to co-opt politically popular ideas. The result of that is not so bad. It's sort of like the will of the people -- only it does not indicate leadership.

[jjfaux]

I think more people would be okay with a public option if it only covered american citizens and those who really needed it and wanted it. There are less than 10 million people in the USA who are chronically uninsured and make too much to get Medicaid and too little to buy it on their own.
I think if Obama just targeted it to those who are here legally are chronically uninsured and simply cannot afford health insurance more people, including conservatives would be on board.

There are not 46 million uninsured americans. 10 million of the uninsured are simply not US citizens.
Secondly 14 million people without health insurance actually qualify for medicaid and SCHIP but have never bothered to enroll. About 27 million of the uninsured make over $50,000 a year and of that number 9 million make over $75,000. Many ( not all) of those people are clearly choosing not to get health insurance. Additionally about 20 million of the uninsured are under 34, many of them are probably opting out because they have to pay high premiums for services they don't want or need.

[LA2000]

This is an interesting point of view but it wouldn't be a health care solution, it would be a political solution. It would fail to address the underlying crisis, which would continue to rage on.

Those upper income people and those under 34 that you mention that fail to get insurance still get in car accidents. Still get cancer. Still have heart attacks. Still break a bone. When they show up with their uninsured crisis, the costs can be enormous. $75,000 a year is nothing when their cancer treatment is anywhere from $40,000 to $200,000. And when they can't pay, you do. The costs come in city and state budget deficits that require higher taxes and in ever escalating premiums for everyone who has done the right thing and purchased insurance. As those premiums rise, more middle income and upper income people opt out and the crisis continues.

The only real solution will involve coverage for everyone. Everyone needs a hospital at some point. It's only fair that everyone pay something to keep the system functioning.

[jjfaux]

I agree that those who opt out of insurance will have to be covered by someone, the problem is that the cancer treatments and personal crises you mentioned are the things most of those people want coverage for. The problem is that insurance companies are required to cover far far beyond this. Invitro fertilization, sleep studies, and a variety of other procedures and extra care. Everyone pays for this by higher premiums. Do you not think $25 a month for catastrophic insurance only would entice more people into getting coverage. I wouldnt' even mind being forced to pay that. What i object to , is paying thousands of dollars a year when i have never had a medical problem in my life.

[jjfaux]

I'm healthy and young. I work out, i don't have any health problems and I just want some basic coverage for serious health issues, but that doesnt seem to be an option. I don't need or want coverage for all of the things that these plans cover. When i have kids someday i will want more coverage but until we get these premiums down im going to forgo buying health insurance until i get my student debt paid off. If i could get something for maybe $30 a month or less i would go for it.

[bro43]

Before government and medicine were joined at the hip through onerous legislation one used to be able to get ins coverage like you want. The solution is to get government out of healthcare not entrech it further.

[LA2000]

Well, considering the cost of medical care, expecting your health insurance to cost less than your cable bill, less than your cellphone bill, less than a tank of gas, less than an game for your XBox, is probably a little unrealistic, certainly in the short term.

We are all healthy until we are not. Cancer, car accidents, even heart attacks, happen to "healthy" people every day. What do you do with no insurance, no work (because you are in the hospital), all those student loans, and a $14,000 hospital bill for a "minor" crisis like a car accident? You will so wish you could go back and sign up for that $125 a month HMO plan. It will seem like a screaming bargain compared to even a minor hospital stay.

While watching your money is good, this is penny wise/ pound foolish. It is good intentioned thinking like this that has the whole system crashing down.

[bro43]

In the late 70's catastophic insurance for a family of four was less than $100/year. Yes that's right per year not per month and that got you up to $25,000 of coverage. That was before HMO's were pushed on employers and $25,000 was enough to cover just about all medical bills one could incur in a year. The insurance plan my parents had was guarenteed renewable and not cancelable for any condition. Government intrusion into healthcare spawned HMO's and the like and this has lead to huge increases in costs of service. What is needed is less government regulation and more choice for the patient. When the doctor patient relationship is restored costs will be reigned in once again. Get government out of the healthcare business is the answer not more involvement by the bureaucrats.

[AdamJohn]

is it impossible for each individual town to open up an insurance policy, like an employer would and then let the people who do not have insurance or would find it cheaper through the town to buy in on the program. If it became popular then businesses could save money and not offer insurance (could lead to more jobs). The insurance company would continue to get there share and it would allow the opportunity for those families without insurance a way to get it. And you would not have to restructure everything.