As GM Goes, So Goes America

And Health Care is Going, Going, Almost Gone for Millions of Americans.

Another 9.0 quake rattled America's health care crisis to the core last week, but coming amidst the wreckage to the U.S. economy from nearly eight painful years of bad policy by this administration, many people mistook it for just another shockwave coming from a lame duck White House. It wasn't.

When the New York Times (among others) reported on GM's dramatic cuts in personnel and costs to stay alive economically, the 28th paragraph in the story was the Richter scale that recorded the seismic event: "Other cost-cutting components of the plan included delaying $1.7 billion in payments to a health care trust for retired hourly workers..."

The health care trust, which was supposed to be the next great idea in providing guaranteed health care coverage to workers, and take some of the economic burden off a company that faces global competition, is going to be delayed in getting the $1.7 billion it was promised. But workers don't have the luxury of postponing illness, accident, surgery, mental health care and a host of other health care needs that cannot wait until some indefinite future date when a private trust fund is supposed to have the financial resources to fulfill its mission.

How can an American worker have confidence in a system that misses a major milestone? Blame GM? No. Blame the myth that American companies can be expected or required to provide health care to employees in a 21st Century economy. This is not 1950 when the private sector could shoulder a social responsibility at a time when the U.S. was the lone super-economy in a world that we virtually monopolized economically.

Like gasoline, which averaged 27 cents a gallon in 1950, the times have changed. And either we change with the times or deny Americans a fundamental right by continuing to worship at the false altar of privatized social responsibility.

This week, I met with Washington labor leaders in my Seattle office. Their message, like medical internists, working people, union leaders across the country, physician organizations and others, was that we need an American universal health care system now.

It should be the top domestic priority for the next administration and we should start developing an American health care plan now to present to President Obama next January. Have no doubt that the special interests are moving quickly to co-op any process, forming organizations with names that sound like they are interested in the American people when their only interest is self-interest. For too long they have lobbied to keep greed ahead of need, and the American people have suffered because of it.

There is a famous saying: As GM goes, so goes America. Today, it is not going well for GM or America economically. While GM may be on the road to financial health, America continues down the same old road of health care going, going, gone for millions of Americans. Americans deserve a health care system that won't endanger their financial health when they use it. We deserve what every other industrialized nation already has- affordable health care coverage.

Comments

[Chicago48]

I've never seen the auto companies in such bad straights in all my 40+ years. I'm from Detroit and I remember when GM was the shining star of manufacturing. The Big 3 -- everybody wanted to work there. If Detroit sneezed the country caught cold; whenever there was a big layoff the rest of the country slowed down.
This looks very serious.
And you cannot blame the unions. If it weren't for unions we wouldn't have the benefits we now have with private companys that are now being threatened with take-away. The unions actually lifted up the economy because the workers could afford to buy "excesses". Now that that's being taken away, what's left?

[OncevotedRepub]

And it's time for Obama to remind those "Reagan Democrats" and "white working guys" that the prosperity and rise in status they have achieved over the years came about because of the unions their fathers and grandfathers fought for. And if I were him, I wouldn't mince words-- it's time for some people to get their heads screwed on right, and vote for their own self-interest (again!).

The R party has hated unions since the Year 1.

[murrieta]

Just informed today that I am to be laid off due to 'underperformance by my company'. Whats my number 1 worry? Paying my bills - yes thats a biggie. But number 1 - what if I or my wife get sick? Right now I am sick to my stomach about my future. And I have given up that anything will change in this country...

[likeicare]

For a cadre, like Big Busines, to constantly carp about being entrusted with running the country -- with selections like Dubya & Dick -- they sure are dumb!

Why don't they back government administered health care, so they wouldn't have to shoulder the burden of providing it themselves for their workers? The logic(?) behind their thinking is stupefying.

So, they would rather continue complaining about the cost of doing business, and blame the unions for their own bad business decisions (past and present), than remedy the situation.

And they wonder why they're tanking.

[NoPCZone]

GM workers making Chevy Cobalts and other compacts that are selling well should slow down production to a crawl until and unless GM honors it's commitments.

[Whycee54]

GM and Ford has had more than enough time to build energy efficient cars. ITS THERE OWN FAULT. Glad I bought a Toyota.

[fatmo]

Glad you like your toyota. I assume they are covering all their workers medical expenses.

The U.S. has more people all time without medical, Good paying jobs are disappearing, people are losing their homes, our country is in debt up to its butt. Yet you have your Toyota! Hope you don't lose your job to a foreign business and find yourself and family trying to survive.

[Deaninphilly]

Well said fatmo!!! It's time we went back to the old mantra, buy American! People complain companies can't afford to pay workers, well at what point do they realize by not buying from American companies they are part of the problem.

[Whycee54]

First of all, my husband worked his ass off at Ford for over 34 years and in that 34 years he was laid off too many times because FORD never thought ahead. AND our family had a hard time surviving all those layoffs. SECOND, if you think that buying an American car is buying 100% American think again. NOTHING in this country is 100% from this country. Its time to have a paradigm shift in thinking. The days of big American industry is gone. Thats why we are in the shape we are in. We need new and different ways of thinking because believe it or not... this is a GLOBAL ECONOMY. We are not alone... get used to it.

[doc1400]

In an interview with Jim Web on Charlie Rose, Web who was a Republican and switched political parties because the Katrina debacle upset him, said in his new book the Republican Socialists have let big business run amok and are totally uncontrolled. In essence the financials can muck around abusing the housing market with housing paper that let's the banks steal and then get Bushie's administration to bail them out when the market turns. If the Republican Socialists using taxpayer money won't let businesses fail then the businesses in exchange must accept some taxpayer control.

I have worked in the auto industry for ten years and GM's management are a dumb bunch of muckers.
They have tried to force suv's down the market's throat rather than increase the value added of their products and compete with foreign producers. Unfortunately, many U. S. consumers are dumb muckers also and buy the GM crap. GM has been a good corporate citizen for years but this last action in dumping their fiduciary responsibility for retiree health care proves once again that a business man in the U. S if allowed to will screw his own mother. They should go broke if there is any justice in the world.

[iambusto]

take heart. hopefully they will go broke in next 1 to 5 years !!

[mommamia526]

Cars! I saw at least a year ago, that a Chinese inventor had a car, running on electricity, with the motor in the wheels. The car had six wheels instead of four. There may have been a problem with batteries, not certain about that. I am not into cars, but my grandson is, big time. Have to ask him. Problem was, for the Chinese, how to handle large scale production. He found a Japanese company which could do it, but the Chinese was not ready to let go of his favorite child and hand matters over; he wanted the fruits of his invention. There are all sorts of inventions just like that. We can produce small cars, going short distances, and access centers to mass transit, by car, by bus, or by train, combined with ridesharing. Computerized programs to serve rideshare and such access programs have existed for a quarter century, at least. We should have neighborhood schools again, within walking distance, saves time, gas and money. We have made progress in integration, not enough, but progress, nevertheless. And much more online schooling, with international programs.Then ordering online, groceries included, and delivery by truck, again, saves time, big time. It will also contribute to cleaner air. Saving time and money will spur the Chinese and Indians to try it too, and since it is innovation they will come up with even better methods.

[RButler]

I wish there had been surveys of people standing in line for the new iPhones, the new Batman movie or demanding that Starbucks keep their favorite store open to see what percentage had health insurance. Americans want to spend their money on fun and expect their health care to be free. What's wrong with this picture? Shouldn't your money be spent on food, shelter and health care before you stand in line to see a movie 2-3 times in the first week? Americans have had their priorities upside down for a long time and now the party's over.

[MrsGreebers]

To a certain extent this makes sense, but the problem is that cutting out luxuries doesn't save enough money to buy very much healthcare.

[RadCenter]

For decades now, Democratic "leaders" have been letting Republicans get away with gutting our regulatory structure and environmental laws, seemingly unable or unwilling to rebut the argument that such pesky things as clean air and a safe workplace "reduce our competitiveness." I keep waiting for Democrats to point out the obvious: asking our businesses to carry the burden of health care is our biggest obstacle to competitiveness.

Time for new leaders!

[Deaninphilly]

This isn't really a Democrat or Republican issue, it's a citizen vs. Congress issue. They are two sides of the same coin. They get health care paid for by you and I. Let's start first by taking away their incentives such as a paid salary for life for serving one full term and full health benefits. I bet you will see universal healthcare for all American Citizens quicker than s**t.

[RobtBrock]

GM has found a way to build the vehicles that people want who happen to live in small towns and exurbia while Toyota and Honda have built the excellent family passenger cars that city and suburban dwellers want. Brilliant!

[yappnmutt]

all gm had to do is maintain market share of an enlarging pie and they couldn't. as a result of their arrogance(both labor and management) gm now has a negative book value in the billions. so yes, as gm goes so goes the nation.

as for healthcare, how about we start by letting every american worker participate in the healthcare system afforded our congressional members with the exception that the policy is standard so all the health insurers have to compete on service. all employers would have to comply and the funds deducted from paychecks. this little bit of competition amongst the insurers might be enough to stabilize healthcare costs if the formula is tweaked in a way that makes insurers' profit a function of cutting healthcare costs by pressuring the providers(hospitals, doctors) and big pharma for lower costs so they can have bigger profits while exceptional service attracts new customers.

of course, the change that matters hasn't even mentioned that this issue matters.

[julianne]

Just looking at the premiums paid by postal workers to major insurance syndicates should tell us that the insurance industry along with the pharmaceutical industry are major enemies of the mass of the American people who are being seriously ripped off. (They) like so much of American businesses on the high end of our economy are pathologically acquisitive and need to be brought down or deeply regulated. That the Congress and Senate refused to arbitrate for lower prices with the pharmaceutical companies on behalf of (even) our older citizens shows that the majority of our Congressional leaders reside in a corporatist gutter and are a danger to the security of the United States.

[guntotinganglion]

America NEEDS a truly universal health care system. By this I mean, for ALL, not just Americans.

If you come to an American health care facility, you should get treatment, period...regardless of nationality, race, creed, religion or economic status. Health care is implicit in the Declaration of Independence...the words being...

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Please note, this refers to "all men", not just Americans.

The gathering of staggering wealth is in the tertiary category of "pursuit of happiness". Life is our primary right, and health care is essential for life. We all eventually NEED health care to maintain our lives, and American's tertiary right to pursue greed and avarice shouldn't trump that primary right to life. Unfettered greed compromises everyone's right to life by denying quality health care to only the super-rich and those lucky enough to still have a medical plan from where they work.

So, our foundation makes it clear that health care can not, and should not, be denied to any human being, ever. For we have as our first right, life. And thus it is time to live up to our lofty words, and put our never ending greed aside in this regard, so that life can properly trump pursuit of happiness.

[Deaninphilly]

Ummmm NO!!!!

Our system needs to be just for AMERICAN CITIZENS PERIOD! Sorry Charlie, but I'm not paying into a system where anyone here illegally can get free health care. That is already happening now while American citizens get turned away. Please go sell your progressive democrats of America BS somewhere else. This is one Dem who doesn't buy into that crap.

[schatsie]

Please remember that HEALTH CARE is a social issue. I do not want to live next door or work with someone who has DRUG RESISTANT TB.

[guntotinganglion]

America should establish a truly universal health care system. By this I mean, for ALL, not just Americans.

If you come to an American health care facility, you should get treatment, period...regardless of nationality, race, creed, religion or economic status. Health care is implicit in the Declaration of Independence...the words being...

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Please note, this refers to "all men", not just Americans.

The gathering of staggering wealth is in the tertiary category of "pursuit of happiness". Life is our primary right, and health care is essential for life. We all eventually NEED health care to maintain our lives, and American's tertiary right to pursue greed and avarice shouldn't trump that primary right to life. Unfettered greed compromises everyone's right to life by denying quality health care to only the super-rich and those lucky enough to still have a medical plan from where they work.

So, our foundation makes it clear that health care can not, and should not, be denied to any human being, ever. For we have as our first right, life. And thus it is time to live up to our lofty words, and put our never ending greed aside in this regard, so that life can properly trump pursuit of happiness.

[mommamia526]

Yes, but reality is that healthcare is being denied, and to Americans who do have health insurance. As soon as you have surgery, get ill, even if you pay cash and do not even USE your insurance, you may, and often will, be cancelled, and you may be unable to even get a job.

Many are already behind Universal Health Insurance. I do not think that leaving insurers in the equation, as their status is now, does any good. Maybe they could function the way Medicare carriers now function. Those companies serve Medicare and often also have private insurance for sale.

AMA needs to come on board, fully, for Universal Healthcare INSURANCE, and that is NOT socialized Medicine. The whole system of insurance, Medical Malpractice Insurance included, must be overturned. Fee schedules must be rational and Medicare reimbursement must keep pace with inflation.

Now, it is complicated, but there are Treaties on all sorts of matters, with all sorts of countries. We need to start including INTERNATIONAL TREATIES ON HEALTHCARE. It is fine to offer anyone medical care. But they should be insured, basta. In their own countries if not American residents, or citizens, and the cost of healthcare should be prorated or reimbursed, or shared, as is already the case, for example, with Social Security.

Can we TALK?

[NorCalNative]

Rep. McDermott, I greatly appreciate your comments. I also agree that business has no place as the "gatekeepers" of American health care. There are two reasons why I'm optimistic that America could and can adopt a more humane method of dispensing medical care.

First, we already spend more money on health care than any other nation. The financial committment is already there. Second, once mythology is pushed aside and reality exposed, we can eliminate the excessive administrative costs and hassles of private health insurance run in a for-profit model.

I 'm for eliminating the private industry altogether unless they are willing to manage administrative costs under 3% as current U.S. government programs such as Medicare/Medicaid do. We should not allow for private industry to "waste" up to more than 1/3 of costs on management. This is as obscene a mythology as currently exists.

It seems counterproductive of a civilized society to profit so greatly off the disease and pain of its OWN citizens. It would be much smarter to provide affordable coverage based on ability-to-pay because eliminating these stresses would create a MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE AND HAPPIER nation.

Affordable care for EVERYONE is more important than free-market competion with its multiplicity of choice!

[jmpurser]

I agree with you on the facts but we differ on the point of optimism.

Getting rid of our current "health care system" has been a painfully obvious necessity for decades now. But neither major candidate, neither major party, and no powerful national interest group is calling for it. The most adventurous plan we have it to further subsidize our current system.

We're killing Americans for profit and we're doing it because we LIKE IT THAT WAY.

[stavros]

Screw GM! Today I put a Honda motor on my bike.