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Mar
19
The Families USA report, Dying for Coverage, was released yesterday.
“Our report highlights how our inadequate system of health coverage condemns a great number of Ohioans to an early death simply because they don’t have the same access to health care as their insured neighbors,” Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA, said today. “The conclusions are sadly clear—a lack of health coverage is a matter of life and death for many Ohioans.
“Health insurance really matters in how people make their health care decisions,” Pollack said. “We know that people without insurance often forgo checkups, screenings, and other preventive care.”
As a result, he said, uninsured adults are more likely to be diagnosed with a disease, such as cancer, in an advanced stage, which greatly reduces their chance of survival. The Institute of Medicine found that uninsured adults are 25 percent more likely to die prematurely than adults with private health insurance.
Another recent academic study found that uninsured adults between the ages of 55 and 64 are even more likely to die prematurely. For this group, a lack of health insurance is the third leading cause of death, following heart disease and cancer.
I’m not familiar with what Ohio’s U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown or Congresswoman Betty Sutton (D-13) have said about Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama’s health care plans and I couldn’t find anything direct with a little searching, but I’d like to. I know neither Ohio politician has stated how they cast their votes on 3/4 nor how they’ll vote as superdelegates.
FactCheck.org provides a comparison of the two plans here.
Read Obama’s explanation of his plan here. One of the main criticisms has been that it mandates coverage for all children, but not all adults. But in Obama’s speech in January 2007 to Families USA, while his plan was still in formation, he states something that implies that all adults would have – as in, possess and maintain and keep, not just have an oppotunity to have – universal health care:
Plans that tinker and halfway measures now belong to yesterday. The President’s latest proposal that does little to bring down cost or guarantee coverage falls into this category. There will be many others offered in the coming campaign, and I am working with experts to develop my own plan as we speak, but let’s make one thing clear right here, right now:
In the 2008 campaign, affordable, universal health care for every single American must not be a question of whether, it must be a question of how. We have the ideas, we have the resources, and we will have universal health care in this country by the end of the next president’s first term. [my emphasis]
Read Clinton’s explanation of her plan here. One of the main criticisms has been that it imposes monetary fines on individuals who do not have health insurance and already may not be covered due to financial constraints and that it forces people to buy something they may not want. Ohio Daily Blog posted a copy of the Obama flyer that identifies his primary points of opposition to Clinton’s plan.
The Health Care Blog analysis of Clinton’s plan is here but that blog doesn’t seem to have an analogous critique of Obama’s plan. For comparison, they have this one for John McCain. They also pit Clinton v. Obama here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:28 am March 19th, 2008 in Barack Obama, Campaigning, Elections, Health Care, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Ohio, Politics, Primary, WH2008
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13 Responses to “Two Ohioans die daily due to lack of health insurance; how will Clinton, Obama plans impact”
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Hey, didn’t you just tell us in the Obama speech post to be more cheerful?
How is this post supposed to help our demeanor?
I hate to let you in on a secret, but I’ve got pretty good health insurance and I’m probably going to die some day.
Have you ever heard about CheneyCare?
“One of the most insulting and embarrassing aspects of our collapsing health care system is the fact that the politicians who tell us we can’t have a national health care program all have access to the best health care in the world — compliments of the taxpayers!
One of the worst offenders in this regard has been Republican Vice President Dick Cheney. Vice President Cheney is completely opposed to a national health care program that would take the financial burden off working families and cover the 47 million who lack health care coverage completely. Because of his chronic heart condition, it is safe to say that were it not for his government health care, Dick Cheney would have passed away long ago.”
As someone who cannot afford health insurance, I’m a bit like a deer in headlights about mandating health insurance by garnishing wages. I do realize it can be a drain on taxpayer money if so many of us do not have coverage, but trust me, if I could afford it I would have it. If they garnish my wages, what bill am I not going to be able to pay? This is a bread and butter issue to me. I think both candidates have a somewhat similar plan. I do (kind of) think it would be easier to work with Obama’s plan — since it incorporates discounts for those with coverage that are sensible and does not come out of the gate with expensive mandated ideas. I think covering children and working in other segments just sounds like something a majority would back more easily. What does everyone else think? This is a good topic. I agree, believe me, not cheerful lol. But necessary and I am glad JZ brought it up.
The only answer is Canadian single payer. Its what a civilized nation would do for its people. But we’ve bankrupted ourselves being the arms merchant to the world and the chief warmaker on the planet. All hail American militarism! Health care only for those who deserve it! So proud, I am.
Please humor me here.
Water, food, & shelter are the basic blocs of human existence. They come well before health care in maintaining life. Why should we pay for water when it’s so important to maintain life?
What about food?
Maybe someone can tell me what moves health care in front of those things.
Why wait for Clinton or Obama? Every Ohio resident regardless can enroll now in at least one universal basic health coverage that will – at a minimum – prevent these tragic deaths due to complete lack of access to health care.
Many are unaware that Ohio insurers have intoduced a new wave of low cost universal coverage plans in the past months and more are expected in 2008. Pricing is typically $1 to $5 a day for entry level health benefits. These won’t solve all health care crisis issues, but they are a great start towards a solution and they are available now without the need for further political debate.
Gordon:
No inconsistency on my part there – all of those are basic human rights as is health care. No citizen of a civilized country should be denied the basics of life within reason. Seen the BBC report of the tent cities outside LA and other cities? For the most part people work and work hard but in many cases, struggle to make ends meet. They can generally provide for at least rudimentary food and shelter but time and again, the price tag of major surgery, generally unforeseen, can and does put them in the street – even, in many cases (as portrayed in Sicko and elsewhere) where they DO have health insurance.
By the way, its not just the right thing to do for people, its the right thing to do for American business. Can you imagine what GM could do to be competitive in the world marketplace if they were relieved of the burden of carrying the health care costs of workers and retirees?
Let me ask Bad American, let’s assume the government provides drinking water, food and shelter for free to it’s citizens.
What will happen to overall consumption of these items?
We are all quite lucky that Ohio’s health insurance rates are among the lowest in the country. Hamilton, Montgomery and Franklin counties have terrific rates. If you head North to Cleveland…expect your rate to jump.
But back on topic…if the Federal government ever offers Tax CREDITS for the purchase of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), it will be a major change for the better. Most HSAs allow for free preventive care and there will be a huge incentive to stay healthy and only use the policy when you need to.
Ed Harris
Miami graduate (and quite proud of that)
http://www.ohioquotes.com
Ed – thanks for the link – I will check it out.
Where are HSAs operating? Are they for=profit? Who benefits the most – financially? What is it that you think they solve? How will they help control the actual cost of medical care?
Where are HSAs operating? Are they for=profit?
HSAs are similar to IRAs, but with the funds to be used for health care costs, as opposed to retirement. They are available from a variety of sources, including some banks. (National City offers an HSA with a maintenance charge of $3/month and a nominal interest rate.) HSAs can only be established in conjunction with certain high-deductible health insurance plans. (If you don’t have HSA-eligible health insurance, you can’t open an HSA.)
I am in Ohio and i am really old. I even struggle to type this post. My days are numbered but my insurance agent took pretty good care of me in helping me get a good policy. I like to thank the writer and my insurance agent for listening to me.