Ok, maybe I am wrong but that would be only because the candidates choose to ignore this issue. It’s health care for all Americans.
Why wouldn’t they want to discuss and debate this? Simply because both candidates will want to avoid any issue that will reduce their chance of winning the election in November.
All three of the leading Democratic candidates have published their ideas about universal health care. The leading Republican candidates have all taken a position on health care.
Health care is an issue that has been repeatedly been discussed in newspapers and magazines as well as the discussions on radio and television. It was the cover story for the December 3, 2007 BusinessWeek magazine. The December 10, 2007 Newsweek has a section titled Health For Life and in it there is an article titled “Cures for an Ailing System.”
Everyone is having problems paying for health care. The biggest corporations in this country complain about their healthcare costs. General Motors says their cars are costing too much in healthcare benefits < http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64599-2005Apr18.html>. The cost of providing health care adds from $1,100 to $1,500 to the cost of each of the 4.65 million vehicles GM sold in 2004. When southern California supermarket employees went on strike in 2003 the primary issue wasn’t the pay rate, it was the medical insurance coverage.
Of course smaller companies can’t afford to provide health insurance. Competition reduces their profits. There just isn’t enough money made to provide that benefit.
Most reliable reports says there are at least 43 million Americans that have no medical insurance. It’s no wonder. Many people do have health care but the cost is a significant burden.
Here are some real costs in my own family. My son is 35 years old and in business for himself. A major medical insurance policy with a $5,000 deductible costs $124.00 per month in San Jose, California. My 31 year old daughter lives in Los Angeles and has Blue Cross PPO with a $1400 deductible and a $40.00 co-pay at a cost of $178.00 per month. The ultimate in cost is my wife’s Kaiser Permanente plan. She has a $50.00 co-pay and it costs $387.00 per month. Wow! I am a member of Kaiser Permanente too but I have Medicare coverage.
What do member of congress pay for their health care? I could not find the answer. I am sure it’s a great plan. Perhaps someone will email me that information.
Our nation needs a reliable health care system that cares for everyone. Let’s hope that all presidential candidates participate in the discussion.
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