COVID-19 showed us a better way to do health care

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that our own health depends on the health of the person beside us. Ensuring others can get needed care protects our communities, our families and ourselves. This pandemic and the rapid development and distribution of vaccines continue to emphasize that government plays a critical role in our health care system.

As we weather the storm of this pandemic, many if not all of us yearn for a return to 'normal.” The country aches to spend time with our families, grocery shop fearlessly and simply experience humanity again. But we ask, is the old 'normal” something we should strive for when it comes to our health care? Or is this the opportune time to be bold, and re-imagine what a new health care system could look like? One that treats all people with dignity and respect, and allows us the humanity we ache for?

Under our 'normal,” pre-pandemic health care system, seniors on Medicare still have out-of-pocket costs to ensure their own comprehensive, adequate care. Premiums for supplemental plans, schemes like Medicare Advantage, drug plans, drug costs, dental coverage and vision insurance add up to towering waves of cost to some that drain their savings month by month. Add on long-term care insurance, and one needs a swelling bank account and a life vest just to keep their head above water.

For students, our health care system seems fine - unless you need to use it. For those of us on our parents' plans, we're lucky and can generally access the services we need, so long as our parents don't lose their jobs (and therefore their insurance). Medicaid can be a life saver, but the system wishes us luck obtaining mental health services we may need while trying to make it through the semester. And on top of tuition, housing, food and other necessities, we still face copays and deductibles that drain our already-depleted savings, leading some of us to forgo care regardless of the coverage we have.

The current health care system isn't cutting it for our seniors, students or anyone. For-profit insurance companies are in the game for just that - profit. And so long as that greed is alive and well in our health care system, there will be denials and delays in care, rising out-of-pocket copays and deductibles, and lapses in coverage during employment transitions. All this is said without even mentioning our nation's neglect of our caregiving infrastructure, including direct care workers aiding the elderly and people with disabilities. COVID-19 has emphasized that much.

Let's imagine a system where anyone, regardless of age, ability or origin can see the doctor of their choice, and receive treatment and medication without any copays or out-of-pocket costs. Let's imagine a system that doesn't require you to deplete your savings to receive long-term services and supports if you are an older American or have a disability.

That system becomes reality under the new Medicare for All Act of 2021 introduced by U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Medicare for All provides comprehensive benefits - without premiums, copays or deductibles - reins in the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs, allows freedom of choice and more. It would provide security knowing that we can get the care we need, when and where we need it, without threat of medical bankruptcy.

This pandemic provides a timely opportunity to re-imagine our health care system, and create a new normal of Medicare for All, of protected loved ones, of community freedom and of peace of mind. It is our hope that our elected officials at all levels of government support this effort to provide humanity for all.

Pat Bowen of Iowa City is a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. John Dickens is a University of Iowa student.