So much at stake

Mention the phrase “health care reform” and you get a plethora of impassioned responses. “Health care is a right.” “We can't afford to pay for everything.” “We need universal government health care.” “Socialized medicine will make things even worse.”

The disparity of viewpoints springs from common concerns: U.S. health care costs are spiraling and too many people under age 65 can't afford or get insurance coverage. Basic data verifies our collective pain:

l Annual health care spending has increased two to five times the rate of inflation since 2000 and now is more than 16 percent of the nation's gross domestic product and rising fast. There's plenty of shared blame.

l Employers, who still provide the bulk of health insurance for workers, have seen, on average, a double-digit increase in premiums over the past five years and are paying 120 percent more than in 1999. It's especially difficult for small businesses to provide insurance benefits for their employees.

l The financial stress is spreading. For example, more than half of all bankruptcies are blamed on medical debt, even though most of those involved have some insurance.

l Up to 50 million people in the United States have no coverage and

80 percent of those are working families, although some who can afford insurance choose not to.

The National Coalition on Health Care, whose co-chairs include former Iowa Gov. Robert Ray, asserts that “Every American should have health care coverage, participation should be mandatory and everyone should have basic benefits.”

Sounds nice. But that word “mandatory” raises hackles. And who defines what “basic benefits” does or does not include and how to pay for them?

Congress is wrestling furiously with health care reform but likely will recess this week without a clear path established. That's OK. Something this important shouldn't be rushed.

Meanwhile, health providers from Cedar Rapids recently were among 10 communities invited by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to discuss how they already are transforming local health care practices.

Good for us. But it's not all roses here. Charity care from providers has soared over the past five years. Hospitals in the Corridor recently announced layoffs and salary freezes.

Clearly, we all must recognize what's at stake as this debate nears its apex. Learn all you can about this complicated, difficult issue. Then, before the August recess is over, tell your congressional representative where you stand.

Learn more

l What: Health Care Forum: Public option or not?

l When: 6:30 p.m. Monday

l Where: Kirkwood Training Outreach Service auditorium, 3375 Armar Dr., Marion

l Live webcast: KCRG.com and GazetteOnline.com