It really should be Health Insurance Reform, because the “care” really isn’t the issue – it’s access and affordability.

And coverage – since insurance companies spend hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of dollars each year trying to figure out ways to deny legitimate claims. That disgusts me.

There have been periods of my life where I have been completely without insurance because I was self employed and could not get or afford it. Luckily, I remained mostly healthy during those times.

Now, still self employed, I do have health insurance, but I don’t even have access to a full coverage policy that would pay for office visits, etc. That means I (and millions like me) put off having tests done when we should, preventative appointments etc. because insurance won’t cover the visit/tests – which can be very expensive. I tend to put things off as long as I can – which isn’t a very good way to nip a disease in the bud. So I pay hundreds of dollars a month so that if some major health crisis hits I’ll have insurance to keep me from going bankrupt – though the copay could nearly break me.

Our health INSURANCE system is broken, and I’m a big proponent of reform that includes a government option. I believe every citizen should have access to the same insurance plans that our senators and other government officials have – and with the same affordability. I hear people bemoaning socialized medicine like they have in Canada, UK and most of Europe – and yet people I know who live in those countries aren’t complaining – and, frankly, are shocked at the cost of our health care. I’d actually be delighted with Universal Health Care, but that’s not what is being proposed. I’m ok with a compromise though I’m very disappointed that the bill continues to be watered down to appease lobbyists and conservatives.

I also see these ridiculous polls on Facebook like “Do you support government run health care?” which are designed to imply that THAT is exactly what reform is all about (see RNC talking point lie below). Very misleading. I don’t think the general population really understand what Obama is trying to do here…. and they aren’t helped by the media.

According to Pew research, 22 percent of Americans get their news from talk radio. And conservative talkers have been lying to their listeners about what’s in the health care bill.

• Lies like, “If you don’t have private insurance the year that this bill is passed, you can’t get that later on from your employer.”
• Lies that the bill would “outlaw individual private coverage.”
• Lies provided in talking points from the RNC like “Democrats are proposing a government controlled health insurance system, which will control care, treatments, medicines and even what doctors a patient may see.”

Enough lies and fear mongering and the public will be afraid of reform… which is just what the drug companies, insurance companies and the politicians who take their money want. But there is a good editorial today in the NY Times called Health Care Reform and You that explains “what’s in it for you” without all the hype. You’ll probably have to set up a free account to read it (if you don’t have one already) but it’s worth it.

What is your experience with insurance & health care in the US or abroad? Do you support Health Care Reform?