There was a great article in yesterday's Springfield News Leader about tales of the uninsured in the Ozarks. According to the article, the Missouri Foundation of Health is conducting a series of forums around the state to influence public policy about the uninsured. This alone, with the Health department crusading, shows an immediate need for health care for every American.
The article also states that Missouri is one of the 12 states with the largest percent of uninsured. It emphasized the growing problem of denial of dental care for Americans, the serious health problems that poses, how Medicaid no longer covers adult dental care, and even how few dentists even accept Medicaid for children. The Foundation of Health stated that it will take major health care change to help Missouri's uninsured.
Missouri is not alone. We are just one example of this growing national problem our government continues to ignore.
There are presently 46 million uninsured Americans. 9 million of these are children.
Health care costs are rising rapidly. According to HealthDay news,
Americans will spend 421 billion of their own money on health care, double the amount that was spent last year.
Millions of Americans are out of work or have jobs with no health
benefits. And because of rising health care costs, many employees are required to pay higher premiums or out of pocket expenses.
Prescription drug costs are rising at a rate triple of that of inflation.
And many people around the country are emphasizing a national universal health care system, especially for youth, as an important policy goal.
And what is our government doing about this growing problem?
Nothing. Nothing at all.
Currently, there are several bills in the House and Senate dealing with the importance of cheaper foreign drugs; none have even reached the floor.
Congress does not even want to discuss and consider this growing problem. This Republican controlled government is looking out for big business, and not Americans. It's all about money and power; and our government is showing that by ignoring this need.
As a candidate for U.S. Congress, I do not have insurance, just like most Americans. I am in the same boat as everyone else. So I know where all of you are coming from.
Our country is an embarassment and a laughing stock globally. We are the only western civilized country that does not have national health care. We're the richest country in the world, and we have people dying in the streets because they cannot afford to go to the doctor.
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