I wish to thank our Congresswoman, Lois Capps, for supporting health care revision in this country. We all knew the system was broken, and finally we have a good start for a fix. The USA was the only country where health care was left to the devices of profit-making entities: the insurance industry. I bet there isn’t one person out there—Republican or Democrat—who hasn’t had a family member’s legitimate medical insurance claims manipulated, lost, or denied. Even my doctor is in support of this new law. While knowing it shall mean major changes in her practice, it also eventually means better heath care for her patients.
For years, patients and doctors have swirled in a large “insurance game” where claims are delayed until doctors write off their fees or the patient gives up or dies. Now is the time for citizens to work, within the system, to fix whatever needs fixing, and support representatives who use common sense and cooperation. It’s time to air respectful differences of opinion, negotiate, and then reward those who compromise toward the goals of creating a healthy, prosperous, and safe life in California and in America—for the long term.
This article appears in Apr 1-8, 2010.