MEA Votes

Far too many Michiganders are being forced to make dangerous decisions. They are choosing to overlook, ignore, or treat themselves instead of seeking the help of a physician. Why? Overwhelmingly many of them can’t afford it!

It is a dilemma that threatens society as we know it. Here’s what I think is at the center of it all.

In the United States, consumers are charged the highest prices in the world for the same medicines that are available in other major industrialized nations at a fraction of the cost. What this means is that millions of seniors and individuals with disabilities, some of them educators, have to choose between food and other necessities.

The other contributing factor is the rising number of uninsured Americans. In fact, over the past three years, the numbers have escalated from 41.2 million in 2001 to 46.6 million in 2005. Most experts attributed the rise to the rising costs of health care and insurance premiums. People are working, but they can’t afford it and in some cases, neither can their employer. Let’s remember, being employed does not guarantee coverage. This scenario is only made worse considering the nation’s deteriorating economy and significant budget deficits.

Lastly, there has been little done to address the gaps in coverage and rising costs of prescription drugs for those enrolled in Medicare. To this end, Congress should pass legislation that would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate fair prescription drug prices on behalf of beneficiaries. Additionally, employers should be provided subsidies to prevent them from dropping millions. Likewise, Congress should work to eliminate taxpayer subsidies for HMOs that were included in the law to lure seniors away from traditional Medicare coverage, and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

If we want to bring our economy back, there has to be a focus on those areas that eat up a large chunk of budgets. Let’s not forget health care.