Don't settle for status quo

By Gail Leach - Special to The Herald

I agree with critics who say that health insurance reform is all about control. It is about the insurance companies keeping control. Exclusive control of health care insurance coverage and control of the Congress (Democratic and Republican) that they have bought and paid for. Access to options for health insurance coverage is what were promised. That is what Congress has. I want that, and I am willing to fight the defenders of the status quo to get it.

The defenders of the status quo use these �arguments� for not moving forward to reform the system:

1. Seniors, your government wants to kill you.

2. The public option is socialism and will lead to rationing of care.

3. Reform costs too much.

4. You will be forced to enroll in the public option.

All four of these, not arguments, but talking points, are lies.

First, end-of-life discussions between patients and their doctors should be encouraged at any age. The federal government has been doing so for at least 20 years, and it was introduced into legislation by Republicans. Discussions of your treatment should you become incapacitated are important. Clear instructions should be given so that you, your care and your family do not become a political football, as Terri Schiavo's did when she had no living will. Lying to and scaring our seniors by saying that these discussions mean that our government wishes to end their lives to save money is immoral. Republicans who use this tactic should be ashamed of themselves.

Second, rationing of care is going on every day by the health insurance industry. Ever been denied coverage for a procedure, dropped from coverage after becoming ill, denied tests? This is rationing, and not only that, it's discriminatory.

Socialism as a charge goes nowhere either. I know that my grandparents are grateful for their Medicare. Remember, Medicare is a government-run health care option. I feel certain that no senior wants to give up his or her Medicare.

A public option will be Medicare for the younger generation. The public option is not socialism, it is competition. Competition is the driver of the free market. These are principles that many conservatives subscribe to. Well it's time to put up or shut up, conservatives.

Third, the talking point that reform is too costly is the one that angers me most. Sen. Jim DeMint loves this one, but I ask, where was this concern when he was voting for virtually every spending bill President Bush proposed? This includes the Iraq war and the Bush tax cuts that have led to the dramatic decrease in tax revenues that we have now. Health care reform is about bettering the lives of the American people. In fact, in some cases, it is about saving American lives. By extending coverage to those who are uninsured or have a pre-existing condition, lives may be saved.

Fourth, the word option means choice. No one is being �forced� to choose the public option. It is being offered so that we have a choice. President Obama has repeatedly said that �if you like your coverage and your doctor, you can keep them.� Yet supporters of the status quo continue to deliberately mislead people on this point.

I am for health care reform. My premiums have gone up and my coverage has gone down. I thank God that I have insurance and am not uninsured. I feel this especially strongly now since a recent health challenge. Imagining the disaster this could have been for my family, I have resolved to help in the fight for reform so that no family faces disaster.

Demand health security now!

Gail Leach is a resident of Rock Hill.