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When thousands of people donate no more than $100 per person per election, we can build a campaign without money from special interests. _______________________ But it's about more than money. We need your energy and your enthusiasm, too. Sign up to volunteer on Jim Hansen's campaign for Congress.
 _______________________ 
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415 Views |
| posted on Thursday, February 02, 2006 |
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Researched and contributed by Bill Brudenell
Bill's note: The following is to the credit of Dr. Rushika Ferndandopulle, MD, MPP,
The Executive Director, Harvard Interfaculty Program for Health Systems Improvement. Dr. F. is author of Uninsured in America: Life and Death in the Land of Opportunity.
Millions of Americans are uninsured. Why does it matter?
There seem to be two "camps" in the general public (those who have insurance):
- It must not really matter, as people w/o health insurance can just go to an emergency room.
- Those w/o health insurance have no access to health care.
The truth lies somewhere between these incorrect extremes.
Yes, folks do end up in the emergency rooms without insurance. However, the hospitals must write off these expenses and, what is not paid for through Medicare, is added to the bills of folks with insurance.
Americans without health insurance:
- have a lower life span.
- live with more pain.
- have an overall lower level of health.
- Must let chronic diseases go untreated until an acute condition results. Then, the treatment is not only funded via Medicare and hospital write-offs, but is much more expensive to than preventative care would have been. Examples:
- hyper tension becomes renal failure
- Stomach pain becomes a burst gall bladder, appendix, etc.
- Lumps become systemic cancer
- Dental issues lead to heart attacks
- Psychiatric issues lead to violence or suicide
It is clear that we need to insure the uninsured. Economically, it will benefit us in the long run; our nation will be stronger and healthier; and, most importantly, it’s the right thing to do.
This is our shared future and we want to hear from you! Join the discussion in our forum and offer your views to the community.
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