Keep Dithering, Idiots

A recent editorial entitled "Deadly dithering: People are dying while politicians debate health care" which printed in the Sunday Trib states:

"A report by Families USA, whose Web site decribes it as a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for high-quality, affordable health care, estimates that three people between the ages of 25 and 64 die in Utah every week because they did not have health insurance."

"A lack of adequate health care led to the deaths of 150 Utahns in 2006 and more than 800 between 2000 and 2006, the report declares."

Let's put aside the question of how these estimations are made, and focus on a few key facts:

"A lack of adequate health care" does not mean inadequate health insurance, although that is clearly what the report and the editorial want you to think.

150 deaths in 2006 equals 0.98% of the total deaths in Utah for that year. So we're talking about less than one percent. This is not the halocaust, folks.

If you are uninsured in the state of Utah, it's more likely by choice rather than circumstance. Having spent a good portion of my career as a health insurance agent, I can tell you from personal experience that the most common reason for going without health care coverage is that people just don't think they need it.

Most people, especially younger people, are relatively healthy, and don't feel they need health coverage. Or at least, they won't go out of their way to purchase it. More than that, no one will give up their Starbucks, McDonald's and Coca-Cola or their gas-guzzling pickup truck in order to work health insurance into the budget.

The irony is, once you need health insurance, it's too late. It's your good health that buys health insurance, the money just pays for it. My advice: get a policy in force while you're young and healthy. Not only is it more affordable then, but you'll be glad you had it when you need it. And you WILL need it eventually.

Now for those who are unaware, here are your options for health care coverage in Utah: If your employer doesn't offer Group coverage, you can get individual coverage. If you are medically declined, there's the state High-Risk Insurance Pool (HIP). If you are low-income, there's Medicaid. If you don't qualify for Medicaid, and can't afford a Major Medical policy, there's Limited Medical, HSA's, and Catastrophic Coverage available. (Or perhaps you should consider trading in your pick-up truck.) You can even get a Health Savings Discount Card for about $15.00 which will get you discounted PPO rates for doctor and hospital services.

I support the following Health Care Reforms found in The Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act (H.R. 3343):

http://action.downsizedc.org/wyc.php?cid=90

Do you ever wonder why computers get better, faster and cheaper while health care gets slower, poorer, and more expensive?

Which is regulated more?

Next time you find yourself inclined to advocate for a Communist health care system, ask yourself honestly, "how much more like the DMV do I want my doctor's office to be?