Health Care Reform - Yes We Can - NOW!

by AFSCME President Gerald McEntee  |  November 19, 2008

This entry by AFSCME President Gerald McEntee was originally posted on The Huffington Post.

The election of Barack Obama and a new Congress demonstrated that the American people are hungry for real change. The vast majority want policies that are neither left nor right. Instead they want change that moves the country forward and solves the problems they face every day. The American people spoke loudly and clearly on Election Day: They want a government that's innovative and effective.

In response to the Bush administration that has told Americans "you're on your own" for the last eight years, voters said "No we're not, we're in this together and it's time for a change." Americans are demanding that government be a force for creating opportunity and prosperity, supporting and protecting our families, and strengthening our communities. That's how we will come together to improve the communities where we live, work and raise our families. Government helps us to achieve those things we can't do alone.

On November 4, voters demanded a government that says "Yes We Can."

Nowhere is that more apparent or important, than in the urgent need to guarantee quality, affordable health care every one can count on. Health care reform is a vital part of rebuilding the economy and expanding America's middle class. We have to do it now - precisely because economic times are so tough.

The Health Care for America Now! campaign has begun airing a television advertisement featuring President-elect Barack Obama's speech last month when he said: "The question isn't how we can afford to focus on health care - but how we can afford not to. Because in order to fix our economic crisis, and rebuild our middle class, we need to fix our health care system, too."

He could not be more right. And it's this boldness in his thinking that won him the confidence of the American people.

Health care costs are a huge economic issue and one of the top concerns of American families. As I talk to workers across the country, everyone is feeling the pinch. Health insurance premiums are going up three times faster than pay, with many working families shouldering a growing share of those costs. They are paying more and getting less - while being forced to fight with insurance companies to get the care they need and get their bills paid.

A new study demonstrates conclusively that health care reform and jumpstarting the economy go hand in hand. It shows that in 2007 our economy lost as much as $207 billion because of the ill effects of poor health and shortened life spans caused by lack of insurance, not to mention the pain felt by those directly impacted.

This is only going to get worse unless we do something now. The study also finds that without changes, the cost of a family's health insurance will rise so much that by 2016 half of American families "would need to spend more than 45 percent of their income in order to secure health insurance for themselves and their families." We must reform our health care system now to assist working families, to fix the economy, to address the squeeze on state and local government budgets, and to help American businesses struggling to compete while paying for health care benefits for their employees.

Our health care system is broken and it's hurting everyone. We need a system that guarantees quality, affordable health care for all. Responsible businesses are willing to pay their fair share toward employee health care, and Americans recognize that government must be an advocate to keep costs low and quality high. As our economy goes through the worst crisis since the Great Depression, the need for reforming our health care system is more important than ever.