Session 11: Health Care

There has been quite some controversy over the issue of health care for the past 2-3 years. The country seems to be split on whether the Health Care reform is in the best interest of the Nation. With 20.5 % of Georgians uninsured last year, there has been quite a heavy cost for caring for these people when they are in need of medical attention. Many hospitals, such as Grady and Piedmont are giving charity care to these patients, but at the end it is the taxpayers that feel it in their pockets. Grady, arguably the most visited hospital in Atlanta, has lost over $200 million in care for those uninsured, with Piedmont losing close to $30 million. Such hospitals often times depend on federal grants, and charging insured patients higher amounts to make up for such losses. One would think that with such an effect on the economy and taxpayer dollars, the majority of Americans would be in support of the Health Care reform. Well, a recent study showed that about 47% of Americans were/are against the reform, saying that it would cause higher taxes, and force them to buy insurance even if they don't want to, or risk getting fined a set amount. What is so interesting is that people would feel this way, even though it is evident that the economic downturn has left many people without jobs, thereby leaving them without health insurance because they were getting the insurance through their jobs. What is even more shocking is that the costs of not having universal health care is far greater than having it. One must look at it as what would be the lesser of two evils. And with the increased amount of Hispanic illegal immigrants, the cost for insuring them will be quite high, but not as high as giving them charity care and forcing the insured to pay higher premiums and out of pocket expenses, as well as regular tax dollars. What the federal government has done so far to prevent poverty on the side of health care is wonderful, but if a repeal is approved, would only increase poverty substantially.