Top Ten Reasons Healthcare Reform Needs a Public Option

Ok people. The PR Princess is taking a day off and allowing Soapbox Princess out to play today. Sometimes, in life and in business, you need to take a risk. But the risk is worth it to me if our nation ends up with a healthcare bill that covers most Americans, ends random and discriminatory business practices, and most importantly, saves lives.

President Obama is allowing his leadership on this issue to be taken over by special interest groups. If I were his executive coach I would remind him how much influence the bully pulpit of the presidency carries and urge him to take the fight to the mattresses. His campaign staff and volunteers are reminding him of their sacrifice in these ads, which are truly grassroots efforts, unlike the astroturfing of the far right.

So, without further ado, Soapbox Princess presents the Top Ten Reasons We Need a Public Option in the Health Care Bill:

1. Automatic coverage: Every U.S. Citizen would have health coverage simply by virtue of citizenship. This would eliminate costly door-to-door campaigns to make sure everyone signs up. If you become ill or injured and haven't signed up, you are allowed to fill out a simple registration form at the hospital or clinic you show up at.
2. Cost savings: During Medicare drug coverage plan debate, our elected leaders allowed the pharmaceutical industry to continue to fleece the public by not insisting on discounts to the Medicare program on prescription drugs. A public option would create the largest group of insureds in the U.S. and therefore the group with largest bargaining power. By the way, the pharmaceutical industry hasn't stopped trying to fleece us.
3. Human Dignity: In a rare and beautiful moment, the Obama administration and the Pope actually agree on something. People can't help it when they get sick or in an accident. Only the luckiest among us roam the earth unscathed from an unplanned trip to the hospital sometime in our lives. It simply amazes me that a lot of the loudest protesters consider themselves to be Christian, yet have no problem knowing that millions of their fellow Americans are suffering due to lack of affordable health care? WWJD? Hmmm, let me guess!
4. Electronic medical records: In this digital age, it is amazing that a proven cost-saving and life-saving technology is still the exception rather than the norm. Using electronic records would also allow doctors and researchers to share outcomes and treatment breakthroughs with each other much more efficiently and quickly.
5. Spending priorities: So, let me get this straight. It's OK to spend over a trillion dollars on an unnecessary war that has killed more than 5,000 Americans and disrupted millions of lives, but it's not OK to spend a trillion on health care? Someone's going to have to explain that one to me like I'm a two year old.
   
6. Monopolies: In places like Iowa, there are only two major companies controlling just about everything. We have the behemoth, Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and we have John Deere Health United Health Care. (edit thanks to my concervative friend Louie Laurent who keeps me honest) Those two alone insure 80% of all Iowans. And as I found out earlier this year, when my 19-yo daughter was denied coverage by Wellmark due to a "pre-existing condition," I found out they are very choosy about who they cover, for any price. A public option would disrupt monopolies and force these companies to compete on price, just like any other business.
7. Economic development: The U.S Chamber of Commerce is supporting health care reform, as are small businesses, big businesses, non-profits, unions, the AARP, and public entities of all shapes and sizes. Why? The inability to provide affordable coverage for employees hampers business development and expansion efforts all over the country.
8. Untie access to health care from employment: The United States has this oddity: You only deserve affordable health care if you work for an employer that offers it? Think about how asinine that entire concept is. What about businesses that lay off employees or go out of business? What if you are too sick to work? What if you have a great idea for a new business and want to venture out on your own?
9. Patchwork regulations around the country: There are as many rules as there are states and companies operating within the states. A public option with one set of rules and simple reimbursement forms would save billions in paper shuffling costs.
10. Affordability: When I had the option to continue my health insurance through COBRA, my premium would have been more than my house payment. There is just something fundamentally wrong with that. Public coverage would spread the costs out to a larger pool of people and prevent them from being dropped. I pay taxes too, and if I could choose where to put my tax dollars, it would be on providing health care to all Americans. Also, there are millions of uninsured people that would be willing to pay for affordable health care, but are locked out of the system.

There you have it. My healthcare manifesto. Please share with your friends and neighbors. I'd love to hear your comments. Now, I have to pick out my outfit for tonight's Obama healthcare speech. C'mon, President Obama, you have millions of Americans out here waiting for the change you promised.