Health Care
The health care system is reaching an additional crisis point in our country. While we spend more than any other nation on health care, our health outcomes lag behind other developed countries that spend far less. Nationwide, we have 47 million Americans without health insurance. We need to develop an efficient model of care that provides everyone with universal, quality health care.
Quality and efficient health care begins with a system that treats the patient, not just the physical ailments. More thought needs to go into what is the best option for a patient and their family. The health care system needs to be restructured to reward efficiency and promote preventative care.
The health care challenge is building a great deal of public support for a more fundamental change to the system. Established interest groups that have stalemated reform for several decades increasingly appreciate that their interests demand reform. Our economy cannot sustain an explosion in Medicare and Medicaid costs. Our industries, who waste too much on energy while they create products for the past, cannot assume an additional burden of health care, a problem that is unique to United States global companies.
We need to create a public option, both to reduce the cost of health insurance and to make sure that affordable insurance is available to everyone: A public health insurance plan would compete with private plans and drastically reduce the cost of health care. It would also be a source of health insurance to those with pre-existing conditions and those who can not afford conventional insurance. We need to work to ensure that all Americans have access to health Insurance: There are currently 47 million uninsured Americans. This is a crisis of both conscious and economics; as the inevitable care these people require costs more in the emergency room. We must work to make sure all Americans have access to health care.
We need to work to make sure that efficiency is rewarded: Currently Oregon has one of the best health care plans in the nation. We need to work to make sure that other states are rewarded for seeking to cut costs and improve quality.
We need to cut down on the inefficiencies in the system: Currently billions of dollars are lost each year in unnecessary procedures, inflated insurance bills, paperwork, and in other ways. This manifests as high bills to consumers and an economic burden to the entire nation.
We need to make sure that citizens can always choose the plan that is right for them: As reform continues, it’s important to allow people to choose their own doctors and the plan that is right for them.
We must prevent disease by promoting healthier lifestyles. This begins with provide access to healthy locally grown foods and embracing transportation incentives involving walking and cycling. These incentives improve health as well as decrease our dependence on foreign oils.
We must make sure that good health begins at a young age by ensuring that all children have health insurance and access to quality health care.
We need more education for health care providers, patients and families on end-of-life care options and decisions
Health of communities, the health of the economy, the health of our families are all intertwined.
Health Care Reform Marches on, with a new bill out of the Ways and Means Committee
The Need to Reform Health Care has Been Around for Decades, Check Out this Harper's Magazine on the Subject, from 1960. It even has the President Talking!
In almost four decades of public service, Earl Blumenauer's innovative accomplishments in transportation, planning, environmental programs and public participation have helped Portland, Oregon earn an international reputation as one of America's most livable cities.